The San Juan Skyway beckons to both locals and visitors wanting to view Rocky Mountain high country colors.
Scenic stops near Trout Lake are popular with autumn drivers. The skyway is a circle on Highway 550 to Highway 62 to Highway 145, going through Silverton, Ouray, Ridgway, Placerville, Rico, Dolores, Mancos and Durango, with lots of roads meandering off the highways.
The view south from north of Trout Lake.
Dallas Divide, at 8,970 feet, rises between Ridgway State Park and Placerville, north of Telluride.
An overlook on the way to Trout Lake.
The road to Trout Lake.
A creek meanders near Ophir.
Trout Lake provides fishing from the shore or a boat. A U.S. Forest Service road circles the alpine lake.
Trout Lake was once an integral part of the Rio Grande Southern Railroad, filling steam engines with water. A water tank still stands near the lake.
