Need help with trip planning

[GregW]

I am definitely going to take the C&T railroad to San Antonito, CO. May extend the rail trip to La Veta, CO.

[mortimer]

GregW promised:

> I am definitely going to take the C&T railroad to San Antonito, CO.

That is a great trip.

I recommend riding it two ways - either from Chama-to-midpoint-back-to-Chama
......................................... - or..... from Antonito-to-midpoint-back-to-Antonito

The reason I say that is that if you take it all the way from Chama to Antonito ( no "San" ) or Antonito to Chama is that much of your time is spent riding a van back. You pay to ride a train, not a van.

Also, you tend to either look mostly forward or mostly backward as you travel. Coming back the same way you came is like a totally new ride since you are seeing things differently than when you were going the other way.

It is an all day trip either way.

It's worth it to take the other half at another time (preferably the same week).

> May extend the rail trip to La Veta, CO.

Good luck with that. The terminus is Antonito. I don't know if it ever went all the way to La Veta, but I wouldn't be surprised if it did at one time. I *do* knot that the Durango-Silverton train is part of the same line.

I'd ride that one too if I were you ( or me ).

The C&T is a better experience than the D&S, IMO. You see long distances for most of the trip on the C&T, while the D&S has you looking at the side of blasted-away mountains close-up for a lot of the ride.

I'll just put these here if that's OK with y'all: Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad
.................................................. ........ Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad

[DOUBLE H]

Thanks Mortimer!

In the fwiw department, the Denver Post had a story on the Durango Silverton train maybe 6 weeks ago. It reported something they have never done before-offer a season pass for $100 for the season. And IT IS WORTH IT! Pull up their web site for more information. It's a great deal!

[Towanda]

I'm too much of a chicken to ride either one of those trains!

I would have to be sedated, and then I would not be able to see the sights.

[Mike Horrell]

Originally Posted by DOUBLE H

Thanks Mortimer!

In the fwiw department, the Denver Post had a story on the Durango Silverton train maybe 6 weeks ago. It reported something they have never done before-offer a season pass for $100 for the season. And IT IS WORTH IT! Pull up their web site for more information. It's a great deal!

Yeah, they started offering that 4 or 5 months ago and my wife and I bought passes.
We haven't had a chance to use them yet, but we're thinking of taking our
first run in mid-May when we'll have some free time.

[JDTH]

It is a great trip. We have done it several times. Just be prepared to make it a full day. Check out the Sun House in Silverton. Some pretty cool stuff!!! When you are in the area (not by train) check out Ouray, CO just over the mountain from Telluride. Ouray is so beautiful (the Switzerland of America). Check out the amphitheater also, just gorgeous.

[JDTH]

Originally Posted by Towanda

I'm too much of a chicken to ride either one of those trains!

I would have to be sedated, and then I would not be able to see the sights.

Did you ever drive the route between Durango and Ouray? My wife absolutely hates it and I find it one of the most beautiful drives. 20 miles almost 2 hours, no guard rails (they need to push the snow over the edge. We were told by local that they only lose a few cars a year over the edge. Probably a good 2000 foot drop off.

If you have never been to Ouray, you have to see it. If you come in from the north (Grand Junction) it is no big deal, but from Durango it is quite scary.

[mortimer]

Towanda warned:

> I'm too much of a chicken to ride either one of those trains!

What is it that makes you afraid of riding these trains?

If it is riding along the edge of a cliff, there really isn't much of that,
but there is *some* of that. Just look out the other side.

95% of the ride is just gazing across miles of open range and forest and
imagining yourself 150 years in the past when it looked exactly the same.

It probably wouldn't hurt to drop a Xanax or something before lighting out.
The narrow-gauge train experience is really a great adventure. Having the
best two in our backyard just makes living in New Mexico even better.

[GregW]

My comment about continuing to La Veta, Co was based on the standard gauge scenic railroad that goes from Alamosa to La Veta. They have a connecting train that can pick up passengers at Antonito. If time allowed the trip I would plan on the full round trip with an over night at Antonito.

I find mountain railroading fascinating and mountain road driving lots of fun. Sometimes my passenger wonders about the “fun” part. I usually tell her to look at the scenery out there and ignore the fact that there are no guardrails to block the view.

[skaternum]

Updating, in case this is helpful to others planning such a trip. Hotels & flights are booked, and here's what we settled on:

Day 1: Fly to ABQ in the morning. Drive to SF via the Turquoise Trail. Hit Museum Hill and the Plaza. Overnight at Inn of the Governors.
Day 2: See the Nambe Pueblo. Drive to Monument Valley. Overnight in Kayenta.
Day 3: See Monument Valley. Dinner at The View. Overnight in Kayenta.
Day 4: Drive to Grand Canyon. Overnight in GC.
Day 5: See ... duh ... GC. Overnight in GC.
Day 6: Drive to Hoover Dam. Take the tour, etc. Drive to Las Vegas. Overnight at Bellagio.
Day 7: Drive back to Lake Mead. Play on the lake all day. :-) Overnight at Bellagio in Vegas.
Days 8 -9: Fun in Vegas.
Day 10: Fly home.

We think this is a good balance of getting a feel for the area and the sights without being too frantic. Can't wait to come see this part of the country. When I came out there on business a few years ago, I just loved it!