2025 Colorado Trip Day 8 - Gunnison, Curecanti National Recreation Area

Ate breakfast at hotel (Tomichi Inn) then we took turns swimming in pool and sauna (indoor). We had a leisurely morning because it was raining and 53f, then took a drive in the Curecanti National Recreation area and went on a wonderful hike on the Curecanti Creek Trail. We started at 1pm and it rained the whole way down; took about 1 hour to reach the bottom.  Then the sun came out for the hike back up. The whole thing took us about 3 hours.  It's a really fantastic trail with gorgeous scenery and built to old-style NPS standards. I must admit I even liked the lake at the end - very quiet, deep, and mysterious. Having drove past/through Curecanti so may times, this really gave us a new perspective on the Park. Not unexpected, but better even than I imagined. So much of what you see from Hwy 50 is just reservoir.  Even the short drive to the trailhead is absolutely beautiful once you cross the reservoir to the north side. 

Ate dinner at the High Altitude Brewery again, this time inside while Bindi stayed in the car. Food and drinks were wonderful!

2025 Colorado Trip Day 7 - Leave Telluride, Drive South To Durango Then North Back To Gunnison

Packed up, checked out of hotel then walked river walk to get coffee and Bindi exercise before driving south out of Telluride on hwy 145 through Rico down to Durango; a very scenic drive.  From Durango, we drove north on the Million Dollar Highway through Ouray then back through Ridgeway and Montrose to Gunnison again. Stopped for dinner at a steakhouse (cool enough for Bindi to stay in car) before checking into the Inn at Tomichi Village again.

Trout Lake near Lizard Head Pass

Trout Lake

Priest Lake just down the road from Trout Lake

Priest Lake

View across hwy 145 from Lizard Head Pass

Lizard Head Pass, looking into Lizard Head Wilderness

Lizard Head Pass picnic area

2025 Colorado Trip Day 6 - Telluride

Walked a bunch of the River Trail and around Telluride. Stopped for breakfast at Baked In Telluride - delicious bagel and lox and breakfast burrito and ate on patio/porch with Bindi. Did a bit of shopping - purchased expensive swimsuits we didn’t really need (vacation fun) for each of us at Patagonia - stopped at brewery for a couple of drinks and pork green chili. Went back to hotel and did some laundry before walking back to main area of town. It started raining so we stopped at a taco place. We could eat inside by an open window while Bindi sat outside and I held her leash through the window. She got a lot of attention and was hailed on a bit before we walked back to hotel. Scott and I both got to take a jacuzzi while Bindi stayed on the patio and watched us. She is so easy to vacation with, at least in dog loving Colorado.

2025 Colorado Trip Day 5 - Backpacking Lizard Head Wilderness; Telluride

This morning we hiked back down the mountain due to rain, so we didn’t make it to Navajo Lake but did see gorgeous sunrise off the mountains before the rain started. Once we got everything settled in the 4-Runner, we ate bologna sandwiches, drank a beer and headed down the road to Telluride. Checked into our hotel Mountainside Inn in Telluride then walked the River Walk to find dinner. Ate at Floradora Saloon, outside with Bindi. Very good food and drinks, better than expected. Walked around Telluride then back to our hotel and Scott got in the outdoor jacuzzi while Chris sat in outdoor sitting area with Bindi and had a glass of wine because she didn’t bring a swimsuit.

2025 Colorado Trip Day 4 - Backpack Into Lizard Head Wilderness

Backpacked into Lizard Head Wilderness on the Woods Lake/Navajo Lake trail. Ascended 2200 ft in approximately 2-2.5 miles. Experienced total exhaustion. Camped at tree line, about 11,520 ft altitude. Not as good of sleep as night before. Note to self: buy new sleeping pads if ever backpack again. 

No photos because we were EXHAUSTED!

2025 Colorado Trip Day 3 - Woods Lake Campground

Day 3 of CO trip.  Breakfast at the hotel then we drove to Woods Lake Campground, next to Lizard Head Wilderness, Telluride area. Drive through Ridgeway and Montrose to get there. Nice drive! Camped at site 28. Walked around the lake some, very pretty small lake. Made cheese quesadillas and black bean soup for dinner. Scott made a nice fire and we had a full, or v close to full, moon that lit up the sky and mountains. Sleeping wasn’t too bad in the tent though quite cozy with Bindi in the tent with us.

Woods Lake

2025 Colorado Trip Day 2 - Drive To Gunnison

Day 2 of CO trip.  Drove to Gunnison, CO. Stopped at roadside park in KS and ate lunch. Bologna sandwiches in homemade bread, chips & fruit we brought from home. Stayed at Inn at Tomichi Village in Gunnison. Picked up pizza, salad, brat and pretzel from High Altitude brewery in Gunnison. Very good!

2025 Colorado Trip Day 1 - Drive to Salina Kansas

Beginning of trip to Colorado.  Drove to Salina, KS stayed at Candlewood Suites rather than Best Western. We liked it better.