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We were heading out to see my brother for New Years 2011. The original plan was to leave on Dec. 30th, however, a monster storm coming in from the Pacific caused us to leave a day early. If we left after I got off of work on the 28th and drove overnight, then I forecasted that we should be able to get in just before the storm hit. We did not make it in time!
After driving most of the night, I was just about to let Kellie drive around sunrise. We were only about 30 minutes from Broomfield, NM and it started to get foggy, or so I thought. It quickly became apparent that it was very fine snow, and it was coming down. The freggin' storm had arrived about 6 hours ahead of schedule to the San Juans!!! A couple of minutes after the snow began the road was already covered, and I could amazingly still see the sunrise to the SE. And thus, the nightmare began at sunrise.
It took us almost four hours to get to Durango because of the slow pace and two wrecks as we entered Colorado. It would have normally taken an hour from that point. After we stopped and ate, we decided to take the western, longer route (US 160) around the San Juans to avoid getting stuck between closed passes on the Million Dollar Highway. It was not any easier as the western slopes were actually receiving the heaviest snowfall. We waited behind another wreck west of Durango, and I was doing everything I could to remain alert (since I had been awake over 24 hrs. straight). The snow was amazing and beautiful, but for once I just wanted it to stop so we could get to Michael's. We finally made it through, via the west route through Telluride, and arrived around 3pm MST, or 18 hours and 10 minutes after we pulled out of our driveway. As frustrated as I was, it actually proved to be a great forecasting call as all passes into the Uncompahgre Valley and Ouray were closed the next day because of the storm. Below are some of the pictures we took during the trip. Some parts of the San Juans picked up several feet of fresh powder, and we watched the firework display over Ouray on New Year’s Eve, with a "balmy" temperature of -10F. It also snowed heavily on us as we headed home, via the Million Dollar Highway (US 550), on January 3! Great trip, and wonderful hospitality from my brother and his family!
 Long line of vehicles behind us as we head west on US 160... |
 ...and the line of cars in front of us |
 St.Hwy 184 was deserted though as we headed to Delores, CO |
 The Delores River valley was gorgeous in the storm |
 Overlooking Ouray, Co on Jan 30th, 2010 |
 A deer rests under an evergreen while another forages in Ouray |
 View of the Uncompahgre River Valley from Michael's deck on NYE 2010 |
 The sun peaks through the clouds as the 3 day storm subsides on NYE 2010 |
 Dylan climbs a HUGE snow pile at Silverton Ski Area on New Year's Day 2011 |
 The median (left) of Silverton's main street, in spots a 6'-8' snow pile |
 New Years Day 2011 sunset between Ouray and Silverton |
 Another shot of the sunset |
 Avalanche tunnel over US 550 south of Ouray as we head home late Jan. 3rd |
 Snow falls again as we head home on the Million Dollar Hwy on Jan 3rd |