OURAY II

Our third day in the Ouray the group was off to Cunningham Gulch, Grey Copper Gulch, and high country around Red Mountain Pass., and Silverton. I decided at breakfast that it would be best if I stayed behind. I hated to miss this day, but I am sure that it was for the best.

I spent the day taking a couple of naps, and walking into downtown for some stomach friendly food: bananas, and light snacks. I also visited Buckskin Booksellers where I found the book Wild about Wildflowers by Katherine Darrow. This is the book recommended to me by the RMBL (Rocky Mountain Biological Laboratory). I have enjoyed reading it and using it to ID plants. It has wonderful quotations by naturalists, artists, and writers. It also at times gives history of the naming of various plants. I felt better in the evening, and ate up the leftovers that Lin had brought from last night.

ELKS LODGE

CAN BE, BUT NOT ALWAYS TRUE

Ouray Livery Barn

Our last day in the area I was ready to get back into the countryside and enjoy this wild country. Today we went first to Storm King Basin. 

STORM KING BASIN w/STREAM

PURPLE FRINGE IN STORM KING BASIN

A ROADSIDE VIEW

PARRY'S PRIMROSE AND MORE

ALPINE BUTTERCUP

 Then it was onto Cinnamon Pass. We were passed along the way by a couple of mountain bikers. 

 

ENJOYING THE BACK COUNTRY

In the afternoon we stopped at the abandoned Longfellow Mine. We had fun making compositions of the hardware and the decaying buildings. 

LONGFELLOW MINE

LONGFELLOW MINE VIEW

A PHOTO OP

The peak of the afternoon was the panoramic views along the Black Bear Pass road, another narrow four-wheel drive road. 

IN ROUTE TO BLACK BEAR PASS

ROSY PAINTBRUSH AND WATERFALLS

A  PASSING FALLS

MARMOT DOUG PEAKING OVER RIDGE

 Black Bear Pass Views -

TAKING IN THE VIEW

PANORAMIC BLACK BEAR PASS

It was a wonderful ending to our visit to the area.

BLACK BEAR VIEW II

Tonight we bid farewell to our driver at a private dinner at the Western Hotel, http://www.historicwesternhotel.com/, which is owned by the same people who own and run San Juan Scenic Jeep Tours. The hotel was built in 1891 and still contains its ornate beginnings. We enjoyed a good dinner and the sharing of our experiences. Tomorrow we head our separate ways from Grand Junction.