#uravan

[dougrobyngoold]

River Overlook “Trail” - Uravan, CO

There was a map at the kiosk at Uravan Ball Park Campground that showed multiple trailheads and trails in the area.  We decided to hike the River Overlook/Rim Trail today.  We were unable to locate anything that looked like a trail, so we bushwhacked our way for a short hike along the rim.  We got a bit wet from a slight storm and we had to maneuver through some open-range cattle, but it was a nice little hike.

Looking back toward our campground (at the curve in the road).

Looking upriver toward Naturita.

Our track from our “loop hike”, it looks like we fell off the rim!

[dougrobyngoold]

Mine Road Hike - Uravan, CO

Today we went for a hike up the road on the other side of the San Miguel River from our campsite.  Jim and a friend went rafting, but another one of his buddies decided not to kayak and he, Jerry, joined us for our hike.  We had a gorgeous day, no rain!  The road took us up a mountainside and through some of the old uranium mining areas - we will probably glow at night after this hike!

This sign was not comforting.....

But the views of the snow-capped peaks were amazing!

Beautiful mallows blooming along the road and a nice view up the canyon.

We turned around close to this sign - there was a HUGE hillside covered with black and white stones - part of the clean-up on this Super Site.  I cannot imagine the health issues that the people in this area must have experienced from the mine tailings.  

Doug and Jerry, solving all of the world’s problems on the hike back.  Look at that incredible Colorado sky!

[dougrobyngoold]

Uravan Ball Park Campground - Uravan, CO

We made it out of Dolores Canyon, but it was in the low 40s when we stopped in Dove Creek to get ice for our cooler - brrrrr!  We had about an 80 mile drive to get to Uravan - we hit snow, sleet, and rain on our way there.  We were getting a little worried about the temperatures and the rain in the forecast.  But once we dropped down in elevation, the temperatures got up in the 60s and the sun was peeking through the clouds.  We stopped in Naturita for lunch and to get phone service so that we could let our kids know that we were still alive!  We arrived at Uravan Ball Park Campground and found a great site right on the San Miguel River.  We found out that Doug’s cousin, Jim, is planning to raft in the area the next few days.  So we are going to have company at this spot - we love that!