A fall drive thru the mountains

 We found ourselves in need of a fall drive thru the mountains. The aspens were in full color and the weather was beautiful so we took off thru Southwest Colorado. Here are some of the highlights...

The Matterhorn Mill near Telluride

This is a 100 year old structure rich in mining heritage. It is scheduled for considerable renovation and remediation work

The texture and warps of the siding make for interesting photographs

The Rio Grande Southern Railroad used to come up this valley. You can see remnants of the right of way in the center of the image.

Dolores depot and Goose #5

The depot has a nice museum with well done models

The various 'Geese' were rebuilt several times over their lifespans - the museum had examples of each of the iterations.

Rico Colorado with historic mining structures

Rio Grande Southern map

Smoke from wildfires cast a haze over Trout Lake

Our "always ready to take a ride" miniature schnauzer

One can only imagine the snow loads that caused this type damage

I liked the rock and stone work on this building

A skilled wood carver can be found just outside of Montrose, CO to the South

These Hobbit like buildings are all for sale 

This was a whimsical way to wind up our trip

Hiking the Cebolla Drainage

 Wonderful hiking opportunities are found near Powderhorn, Colorado. The Cebolla Drainage is a particularly nice area to hike, especially in the fall to take advantage of the Aspens in full color.

Our neighbors arranged for several of us to meet and drive to the trailhead and hike along the creek. Beavers are active in the area and have made a number of beaver dams and lodges along the way.

Julie at the Trail head - this was after a rough 10 mile drive from the nearest pavement

If you watched the beaver ponds you'd see trout

The lady hikers

Julie enjoying watching for trout in the beaver pond 

Beavers were active making their dens and damming the creek

Colors were intense

Beaver den

Along the trail

The hike up from the creek to the trail head was steep but not long