Ophir, Ames, and Back to Trout Lake, Colorado

 Went on an excursion to the town of Ophir (pronounced oh-fir) which is about 20 miles north of where we are staying, elevation just under 10,000 feet. Passed Lizard Head Pass, then Trout Lake on our way there.  The town was settled with people prospecting for silver, gold, ore and whatever else they could get out of the mountains.  Settled in 1881, had 130 people when settled and today there are 184 folks.  Very bitter cold winters, low humidity, and of course snow in the winter.  It is located 2 miles from the Ames Hydroelectric Generating Plant, the world's first hydroelectric plant to supply alternating current electricity.

At the entrance to the town which is a dirt packed road, you are stopped in your tracks with dilapidated buildings.  Traces of foundations can be seen.  Waterfall is right at road side which I think was used for a mill possibly.  

Further on we saw homes, logging business, but had not really come into the town.  The town is a whopping .2 square miles big (or small!).  Once we came into the town proper, we found a road map listed on the service building which so many open areas (lots).  The homes are for summer use only, there is no access into the town once the main road is closed down due to snow.  However, if open, the residents can come in.  Nothing is plowed, so I guess you have to barge right in. 

Stopped before we drove to the end of town and heard water and cars were parked.  Hiking trail head was seen so we thought we would at least venture to the water.  Found a beautiful pristine river, took some snaps and then continued to drive to the end of town.  

When we rented a Jeep in 2018 while we were camping in Lake City, the rental company told us to not take the Ophir Pass.  They said we needed chains and wenches because there were boulders and large stones to transverse.  If we were in a side-by-side OHV - they again would not have permitted to go through Ophir Pass.  Now we understand why - no ORV (Off Highway Vehicle) are allowed in Ophir.  Not allowed to stage them (haul them in) or drive in or out through the streets. We did not know that the entrance to Ophir Pass was at the end of the road. 

Got the binoculars out and stared up at the pass - and WOW!!! saw a vehicle coming down. Look at the middle right on the next picture - you can see a white vehicle crawling up. Stayed and watched at least a dozen vehicles crawling down, then someone trying to go up and seeing them back up to let the down comers pass.  Do it again, travel over a pass in a Jeep?  Nope, been there, done that.

Felt like we were in the production of the Sound of Music - just glorious views anywhere you looked.  Stunning!

What we saw were Jeeps, 4 wheel drive vehicles such as trucks, Range Rovers, high profile vehicles.  And we saw 3 little boys selling lemonade and cookies to those who came off the pass.  They were so excited when we gave them a dollar! And those coming off the pass did stop and either buy cookies and lemonade, or just gave the kids some money.

We left Ophir and crossed over the main highway to the other side where Ames (ah-mess) Hydroelectric Generating Plant is located.  However, the road down to the plant was way too steep so we climbed back up and drove back to Trout Lake to enjoy the rest of the afternoon.

Visit to Trout Lake, Colorado

Rain every day, but that doesn't stop us.  We decided to head north on Route 145 to Trout Lake, traveling past the town of Rico.  Saw many RVs tucked into the roadsides, set up along the Dolores River. Trout Lake was originally explored by American fur-trappers who often used the lake as a stopping point on their expeditions.  The population grew after the construction the Rio Grande Southern Railroad and then the construction of the Ames Hydroelectric Generating Plant in the 1890s.  We will visit the Ames Plant another day.  Trout Lake is a natural lake but was expanded after the Ames Generating Plant was completed (constructing a dam and the purpose of the dam was to create additional reserves for downstream electricity usage for Telluride and Placerville.)  

The area provides lots of recreation, both in fishing, boating (no motors), and many hiking trails.  Cross-country skiing by the Telluride Nordic Association is the winter activity. Telluride is a quick 15 minute drive further on.

Pretty country!  We drove past this lake a number of years ago and did not stop, focused on getting to Telluride.  Even with the rain, we loved watching everyone playing.  Paddle boarding, canoeing, fishing, kayaking. Saw a number of mountain bikers,  a group of at least 30 passed us as we were heading more into the valley.  And small groups of mountain bikers were everwhere.  2 that we passed we met up with later in the day.  Altitude was a mere 9780 feet.  Saw a father and 2 daughters fishing along the bank, catching sucker fish and trout.  The girls were so excited when then caught something.

We stopped at a rest area and snacked, watched the activity, then drove on to the Trestle. What amazing thing to see.  And to see the water tank in it's glory.  Lots of wildflowers, did not see any marmots even tho there was a short little road called Marmot Way.  And the homes!  Yowee.  The area is closed from 'ice in' which is typically around end of October, to 'ice out' sometime mid to end of April. 

Over the years there were floods which wiped out the dam, then it was rebuilt, the railroad used the water to fill its steam engines.  15 similar water stations were used by the RGSR.  Today only 2 remain (one by Trout Lake). After the railroad was abandoned in 1954 the trestle continued to be used by auto traffic for several years.  Today the trestle is on the Colorado State Register of Historic Places.