In between irrigations Terry and I took off for a little day trip. 

We headed to Lake City by taking the short-cut at Sapinero, then on to Creed, Pagosa Springs, Durango and back home over Molas, Coal Bank, Red Mountain and the Million Dollar Highway passes.

Lake San Cristobal (the reason Lake City, Colorado, is called Lake City) is the second largest natural lake in the state of Colorado.

Located on Slumgullion Pass (elevation 11,530 ft) which is named for the nearby earthflow, a gigantic landslide of yellowish soil.  The early miners thought it looked like slumgullion stew.

It was here the Alfred “Alferd” Packer became more than famous.

On the other side sits the little town of Creede where the headwaters of the San Juan River and the Rio Grande make thier start.

(Have you noticed I seem to always focus on water…?!?)

I had to cut short the 200+ photos and try to give you the ones that bring out the drama of this little trip.

Along the way you will see

history still standing.

The second you leave Durango you start climbing Molas, and Coal Bank passes. 

Then when you start down you travel along Red Mountain Pass and the Million Dollar Highway.

The views are stunning

I never seem to tire of what I see

My mind usually wanders trying to figure out how those that came to settle this area felt…

We made it home in enough time to see to change the water.

Linda