Page is located in the northwest corner of Arizona near the Utah border. It’s a boaters paradise, but also a wonderful place for slot canyons and rock formations. The Navajo Nation closed all tourist activities, including the slot canyons, but there was still plenty to see and do. It was only about an hour drive from Monument Valley.
Gouldings is a favorite stop when passing through the area. This is our third visit. The Navajo Nation still had Monument Valley closed because of COVID.
Arches and Canyonlands National Parks are a favorite because of the striking canyons, arches, monoliths, spires, fins and balanced rocks, primarily composed of Entrada Sandstone. A winter storm left about an inch of snow, making for some scenic photography, even though Arches was closed by the National Park Service the day after it snowed. Luckily Canyonlands was still open. The drive from Dolores, Colorado was scenic.
Dolores is located in the southwest corner of Colorado and is at an elevation of about 6,900 feet. Within an hours drive to the east is Telluride and Durango, Colorado. To the west is Utah. Within a 30 minute drive of Dolores is Mesa Verde National Park, Canyons of the Ancients National Monument, and Hovenweep National Monument. We last visited southwestern Colorado about 2 years ago in the spring. The area is rich in Indian ruins and numerous sites of the Anasazi.
Pagosa Springs is located in Southern Colorado in the San Juan Mountains at about 7,000 feet elevation. Overall, for Colorado, it has a milder climate because it’s just north of New Mexico, has over 300 days per year of sunshine and is located west of the continental divide.
Ouray was established by gold and silver miners around 1875. Gold and silver was extracted from these rugged and colorful mountains. The mountain sides show remnants of the miners tailings and dilapidated buildings. Now the area is all about tourism. Ice climbing, hiking, mountain biking, and miles of Jeep trails in the San Juan Mountains offer stunning views and remoteness. Ouray is about an hour drive south of Montrose.
