A couple days in the San Juans

nwcolorider · 07-21-2010, 08:09 PM

I had to be in Ouray Colorado for a class this week, so I hooked up the camper and put the DR in the back of the pick-up and off I went.
Monday the class went over to Silverton to look at some old mining operations. SO I rode the bike over US 550 to Silverton. A majority of the old mines down here used trams to get the ore down to the mill. This is also how you went up the mountain to get to work.

Sometimes once they got you up there you stayed. This is the Old Hundred bunkhouse up above Silverton.

Red Mountain pass was a great ride on the DR but I was ready for some dirt. So after class once I hit Ouray I went up towards Yankee Boy Basin.
When these old miners wanted a road somewhere nothing stopped them.

The falls were nice

The wild flowers are at full bloom

The sun was starting to set and I still had a ways to go, so one more pic before heading down to Ouray and dinner and a beer.

Day 2 was up Imogene Pass, I left at 8 am becuase we were not meeting until lunch. 13,114 feet. Great trip on the bike but lots of tour jeeps in the morning on the way up. I got some neat info on the mines from listing to the guides
Level 3 of the Camp Bird Mine

The guide I was listening to said he had been back in a ways. I did not go in, I am a geologist and know what these mines can have, so I just poked my nose thru the gate.

At current gold prices the mine produced over 5.5 BILLION dollars in gold.
Now off to the the top of Imogene.
Looking down on US 550, the Million Dollar Highway and the Idarado Mine

Looking down towards Telluride and the pass sign. I had to stand on some A holes bumper to take the pic because he parked in front of the sign and went for a walk.

I had to get back to town because we were meeting at noon so I did not venture down towards Telluride.
Looking back towards Ouray

Quick stop at Imogene Falls

A marmot, whistle pig, rock chuck or wood chuck. However you want to call it, was posing for a pic.

I need to come back when I have more time. It is only 4 hours from home.

GB · 07-21-2010, 08:37 PM

Looks great! I'll be heading out there shortly.. so thanks for the pics

Deano955 · 07-21-2010, 08:56 PM

Dysco · 07-21-2010, 10:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nwcolorider

Nice trip! What's that white stuff on the floor?

nwcolorider · 07-22-2010, 05:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dysco

Nice trip! What's that white stuff on the floor?

The whole bottom of the tunnel was ice. About a foot deep.

DoubleBit · 07-22-2010, 08:54 AM

Dude, your in my Dad's neighborhood... He's burried along Beaver Creek... Pictures can never (no matter how good yours are) do justice to the beauty of that region... Thanks for the tour!

sceep · 07-22-2010, 09:13 AM

nice!

we're headed to silverton next weekend. hows the weather right now?

Rainier_Rider · 07-22-2010, 09:31 AM

Looking at the elevation and knowing I would be short winded.

nwcolorider · 07-22-2010, 09:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sceep

nice!

we're headed to silverton next weekend. hows the weather right now?

The weather was great. Some afternoon thundershowers. Have a great time..

bretedge · 07-30-2010, 08:55 PM

Great trip and thanks for the photos! I was just there on my bike. Your report makes me wish I could go back.

07-21-2010, 08:09 PM	#1
nwcolorider ^OP NWCOLO Joined: Feb 2008 Location: Craig Colorado Oddometer: 1,657	A couple days in the San Juans I had to be in Ouray Colorado for a class this week, so I hooked up the camper and put the DR in the back of the pick-up and off I went. Monday the class went over to Silverton to look at some old mining operations. SO I rode the bike over US 550 to Silverton. A majority of the old mines down here used trams to get the ore down to the mill. This is also how you went up the mountain to get to work. Sometimes once they got you up there you stayed. This is the Old Hundred bunkhouse up above Silverton. Red Mountain pass was a great ride on the DR but I was ready for some dirt. So after class once I hit Ouray I went up towards Yankee Boy Basin. When these old miners wanted a road somewhere nothing stopped them. The falls were nice The wild flowers are at full bloom The sun was starting to set and I still had a ways to go, so one more pic before heading down to Ouray and dinner and a beer. Day 2 was up Imogene Pass, I left at 8 am becuase we were not meeting until lunch. 13,114 feet. Great trip on the bike but lots of tour jeeps in the morning on the way up. I got some neat info on the mines from listing to the guides Level 3 of the Camp Bird Mine The guide I was listening to said he had been back in a ways. I did not go in, I am a geologist and know what these mines can have, so I just poked my nose thru the gate. At current gold prices the mine produced over 5.5 BILLION dollars in gold. Now off to the the top of Imogene. Looking down on US 550, the Million Dollar Highway and the Idarado Mine Looking down towards Telluride and the pass sign. I had to stand on some A holes bumper to take the pic because he parked in front of the sign and went for a walk. I had to get back to town because we were meeting at noon so I did not venture down towards Telluride. Looking back towards Ouray Quick stop at Imogene Falls A marmot, whistle pig, rock chuck or wood chuck. However you want to call it, was posing for a pic. I need to come back when I have more time. It is only 4 hours from home. __________________ Civilization exists by geological consent, subject to change without notice. Will Durant http://nyoast.weebly.com/

07-21-2010, 08:37 PM	#2
GB Mod Squad Joined: Aug 2002 Location: Toronto, ON Oddometer: 53,466	Looks great! I'll be heading out there shortly.. so thanks for the pics __________________ ADV decals, patches & flag? Here

07-21-2010, 08:56 PM	#3
Deano955 Insatiable Joined: Jan 2005 Location: Armchair Adv'er Oddometer: 3,660	__________________ Triumph Tiger XC --- KTM 525 EXC --- Honda XX AMA Defender COHVCO Member Save $5 off your smugmug account with this coupon( 1qoLJk8tfsGWM )

07-22-2010, 08:54 AM	#6
DoubleBit Gnarly Adventurer Joined: Apr 2008 Location: Applegate, Nor Cal Oddometer: 288	Dude, your in my Dad's neighborhood... He's burried along Beaver Creek... Pictures can never (no matter how good yours are) do justice to the beauty of that region... Thanks for the tour! __________________ Current rides. gn250, xl175, ct70k1 gsx1100G, sold, looking for a midrange touring rig. Letting go of pretense, I'm riding whatever runs, wherever I want.

07-22-2010, 09:13 AM	#7
sceep Adventurer Joined: Jun 2010 Location: 'Burque Oddometer: 43	nice! we're headed to silverton next weekend. hows the weather right now? __________________ USNF Trail Ambassador, Sandia NM ranger district.

07-22-2010, 09:31 AM	#8
Rainier_Rider Gone Joined: Jan 2008 Location: Delete this account. Oddometer: 1,560	Looking at the elevation and knowing I would be short winded. __________________ Delete account.

07-30-2010, 08:55 PM	#10
bretedge Do Epic Shit Joined: Jul 2009 Location: Moab, Utah Oddometer: 437	Great trip and thanks for the photos! I was just there on my bike. Your report makes me wish I could go back. __________________ Bret Edge Moab, Utah Bret Edge Photography The Essential Guide to Photographing Arches NP

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