Leaving Cadillac Ranch, we continued our journey to Montrose, Colorado.
It was about a three-hour drive when we stopped at Capulin Volcano National Monument in Capulin, New Mexico.
Capulin is a dormant cinder cone volcano with a steep, paved, one-mile road that spirals up the volcano to the parking lot at the rim. Four states can be seen from the rim and the views were spectacular. The photos simply do not do it justice, but we’re sharing anyway.
There were five hiking options at Capulin and due to the heat, we chose the Crater Vent Trail. This is a paved, 0.2-mile hike to the bottom of the crater. We considered this our workout for the day and we definitely got in a good sweat. Pockets of lava rock and interesting vegetation compared to what we’re used to in South Texas made this an interesting hike.
Salida, Colorado
We continued our journey to Montrose and even though we could’ve easily made it on Day Two, we decided to stop in Salida, Colorado for a good night’s sleep and head into Montrose the morning of Day Three.
Walmart First Timers
We stopped at a Walmart and bought a few necessities for the night and asked store management about overnight parking lot camping. The last thing we wanted was a knock on our van door in the middle of the night asking us to leave. The Assistant Manager explained there had been a festival in town and overnight parking was prohibited until the night we arrived. Jackpot!
Feeling a bit more confident now that I knew we weren’t going to get a knock on our door, I circled the parking lot looking for just the right spot for the night. Not sure “the right spot” even exists at Walmart, but I wanted a space we didn’t have to back up to get out, in a well-lit area and out of the way of their midnight semi-truck deliveries. I finally found a space and we set up for the night.
Except for a loud motorcycle circling the parking lot, our first overnight stay in a Walmart parking lot was uneventful and we were thankful for a fairly good night’s sleep. We wanted a good cup of coffee, breakfast and a good hot shower before journeying on to Montrose.
We stopped for an $8 shower in the hot springs at Salida Hot Springs Aquatic Center and headed over to Bunny and Clyde’s Corner Café and Market, where we had a delicious cup of coffee and a scrumptious “breakfast burrito,” and continued our journey. Salida was a quaint little stop but we needed to press on and didn’t have time to explore.
Monarch Pass
We stopped just outside Salida at Monarch Pass Trailhead in the San Isabel National Forest. We didn’t hike the trail this trip but visited the Monarch Pass Gift Shop (super cute!) and rode the Monarch Tramway gondola. Monarch Crest Scenic Tramway and Gift Shop. The views of the Continental Divide were indescribable, and it was even clear enough to see Pikes Peak which was two hours away!
When we stopped at Monarch Pass, we both noticed the altitude difference. Living at sea level and now experiencing altitudes of over 12,000 feet, we found ourselves winded and a little sluggish. After the gondola ride and some hydration, we were back on the road.
Stunning Views
The drive between Salida and Montrose was breathtaking. Quite possibly one of the most beautiful places I’ve ever seen. Blue Mesa Reservoir, Colorado’s largest body of water was stunning, and I intend to spend more time there next year. There was a short stop in traffic due to construction, but I found it comical that everyone got out of their cars on the side of the road. Almost everyone turned off their cars and got out to walk their dogs, grab a snack or visit with other drivers right there on the roadside. I guess that’s what you do when you live in such a beautiful place!
We soon reached our destination, Camper’s Hub Campground in Montrose, Colorado and got settled in. My fellow camping friend was staying at a fancy campground just minutes away, and he picked us up to grab a bite to eat, enjoy a campfire and the river at his bougie spot.
