Ouray Day 2

We were trying to pack in a hike, a bike ride, and a scenic ride on the Million Dollar Highway.

The Sutton Mine Trail

This trail was advertised as a moderate hike with all the work in the first half mile.  This was our first day of thin air (8,800 ft elevation hiking up to 9,000 ft), we were sucking for air.  In that "first half mile," it seemed as though we took 2 miles of steps of narrow trails and multiple switchbacks.  

Once we got past the switchbacks, the trail got easier, and we were able to enjoy the views as we hiked.  One of the challenges with hiking is that you have to watch your step (consistently looking down) and try to enjoy the views as you walk.  This hike shared a variety of views with us.  We looked out over a valley and onto the opposing mountain face with the Million Dollar Highway stapled to its edge.  

This trail leads to the Old Sutton Mine with its preserved mining buildings.  We were not as interested in the mining buildings, so we stopped when we got to the Bear Creek Overlook.  It's about 2.4 miles.  As is always the case, a picture is worth a thousand words, but neither the picture nor the thousand words capture the emotion one feels.  I was so grateful to share this view with My Lovely.  It made my heart thump.  It made me feel a closeness and a specific gratefulness of having her share this with me.  We held each other closely as we tried to take it all in.

Camp Bird Road

We wanted to get a bike ride in.  With a bike ride, we cover more ground with less effort.  And we see more. 

The Camp Bird Road is steep incline on a “paved” road, but the road is covered in cinder and rock.  Even with our fat tires, it wasn't particularly safe, and the incline was tough even with the ebikes.  We abandoned the ride after just a couple of miles.  But there were some stunning views that made you envy the people who own houses right on the river.

Cascade Falls

With the Million Dollar Highway closed due to a fire in the area and a shortened bike ride on Camp Bird Road, we had time to take in Cascade Falls.  You can actually see the falls as you drive through town.  There is almost no hike to get to the base of the falls (maybe 500 yards from the parking lot).  After the earlier hike, the thin air and the ride, our legs were burning a little, we decided to take it in from the rivers edge just short of the base.

The time came to relax and recuperate, but we had one last view to get in.  There is an overlook of the lake and valley below and the opposing mountains just a short walk from our campsite.  We took that in until we got a surprise call from Jacob.

Jacob is now at tech school in Biloxi, MS.  His first impressions were great!!  Better climate, better food, more freedom, and only 1 roommate.  He told us of his plans to be a “White Rope” (a leadership role - Chaplin type of position), and he talked about the study program.  Jacob seems to be thriving.Läs mer