Getting chillier, and on to Taos

Our last week was a whirlwind.  And with the evening temps dipping into the 20's, we still had a few things on our list to do.  

Our site as the sun went down

One was go up to Kennebec Pass, 11,683' on the Colorado Trail.  We have been there several times before, but this time was to have a picnic and Jan was going to walk over to the pass itself, and I wanted to go the other way for a bit.  It is about 13 miles from the main road, Hwy 160, the first several miles is paved then dirt, then as you go higher and higher the road becomes quite rough, narrow, and very steep.  But not scary:-)  When we got there there was only one car already there, but in a few minutes, two more arrived.  We had a lovely lunch sitting on the tailgate of the truck enjoying the spectacular view!

Our lunch spot!

The whole view

I walked down the other way as I said and took a few more pictures while Jan went over to the pass.

The Colorado Trail

I caught Jan returning from the pass

Then we got to do a good deed.  In the one vehicle that came up after us were 2 girls that were going to mountain bike the trail back down into Durango.  Quite a ride, 22 miles, mostly downhill but with about 4 miles of severe uphill.  I guess you have to pay the piper.  Anyway they came over and asked if we would perhaps drive their car down the mountain for them?  They explained that they had a shuttle meeting them in Durango to take them back to their vehicle, but they were sure it would not be able to get up the mountain, and they were not relishing a 5 mile hike back up to their car.  We, of course, said sure we would, so I drove their vehicle down while Jan drove our truck, and we left it at a much better spot for them.  They did report they had a wonderful 3 1/2 hour ride and got their car okay.

Another hike we wanted to do was Hermosa Creek.  We had never done any of it before so we went to scope it out.  It is accessible way behind the Purgatory Ski Resort, after driving through a ford on the creek to the parking area.  On the way we ran into a bunch of cowboys moving a herd down the mountain for the winter.

It was a beautiful day and it was a great peaceful hike that we will go back and do more of next year, including bringing our fishing rods, we turned around at about 1 1/2 miles.

Hermosa Creek

Our coffee spot after the hike at the trailhead

We took another turnoff on the way back and went even deeper into the wilds and got a super view of Engineer Mountain.

Then Jan especially, wanted to go up on Missionary Ridge.  It is on a long gravel road about 27 miles up to the east of the Animas Valley, and had some incredible views from above.  Not a really comfortable road for this chicken, but we went all the way to a gorgeous little lake, Henderson Lake, way, way up the road.  It was pristine, as clear as a bell, and we even gave it a shot fishing for a little while.

Henderson Lake

Look how clear the water is!

We worked our way back, and stopped for coffee on the way.

What a view of the Animas Valley!

Our coffee spot

So after another excellent lunch at one of our favorites, Rice Monkeys, we called it done in Durango and headed down to Taos.

Our lunch spot on the way to Taos