Anyone in Durango, Colorado?

[Bakes168]

I'm just curious if anyone on here is from Durango, Colorado, or that area.

If so, would you happen to know a fella by the name of Casey Jensen? I know him pretty well and he always talks about his buddies back in CO. who are hardcore elk hunters with trad gear.
   
Thanks,

Bakes

[Danny J]

I have a very good high school buddy from Durango also. His name is Curt Johnson. Went to see Curt in Durango once about 25 years ago. Wife says never again. We are flat landers from Iowa and wife doesnt think Wolf Creek Pass was made for human travel.  

[Teacher_of_the_Arcane]

Hi All,

I was once told I'd fit into the Durango area perfectly!  I was never sure whether that was a compliment or not.  :confused:  Sure is pretty country.

[Dave2old]

Sorry guys, I don't know either of your friends. But then, I don't live in town and keep to myself. Danny -- If your wife liked Wolf Creek Pass, she'd really love Red Mountain Pass above Box Canyon, between Silverton and Ouray, where the road is narrow two-lane with sheer cliffs above and below, God knows how far down. Especially loveable on stormy winter nights when you're going south, which puts you on the outside lane inches from the drop-off, the road is icy and a semi-trailer comes up the inside lane a bit on your side. But a great place to see bighorn sheep, if you dare take your eyes off the road. dave

[PrarrieDog]

pretty country, too many tourist.

[No-sage]

Dave,

My last trip to CO, I drove that road you are speaking of (Rt 550), in the middle of the night.  

This flatlander was never so uncomfortable behind the wheel as I was that night.  There was no snow, but if there was I would have pulled over until spring.

We were going from Grand Junction to Durango, and then on to Pagosa Springs.  

Beautiful country.  The hot springs were awesome.

[WESTBROOK]

I've made that run from Ouray to Durango countless times, sometimes in flat nasty, icey, white out conditions. I think that was the main contributor to my lack of hair these days. Every trip was beautifull though.

Eric

[Dave2old]

PrairieDog -- you got it right, brother. Except I'd expand "tourists" to people, including we who live here (loving it to death). No-sage ... you don't know what you missed! It's only more scary at night once you've driven it in the daytime and seen how many miles it drops to the bottom! I've often told my wife, as we nervously drove that stretch en route to Orvis Hot Springs, "If somebody wanted to 'disappear' somebody forever, this would be the place to roll them off!" Best I've ever seen is two 60' motorhomes going opposite directions and meeting right about the "scenic view" curve." Who cares who wins or loses? Meanwhile, this is why mountain sheep and elk love it so much ... only the serious need apply! Great road for motorcycles, which is how I first discovered it, back in the mid-'70s. dave

[SCATTERSHOT]

Wolf Creek Pass has been improved over the years, it's almost safe now. Red Mountain is still a white knuckle drive, though.

If you have a Jeep (and a stout heart!) you might want to tackle Black Bear or Imogene sometime.

[Flatshooter]

Hunted outside of Gunnison for the last five years and made those white knuckled drives from Tucson through Durango and north. Durango is a great little town which I believe the cowboys used to call "Purgatory".  My buddy and I had a yearly ritual once we came out of the woods on our yearly pack trips. We would stop in Durango and eat at a great Italian restaurant called Momma's Boy. After ten days in the woods in a tent, Purgatory was heaven!

[Rico]

Turned right at a place called Circle K I think. Years ago maybe 1990,not sure if it is still there or not.
Steep and hot pretty country but no elk taken.