Another early morning departure. The HIE hotel breakfast wasn’t supposed to start until 0630, so I had planned to grab something at the classic ‘50s style Denny’s diner next door. When I started to haul my last load to the car, people were already eating – I think a special exception for a “Hot Shot” fire team - so I grabbed something expecting to have a real breakfast in Durango. I rolled at 0614 under light showers.
The sun was rising on the other side of the next mountain, casting an unusual glow on the clouds and mist. Traffic wouldn’t allow a set shot; this one through the windshield doesn’t do it justice.
The first pass of the day, a long one, wasn’t too bad leading to Durango. Durango traffic is very urban - it’s all built up with fancy by-passes which limits my likelihood of finding a cafe.
I find the right exit to continue on US-160 and head for Chimney Rock National Monument. That takes me through more of the San Juan Mountains; there’s even a wildlife overpass!. The time is 0819; the monument gates don’t open until 0900. I take some pictures and press on, starving.
I finally find an easily accessible cafe in Pagosa Springs. It even has grits on the menu. I ordered eggs over easy & grits – big mistake.
Now for the adventure: Wolf Creek Pass! There’s even a country song about it. I stopped at a couple of pull-outs to take these shots, one of a mountain across the way and one down the valley.
There was plenty of construction along the highway, so it was both hands on the wheel all the way through. I couldn’t even stop to take a picture of the Continental Divide sign at 10,865 feet. I’ve been over 10,000’ twice already, at Lassen and Great Basin, but this pass tops each of those.
The long ride down to the San Luis Valley follows the West Fork of the Rio Grande. I look for my only real taste of real green chile sauce in Alamosa. My two favorite restaurants there are closed on Monday, but a lady at the tourism office in an old depot sent me to Nino’s Del Sol – a fine choice.
As I leave the valley, I see the dunes of Great Sand Dunes National Park in the distance. Then it’s time for my last pass of the trip. La Veta Pass (9413’) goes through the Sangre de Cristo Range, home of many 14ers (including nearby Sierra Blanca at 14,345.
At Walsenburg, I leave US-160 and pick up CO-10 for 72 miles of nothing – just a few ranches in this high plains area. It has real grass (and a few cacti). I get to La Junta and my HIE at 1452, download the few photos I took, and called it a day.
For the day: 342.1 miles, for the trip 4187.9
Tomorrow: McPherson, KS, route TBD (too many options)
No comments:
Post a Comment