Colorado 2013: Day 5

June 6, 2013:   Another early morning wake-up.  Today we're riding the Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad from Durango to Silverton!  All aboard at 8:00AM!
 

The D&SNGRR travels 45 miles each way, from Durango to Silverton, and is an unforgettable journey along the spectacular Animas River, one of the last free-flowing rivers in the entire western United States, and boasts some of Colorado's most striking canyon scenery. The train climbs nearly 3,000 feet in its journey: from an elevation of 6,512 feet in Durango to 9,305 feet elevation in Silverton, secluded high in a valley of the San Juan Mountains. 

The Durango Depot

Inside

Pulling Out

Our Open-Air Gondola Car

Conductor

The scenery along the 3.5 hour trip was just spectacular.  It changed around every bend and curve, and I took so many photos, it would be impossible (and boring!) to post them all.  So here are some of the best.

Photographer

Steep Curve Ahead!

Animas River

Photographer (photo by Bob)

Wildflowers

Approaching Silverton

Disembarcation

Engineer

Lunch!

Walk Around Town:

A "throw-away" photo that I did some editing on:

Last look at the train 

before returning to Durango by bus!

We saw scenery from a different perspective, on the bus ride home ... as we drove over high mountain passes on a steep winding road!

We arrived back in Durango around 3:30PM, visited the Museum, and then had an early dinner at a local BrewPub.  A great finish to a wonderful day!

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