Hermosa Park Road

Hermosa Park Road provides a scenic shortcut from Durango to Telluride for those who'd rather avoid the smooth, well-traveled highway through Ouray and Silverton. Hermosa, Sig, and Barlow Creeks offer fishing and splashing while providing a fun fording opportunity when the water's up. The remote central portion of the trail has a small marshy lake, abundant wildlife, few other people, and EPIC views. You can access the Colorado Trail from a spur at the crest of Bolam Pass. There is a mining claim, an abandoned mine, and the old Barlow homestead near the trail's western end. Because this is such a remote location, there is no light pollution in the central portion of the trail. Stargazing is unsurpassed on clear nights.

Food and entertainment await you on the trail's eastern end at Purgatory Ski Resort. Many side roads and connectors take you to explore other parts of the San Juan mountains, especially in the east portion of the trail near Purgatory.