I've been itching to take the P500 up into the mountains even thought I know many roads are still blocked with tons of snow. So Friday I gave it a try - launching just east of Silverton heading up County Road (CR) 2 toward the ghost town of Animas Forks and Hwy 110 toward Corkscrew Pass.
Here's CR 2 at the point I was stopped by snow. This view is looking back down valley in the direction of Silverton.
Without a set of tracks I'm not going any farther this way!
Check out the snow bridges over the Animas River alongside the road. Earlier in the spring these can look deceptively solid but you can break through to the river below. Notice the fallen portions and the cracks where the snow has begun caving in.
Water is gushing out of every valley, crag and split in the high country.
This shot gives you an appreciation of the amount of snow packed into avalanche shoots. San Juan County road crews have been had at work to open this route as far as then have.
And in an avalanche if the snow doesn't smother you the trees and rocks being carried down will make you feel like you're in a blender. Here's a debris pile from a slide path. All the power poles along this route were taken out by the slide.
After lunch in Silverton I headed up Hwy 110. And another beautiful waterfall pouring out of the mountains.
Rivers are flowing at full capacity. Here's a side flow into Cement Creek.
Another avalanche slide.
Up past Silverton Ski area and heading higher.
Now above the tree line. Snow depth is often dependent on where the snow drifted and how much sun the spot receives.
Isn't it a great feeling when your driveway is finally shoveled out!
Once again it's the end of the road for now.
Here's CR 2 at the point I was stopped by snow. This view is looking back down valley in the direction of Silverton.
Without a set of tracks I'm not going any farther this way!
Check out the snow bridges over the Animas River alongside the road. Earlier in the spring these can look deceptively solid but you can break through to the river below. Notice the fallen portions and the cracks where the snow has begun caving in.
Water is gushing out of every valley, crag and split in the high country.
This shot gives you an appreciation of the amount of snow packed into avalanche shoots. San Juan County road crews have been had at work to open this route as far as then have.
And in an avalanche if the snow doesn't smother you the trees and rocks being carried down will make you feel like you're in a blender. Here's a debris pile from a slide path. All the power poles along this route were taken out by the slide.
After lunch in Silverton I headed up Hwy 110. And another beautiful waterfall pouring out of the mountains.
Rivers are flowing at full capacity. Here's a side flow into Cement Creek.
Another avalanche slide.
Up past Silverton Ski area and heading higher.
Now above the tree line. Snow depth is often dependent on where the snow drifted and how much sun the spot receives.
Isn't it a great feeling when your driveway is finally shoveled out!
Once again it's the end of the road for now.
