It was a beautiful morning as we left Denver and headed south along the I-25 to Colorado Springs. After about 40 minutes we passed the US Air Force Academy just before we arrived in Colorado Springs. Turning west, we started the climb into the Rockies along the US-24, but decided we needed a coffee break first. We've previously stayed at Manitou Springs before, but all we could remember was the rather grotty motel we'd stayed at. So, it was a real pleasure to drive into a very well kept small spa town with lots of interesting shops and galleries - the coffee was good too.
Soon we were on the way, and ignoring the turn off to Pikes Peak (a drive I've done before) and North Pole (apparently home to Santa), we followed the road up into the mountains. We crossed the Ute Pass (9165ft) and shortly after Lake George we crossed a second pass, Wilkerson (9507ft) and dropped down onto a high plain toward the town of Hartsel. The view across the plain toward the Collegiate Peaks is stupendous. On the far side of the plain we climbed up and over a third pass, Trout Creek (9346ft) before dropping down through a gorge to Buena Vista which lies directly under the Collegiate Peaks, all of which are over 14000ft high.
After an exotic lunch at Subway, Lynn took over driving and we headed south on the US-285 towards Poncha Springs. This road stayed in a wide valley for the 20 miles that we were on it. Just before Poncha Springs, we turned west again on the US-50 towards Gunnison. This road is very scenic as it climbs through the small town of Monarch, with its associated small ski resort, up to the summit of the Monarch Pass (11312ft) where we stopped for pictures. The last time that we had visited the pass, the road was open but there were snow drifts 11 feet high either side of the road. At the summit we also met up with a group of men riding Honda Goldwing motorcycles. It seems to be a very popular holiday to go with a group of like-minded bikers and tour the USA as we have seen lots of such groups, some on Harley Davidsons others on Goldwings.
Following the river Tomichi we dropped down from the pass and near Parlin the river became the headwaters of the Gunnison river. Eventually, mid to late afternoon, we arrived in Gunnison and found some accommodation at the Super 8 on the east side of town. The rates were very good, the rooms comfortable and the owners very friendly and helpful. The hotel had a hot tub, so we lazed in there for an hour in the afternoon.
In the evening we took a short walk into town which is a 1880-1900 town with many original buildings, all in good order. We found a restaurant called 'The Gunnysack' which was excellent. They had a monday night special on 'Gunny burger with all the trimmings and fries for $5 all washed down with local beer.
Hotel - Super 8 Gunnison
Weather - Cool to start with, but clear skies and got warmer during the morning. Sunny and hot in the afternoon.
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