3 North Clear Creek Falls

From Ouray to Chama, New Mexico

This is a full day’s drive because of a long detour around the high mountains. There are some beautiful scenic overlooks, the healthy North Clear Creek Falls (above 10,000 feet, so I didn’t use the drones) and the old mining town of Creede.

In Creede, I took a detour up into the well-reserved Historic Mining District. As when viewing the Hanging Flume, one instinctively admires the hardiness of the settlers and miners who worked in these rugged conditions. These high peaks get a lot of snow during their long Winters…