Telluride to Crested Butte (Denver, Durango: real estate, hotels, homes)

[wamer27]

Hi everyone, I'm gonna be traveling around Colorado on our honeymoon mid Sept (I lived in Ft Collins twice 10 years ago) and we're gonna be traveling from Telluride to Crested Butte with a stop in Silverton. Would people recommend going south through Durango and then Pagoso Springs, Creede, Lake City and then up to Crested Butte after stopping in Silverton? I see it'll be about an 8 hr drive which is fine, just seeing what others think of it to get a better prospective to see if its worth the extra driving time...

[dude_reino]

Nope. Go through Ouray to Silverton, then turn around and head back north to US-50 and head to Crested Butte that way.

[delta07]

It depends on whether you want to see that part of the state and get in some sightseeing. Personally, I think the stretch from Creede to Lake City would be worth the extra time. It's so beautiful! Durango and/or Pagosa Springs would also make an ideal lunch stop. You can sample one of the breweries and enjoy a quick lunch. But, if you are wanting to spend less time in the car, then going back to Hwy. 50 would be the best route.

[CosmicWizard]

If you do go thru Pagosa Springs be sure to allow an hour or two for soaking in the hot springs.

[Idunn]

It might interest you to know that Lake City is but about 25 miles more or less due east of Ouray—as the crow flies. A drive via Engineer Pass is another matter, but possibly ironic to contemplate when you eventually reach there from Ouray via paved roads, some 8 hours later.

Not in the least to discourage you, as such an excursion a wonderful idea if you have the time. Although you must know your proposed route represents a sizable detour: or roughly 9 1/2 hours of extra driving; it is some 3 hours of oft beautiful driving between Telluride and Crested Butte, versus about 12 hours via Silverton, South Fork, Creede and so forth.

But so what? Unless on a schedule, a perfect opportunity to see a lot of spectacular country. Yes, the drive between Ouray and Silverton is likely to get your attention. But that is not to discount much else which at times is just as spectacular. For instance, you'll only have your finest view of the Needle Mountains once south of Silverton. If never having been in southwest Colorado, then all the more reason to make such an excursion. Aside from a lot of beautiful country, you'll also have the opportunity to visit a good number of historic and just pleasant towns otherwise not seen: Durango, Pagosa Springs, South Fork, Creede, Lake City, and points between.

The only possible problem is how one might fit all this in. One could easily spend a week and more sauntering along and exploring all there is to see and do. This is vacation country after all, with each place offering various attractions. At minimum you might wish to divide such a trip into two days, so as to allow a little time to stop here and there. But if determined to do this in one long day, possible, and in just that an ever so lovely if long drive.

Telluride is unique unto itself, and naturally beautiful. But it hardly holds a monopoly on this. Expect to get waylaid—or at least wish you could—when no farther afield than Ridgway or Ouray. And that is just getting started.

[wamer27]

Originally Posted by dude_reino

Nope. Go through Ouray to Silverton, then turn around and head back north to US-50 and head to Crested Butte that way.

Anything worth stopping and going to see (don't miss type things) going this route from Ouray to Crested Butte?

[wamer27]

Originally Posted by Idunn

It might interest you to know that Lake City is but about 25 miles more or less due east of Ouray—as the crow flies. A drive via Engineer Pass is another matter, but possibly ironic to contemplate when you eventually reach there from Ouray via paved roads, some 8 hours later.

Not in the least to discourage you, as such an excursion a wonderful idea if you have the time. Although you must know your proposed route represents a sizable detour: or roughly 9 1/2 hours of extra driving; it is some 3 hours of oft beautiful driving between Telluride and Crested Butte, versus about 12 hours via Silverton, South Fork, Creede and so forth.

But so what? Unless on a schedule, a perfect opportunity to see a lot of spectacular country. Yes, the drive between Ouray and Silverton is likely to get your attention. But that is not to discount much else which at times is just as spectacular. For instance, you'll only have your finest view of the Needle Mountains once south of Silverton. If never having been in southwest Colorado, then all the more reason to make such an excursion. Aside from a lot of beautiful country, you'll also have the opportunity to visit a good number of historic and just pleasant towns otherwise not seen: Durango, Pagosa Springs, South Fork, Creede, Lake City, and points between.

The only possible problem is how one might fit all this in. One could easily spend a week and more sauntering along and exploring all there is to see and do. This is vacation country after all, with each place offering various attractions. At minimum you might wish to divide such a trip into two days, so as to allow a little time to stop here and there. But if determined to do this in one long day, possible, and in just that an ever so lovely if long drive.

Telluride is unique unto itself, and naturally beautiful. But it hardly holds a monopoly on this. Expect to get waylaid—or at least wish you could—when no farther afield than Ridgway or Ouray. And that is just getting started.

Our whole trip is tons of driving, but that's what we both love to do. Flying to Denver and then driving to Aspen, next day to Telluride, next day Crested Butte, next Black hawk, then Cherry Creek. The southwest area is my favorite place in the state (but it's been 20+ years since I've been) and wish we could have stayed there longer, but its isolation and time constraints working against us. Plus we already paid for all our hotels.

If we choose the shorter version, is visiting mines/tours in the Silverton area worth doing? We'll have to come back again in the future with my jeep and drive Ophir pass and the passes leaving Silverton to the east that pass by the Thoreau's cabin that's outside of Lake City.

Lake City, CO Real Estate, Gunnison, CO Homes, Crested Butte, CO Investment Property - Royal Elk Realty

Thank you for all the responses, I can't wait for our dream trip!

[JMM64]

Take Slumgullion Pass near Lake City if you have the time. It's on State Highway 149 just east of the town. INCREDIBLE!!

Link- Slumgullion Pass and Earthflow

[bongo]

Great info here!

Another fantastic resource are the forums & info on TripAdvisor. Each Colorado town has it's own forum, lodging reviews & frequently asked questions spot:

Colorado Forum, Travel Discussion for Colorado, United States

[delta07]

Originally Posted by wamer27

Our whole trip is tons of driving, but that's what we both love to do. Flying to Denver and then driving to Aspen, next day to Telluride, next day Crested Butte, next Black hawk, then Cherry Creek. The southwest area is my favorite place in the state (but it's been 20+ years since I've been) and wish we could have stayed there longer, but its isolation and time constraints working against us. Plus we already paid for all our hotels.

If we choose the shorter version, is visiting mines/tours in the Silverton area worth doing? We'll have to come back again in the future with my jeep and drive Ophir pass and the passes leaving Silverton to the east that pass by the Thoreau's cabin that's outside of Lake City.

Lake City, CO Real Estate, Gunnison, CO Homes, Crested Butte, CO Investment Property - Royal Elk Realty

Thank you for all the responses, I can't wait for our dream trip!

I haven't spent any time in Silverton, so not sure if there is anything worth doing there. However, I would probably skip Silverton and stop in Ouray instead. You could spend an hour or so soaking in the hot springs pool. Or, you could drive up the road a tad further and soak in the hot springs in Ridgway, which are a little more cozy. Both Ouray and Ridgway have microbreweries now too, if that's your thing, so you could soak and have lunch before hitting the road to Crested Butte.