Purgatory
Overdue Girls Trip
Honestly, I think that this trip has been planned by us a couple of times. We always wanted to make a trip to Colorado happen but it never seemed to work out. This year we committed to a South Western Colorado trip down to Ouray, Telluride, and Durango. In true Ashley fashion, we started this drive at 5 AM. Due to a bridge being washed out, we couldn’t take the most direct route from NoCo. We decided to drive down to the Great Sand Dunes and the cloudy weather provided us with great photo opportunities.
Bad Weather
Continuing on we proceeded to be chased by bad weather. It finally caught up with us when we got to Pagosa Springs and stopped for a quick lunch. This cute little town has a river running through it and there were endless amounts of people tubing and getting out at this little park. Switching drivers unfortunately Elizabeth ended up having to drive in torrential rain and hail. Gotta love the mountains and their unpredictable weather patterns.
Finally Made it to Purgatory
We decided to stay in an Airbnb in Purgatory which is a small ski town outside of Durango. These condos were adorable and located in a gorgeous area surrounded by mountains, aspen trees, and beautiful lakes.
Aspen
On a small, winding trail near the condo, we went on a leisurely hike to pass a little time before our dinner plans. As we walked, we encountered this stunning forest filled with tall Aspen trees, their white trunks gleaming in the soft light. Later, when reviewing my photos, I felt that converting the images to Black and White truly did these remarkable trees justice, capturing their elegance and the serene atmosphere of the forest.
Creepy?
Unknown to us, we accidentally entered onto private property and unexpectedly stumbled upon these intriguing benches nestled within the forest. To me, this secluded location seemed perfect for a chilling Thriller or a spine-tingling Horror story. Imagine wandering into this eerie setting at dusk, where creepy shadowy figures might be sitting silently, blending into the darkness. What would you do in that unsettling moment? Would you flee, or would you investigate further?
Dinner Time
Ending the evening we went to dinner at James Ranch Grill. This is a farm-to-table restaurant with an adorable little store to buy locally. Jam-packed this place was super busy and had long lines to order food. After enjoying our drinks and dinner we walked the little trail on the property to stumble upon this little stream where you can see their cattle and chickens on the other side.
Jeep Waterfall Tour and Whitewater Rafting
On day one of our trip, we planned for a 2.5 Jeep Waterfall Tour and 2.5-hour Whitewater Rafting on the Animas River. The Durango River Trippers did a great job. I felt that both of these activities would have been more enjoyable earlier in the year when the rivers had more water and the waterfalls were flowing more aggressively. Our rafting guide was fantastic and he entertained us with silly jokes. The two little girls were extra and their drama was endless.
Million Dollar Highway
If you end up in southern Colorado the Million Dollar Highway is a must do. The winding US Highway 550 runs from New Mexico to Colorado part of the San Juan Skyway, this highway was built in the late 1880s, and it is one of the most spectacular drives in the USA. The Million Dollar Highway section connects Ouray and Silverton and is lined with many small adventure towns and ghost-mining villages. There are many theories to the name of the Million Dollar Highway, but the true origin of the name is unknown. Many people may first think of the million-dollar views around every corner. Locals used to joke that they would only drive the section of the road if someone paid them a million dollars because of steep grades, lots of winding turns, often being in avalanche paths, and lack of guard rails. The cost to expand and pave the highway is another way it may have received its name. Allegedly, each mile on the Million Dollar Highway cost a million dollars to build.
Bridal Vail Falls
During this trip, we knew we wanted to go on at least one memorable hike that would allow us to fully appreciate the stunning scenery. After some consideration, we ended up choosing to hike to the lower part of Bridal Vail Falls in the picturesque town of Telluride. This hike covered a distance of 1.2 miles each way, featuring a decent amount of elevation gain that kept things interesting. The smaller waterfalls on the trail were truly beautiful and provided us with endless breathtaking views at each turn, making the experience all the more rewarding. I think we both wished we could have had the time to do more hiking during our visit, but I am genuinely happy with the choice we made and the memories we created.
Ouray and Box Cañon Falls
Ending our trip was the evening in Ouray. The travel center suggested we drive up to Box Cañon Falls - I think both Elizabeth and I were skeptical if this stop would be worth the entry fee. With the threatening rain, we entered the nature center and started the short hike up to the falls. I was not expecting to see a large waterfall hiding within this cave. Below you can see videos of us walking into the cave and the waterfall itself. There is another trail I hiked up which took you to the Perimeter trail that encircles Ouray. You are provided with a great overlook of the town and can cross in a tunnel through the mountain. Later we explored the town, shopped, and had delicious pizza in the rain.