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Travel: Go West! Overview of trip to Colorado/Utah
Note: We'll be adding photos from Robert's trip over the next few days/weeks. Bookmark this page to see all the photos from this installment in one place.
By Robert Ellis
robertelliswoodworking.com
For this latest adventure, a compromise was agreed upon by the Photographer and Navigator for seeing both Colorado and Utah, and certain places in each of them. Since we've already visited Southern Utah several times, we planned to focus on Northeast Utah and North Central/Western Colorado.
The first leg of the journey had us flying into Denver, picking up a rental car, and heading out of town in the direction of Rocky Mountain National Park. After that, it was over to Dinosaur National Monument, which is in both Colorado and Utah.
On the Colorado side, we drove the scenic route that ends at Harpers Corner. For most of the drive we were in Colorado, but the grand finale-Harper's Corner (as if Utah needs anymore attractions) was in Utah!
While in Utah, we stayed in the town of Vernal and visited Sheep Creek Canyon Geological Area and Flaming Gorge reservoir. Leaving Vernal, we visited the Utah side of Dinosaur National Monument, and then onwards to the towns of Telluride and Ouray, Colorado. On our last full day of adventure we headed back towards Denver, taking in Grand Mesa National Forest. The last leg of the trip we avoided Interstate 70 as much as possible, and drove the scenic Highway 6 that runs parallel to it.
Now back to Kentucky to take in (and hopefully photograph) the Fall colors!
This story was posted on 2025-09-26 08:26:27
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Travel: Go West, somewhere in Colorado!
2025-09-24 - Colorado, USA - Photo by Robert Ellis, robertelliswoodworking.com.
In the fall each year, leaves drop from the trees, birds migrate south, and photographers head out in search of changing colors and scenic vistas.
Photographer Robert Ellis and Chief Executive Travel Coordinator Tammy Ellis have just returned from a trip through Colorado and Utah, starting a loop in Denver that lead through Rocky Mountain National Park and Grand Mesa National Forest. The photo above is a teaser of images to come from their journey.
Robert says, "I don't believe I've ever seen a rainbow quite like this! Here Tammy and I are parked in between two storm fronts, watching them play out."
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Travel: Rocky Mountain National Park, Day 1
2025-09-25 - Colorado, USA - Photo by Robert Ellis, robertelliswoodworking.com.
Robert writes, "Two months ago, while sitting back in Kentucky planning this trip, it felt more like rolling the dice on when to visit this Park. Too early in September brings a chance of too hot and no Fall colors. Too late in the month, there was a threat of snow. Well it turns out we hit it just right; the snow came a day or two after our visit...and as you can see the colors were perfect!
We had visited the Park decades ago while I was in the Air Force stationed at F.E. Warren AFB, in Cheyenne, Wyoming. Since it had been so long ago, it felt like seeing it for the first time."
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Travel: RMNP Wildlife and Street Photography
2025-09-27 - Colorado, USA - Photo by Robert Ellis, robertelliswoodworking.com.
Robert writes, "Down in one of the meadows in Rocky Mountain National Park, while visiting a rest area, we heard this Elk bugling. Of course I had to grab the camera and follow where I thought the sound was coming from. Had to wait on the big fellow to turn around and walk into the light.
You'll have to look a little harder for the 'street' photography in this photo!"
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Travel: The Chevy Half-Truck
2025-10-02 - Northwest Colorado - Photo by Robert Ellis, robertelliswoodworking.com.
Robert writes, "Leaving Rocky Mountain National Park, we drove West towards Utah. Our plans were to visit Dinosaur National Monument which happens to be in both Utah and Colorado. On the Colorado side, we visited the scenic drive to Harper's Corner. Of course, this Ranch, with its 'yard ornaments' delayed the arrival to that destination...just a wee bit.
Out of frame, behind me, are a couple rusted vultures on the posts to the ranch's entrance. Beyond that, a metal stagecoach with a team of horses, rhinoceros, maybe more; but what caught my eye was this truck, with a Homer Simpson caricature, vulture and off in the far distance a wooly mammoth!
This photo became my favorite of the trip! For me it gives the feeling of being in a race with the truck, heading towards the horizon, with the fence whizzing by."
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Travel: Scenic drive to Harper's Corner
2025-10-04 - Dinosaur National Monument, Colorado - Photo by Robert Ellis, robertelliswoodworking.com.
Robert writes, "The 31 mile drive to Harper's Corner is a stunning trip! I would rate it as one of my favorites from our many travels. From desert vistas to Mountains and canyons, including many pull off's to take in the views. We opted to do only one hike with a trailhead that starts where the road ends-Harper's Corner. I misspoke in an earlier post; Harper's Corner resides in Colorado (you can't always believe GPS). One stretch of the road you are in Utah for a few miles.
This scene is at the start of the drive. The road takes you around and over the Mesa. The road itself is blacktop all the way. I stopped the car to get out and take a pic of this nearby, old winding dirt road."
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Travel: Scenic Overlook on the drive to Harper's Corner
2025-10-05 - Colorado, USA - Photo by Robert Ellis, robertelliswoodworking.com.
Robert writes, "The winding dirt road in this photo takes you to Echo Park. The Navigator for this trip shot down the idea of taking this dirt road due to recent rains in the area. The Photographer bristled.... Oh well, I learned from these adventures it's best sometimes to just trust your instincts and yield on the side of caution. There would be plenty more to see and do."
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Travel: Along the hike to Harper's Corner
2025-10-10 - Dinosaur National Monument, Colorado - Photo by Robert Ellis, robertelliswoodworking.com.
Robert writes, "The trailhead for Harper's Corner starts where the pavement ends. It is a 2-mile round trip hike that is easy to moderate. The ever changing scenery and views along the length of the hike make it, in my opinion, one of the most beautiful places you'll ever lay your eyes on!"
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Travel: Viewpoint of Harper's Corner
2025-10-11 - Dinosaur National Monument, Colorado - Photo by Robert Ellis, robertelliswoodworking.com.
Robert writes, "This is the end of the hike. Unseen in the photo is a fence around the perimeter of the trail's end, with spectacular views on both sides of the corner. This is the right side of the fence (trail) and the preceding photo is the left side. It is an uncrowded hike, and we had it mostly to ourselves. Loved it!"
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Travel: Overnighting in Vernal
2025-10-13 - Vernal, Utah - Photo by Robert Ellis, robertelliswoodworking.com.
Robert writes, "Leaving Harper's Corner in Colorado, it was time to cross over into Utah... but not before we passed through Dinosaur, Colorado. If you guessed the main theme of this small community was replicas of dinosaurs everywhere, you would be right. Not to be outdone, the much larger town of Vernal has them displayed (seemed like every corner of most businesses) as well.
The navigator temporarily set aside her duties by attempting to capture as many images she could of the Dinos to show the Grandchildren when we got back home.
This scene of the colorful Bentonite Clay hills was taken the following morning along the way to Sheep Creek Canyon and the Flaming Gorge Reservoir."
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Travel: Red Canyon Overlook
2025-10-17 - Flaming Gorge National Recreation Area, Utah - Photo by Robert Ellis, robertelliswoodworking.com.
Robert writes, "This is Red Canyon Overlook, on the Utah side, and is part of the Ashley National Forest. Part of the recreational area resides in the state of Wyoming as well.
I had to leave the fenced off area, tamp down my fear of heights to frame this composition...it's only a 1400' drop off a few feet in front of me. I wouldn't be offended if they were to rename it flaming 'gorgeous' recreation area!"
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Travel: Sheep Creek Canyon
2025-10-19 - Ashley National Forest, Utah - Photo by Robert Ellis, robertelliswoodworking.com.
Robert writes, "This geological area is part of the Ashley National Forest. The desert foliage as well as some of the Aspen trees were displaying nice colors. The canyon itself (which is the main attraction) is around a couple miles long. It's well worth adding to the itinerary if you're heading over to visit the Flaming Gorge Reservoir that's close by."
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Travel: Welcome to Telluride
2025-10-21 - Telluride, Colorado - Photo by Robert Ellis, robertelliswoodworking.com.
Robert writes, "Upon leaving Utah, we headed back into Colorado. Ultimately we would overnight in Montrose and head out for Telluride and Ouray the next morning.
Telluride is a scenic, really beautiful town, nestled in the San Juan Mountains. Just walking around the town gawking at the cute cottages (turns out they're million+ dollar homes), riding the free gondola up the mountain, as well as potential for cool street photography; I was left with a longing desire to revisit someday...a few hours wasn't enough!"
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Travel: Million Dollar Highway, 1 of 2
2025-10-23 - Between Ouray and Silverton, Colorado - Photo by Robert Ellis, robertelliswoodworking.com.
Robert writes, "Upon leaving Telluride, we headed over to the nearby town of Ouray. It too is a picturesque town nestled in the mountains. This scene is from one of the pullovers on the Million Dollar Highway; it's well-known for the fear factor the drive triggers in those with a fear of heights.
So I knew going into this drive it would be scary. Research has shown numerous cars have gone over the cliffs. Even as late as a couple weeks ago a car went over the edge, but somehow the driver miraculously survived.
I enjoyed it, but I also didn't! My hands were frozen to the steering wheel, eyes stayed zeroed in on the centerline of the road. The navigator as well experienced extreme difficulty focusing anywhere but on the road. We only traveled about 10 miles up the mountain (ultimately it takes you to Silverton, Colorado) and fortunately we re-gathered our nerves for the trip back down, somewhat, since the road hugs the mountains on the descent."
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Travel: Million Dollar Highway, 2 of 2
2025-10-24 - Between Ouray and Silverton, Colorado - Photo by Robert Ellis, robertelliswoodworking.com.
Robert writes, "There were places along this road where the blacktop ends, the treacherous cliff begins. The speed limit I believe was 25mph...I found 10-15 much more agreeable!"
Wikipedia says, "The twelve miles south of Ouray through the Uncompahgre Gorge to the summit of Red Mountain Pass gives the highway its name. This stretch through the gorge is challenging and potentially hazardous to drive; it is characterized by steep cliffs, narrow lanes, and a lack of guardrails; the ascent of Red Mountain Pass is marked with a number of hairpin curves used to gain elevation, narrow lanes for traffic--many cut directly into the sides of mountains." (Wikipedia).
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