Western Colorado, Four Corners and Utah (Grand Junction, Durango: home, train, vacation)

[mike1003]

We are going to fly into Grand Junction, drop down to Black Canyon, NP then down to Durango for Durango/Silverton train, then on to Mesa Verde and 4 corners. Finally going up to Arches and Canyonlands.

Looks like weather for rest of the week sucks. We are tied to the train ride on Sunday because of pre purchased tickets. We must be back in Grand Junction on the 29th for flight home the 30th.

Any alternate suggestions, or just go with the flow and get wet??

[Mike from back east]

IMO, go with it. Wet weather in COLO beats a sunny day anywhere else. The train ride is awesome no matter what, BTDT.

Probably snow at high elevations. Check CDOT website for driving conditions on Hwy 550 / Red Mountain Pass; there are icy spots today.

[delta07]

I agree with Mike. Definitely be prepared for cold and wet and pack accordingly, but don't change your itinerary for a little wet weather. One great thing about Colorado is that the weather is often unpredictable, so even though the forecast is calling for wet weather, it may or may not happen. You are also covering a large portion of the state, so while the weather in the mountains may be cold, once you get down to the 4 corners it could be nice. You never know! When we visited Mesa Verde with my in-laws several years ago it was pretty wet and cold but we still enjoyed it and the park was pretty empty due to the weather. In fact, the rain really makes for some beautiful scenes on the red rock formations. Enjoy your trip!

[jim9251]

The weather report I saw was sunny all week, but I've also learned this changes daily if not hourly. Heavy snow on the San Juans this morning, CDOT reports icy conditions on 145 over Lizard Head Pass and around Rico and on 550 over Red Mountain, and there's one lane and long waits at Bear Creek Bridge on 550 south of Ouray. The train ride is worth it, just take your time and you'll be ok. There might be heavy fog in the morning and watch for deer on 550. Have fun.

[CosmicWizard]

mike1003 wrote

Looks like weather for rest of the week sucks.

Just because rain is in the forecast is no guarantee that it will actually rain. Colorado is a very dry state. Forecasted rain often fails to materialize. On the other side of the coin, unexpected storms can pop up any time...especially in the higher elevations. Be prepared for just about ANY kind of weather. To keep your sanity vacationing in Colorado it will serve you well to decide ahead of time to have fun no matter what the weather conditions might be. If you need guaranteed, warm, sunny conditions to enjoy yourself, you might be better off vacationing in southern California, but don't expect the rides at Knotts Berry Farm to match the splendiferous splendor of the Durango-Silverton train ride or the magnanamous magnifence of Arches National Park.

[jazzlover]

Cosmic is right. If you want gauranteed pleasant weather, Colorado is not the place to be. Weather here is capricious and undpredictable, especially in the mountains. This fall has been abnormally fair, dry, and warm, but that does not mean that we couldn't get a major snowstorm any day with brutal cold temperatures following--with fair, warm weather following a few days after that.

The Silverton train is a great trip, but know that the aspens are done for the year, and snow is always a possibility now. Also, be prepared for winter driving conditions. Those can happen anytime now, too. My winter survival kit is already in the car. Finally, US550 between Ouray and Durango is no road for people not used to mountain driving or winter driving if weather conditions are adverse--it is very unforgiving for winter driving mistakes.

[mike1003]

Thanks for all of the responses. It is onward and upward

[mike1003]

Except for 2 rainy days..Black Canyon and Mesa Verde, the trip was incredible. We went to Four Corners in the rain and decided that we didn't want to slog through the mud at Monument Valley, so we stared north a day earlier than planned. 3 spectacular days spent at Arches, Canyonlands and today in Colorado National Monument,

We are going back to Black Canyon tomorrow to see it in the sun!

Aspens, oaks and scrub oaks made for beautiful scenery all the way.
Even the rainy days brought great images. So far almost 2000 images for my catalog

Thanks to everyone for your suggestions

[ragerunner1]

Glad to hear you had a great trip. Hope to see some of your pics.
I love the 4 corners area. Amazing scenery.

[brightdoglover]

Doesn't the Silverton train stop running some time in the fall?