My favorite places to visit in Southwest Colorado!
This past week I found myself nestled beneath the aspens of Southwest Colorado. I took a trip there mainly to visit my Uncle Kevin but also to reconnect with nature, share some laughs with some old friends, and explore as much of the area as I could. It’s exactly what my heart truly needed. I’ve always had an adventurous soul (my mother calls me the wild child) and whenever I can get the opportunity to get lost in the wilderness, I’ll take it. From floating down the Animas River to riding the gondola in Telluride, there are so many terrific adventures to choose from when visiting the Wild West. I hadn’t been to Durango (the city I stayed in) since 2014, so it was a treat for my husband and I to take my kids on the trip of a lifetime. My life has been a freefall since we moved to Florida this year so it was nice to take a timeout with my family and enjoy a little R&R in the great outdoors. We stayed in the cutest cabin high in the La Plata Mountains down this dusty back road that was lined with Black-eyed Susans and rustic farms. If you are looking for a mountain retreat that is a short flight away, check out my recommendations below… Here are some activities that I highly recommend if you visit the Southern part of Colorado…
Float down the Animas River
The Animas River is a 126 mile long river that is part of the Colorado River System. It floats right through the heart of Downtown Durango, which explains why it’s a major white water rafting attraction. We rented our tubes over at Mild to Wild rafting adventures and started up by launching out north of town. The river north of town had a mild current so we took advantage of just floating down the river. Once you hit the 32nd street bridge, the rapids pick up a bit and that’s when the fun begins. Floating down the river on our own tubes was our preferred mode of transportation but you can raft with a guide, kayak, or even paddle board if that’s what you like. I am a fish who’s not afraid of getting wet, even when the water temp is 68 degrees, so we just threw on our bathing suits and braved the cold. It was refreshing, enjoyable, and the scenic backdrop was none too shabby.
Take a day trip in the car to Telluride
Just a little over two hours away, you can take a scenic drive right into Telluride, Colorado. Known for it’s world class alpine skiing, the Telluride Film Festival, and the true beauty of the Rocky Mountains, this town is one of a kind. The main street is lined with trendy restaurants, shops, and bars. You can take a free gondola ride up the mountain which offers the best view of the valley. We dined in downtown Telluride at The Floradora Saloon and it felt like stepping into an old Western film. Another sight to see in Telluride is Bridal Veil falls which can be viewed from the downtown area. We drove up to the main viewing area and you can see the 365 foot waterfall with the hydroelectric power plant next to it. What a fabulous experience! It is known to be quite a bit rainy during the summer hence why the local flora and fauna is a verdant green. The drive from Durango to Telluride offers panoramic views of Trout Lake along Highway 145. A great way to spend a day in the high country :)
Fun Fact: A few years ago, a large boulder chipped off one of the mountains and slid all the way down across Highway 145 between the town of Dolores and Telluride. No one got injured but it’s a fun sight to see along your route! It’s so big- you can’t miss it!
Hiking the Molas Lakes Pass
I am not an avid hiker (I live in Florida so the most hiking I do is down the beach lol) but I couldn’t go to Colorado and not do a moderate hike. I’m a big fan of exercise so I wanted to test my strengths and hike in high elevation. It is the peak of summer so I had asked my uncle which hike had the best viewing of all the wildflowers in the area. He mentioned The Molas Lakes Pass so that’s where we went. A 6-mile journey that blends in with the Colorado Trail, this hike is considered a moderate leveled hike and the scenery was breathtaking. My husband has a big fear of steep drops but this trail was wide and kept us at a gradual incline the entire time. I have to admit it was a bit difficult for me to hike in 12,000 feet of elevation and had to stop a few times, but it was the greatest feeling when we completed the pass. Along the trail, I spotted The Indian Paintbrush flowers, Columbine flowers (the Colorado State flower), Black-eyed Susans, and Pink Elephant flowers (if you look closely, you can see the flowers are in the shape of little pink elephants - it’s so cute!). I would definitely give this hike a 10/10 on the all trails scale! A must if you’re looking for breathtaking, panoramic views and, best of all, you don’t need to be a highly experienced hiker.
Mesa Verde National Park
As most of you know, it is my dream to visit all the National Parks in the country. When I heard that Mesa Verde National Park was nearby Durango, I had to pay a visit (my parents took me there as a kid but I don’t recall much from that age). As soon as we entered the park, red rocks towered above us and a wild horse crossed the road in front of us. It was unlike any other park I had visited in the past. Mesa Verde is known for its ancient Native American dwellings that are carved into the mountain. It was incredible to see these amazing cave dwellings where an ancient Indian tribe, known as the Anasazi, used to live in the 8th to 12th century. We are talking over 800 years ago! It was all so fascinating to me, especially because I was able to share the experience with my husband and best friend. This is an absolute MUST when visiting the Durango/Cortez area of Colorado!