- My Forums
- Tiger Rant
- LSU Recruiting
- SEC Rant
- Saints Talk
- Pelicans Talk
- More Sports Board
- Winter Olympics
- Fantasy Sports
- Golf Board
- Soccer Board
- O-T Lounge
- Tech Board
- Home/Garden Board
- Outdoor Board
- Health/Fitness Board
- Movie/TV Board
- Book Board
- Music Board
- Political Talk
- Money Talk
- Fark Board
- Gaming Board
- Travel Board
- Food/Drink Board
- Ticket Exchange
- TD Help Board
Customize My Forums- View All Forums
- Show Left Links
- Topic Sort Options
- Trending Topics
- Recent Topics
- Active Topics
Started By
Message
Durango, CO trip. Looking for recommendations + info on the train...
Posted on 5/27/21 at 2:54 am
Posted on 5/27/21 at 2:54 am
I've searched the site and found quite a few recommendations for the city. I'm welcome to new ones. I'm going to be visiting almost exactly a year from now.
Also, does anyone have any worthwhile visits in Hermosa? It's about 15 minutes closer to where I'm staying vs Durango.
*Feel free to ignore the rest of the post unless you're pretty familiar with the Durango to Silverton train ride... *
The main reason that I'm starting this thread is for info on the Durango to Silverton train. I've booked a fire arse mountain home in early May 2022. I want to avoid the summer crowds, so I'd prefer to keep it early May.
This year, the fancy train ride cars (like the Cinco Animas) were only available beginning 5/22. I've asked the people that run the train (LOL) if that's typical or if it was a COVID thing this year. Their response was simply "this year has been unusual. Check out our newsletter for updates on 2022."
It's a longshot, but have any of you ridden one of the historic cars in early May (or sooner)? I get that they don't have any guarantees on scheduling given CO's government, but it's frustrating that they won't volunteer typical dates of operation.
Thanks.
Also, does anyone have any worthwhile visits in Hermosa? It's about 15 minutes closer to where I'm staying vs Durango.
*Feel free to ignore the rest of the post unless you're pretty familiar with the Durango to Silverton train ride... *
The main reason that I'm starting this thread is for info on the Durango to Silverton train. I've booked a fire arse mountain home in early May 2022. I want to avoid the summer crowds, so I'd prefer to keep it early May.
This year, the fancy train ride cars (like the Cinco Animas) were only available beginning 5/22. I've asked the people that run the train (LOL) if that's typical or if it was a COVID thing this year. Their response was simply "this year has been unusual. Check out our newsletter for updates on 2022."
It's a longshot, but have any of you ridden one of the historic cars in early May (or sooner)? I get that they don't have any guarantees on scheduling given CO's government, but it's frustrating that they won't volunteer typical dates of operation.
Thanks.
6
Posted on 5/27/21 at 6:29 am to THRILLHO
Snow.
The train in early May is iffy at best. The rails have to be cleared and given maintenance prior to passengers. Have ridden it a couple of times, and recommend it.
Anecdotally, I have seen sections of rail along the river banks below us that were lost due to snow slides.
That area is one of my favorite summer vacation spots... train ride, white water, Mesa Verde, Black Canyon of the Gunnison and the highway to Ouray. Will admit that the Durango to Ouray drive can be quite adventurous for someone in the passenger seat. I think my wife left a fingernail or two embedded in that rental's arm rest and an "Oh Shite!" handle can get costly.
The train in early May is iffy at best. The rails have to be cleared and given maintenance prior to passengers. Have ridden it a couple of times, and recommend it.
Anecdotally, I have seen sections of rail along the river banks below us that were lost due to snow slides.
That area is one of my favorite summer vacation spots... train ride, white water, Mesa Verde, Black Canyon of the Gunnison and the highway to Ouray. Will admit that the Durango to Ouray drive can be quite adventurous for someone in the passenger seat. I think my wife left a fingernail or two embedded in that rental's arm rest and an "Oh Shite!" handle can get costly.
Posted on 5/27/21 at 8:05 am to THRILLHO
The schedule all depends on snow. Similar thing to the mountain passes and roads in national parks throughout the entire west/inner mountain region. Nobody knows when things will open up until passes, roads, etc start being cleared of snow.
May is the off-season so don’t expect much to transpire.
May is the off-season so don’t expect much to transpire.
Posted on 5/27/21 at 10:52 am to THRILLHO
quote:
Also, does anyone have any worthwhile visits in Hermosa? It's about 15 minutes closer to where I'm staying vs Durango.
we stopped at james ranch for farmer's market type groceries and to feed the baby goats and see the chickens. my wife enjoyed that and kids might too.
hermosa creek trail has a trailhead right at lower hermosa creek and is a pretty out and back hike if you want a quick hike. i think it links to the colorado divide trail but you can just turn around anytime.
the alpine slide at purgatory is fun for just a quick thrill but they may be in between seasons in may. actually, if you drive up and around the back of purgatory it will take you to upper hermosa creek which is a beautiful area. there was a fire there a few years ago, and i haven't been since. so the area may have a burn scar. but a gorgeous drive.
pinkerton hot springs is an unimpressive rock on the side of the road that has a hot spring. and the bridge that butch cassidy and the sundance kid jumped off of is in hermosa.
a little further up the road (past purgatory) is the road to spud lake. a pretty neat jeep trail with a short hike to a mountain lake. may not be accessible in may.
Posted on 5/27/21 at 1:24 pm to THRILLHO
You could see if the railroad still allows you to get on at Rockwood Depot, sister & BIL live next to the depot. You will skip the first 45-60 minutes of the ride but it is fairly bland. The great views and scenery starts about 15 minutes after leaving the depot.
LINK
LINK
Posted on 5/27/21 at 3:25 pm to THRILLHO
I'm no help on the train, but can recommend a couple things. I stayed in Purgatory Resort Memorial Day last year and they were in the middle of transitioning from Winter to Summer with their alpine slide and coaster closed. It was pretty quiet all-around, mainly due to COVID. Also, Purgatory had a mountain biking track that looked pretty awesome. Did not ride it, but looked like a good time.
James Ranch is solid spot to grab lunch on their patio or picnic tables and enjoy the views.
It may be difficult to do some upper elevation hikes if the mountains are still snowed over. Here are a few hikes in the areas my wife and I enjoyed:
1. Castle Rock via Elbert Creek Trail
2. Vallecito Creek Trail - out and back thatfollows along a river where you can turn around at any time. We hiked to the first main bridge and enjoyed lunch.
3. Potato Lake
4. Cascade Creek East Fork
5. Molas Lake to Animas River via Molas Trail
James Ranch is solid spot to grab lunch on their patio or picnic tables and enjoy the views.
It may be difficult to do some upper elevation hikes if the mountains are still snowed over. Here are a few hikes in the areas my wife and I enjoyed:
1. Castle Rock via Elbert Creek Trail
2. Vallecito Creek Trail - out and back thatfollows along a river where you can turn around at any time. We hiked to the first main bridge and enjoyed lunch.
3. Potato Lake
4. Cascade Creek East Fork
5. Molas Lake to Animas River via Molas Trail
Page 1 of 1
Popular
Back to top
Follow TigerDroppings for LSU Football News