Durango, CO - Animas City Hike

Durango, CO
La Plata County Fairgrounds


We've been missing our mountain hiking.  It's still been pretty cold at times and trying to hike much above 5K is impossible with all the snow still out.  So we were glad to find this nice little hike right in town.

 

The Animas City Mountain Trail starts above 6,500 feet and climbs 1,500 feet steadily in just 3 miles. It's a nice 6 mile hike to get us going in Colorado.  We're slowly acclimating so that we can hike a 14er later on.  (that's one of Colorado's many high mountain peaks above 14K feet in elevation).  There are mazing views of downtown Durango from above. 

Straight up right off the bat.  Loose dirt and rocks made it a bit tricky.

Love seeing the spring blooms coming out.

This trail has some crazy rock formations.

It was a pretty warm day so Hurley would find all the shady spots to rest.

Snow still on many of the surrounding mountains.

  

 

I was surprised to see some small claret cup cactus up here.

Just a little shade on the trail as most of the oaks hadn't leafed out yet.

Love the deep red bark on these pines.

Many rocks on this side of the hike.

One determined tree growing out of the crack.

Now this was very interesting.  Someone spent a lot of time making a sort of log-rock house.

It actually had a door, benches and windows and a sort of roof.  Very cute.

 A view of Durango down below.

 

Love the Lilacs blooming.  Reminds me of living in Upstate NY.

Once down we headed over to a different brewery.  SKA turned out to be Steve's favorite in Durango.  He loves a good IPA.

Me, I preferred an ice water to go with this yummy pizza bread.  Pulled pork, chilies, feta and onions.