From the Ophir Loop to Cortez, CO, for Part 3 of Day 4 of my trip:
When you turn left into the canyon, it isn’t marked with a sign saying “Ophir This Way”. You have to drive by a house and dodge some mining trucks. But soon you will find Ophir, or what is left. At 9,695 feet it is not a popular place to stay year round.
(All photos by Nikon Coolpix unless otherwise noted)
The gravel road up was nice but in Ophir it looked pretty narrow and soft, so I decided not to go farther into town dragging my trialer. This is the way back down.
Some horses gazing below the local color.
Just some of the color…
Back up the road, just shy of Lizard Head Pass, is Trout Lake.
(Three photos stitched together in MS ICE)
A self-portrait.
South of Lizard Head Pass, or to the left side of the road.
The Lizard Head to the North, or to the right side of the road.
Lizard Head Pass on my GPS: 10,240 feet.
Then it was a great downhill run through the trees on a gently winding road.
There was a nice place to rest near the bottom, at a trail head.
(40D, 1/350, f8, 17mm, ISO 125, -1/2 stop)
I spemt the night in Cortez, CO, at the KOA Campground. I spent a couple extra bucks to stay in a Tipi. The one my brother Dennis made was a lot nicer, but this had two cots, electricity and a light. It made for a quick start in the morning.
Sunset in Cortez.
~Curtis in Colorado! {!-{>
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