IntrepidXJ
06-30-2011, 08:25 PM
Day 9: Headed back to Silverton | July 27, 2007
After a few days up in Grand Junction, I was headed back down to Silverton for the dinner and raffle the Colorado chapter of NAXJA was putting on for ColoradoFest. Before I left the area, I had a few places I wanted to explore on my way south. I started off by heading to the Colorado National Monument.
http://myxj.net/g2/d/86440-1/IMG_6787.JPG
I did a little sight-seeing along the paved road through the monument, including Independence Monument.
http://myxj.net/g2/d/86464-1/IMG_6799.JPG
After checking out the sites in the monument I headed up Black Ridge Road, which leads to Rattlesnake Canyon.
http://myxj.net/g2/d/86513-1/IMG_6823.JPG
Looking down into Rattlesnake Canyon
http://myxj.net/g2/d/86559-1/IMG_6846.JPG
http://myxj.net/g2/d/86569-1/IMG_6851.JPG
Once at the end of the road, you come across the hiking trailhead for Rattlesnake Canyon. Hiking is the only way into the canyon. I am hoping to head back another time to hike the trail.
I did manage to spot West Rim Arch from above on the opposite rim.
http://myxj.net/g2/d/86577-1/IMG_6855.JPG
After heading back out through the monument, I was on my way south again towards Silverton.
Taking the backroads to Owl Creek Pass....storm clouds were moving in again.
http://www.myxj.net/g2/d/88097-1/IMG_6887.JPG
Made it to the pass
http://www.myxj.net/g2/d/88141-1/IMG_6909.JPG
Passed by Chimney Rock
http://www.myxj.net/g2/d/88151-1/IMG_6914.JPG
After passing Chimney Rock it started raining on and off pretty good the rest of the evening. After making it back to Ouray I started to make my way towards Silverton and the rain was still coming down pretty good. When I made it to Bear Creek Falls, the creek was moving pretty quickly and was dark with mud. When I walked over the bridge it was shaking from the moving water below.
http://www.myxj.net/g2/d/88191-1/IMG_6934.JPG
A little further down the highway, I ran across a rock slide caused by the rain. My lane was impassable, so we had to take turns getting by in the opposite lane. Eventually I did make it back to Silverton, and had a great dinner out of the rain.
After a few days up in Grand Junction, I was headed back down to Silverton for the dinner and raffle the Colorado chapter of NAXJA was putting on for ColoradoFest. Before I left the area, I had a few places I wanted to explore on my way south. I started off by heading to the Colorado National Monument.
http://myxj.net/g2/d/86440-1/IMG_6787.JPG
I did a little sight-seeing along the paved road through the monument, including Independence Monument.
http://myxj.net/g2/d/86464-1/IMG_6799.JPG
After checking out the sites in the monument I headed up Black Ridge Road, which leads to Rattlesnake Canyon.
http://myxj.net/g2/d/86513-1/IMG_6823.JPG
Looking down into Rattlesnake Canyon
http://myxj.net/g2/d/86559-1/IMG_6846.JPG
http://myxj.net/g2/d/86569-1/IMG_6851.JPG
Once at the end of the road, you come across the hiking trailhead for Rattlesnake Canyon. Hiking is the only way into the canyon. I am hoping to head back another time to hike the trail.
I did manage to spot West Rim Arch from above on the opposite rim.
http://myxj.net/g2/d/86577-1/IMG_6855.JPG
After heading back out through the monument, I was on my way south again towards Silverton.
Taking the backroads to Owl Creek Pass....storm clouds were moving in again.
http://www.myxj.net/g2/d/88097-1/IMG_6887.JPG
Made it to the pass
http://www.myxj.net/g2/d/88141-1/IMG_6909.JPG
Passed by Chimney Rock
http://www.myxj.net/g2/d/88151-1/IMG_6914.JPG
After passing Chimney Rock it started raining on and off pretty good the rest of the evening. After making it back to Ouray I started to make my way towards Silverton and the rain was still coming down pretty good. When I made it to Bear Creek Falls, the creek was moving pretty quickly and was dark with mud. When I walked over the bridge it was shaking from the moving water below.
http://www.myxj.net/g2/d/88191-1/IMG_6934.JPG
A little further down the highway, I ran across a rock slide caused by the rain. My lane was impassable, so we had to take turns getting by in the opposite lane. Eventually I did make it back to Silverton, and had a great dinner out of the rain.