Alma, Colorado

We traveled just north of Fairplay to Alma, the highest incorporated town in the United States. Stopped at their general store to look around, then continued up State Route 9 to Hoosier Pass at elevation 11,539.  As I got out of the GOAT and looked north, I could see Breckenridge in the distance.  Magnificent views.  Decided not to hike any of the trails there (elevation was not friendly to us) so we dropped back down and took the Mosquito Pass road as far as we could go.  It was closed due to still snow covered, but got some wow photos.

Coming out of Fairplay, heading north to Alma

Tire socks for winter.  Interesting.

Imagine the stories they could tell

Outhouse behind

History

Starting up Mosquito Pass Road

Snow capped ridge, Mount Lincoln

Again, turned around and dropped back to SR 9 and took the road to Montgomery Reservoir, built in 1951 by diverting the Blue River out of Colorado Springs to this area for drinking water.  No boating, swimming allowed.  Took our lunch break overlooking the reservoir.  We were at 10,878 feet for our lunch.

Interesting homes, I assume summer only.

People living here.  Amazing.

And we climbed

See RV down there?  Our turnaround (Pass closed).

Tailings from Magnolia Mine

Our turnaround - over 12,500 feet here

Saw lots of beaver dams

Phew - we are up there!

Breckenridge in the distance

Hikers - need a free bus ride?

Dropped back down and traveled along the dirt road that lines the Alma State Wildlife Area.  Very expensive homes along the way.  Wow factor again.

Yeowsa!!

Montgomery Reservoir

Dave and Goat at our lunch spot

Look closely - see waterfall in middle of pic

Could see waterfalls across - from snow melt

Blue River diversion from Colorado Springs

Spillway of diverted river

Got back to the cabin and the power was out.  We should have gotten an inkling something was amiss because in Fairplay the traffic signals were out, police directing traffic.  Cable was cut by the construction company redoing the bridge and road in Fairplay.  Fortunately the original restart was at 8:45 pm but it came back on at 5:15.  Thank goodness!

Our cabin is last on right.