Vacation 2017, Iron Mountain Hot Springs, Glenwood Springs, CO

 Iron Mountain Hot Springs Glenwood Springs, Colorado

Located on the banks of the Colorado River this new facility with it's pools nicely placed on the banks of the river provide a spectacular way to relax and take in the vistas of the surrounding mountains. The hot mineral waters of the springs that feed these pools are a very soothing providing a welcomed res bit for those who come to relax and heal. The staff is very friendly and there is a cafe that serves great food and even libations. We left so relaxed and ready for a good nights sleep at our next stop at Gore Creek, a national forest service campground just 60 miles east of Glenwood Springs very near Vail, CO.  

Iron Mountain Hot Springs

View from the hot springs pools with the Colorado River in the background

White water rafting on the Colorado River

One of the ten pools at Iron Mountain Hot Springs

Vista's and hot spring pools making for a very relaxing day

We were pleasantly surprised and fully refreshed making our next stop at Gore Creek a delight with the rushing waters of the creek providing white noise for a great nights sleep. This place is special to for those who love nature as it surrounded by the high peaks of the Rockies with great Vista's everywhere you look. 

Gore Creek Campground

Gore Creek

Our campsite about ten yards from Gore Creek

Vail as seen from the entrance of Gore Creek with I70 curving through the mountains

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Vacation 2016, Salida, CO, Monarch Pass, Valley View Hot Springs

Barbara and I camped out about 8 miles east Monarch Pass at Heart of The Rockies RV Park near Salida, CO.  At 8,500 feet the first day was rainy and cool making it necessary to pull out our ceramic heater to take the chill out of our camper. The clouds skimmed over the mountain ridges making for a very surrealistic mountain scene. The first whole day was off and on rain so we decided to venture into Salida, CO for a tour of the town.  Salida besides its western mountain community charm is well known for its white water sports on the Arkansas River that flows through town. We enjoyed the shops and watching the white water kayakers and rafters as they maneuvered through the white water rapids of the river.  

Heart of The Rockies RV Campground

Our Campsite with rain clouds on the mountain ridges in the distance

Rafting on The Arkansas River near Salida, COWe took time to venture out to a nearby ghost town which is on the national historical site register St. Elmo Ghost Town. Nestled high in the Rockies this old mining town was known for its silver and gold mines at the turn of the last century. We enjoyed the Chipmunk crossing where baby chipmunks and their mothers fed on the nuts that visitors left them. Humming birds flocked to the feeders hung in front of the general store which is the only place open in this ghost town. St. Elmo is one charming place with its many abandoned old buildings. The memories of the miners who lived here many years ago leave a haunting presence.

The last day of our stay in the Salida, CO area we spent at one of our favorite places, Valley View Hot Springs. Valley View is nestled in the foot hills of the Sangre De Cristo mountains overlooking the San Luis Valley. The air is so clear here that you can see for miles as we watched the scattered storms move across the mountain ridges and across the valley. The day we were there was mostly rain free except for a late afternoon thunderstorm. The hot springs are very nicely placed in a natural setting with sides built out of stone and sandy bottoms which blend in with the surrounding hill sides. Deer roamed about and were not shy coming close to the springs and feeding near the hiking paths that led to the hot spring pools. We enjoyed the shelter area with it's community kitchen and center campfire circle. At the end of the day we left many memories behind knowing that one day in the future we would be back to spend more time. 

The Arkansas River in Salida, CO

Kayaking on The Arkansas River

Mountain Hilltop over looking Salida, CO

Art Work near river front in Salida, CO

The Palace Hotel on the main drive in Salida, CO

Mountain Sun Flower

General Store in St. Elmo ghost town high up in the Rockies

Humming Bird feeder outside the general store

Chipmunk feasting

Monarch Pass at 11,312 feet crossing the Continental Divide

Back packers known as The 2 Groundhogs hiking the Colorado Trail from Denver to Durango, CO

Monarch Mountain Tram ride on a clear morning

Panoramic view from Monarch Peak at 12,000 feet 

Majestic Mountain Peaks as seen from the peak of Monarch Mountain

Old Gold Mine on the eastern slope down from Monarch Pass

View from the campground at Valley View Hot Springs of The San Luis Valley

Rain Shower over the San Luis Valley

The Oak House guest quarters at Valley View Hot Springs

One of the many deer we saw during our visit

Sun Flowers lining the trails up to the hot spring pools

Out door community shelter and kitchen at Valley View Hot Springs

Rainbow over the San Luis Valley on the road back from Valley View Hot Springs to our campsite at The Heart of The Rockies RV campground

Valley View Hot Springs

Vacation 2016, Ridgeway State Park, Orvis Hot Springs, Red Mountain Pass, Silverton, CO, and Telluride, CO

Ridgeway State Park is located just north of Ridgeway, CO in the foot hills of the San Juan mountains. Barbara and I have stayed here in the past and find the park a great place to stay with scenic views and good facilities. We love the central location close to Orvis Hot Springs and Ouray, CO, two of our favorite places to visit when we are in this area of southwest Colorado. The Red Mountain Pass Highway over to Silverton, CO is located just north of Ouray, CO following a old wagon trail known as the Million Dollar Highway both today and when it was built back in the late 18 hundreds. It was a toll road back then with the owners charging 5 dollars a wagon which was a hefty fee back in those days. We also visited the famous silver mining community and ski town of Telluride, CO which is located just 37 miles away from Ridgeway State Park. Telluride is also known for the many special musical festivals that are held here every summer. We also decided to extend our stay one more day beyond the three days at Ridgeway and camped out at Orvis Hot Springs to soak in the warm hot springs one more time. We spent the first day we arrived at Ridgeway State Park soaking as well. I guess you could say you can get to much of a good thing. This special place beckons travelers to relax and enjoy the sheer beauty of the surrounding mountains. The following images provide a insight to many of the beautiful areas that make up this majestic part of Colorado which is dominated by the 14,000 foot peaks of the surrounding San Juan mountains. There are so many places to explore in this area that a traveler could spend a month here and not see it all. Or even perhaps a life time. 

Ridgeway State Park Reservor

View of San Juan mountains from our campsite at Ridgeway State Park

Our Campsite at Ridgeway State Park

Orvis Hot Springs 

Because this is a clothing optional hot springs I could not take pictures of the springs. I must say the grounds our beautifully landscaped with mountain flowers and the springs our natural and beautiful especially at night under the bright stars.

View of the San Juan Mountains at Orvis Hot Springs

Similar view looking north from Orvis Hot Springs

Our Campsite at Orvis Hot Springs, 8-2-2016

Ouray, CO

Main Street in Ouray, CO

Cascade Falls, Ouray, CO

Ouray Brewery

The Western Hotel in Ouray, CO

This image and the following images are views from the Red Mountain Pass Hwy. also known as The Million Dollar Hwy. 

Abandon Silver Mine near the summit of Red Mountain Hwy. 

The Idarado Silver mine which is not in operation today

Red Mountain Pass, 11,018 feet

Silverton, CO, City Hall

American Legion Building in Silverton, CO

The Shady Lady Saloon

Miners Memorial in Silverton, CO from a distance

Main Street in Silverton, CO

This image and the following images our of the famous Durango & Silverton narrow gauge steam engine run. These two old steam locomotives were ready to take their passengers back to Durango, CO

Main Street in Telluride, CO

Barbara in front of The County Courthouse in Telluride, CO

Galloping Goose Engine #4 used on the Rio Grand Southern Railroad years ago. This engine is adjacent to the court house in Telluride.

Tram ride up to Mountain Air Village in Telluride, CO

View of Telluride, CO from the tram

Mountain Air Village from the tram

San Jaun mountains back drop as seen from main street Telluride, CO

Colorful rainbow as seen our drive back to Ridgeway State park from Telluride

Ridgeway State Park