AREA DESCRIPTION

THE APLINE LOOP - Our New Scenic Byway!

Alpine Loop Road Driving East to Cole Ranch

It is no secret that the mountains of Southwest Colorado offer some of the most spectacular scenery in the U.S. That fact has been officially recognized by the designation of several scenic byways in the area. The National Scenic Byway System was a result of the findings of the President's Commission on Americans Outdoors. The study found that driing for pleasure was a very popular pastime in America and recommended that a National Scenic Byway System be established to highlight the country's most scenic roads. The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) felt there were many backcountry dirt and gravel roads just as scenic as the main hightways so they established the Back Country program.

The Alpine Loop was a natural for this recognition and was one of the first of the BLM's Back County Byways. This 65 mile route between Lake City, Silverton and Ouray was first built by miners in the late 1800's for mule wagons hauling equipment and ore. The Alpine Loop gives an intimate glimpse of outstanding Rocky Mountain scenery, ghost towns, wildflower displays, fall colors, historic remnants of mining activities and much more. The area boasts over 100 miles of trails maintained by the BLM or Forest Service. Trails provide hiking access to five of Colorado's fifty-four "fourteeners" peaks (14,000 feet or more).

In Southwest Colorado, there are five million acres of national forests, parks and wilderness access to hundreds of miles of trails and jeep roads opening the backcountry for exploration. Rivers, lakes, water-cut canyons and waterfalls (including the tallest free-falling waterfall in Colorado) grace the mountain peaks.

The skyway boasts two ski resorts, Telluride and Purgatory. Three towns have hot springs. Mesa Verde country boasts many arechaeological sites. Mining-era ghost towns dot the San Juan Mountains and most towns have walking tours of their Victorian-era historic districts (see article). The entire town of Silerton is on the historic registrar (see article) and is nestled in a valley over 9300 ft. in elevation and the San Juans ring the town for a most dramatic backdrop. Silverton offers mountaineering and winter survival training, along with cross country skiing and two new ski sites are being planned (see article).

Lakes and streams within the Alpine Triangle provide excellent fishing and have brook, rainbow and cutthroat trout. Ouray is famous for it's hot springs and ice climbing opportunities. Big game hunting occurs throughout the area. Mountain biking, horseback riding, technical mountain climbing, nature study, photography and rockhounding, high altitude golf and music festivals provide many additional hours of enjoyment to the Alpine Triangle.

Million Dollar Highway