Hiking to Potato Lake

Monday: Last day in Durango.

Wm got us all fueled up on big fluffy pancakes and sausage.  We filled our Camelbaks and headed north to Potato Lake Trail just past Purgatory/Durango Ski Resort. Three miles of rough rocky road and we made it to the trailhead. Wm mountain biked while Lorna and I hiked the mile long trail to the lake. We explored a community of abandoned beaver dams on our way . The lake was very picturesque with Engineer Peak as the backdrop. Wm and Lorna practiced their echo-making skills.

We hiked back and had lunch at the trailhead with the grandparents who met us there after jeep trail riding. The weather was better today. Only in the 80's.

Swam this afternoon (a little redneck bathtime!) after the hike and went to town one last time. Checked out a couple bike shops and a toy store (imagine that) and had dinner at the Strater hotel at Diamond Belle's saloon. Complete with rag time piano player and waitresses with fishnets and feathers...Mr. Bill had the best time of all. Lastly we stopped at Carver Brewing for one last cask hand-drawn IPA and went back to camp for a little organizing and loading. Tomorrow is one long endless 15-hr travel day that no one's looking forward to.

All the wildflowers were beginning to bloom on the trail. I'm just a beginner at photos. Here are some:

Didn't get a chance to go by Ska Brewing. Have no fear my friend SP--we still got most of your order together plus a surprise or two. Of the three other brewers in Durango, Carver had to be our favorite. Of course now we have to make our pilgrimmage to Fort Collins to our always favorite New Belgium. Look out Colopy gang we'll be on our way to your house probably before the month is over!!

Happy Trails!!!