Echo...Echo...Echo Basin.

The Echo Basin Road (CR 44) is a north turn from Highway 160 about 3 miles east of Mancos; it's one of those roads that Roy and I always said we would "find out where it goes" one day.  Follow the paved road until it splits; bear to the right and go around the Echo Basin Ranch and Resort and continue until the road splits again.  Now this is where the fun is really going to start as you have two choices; left to FR 331 or right to FR 566.  Roy and I chose FR 566 for one simple reason, it did not look as rutted and muddy as FR 331.  This was the early spring when we were there, and snow was still on the road here and there; it got worse as we climbed higher on FR 566 and eventually had to turn back.  Now when the weather is warmer though, the snow has melted and the roads are completely clear and dry; the options increase.  Camping on one of the side roads you'll pass; one of the camping spots on FR 566 itself; hike the trails or just keep on driving till you can see Mount Hesperus (13,232 feet high) itself.  One of the camping spots we passed by reminded me of a mini-Stonehenge by the way the stones were arranged around the obviously burned area which must have been a fire pit of sorts.





Weber Reservoir
 

You will pass Weber Reservoir on the way to the FR 331/FR 566 split; stay on the northern portion of FR 566, as it becomes a loop around Burnt Ridge.  You'll be on the eastern side of Burnt Ridge, but have a western view of Montezume Valley, Mesa Verde and Sleeping Ute Mountain.



















Ramparts Hills
 

The Ramparts Hills are an igneous rock outcrop;  the forest on top of the Ramparts is a mixture of Ponderosa Pines, Junipers and Gambel Oak.  As you climb higher up FR 566, you'll notice many meadows, Scrub Oak and Aspen trees.  The only animals we saw were a couple of squirrels playing "chase me" around a rock outcropping, but the information sign stated there were Lynx in the area and I would have loved to have seen one of those.



 

 

The most impressive views are of the mountains; you'll see Gibbs, Burwell, Spiller and Babcock Peaks before finally reaching Mount Herperus.  Mount Hesperus is the highest peak;  it is sacred to the Navajo; can be see as far away as northeastern Arizona; and covered with snow ten months out of the year.  However, with all the snow we began to encounter as we climbed higher, we decided that sliding off the edge of the road into the canyon below was definitely not on our "to do" list for the day, or ever.  We intend on trying again now that the weather is warmer; and finally go down the southern end of FR 566 to complete the loop.

 

















After turning around and heading back the way we came, we found that the horses for Echo Basin Ranch were out grazing. The Ranch offers horse back riding, and these creatures are beautiful.  That is certainly one thing I immediately noticed once I moved out here, not just the horses, but even the cattle, are so well cared for.  Their coats are gorgeous and the physique shows health.  Back in Pennsylvania, the horses and cattle we saw at the various farms looked bone tired, dirty and basically ready to give it up and drop dead.  What a difference!

There you have it, a little side trip through the forest and up into the mountains.  It was spontaneous and it was a good time; the making of a good memory.

Mary Cokenour

Colorado Along Route 491.

As I mentioned in a previous writing on Monticello, Utah; it is the crossroads for Routes 491 and 191. Traveling east on Route 491, it is about 15 minutes before the border line between Utah and Colorado. Entering Utah from Colorado, you'll be greeted with "Welcome to Utah; Life Elevated"; or vice versa, Colorado will greet you with, "Welcome to Colorful Colorado".



Dove Creek, CO

As you pass by High Country Elevator (dried beans and grains), the small town of Dove Creek will come into sight.  The speed limit slows from 65 - 55 - 45 and finally 35 miles/hour quickly; the local sheriff's department maintains vehicles at either end of town to make sure the speed limits are abided by.  At the Weber Industrial Park is the tractor exhibit; Midland Bean Company; Shell and Sinclair (both gas/convenience stores) and various other businesses line the main street. 




Adobe Milling Company
 

Continuing east, sitting on the extreme point of the hill is Adobe Milling Company whose products are available in many of the supermarkets throughout Utah and Colorado; popular sellers are Anasazi Beans and various hot sauces.







Along the way you'll pass a few "blink and you'll miss them" tiny towns; Cahone, Pleasant View and Yellow Jacket (observe the reduced to 50 miles/hour speed limits).  Eventually you will come to the junction of Route 184; turning onto this road will bring you past McPhee Reservoir and the Anasazi Heritage Museum.  At the end of the road is Route 145 either leading to Cortez, or the other way towards Dolores; keep going past Dolores though and say hello to the Rocky Mountains and you're on your way to Telluride.



McPhee Reservoir
 

The landscape along Route 491 encompasses "as far as the eye can see" miles of open range, pastures, fields, canyons, and dried creeks taken over by nature's greenery.  There are many access roads to the San Juan National Forest; on a windy day do not be surprised to see a dust devil or two sweeping along the horizon view line.   The one hour drive between Monticello, Utah and Cortez, Colorado is scenic and calming, if you open your senses up to it all.

Once you reach Cortez though, you can dine at many of the eateries (fast food and casual restaurants); window shop along the main street; there are two full service supermarkets and a WalMart.  That part of Cortez is along Route 160 and if you keep following that route, you'll pass Mancos (an arts and crafts type of town) and eventually see the entrance to Mesa Verde National Park; or keep going up into the mountains towards Durango.  Staying on Route 491 would head you towards New Mexico where you'll see Chimney Rock and Shiprock.

 

Choices, choices...don't keep asking how many miles between this and that; just make a decision on which direction and enjoy the ride.

 

Mary Cokenour