Colorado continued

This area of Colorado was known for mining many years ago. The area is full of abandon mines. There is also a freeway called the million dollar freeway that connects some mining communities. We were able to drive a portion of the highway. It is a two lane highway on a very steep cliff. The views were amazing.

Looking down on Ouray from the million dollar highway.

 Apparently it is the Switzerland of America

 It really is similar to Switzerland except there is so much red and brown on the mountains. When I was in Switzerland it was lots and lots of green.

The road was very narrow with lots of curves. There were some pretty funny signs.

 Mountains as far as you can see.

 The red mountains were my favorite. The contrast with the blue sky was amazing.

 One more red mountain

There were two fun tunnels on the part of the highway we drove.

 Box Elder falls was a huge waterfall right off of the highway. You don't actually see it unless you stop where all the tourists are:)

We drove this route to get to our hike for the day. We wanted to hike to Ice Lake. Again we had heard lots of good things. We knew it would be steep, over 2,400 ft elevation gain in under five miles. It was steep, which was fine, we had no idea how beautiful the entire hike would be. One of the best hikes I have ever done.......ever!

There was a lot of red dirt along the way and some river crossings

 It was just so beautiful

 This was in the meadow or valley. We climbed over that ridge I am looking at.

 Looking back down towards the parking lot.

 The wild columbine were amazing. What pretty flowers!

 Pictures don't quite capture the beauty that is so vast in the mountains

 A little selfie right when I got over the last uphill and into the valley where the lake was. You can't quite see the lake yet.

And then we were greeted with this sight . . . . Ice Lake

 I really could have sat here all day

Great views for lunch

 My peanut butter cup got really melted:(

 After lunch we did a little .7 hike up above Ice lake to get to Island Lake. This lake also did not disappoint!

We climbed along the edge of the mountain. This is when I started to sing songs from the Sound of Music. I really felt just like Maria!

 The flowers and the lake. Ice Lake looked great from above as well.

 I couldn't stop taking pictures

There is a point on the trail to Island Lake where you can see the entire Valley we hiked along with Ice Lake as the destination. Pretty incredible!

We were really glad we hiked that last little ways. Island Lake

 The water color in these Colorado mountains was so amazing.

 This is a jumping picture looking away from Island Lake. I think I may be too old for this silliness.

Then we headed back down. And I couldn't resist one more jumping picture.....I mean it is so beautiful!

This was a hike that was just under 10 miles. It was a fun area to hike in and one that I would love to visit again. It would also be a great backpacking destination.

Thursday morning we woke up and picked up camp. After we headed towards home. We stopped in Montrose and biked 21 miles. We did a fun little loop that just went around the perimeter of the town. Colorado was so good to us. I need to go back again soon!