Zane and Linda would like to meet up wed night for dinner. Where is every one planning to stay? ZL SSR
Deb and I are coming out early enough to stop by the Grand Canyon for the afternoon. Been 20+yrs. We are spending the night in Albequerque(sp?) then heading for the canyon, hope to meet up with others in Flagstaff for dinner and join you on to Four corners. Anyone want to join us?
My SSR: '03 Redline Red #1377, cooled by Simple Engineering
Corrected date for 4-Corners Photo Shoot
The Photo shoot is on Thursday, 8/21, around noon - I had posted erroneous information that it was on Wednesday. I've corrected that info here and on ColoradoSSR.com. Jeff promises a thread with more information coming soon!!!
My SSR: 2004 Ultra Violet #08595 BOD 04/19/04 Replaced by 06 Pacific Blue 6 speed #22889 BOD 12/13/05
Bigwave is traveling this week to 4 corners to scope out the photo shoot and will arrange for an appropriate hotel on his way back through Flagstaff. I will post as soon as we have the info.
My SSR: 2004 Ultra Violet #08595 BOD 04/19/04 Replaced by 06 Pacific Blue 6 speed #22889 BOD 12/13/05
Those of you coming to Flagstaff for the 4 Corners photo shoot please read the new thread in the Mountain section' and sign up for the photo shoot there.
My SSR: '03 Redline Red #1377, cooled by Simple Engineering
Admission charge at Four Corners
Heads up - I've just returned from a "scouting mission" in southwest Colorado, and for those of you headed to the Photo Op at Four Corners on Thursday, there is a $3 charge to get into the monument. Be sure to bring a few dollars with you.
My SSR: '03 Redline Red #1377, cooled by Simple Engineering
RR Tix to be finalized
We are quickly approaching our deadline for the group rate payment to the Durango and Silverton - I will be taking final headcount from the folks who have already paid and sending that to the D&S by the end of this week (7/11/08) - there are only 3 outstanding payments and a late registrant - please remit your payment this week if at all possible.
My SSR: '03 Redline Red #1377, cooled by Simple Engineering
I posted this on 7/2 on coloradossr.com - reposting here for your convenience.
I’ve just returned from a scouting trip to Durango, Mesa Verde and Four Corners - what a beautiful trip! The San Juans still have a lot of snow at the higher elevations, making for a very picturesque setting with green forests and valleys and of course fast, swollen rivers. It’s a far cry from a few short years ago, where drought had resulted in fast depletion of winter snowpack, the rivers were very low and the fire danger was high. With monsoonal moisture just getting started, it looks like the moisture will stay in the area for the foreseeable future. For those of you coming to the Durango Rally, this means that the days are usually sunny, with scattered storms getting started in the early afternoon.
Road Conditions
Overall, the roads around Durango are in really good condition, and there were very few “cone zones” in place this past weekend. Highway 550 from Silverton to the top of Red Mountain Pass is fantastic - it’s been recently repaved, and it’s probably one of the nicest roads in Colorado right now. Work crews are also repaving portions of 550 from Silverton south to Durango, and there was one single-lane restriction around Molas Pass for rock-work and road repairs. Highway 160 from Durango to Cortez is also in good condition, but 491/160 south out of Cortez to Four Corners is only in fair shape, with a road surface that could be charitably called “undulating”. Road conditions in Mesa Verde are very good.
Traffic Conditions
491/160 from Four Corners to Cortez sees moderate traffic, as it’s the only road through this part of Colorado. What’s more, is there are drivers on this road that are in no hurry whatsoever, and drive 5 mph below the posted limit. 160 from Cortez into Durango is much better, with less traffic and plenty of passing lanes available. 550 from Durango into Silverton, and even Ouray and Montrose further north is lightly travelled this year - you can tell the effect $4 a gallon gas has taken on the amount of traffic on this usually popular touring road. Expect to see an RV or two on these roads, and plenty of motorcyclists. Bicyclists are also prevalent on highway 550 - please watch for them as well.
Law Enforcement Activity
I saw a Colorado State Trooper on every road I travelled in Southwest Colorado this weekend - sometimes in passing, but mostly with someone pulled over. Just something to keep in mind when driving to Durango.
Hotel Parking
Our lodging at the Doubletree is simply the best location in all of Durango for access to the train. The depot is a short walk away, and we can leave our SSRs parked safely in the Doubletree parking lot. The hotel is easy to find - it’s located at the intersection of highway 550 and 160.
Mesa Verde
Mesa Verde has an amazing amount of things to see, and you can choose to take in the sights at your leisure during your visit to the park. If you plan to take a tour in Cliff Palace, Balcony House or Long Palace, make sure your first stop is the Far View Visitors Center, because these tours require tickets that are unavailable at the tour sites. Tours require some moderate hiking and climbing of ladders in certain areas, so please be sure of your fitness and ability level before opting into these tours. Finally, it gets hot in Mesa Verde, and the altitude is over 7,000 feet, so be sure to drink plenty of water, take breaks as needed, and protect yourself from the sun.
You will see large areas of sun-bleached tree trunks during your drive through the park - these are remnants of recent forest fires in Mesa Verde, and should offer some unique photo opportunities.
To answer some questions concerning the roads - all areas are nicely paved.
Four Corners
If you’re meeting here for the photo op on Thursday, or want to check it out on your own, it’s a relatively short drive southwest out of Durango. There is a modest admission fee of $3 to get into the monument area - I’m not sure they accept credit, so play it safe and bring some cash.
My SSR: 2006 Red # 2238, 2005 Red #17046 (RIP) 2006 Pacific Blue #122857 06 black over silver 22946
Quote:
Originally Posted by jwthomp
I posted this on 7/2 on coloradossr.com - reposting here for your convenience.
I’ve just returned from a scouting trip to Durango, Mesa Verde and Four Corners - what a beautiful trip! The San Juans still have a lot of snow at the higher elevations, making for a very picturesque setting with green forests and valleys and of course fast, swollen rivers. It’s a far cry from a few short years ago, where drought had resulted in fast depletion of winter snowpack, the rivers were very low and the fire danger was high. With monsoonal moisture just getting started, it looks like the moisture will stay in the area for the foreseeable future. For those of you coming to the Durango Rally, this means that the days are usually sunny, with scattered storms getting started in the early afternoon.
Road Conditions
Overall, the roads around Durango are in really good condition, and there were very few “cone zones” in place this past weekend. Highway 550 from Silverton to the top of Red Mountain Pass is fantastic - it’s been recently repaved, and it’s probably one of the nicest roads in Colorado right now. Work crews are also repaving portions of 550 from Silverton south to Durango, and there was one single-lane restriction around Molas Pass for rock-work and road repairs. Highway 160 from Durango to Cortez is also in good condition, but 491/160 south out of Cortez to Four Corners is only in fair shape, with a road surface that could be charitably called “undulating”. Road conditions in Mesa Verde are very good.
Traffic Conditions
491/160 from Four Corners to Cortez sees moderate traffic, as it’s the only road through this part of Colorado. What’s more, is there are drivers on this road that are in no hurry whatsoever, and drive 5 mph below the posted limit. 160 from Cortez into Durango is much better, with less traffic and plenty of passing lanes available. 550 from Durango into Silverton, and even Ouray and Montrose further north is lightly travelled this year - you can tell the effect $4 a gallon gas has taken on the amount of traffic on this usually popular touring road. Expect to see an RV or two on these roads, and plenty of motorcyclists. Bicyclists are also prevalent on highway 550 - please watch for them as well.
Law Enforcement Activity
I saw a Colorado State Trooper on every road I travelled in Southwest Colorado this weekend - sometimes in passing, but mostly with someone pulled over. Just something to keep in mind when driving to Durango.
Hotel Parking
Our lodging at the Doubletree is simply the best location in all of Durango for access to the train. The depot is a short walk away, and we can leave our SSRs parked safely in the Doubletree parking lot. The hotel is easy to find - it’s located at the intersection of highway 550 and 160.
Mesa Verde
Mesa Verde has an amazing amount of things to see, and you can choose to take in the sights at your leisure during your visit to the park. If you plan to take a tour in Cliff Palace, Balcony House or Long Palace, make sure your first stop is the Far View Visitors Center, because these tours require tickets that are unavailable at the tour sites. Tours require some moderate hiking and climbing of ladders in certain areas, so please be sure of your fitness and ability level before opting into these tours. Finally, it gets hot in Mesa Verde, and the altitude is over 7,000 feet, so be sure to drink plenty of water, take breaks as needed, and protect yourself from the sun.
You will see large areas of sun-bleached tree trunks during your drive through the park - these are remnants of recent forest fires in Mesa Verde, and should offer some unique photo opportunities.
To answer some questions concerning the roads - all areas are nicely paved.
Four Corners
If you’re meeting here for the photo op on Thursday, or want to check it out on your own, it’s a relatively short drive southwest out of Durango. There is a modest admission fee of $3 to get into the monument area - I’m not sure they accept credit, so play it safe and bring some cash.
Corrected date for 4-Corners Photo Shoot
SSR Permigrin 4 Years and still going!
