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Photography Trip from Palm Springs to Durango, CO - Suggestions?
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May 12, 2023 13:10:02   #
Oregonphotog Loc: Portland, OR
 
Thank you. I'll check it out.

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May 12, 2023 13:11:30   #
Oregonphotog Loc: Portland, OR
 
I've been to Joshua Tree and it's a truly beautiful place. I hope to get there for more astro photography. Thanks.

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May 12, 2023 13:17:26   #
Oregonphotog Loc: Portland, OR
 
Excellent suggestion. I put it on my list and will definitely get there early. Looks very interesting. Thanks!

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May 12, 2023 14:29:07   #
newsguygeorge Loc: Victoria, Texas
 
clint f. wrote:
Did I miss a reference to Mesa Verde National Park? Just south of Cortez which is 30 +/- miles from Durango. I consider it a must see if you are in the four corners area. Ps, 4 corners is a nothingburger except for its geographic interest. Sadder scenery is hard to find.


I agree about the Four Corners National Monument.

I mentioned Mesa Verde, for the record; and to me, who first saw Mesa Verde in 1957 and returned many times, it is as magical a place as they come.

Also, let me clarify a few things about Farmington, NM (where I lived from 1996 to 2001: There are two Ancient Puebloan sites near there. To the northest are the Aztec Ruins in the town of Aztec. To the east near the twon of Bloomington are the Salmon Ruins and Museum. And to the south are the Bisti / De-Na-Zin Wilderness Area.

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May 12, 2023 15:19:53   #
clint f. Loc: Priest Lake Idaho, Spokane Wa
 
I get points off for reading and comprehension. 😎You’ve got me interested in revisiting the area to see the sites you mention that I haven’t seen. I see a road trip this fall.

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May 12, 2023 16:48:21   #
NDMarks Loc: Dublin, Ca
 
Many years ago we were on a motorcycle trip home from a Gold Wing convention in Albuquerque to Calif Bay area and spent the night in Durango. There are two other places worth going to. Some of this may have already been mentioned. Mesa Verde Natn. Park is well worth seeing. It has many relics and wall carvings left from the Anasazi indians. Also near Durango there is a highway east of Durango (Hwy 207 I think) that follows the Louise river and goes within 3 miles of Telluride. We loved the drive especially on a Gold Wing

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May 12, 2023 17:52:54   #
Basil Loc: New Mexico
 
Near Farmington

Bisti Badlands

https://youtu.be/ZX97Ft09dkY

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May 12, 2023 19:40:04   #
whatdat Loc: Del Valle, Tx.
 
Yes. Mess Verde is certainly worth taking time to see. Especially if you research the history of it.

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May 13, 2023 01:24:04   #
Oregonphotog Loc: Portland, OR
 
Thanks, Clint! I'll check them out when I'm in Farmington!

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May 13, 2023 01:35:03   #
Oregonphotog Loc: Portland, OR
 
Thanks for the suggestions! Could you be talking about Hwy 550 (Also known as the Million Dollar Hwy) that follows the Animas River north from Durango? I found 207 but it's west of Durango and follows Lightner Creek.

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May 13, 2023 01:41:29   #
Basil Loc: New Mexico
 
550 - Durango -to - Silverton - to Telluride. Million Dollar Highway. Just do it.

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May 13, 2023 01:52:34   #
Oregonphotog Loc: Portland, OR
 
Thank you. Definitely planning to.

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May 13, 2023 01:53:04   #
Oregonphotog Loc: Portland, OR
 
Thanks. I added it to the list!

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May 13, 2023 09:06:44   #
A. T.
 
newsguygeorge wrote:
That’s a lot of stops and stuff for 10 days, especially if you’re in Durango for a wedding. You didn’t indicate how many days that will take. But, given my knowledge of the Southwest, having lived and travelled there extensively, here are my thoughts, keeping in mind that I kept in mind the tons of photo ops.

Ditch Sedona and Telluride. They are out of your way for what I consider little payoff. Sedona is overrated and a tourist trap. I’ve only been to Telluride once very long ago and if you’re going for the scenery, that’s your call; but, Durango is in a beautiful river valley with plenty to see. So is Pagosa Springs. Were I planning this trip, it would be based on the Google map linked at the bottom of this post. Here are my very opinionated comments.

Oatman and Kingman — The former, a little less than 4 hours from Joshua Tree, is famous for its free-range donkeys and the latter, just down the road, is famous for being on Route 66, which is much celebrated.

Flagstaff — No real comment, although it’s the gateway to the Grand Canyon’s South Rim.

Winslow — Yes, everyone can “Take It Easy” downtown by “Standing on the Corner in Winslow, Arizona.” But the real gem is the La Posada, an incredibly restored Harvey House with a restaurant to die for — the Turquoise Room, named after the old Santa Fe Super Chief dining car. East of Winslow, you’ll be near the Petrified Forest to the south and the Hopi reservation Second Mesa to the north.

Gallup — You’ll find this Navajo rez border town well worth your time. Consider staying at the famous El Rancho Hotel and check with the hotel if there will be Native American dancing downtown. Mama’s Kitchen and Genaro’s Café are really good. Window Rock, a short detour from Gallup, is the capital of the Navajo Nation — and eponymous Window Rock formation. I have a soft spot for the American Indians, so I've made it my priority to spend money with them, especially on genuine crafts which individual artists sell in Gallup and in Window Rock. As you go north from Gallup through Tohatchi and Newcomb, you’re on the Navajo rez — drive carefully and watch your speed.

Farmington — This rez border has little to recommend, although I lived there for 2½ years some 22 years ago. But, you’ll be near Shiprock, also on the rez, where you can see the peak that is part of the tribe’s creation story. It’s called Tsé Bitʼaʼí, “rock with wings” or “winged rock.” If you do Shiprock, I’ve routed you up into Cortez. If you have time, and I hope you do, try to spend time at Mesa Verde National Park. It is magic. If you want to go back through Farmington, avoid Hwy 170 through La Plata and continue east to Bloomington. It’s faster and if you can spare the time, you’ll find the Aztec Ruins, another of the many Ancient Ones Puebloan culture sites. Then take US 550 up over Cedar Hill into Durango. There are some nice overlooks into the Las Animas River valley.

Durango — One of my favorite places in the world because of the Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad. If your wedding isn’t tied to a location, I’d stay at the Strater Hotel. Otherwise, I’ll leave Durango to your hosts/friends/family.

Pagosa Springs — Yes, there are several places in town to enjoy the hot springs, but Chimney Rock is another sacred Native American Place worth looking into.

I would be remiss if I didn’t mention Canyon de Chelly (pronounced Canyon de shay) outside of Chinle, Ariz. You need a Navajo guide to into the canyon, although staying at the top is free. And while Thunderbird Lodge isn’t highly rated, it’s Native-owned; and, it’s been there a long time. I stayed there with my parents in the 1950s.

I invite OP or anyone else to (1) hit websites for these places, (2) query me; and, (3) if any Hoggers have more recent information, I’d love to know it.

Map link: https://www.google.com/maps/dir/Palm+Springs,+CA/Joshua+Tree+National+Park,+California/Oatman,+AZ/Kingman,+AZ/Flagstaff,+AZ/Winslow,+AZ/Gallup,+NM/Farmington,+NM/Durango,+CO/Pagosa+Springs,+CO/@36.9349609,-108.0921213,9.5z/data=!4m67!4m66!1m5!1m1!1s0x80db1ad4ffdbe5b3:0xa1e56987c2ed797c!2m2!1d-116.5452921!2d33.8302961!1m5!1m1!1s0x80da8f85b965a87b:0x1977eda73aeb9de2!2m2!1d-115.9009923!2d33.873415!1m5!1m1!1s0x80ce13b49a2596d5:0x74c78d6ac8da23e7!2m2!1d-114.3835698!2d35.0263915!1m5!1m1!1s0x80cddc1300936035:0xa6accfbcff04a560!2m2!1d-114.0530065!2d35.189443!1m5!1m1!1s0x872d8ef7da2e2631:0x8e1f3ca1cedbb300!2m2!1d-111.651302!2d35.1982836!1m5!1m1!1s0x872e420b60a443b7:0xc1c851aff51726e8!2m2!1d-110.6973571!2d35.0241873!1m5!1m1!1s0x8724de8d2f65540f:0x5fd56904653b804c!2m2!1d-108.7425843!2d35.5280783!1m10!1m1!1s0x873b8f00ad0c7ec7:0xc823b1b63b534e1a!2m2!1d-108.2186856!2d36.7280583!3m4!1m2!1d-108.7478245!2d36.9893477!3s0x873bd26f751551e1:0xe3c7f2ea40bc58d9!1m5!1m1!1s0x873c02a6bd85fc23:0xdc2b8882a3a67e5a!2m2!1d-107.8800667!2d37.27528!1m5!1m1!1s0x873ddb6e9b07b449:0x7b8616cc41f8157f!2m2!1d-107.0097617!2d37.26945!3e0?hl=en
That’s a lot of stops and stuff for 10 days, espec... (show quote)


How do I save your post.....this is a wealth of information?

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May 13, 2023 09:13:39   #
CHG_CANON Loc: the Windy City
 
A. T. wrote:
How do I save your post.....this is a wealth of information?


Use the Bookmark tool for UHH. The link is just to the thread, but you can add a comment and a page ref, if needed, for why / which reply you want to save.

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