The Southwest Colorado tour will follow the famous San Juan Skyway, one of 13 America’s Bywaysยฎ designated in Colorado.ย The scenery is beyond imagination, and we will make side trips to the best of the best in the area – the historic Mesa Verde National Park, the renowned ski town of Telluride, the mining towns of Ouray and Silverton, the mountain towns of Stoner and Rico, and the Anasazi Center of Dolores.
Our tour assembles in Durango and weโll ride westward early morning of Day 2 to Mesa Verde National Park. Weโll spend the remainder of that first day and the next morningย exploring the Ancestral Puebloan ruins of Mesa Verde.
A van shuttle is available to exit the park mid-day of Day 3, then itโs back on our bikes to Dolores and for our next overnight. Along the way, weโll visit the fascinating Anasazi Heritage Center north of Cortez.
Weโre headed into the heart of the San Juan Mountains along the San Juan Skyway early-morning of Day 4. Weโll tour the old mining towns of Stoner and Rico and then begin a moderate ascent up Lizard Head Pass (10,222′) on our way to the magical mountain paradise that is Telluride.
Take a gondola ride up the ski hill, enjoy a nearby hike or mountain bike ride, explore the shops or just stroll the Victorian streets, visiting art galleries and sampling ice cream on your Day 5 layover day.
Leaving Telluride, weโll ride along the San Miguel River onย Day 6, then climb the Dallas Divide, continue due through Ridgway, and ride on to charming Ouray.
Weโre up and out earlyย Day 7 as we challenge imposing Red Mountain Pass (11,008′) for one of North Americaโs classic alpine experiences. From Red Mountainโs summit, itโs downhill cycling to the quaint 19th-century mining camp of Silverton and our final evening at the Crown Jewel of Silverton, the Grand Imperial Hotel.ย The 19th century hotel has been newly restored to reclaim the essence of the Victorian masterpiece.
Our final Day 8 includes ascents of Molas and Coal Bank Passes and a long downhill for our return to Durango and the conclusion of our Mesa Verde and Southwest Colorado bicycling adventure.
