Friday July 5, 2024 Ridgway State Park (CO) to Bluewater State Park (NM)

 

Deb here. Great sleeping once again. After coffee and tea we decided to take off and head into Ridgway for breakfast. Ridgway is a charming little mountain town with great views in every direction. We found Kate’s Place right in town and had a tasty breakfast there. After breakfast we started the drive on Rt 550 (aka the Million Dollar Highway). We’d been on this road before and I remembered it being pretty terrifying in spots and yep, my recollections were correct! The stretch between Ridgway and Ouray was relatively flat and easy, and we stopped briefly in Ouray to look around. I love Ouray, even busy as it was on this holiday weekend. What a setting, and endless outdoor possibilities.

Following Ouray the road became twisty and steep with sheer dropoffs on our right and no guardrails. This time around I was driving and I think poor Milo was the more nervous one since there wasn’t much between us and the drop off! On up we climbed, first reaching Red Mountain  Pass (11,018 ft) before dropping down into Silverton. It had been quite awhile since we’d been to Silverton, and we thought that it seemed more developed than our last visit. It was busy, so we continued on up and over Molas Pass (10,970 ft). We scored one of the last parking spots at Molas Pass and took in the gorgeous views. The CDT and Colorado Trail both pass through there, and some parents had set up a full breakfast for their son and his friend who were hiking the Colorado Trail. Very sweet.

After finally leaving Rt. 550 in Durango, we then headed west on Rt. 160 and then south on Rt. 140, which turned into Rt. 170 at the New Mexico border and followed that to Farmington. We then took Rt. 371 all the way down to Rt. 40 in Thoreau, and then turned off the interstate shortly after to take the one-way road to Bluewater Lake State Park. All good roads and not busy once we left Durango.

I’d made us a reservation at Bluewater Lake SP but it was all a bit confusing since no one was there to check us in. We found our campsite, set our chairs up in the shade, and enjoyed some snacks before taking a walk around the campground. It was in the 80’s, but the temperature cooled off nicely as the night wore on.

Ridgway SP in Colorado spoiled us and we quickly learned that Bluewater Lake SP could use some TLC. Pit toilets, with a main bathroom near the gate that had showers and running water, but everything just seemed a bit run down. On the other hand, a campsite is $10/night as opposed to CO’s $40/night fee. Maybe you get what you pay for?

Lots of families out enjoying camping and using the reservoir. Pesto grilled cheese and soup for dinner, reading and bed.