Sep 14, 2012 - Ohio Pass Rd - AM

Yesterday as we finished our drive down Ohio Pass Rd. in the late afternoon, we so enjoyed the view, colors and lush valley that it left us wanting more and wondering how it would look in the morning light. It didn't take us very long to decided that it would be worth doing all over again. The morning brought a bright and beautiful perspective from the valley to the top of Ohio Pass Rd. The colors truly did change overnight. We weren't disappointed and don't think you will be either.

Sep 14, 2012 - Carbon Creek

We took a little side trip today to Carbon Creek, on our way back up to Ohio Pass to see it in the am light. This little side road that we had seen the day before was beckoning to us all. It turned out to be a nice dirt road that went back in the mountains and trees at times. Soon we were following Carbon Creek. We traveled as far as the road would take us. You'll see in the pics why we couldn't go any farther. It is a shame that a few can ruin it for all. It was lovely back up in there and we spotted a nice spot to camp along the creek...

Sep 13, 2012 - Ohio Pass Rd - PM

After enjoying our lunch and view at Lake Irwin, we were off to see what fall looked like up on Ohio Pass. As we drove away from Lake Irwin and down the road leading to O.P. we drove thru a small forest of alpine pine trees, climbing up to the top of the pass. As we started to come out into the opening, the mountain came into view with many hues of color. Soon we were driving through a canopy of bright yellow aspens. As we took in the view and continued down the road the colors just extended out as far as we could see. This is where fall...

Sep 13, 2012 - Lake Irwin

Fall is in the air in the Gunnison/Crested Butte area, so off we went exploring today towards Crested Butte and on up to Hwy 12 towards Lake Irwin. The aspen trees are in various stages of turning colors. Lots of shades of greens, yellows & rust colors. It was a mild winter and dry spring here so the lake was way down and the colors aren't as vibrant as last year, but it was still gorgeous, even up beyond the lake. We enjoyed a picnic lunch at Lake Irwin campground where Len camp hosted prior to our meeting one another. After lunch we...

Sep 11, 2012 - Exploring Back Roads Around Gunnison

We joined our friends Bill, Sharon and Joyce Tuesday morning with the idea of heading to Gunnison to fill up with gas and then head up Ohio Pass Road to the top and then visit Lake Irwin before heading back thru Crested Butte to Taylor Canyon. All went well until we spotted this most interesting looking road heading off to the left from Ohio Pass Road. We decided to make a slight adjustment and check it out for a while. Well, the further back in we got the more interesting it got and the worse the weather up toward Ohio Pass looked....

Aug 30, 2012 - Devil's Punch Bowl and Crystal Mill

Devil's Punch Bowl has quite a reputation among off road enthusiasts. It is reputed to be one of the most difficult and dangerous off road adventures in Colorado. We've heard that 17 people have died trying to drive this road, but many of those were quite a while ago before improvements were made to the road. 9 of those died in a Suburban full of people driven by someone likely not experienced in this kind of driving. A Suburban is way to big, too long, and without enough clearance to be doing this drive, in my opinion. My guess is that an...

Aug 30, 2012 - Schofield Pass

We joined our friends Bill, Sharon and Joyce in Crested Butte so that the ladies could go shopping for shoes at a local shop that was having a big sale. After that we left Crested Butte heading toward Schofield Pass and after that Devil's Punch Bowl, Crystal Mill and Marble. Devil's Punch Bowl, Crystal Mill and Marble will be in another post. Hope you enjoy the pictures.

Aug 27, 2012 - Lottis Creek CG in Taylor Canyon

We are currently located at the newly renovated Lottis Creek CG in Taylor Canyon. They've done a great job and we like it here a lot. Our campsite is in a cul de sac and is very private, which we love. Our friends Bill, Sharon and Joyce are camped here also and we are enjoying their company. It's great to be back in Taylor Canyon again even though there is major construction underway on Hwy 742 for about 8 miles. Lottis Creek CG is at about 9200 ft elevation and it is our plan to stay here until they close it for the season, which will...

Oct 5, 2011 - Chicken Corners

We were off on another adventure today. This was a 6 hour and 52 mile trip on the other side of the Colorado River from Potash Rd. This was a easy trail with a few moderate rocky spots. There were some sandy spots that are fun to drive in. There were some interesting ledges to negotiate on the way up to Hurrah Pass. What a view from up there! We were descending on the west side of the pass when we had to make a sudden stop for a surprise! A big tortoise was on the road. Kobae was being walked by his owner and were out for a long walk. Boy,...

Oct 4, 2011 - Potash Rd. & Shafer Switchbacks

This is a trip that I've done numerous times during other visits to Moab, but I never tire of it. Spectacular red rock scenery and views of the Colorado River, not to mention some fun 4 wheeling up Shafer Switchbacks. We had lunch at an overlook of the gooseneck of the Colorado River, after which we took a side trip on the White Rim Road to Musselman' Arch and another great viewpoint of the Colorado River. It was somewhat hazy so the pictures aren't the best, but they are representative of what we saw. We shared this experience with Bill,...

Oct 3, 2011 - Onion Creek, Thompson Canyon & Castle Valley

Our first venture off-road in the Moab area was the Onion Creek area. We were originally going to go to the end of Onion Creek and return, but after talking to the camp host and looking at our maps we decided to extend this little trip by going up Thompson Canyon and returning via Castle Valley Road to Rt 128 a ways west of where we entered Onion Creek. One map showed it to be difficult and the other called it moderate, so we decided to find out for ourselves which it was. Fortunately it turned out to be moderate in our combined opinions,...

Oct 2, 2011 - Goose Island, Moab, UT

Guess what? We aren't in Show Low. We decided to head to Moab for the last two weeks of our remaining time this summer before heading home. We are camped at Goose Island Campground (BLM for $6 a night), right on the Colorado River and get to watch it lazily float by the front of the rig. We have a enormous rock wall across from us and a nice paved bike path that parallels the road. It makes for a great walking path, for which I discovered some fun sights. The camp sites are nice size with privacy scrubs between. We are excited about...