Colorado Adventures - High Desert of Cortez to the Mountains of Rico, CO

July 27, 2018 - Aug 6, 2018 - Colorado Vacation

This year we had scheduled to vacation in Colorado during the All-4-Fun event in Silverton, CO, but with the '416' fire started in June near Silverton and even continues to burn today (but is fully contained) the All-4-Fun coordinators decided to move the event from Silverton to Empire, CO.  After some discussion we decided not to venture to Empire this year with the off-roading group, since we had attended the same event location two years ago, and instead do some adventures on our own for a week.

Our first stop was Cortez, CO.  We knew the area was rich in Native American history including the Canyons of the Ancients National Monument which is comprised of 176,000 acres and is known for the highest density of archeological sites in the US. So first we visited the Anasazi Heritage Center. We recommend visiting this Center first because we picked up area maps, watched an informative video and walked through the museum displaying the culture, history and artifacts excavated from the area. 

 

 

 

We must admit after touring this area in July/August we would recommend the cooler months to fully enjoy all the sights including the Mesa Verde National Park, which we will return to do some other time.

 

Even with the temperatures between 90 and 100 degrees I talked Jack into a short 3 mile HOT hike in Sand Canyon.  We were able to walk right up to some of the cliff housing and soak in the views.

 

Saddlehorn Pueblo - Pottery from dwelling suggest about AD 1250 to AD 1285.

Condo with a view.

After returning to the Jeep we had about 40 minutes to cool off while we drove to the next stop, Hovenweep. Hovenweep was built by the ancestors of today's Pueblo people approximately 800 years ago. This particular  prehistoric village is protected by the National Park Service and is established as Hovenweep National Monument.

 

We were amazed at the preservation of this village. According to documentation, the tree ring dating indicates most of these structures were built between 1230s to late 1270s. By 1300 the Puebloan people departed and migrated to central Arizona and the Rio Grande valley of New Mexico. Hovenweep stood relatively undisturbed for centuries until discovered by a Mormon expedition in the mid 1850s.

 

Hovenweep means 'deserted valley'. It became a national monument in 1923.

 

 

Hovenweep Castle




Stronghold House was named for its fortress-like architecture.
 It is unknown if it was built for defense.  



Twin Towers to left; Rim Rock House in middle; Eroded Boulder House on right.



Square Tower & Hovenweep House
 

Looking for cooler weather and mountain views we headed to the area of Rico, CO and it did not disappoint us.  We found a great camp site at the Cayton NF Campground right on the Dolores River (creek).  While in the area we enjoyed back road exploring and mountain vistas, oh, and yes cooler temperatures.


Cayton Campground #3

We fell in love with the laid back vibe of Rico and also the views of the surrounding mountains.  Rico is an incorporated small town in Dolores County, CO and sits at an elevation of 8,825 ft. right on the Dolores River.  During the summer the population explodes to about 500 people and in the winter there are only about 200 people.  It was settled in 1879 as a silver mining center in the Pioneer Mining District; today it functions as a historic and tourism site.

We ventured to the Rico Museum to get the scoop on the area. The museum itself is historic, being the town’s original firehouse, restored and retrofitted to serve as the museum. Behind the original, large swinging doors you’ll find one of the department’s hand drawn hose trucks.

The Museum contains extensive information about the town’s mining origins starting in 1876, after the Ute Indians reluctantly ceded rights to the land to the onrushing miners and settlers. You’ll see mining artifacts and learn about Rico’s 100 years of booms and busts right up until the Rico Argentine Mill closed in the early 1970’s.

The 'rock' pictured above is a silver nugget pulled from a Rico mine.

The hills around Rico are still full of many mining structures that you can visit within a few miles of the town limits.



Van Winkle Mine Shaft & Hoist around 1942 provided lead-zinc ore for WWII efforts.



See the cable at the top it extends to the next photo where you will see a
 small building up high on the other side of canyon



Rio Grande Southern RR water tower stored 50,000 gallons of water for the trains.



Never know what you will find if you just drive around town.

 

 Colorado never disappoints whether its the high desert or soaring mountains there's always something to explore.

Until our next adventure - Stay safe and find your adventure.

Up next:  4-wheeling over Bolam Pass Trail, CO.