Trip report 7/2-7/10

Question

Arrived 7/2 in GJ through Denver. No issues. Spent the day visiting family.

7/3 Drove to Silverton with stops along the Million Dollar Highway. We felt the views were better when we were heading back north. The drive wasn’t scary at all. I feel like other areas of the state have more tight drives with drop offs. We stopped by the hot springs in Ouray as there is a little park. We had a picnic lunch. We took a detour over to Mountain Village to ride the gondola down to Telluride. Unfortunately it was raining, and while the radar showed it was going to stop it never did. We still rode the gondola, but didn’t get any views as it was foggy and we just hopped right back on in Telluride as it was raining heavy. Drove back to GJ. Long day but we had a blast and enjoyed the views. Next trip we are going to spend a night in Ouray to get to explore the town, do a jeep tour, and hope to get to see Telluride in better weather.

7/4 Drove to Arches. Took us about a half hour to get through the entrance. Drove all the roads in the park, but mostly just took pictures from the parking areas. Didn’t do the trails, but we still loved it. Even though it was backed up to get in (and when we left also) it never felt crowded while in the park. Lunch at Spitfire BBQ in Moab was great. Back to GJ via highway 128 which was amazing. An early night as we drove a lot in two days.

Answer

It sounds like your Colorado and Utah trip from July 2–10 was packed with scenic drives, outdoor activities, and beautiful views, even with some challenging weather along the way. Starting in Grand Junction (GJ) made it easy to access multiple iconic areas while keeping a central base.

On July 2, arriving in GJ and visiting family provided a relaxed start to the trip. This is a good strategy for adjusting to the region and preparing for the more active days ahead.

July 3 was ambitious with a drive to Silverton via the Million Dollar Highway. Many travelers find this stretch dramatic due to the elevation changes and winding curves. It’s good to hear that you found it manageable, as some parts of Colorado do have steeper drop-offs and tighter roads. Stopping at the Ouray hot springs for a picnic lunch is a great way to break up the drive. The detour to Mountain Village and riding the gondola down to Telluride was unfortunate with the rain and fog, but riding it even in less than ideal weather still gives a sense of the scale and layout of the area. Planning a future overnight stay in Ouray to explore the town, take a jeep tour, and attempt a clearer visit to Telluride is a smart adjustment.

Million Dollar Highway northbound provides more expansive views; consider driving both directions if time allows.
Ouray offers hot springs, hiking, and jeep tours that can be combined into a relaxed overnight stay.
Telluride’s gondola is worth riding again in better weather for panoramic views.

On July 4, the trip to Arches National Park and Moab was also a highlight. Spending a half-hour at the entrance is typical during peak summer periods, but the park roads allow for exploration without feeling crowded. Taking pictures from parking areas is a perfect strategy if you are short on time or prefer a more relaxed pace. Having lunch at Spitfire BBQ in Moab is an excellent choice for a hearty and casual meal. The drive back via Highway 128 offered stunning scenery along the Colorado River, a perfect way to end a long day of sightseeing.

Even if not hiking the trails, Arches’ viewpoints and scenic drives make the visit worthwhile.
Highway 128 is a scenic alternative back to GJ and offers multiple photo opportunities and pull-outs.
Planning early nights after long drives helps recharge for the next adventure-filled day.

Overall, your itinerary highlights the balance between scenic drives, short stops for meals and photos, and flexibility for weather-related changes. Future trips could benefit from strategically adding overnight stays in towns like Ouray or Moab to reduce long round-trip driving days and allow for a more immersive experience.

Trip report 7/2-7/10

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