We drove over I-550 numerous times as we photographed the San Juan Mountains. On several of those trips we were joined by Karen. Here is a collection of our favorite images taken along the road. If you know this region well you will recognize some favorites.

Taken before sunrise on our way to meet up with Karen for breakfast in Silverton.

Another 'find'.  As we drove by we noticed a line of cars and then a long line of photographers on a ridge.  You cannot easily see Crystal Lake from the road in the dark.  We parked, grabbed tripods and waited for the sun to rise.&nbs… — Another 'find'. As we drove by we noticed a line of cars and then a long line of photographers on a ridge. You cannot easily see Crystal Lake from the road in the dark. We parked, grabbed tripods and waited for the sun to rise. We did not stay as long as we needed to see a full sunrise. We had an important date with Karen and we did not want to be late! We would go again and have her with us. Notice how much snow there is on Red Mountain. There would not be so much on our return.

Tom's take on the lake.  He likes adding the shoreline.  I want you to believe that I am out in the middle of the lake in a kayak! — Tom's take on the lake. He likes adding the shoreline. I want you to believe that I am out in the middle of the lake in a kayak!

Karen, is that our Toad in front of you?  Nah!  You would not be clicking and driving at the same time.  Right? — Karen, is that our Toad in front of you? Nah! You would not be clicking and driving at the same time. Right?

Durango Silverton train arriving in Silverton.

This was taken on our return trip to Crystal Lake.  There was mist on the lake and just a hint of snow on Red Mountain. — This was taken on our return trip to Crystal Lake. There was mist on the lake and just a hint of snow on Red Mountain.

The sun rose and slowly Red Mountain lit up.  I had hopes of the whole thing becoming red!  Well, no such luck as the cloud cover increased and played tricks by hiding the sun, teasing me into thinking that 'just any second . . . .'  … — The sun rose and slowly Red Mountain lit up. I had hopes of the whole thing becoming red! Well, no such luck as the cloud cover increased and played tricks by hiding the sun, teasing me into thinking that 'just any second . . . .' I know that you are familiar with that routine. Right?

For me, this is as good as it was going to get.  By the way, a graduated neutral density filter came in very handy in keeping the brightest parts of the scene from blowing out.  Interestingly, the mist only shows up as reflections on the l… — For me, this is as good as it was going to get. By the way, a graduated neutral density filter came in very handy in keeping the brightest parts of the scene from blowing out. Interestingly, the mist only shows up as reflections on the lake. We noticed the same thing while in Ireland. Why does the camera not see the mist over the lake?

Karen and Tom stayed a while taking 'geometric compositions'.  I went back to the car to get warm.  They got some great compositions. — Karen and Tom stayed a while taking 'geometric compositions'. I went back to the car to get warm. They got some great compositions.

Karen and Dave stopped at Crystal Lake on there way home last Friday.  I put this here to show how much the fall foliage had changed from the first time we stopped to take our photographs of the fall color reflected on the lake.  WOW! — Karen and Dave stopped at Crystal Lake on there way home last Friday. I put this here to show how much the fall foliage had changed from the first time we stopped to take our photographs of the fall color reflected on the lake. WOW!

Karen and Dave went back to Crystal Lake to get some night photography, hopefully some good shots of the Milky Way.  Unfortunately, they had to contend with clouds, cold wind churning up the water and a pesky moon.  Some nights are just no… — Karen and Dave went back to Crystal Lake to get some night photography, hopefully some good shots of the Milky Way. Unfortunately, they had to contend with clouds, cold wind churning up the water and a pesky moon. Some nights are just not suited for night photography.

A few stars and a nice reflection of the moon on the water.

Long shutter speeds create interesting clouds.  But, there are a few stars.  Good effort. — Long shutter speeds create interesting clouds. But, there are a few stars. Good effort.

We hope you enjoyed the ride.

While camped at Black Canyon we took a day trip to Silverton. We had talked about driving through there on the way from Cortez to Montrose. However, the road is deemed by many experienced RVers as being precarious and we are not experienced (yet). Instead, we took what was actually a shorter route out of Cortez to Montrose through Ridgeway. We really wanted to check out both the road over Red Mountain Pass and both Ouray and Silverton. Tom was happy shooting from his familiar passenger side while I drove.

As we drove down off the plateau surrounding Black Canyon . . . looking across at a wonderland!

So green.  So awesome! — So green. So awesome!

Looking down on Main Street in Ouray on our way out of town headed south to Silverton.

The owner of a restaurant where we had breakfast gave us some advice on sites to check out in Ouray.  One was Box Canyon at the Ouray Park.  I envisioned a lovely waterfall with wildflowers . . . Ahem, not so but much more dramatic in its … — The owner of a restaurant where we had breakfast gave us some advice on sites to check out in Ouray. One was Box Canyon at the Ouray Park. I envisioned a lovely waterfall with wildflowers . . . Ahem, not so but much more dramatic in its own way and doggone difficult to capture! It turns out that the waterfall comes down a very steep internal wall. To get to where you can see it you traverse a walkway clinging to the side of a steep rock (above). Across from the walkway is where the swifts build their nests. The sign at the entrance to the park said they had arrived but we did not see any. Yes, that is me out there on the walkway trying to get my tripod set up on what felt like an unsafe place.

Here is one interpretation of the waterfall as it comes from behind the rock.  The sound is frightening and there is water spray everywhere.  I wanted a fast shot to show the drama but simply could get my camera set up to capture the speed… — Here is one interpretation of the waterfall as it comes from behind the rock. The sound is frightening and there is water spray everywhere. I wanted a fast shot to show the drama but simply could get my camera set up to capture the speed and force of the water.

Tom dared look up.  Not me!!  I just wanted out of that thundering crack! — Tom dared look up. Not me!! I just wanted out of that thundering crack!

Streams and rivers are running with a lot of force this spring in Colorado.  I wish I could include the roar for you.  By the time we got to this stream the weather was looking ominously like snow was on the way. — Streams and rivers are running with a lot of force this spring in Colorado. I wish I could include the roar for you. By the time we got to this stream the weather was looking ominously like snow was on the way.

We had a bit of a discussion about this composition.  What is the subject?  The aspen?  The stream?  Yes!  We have too much fun! — We had a bit of a discussion about this composition. What is the subject? The aspen? The stream? Yes! We have too much fun!

When we stopped for lunch in Silverton Tom struck a conversation with these two men who had come up on the Durango to Silverton Railroad.  The guy on the right was doing some work inside the boiler.  They were fine having their photos take… — When we stopped for lunch in Silverton Tom struck a conversation with these two men who had come up on the Durango to Silverton Railroad. The guy on the right was doing some work inside the boiler. They were fine having their photos taken. Tom also asked them about the great train photos on the wall. They told him that the railway has their own photographer and she has great access to all train operations. You can see her photography at durangoexposures.com.

We drove around Silverton.  I was surprised at how rustic it all seemed.  The only paved street is the main one through town.  The railway station actually looks bleak, austere and not impressive.  I wanted COLOR!  Vibrance!… — We drove around Silverton. I was surprised at how rustic it all seemed. The only paved street is the main one through town. The railway station actually looks bleak, austere and not impressive. I wanted COLOR! Vibrance! Well this is what I found. . . .

The mountains in the area have some great color.  I am not a geologist but suspect these are tailings from mining copper, silver and gold in the past. — The mountains in the area have some great color. I am not a geologist but suspect these are tailings from mining copper, silver and gold in the past.

Color reflections in a pond beside the road.

While we were in Silverton the snow started falling in earnest.  All I could think about was the narrow road back! — While we were in Silverton the snow started falling in earnest. All I could think about was the narrow road back!

Uh oh!  The snow was beginning to accumulate.  We were still driving through road construction on the summit.  I am still a desert dweller so I admit to being a bit nervous.  Not Tom, however.  He just clicked away and smile… — Uh oh! The snow was beginning to accumulate. We were still driving through road construction on the summit. I am still a desert dweller so I admit to being a bit nervous. Not Tom, however. He just clicked away and smiled . . .

We made it back to the campground just fine. My nerves settled and we were grateful for the opportunity to explore and share our experience. We also knew that we would not be driving through Red Mountain Pass any time real soon. Thanks for joining us.

550

Montrose to Silverton

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