Need some Southern Colorado Hike suggestions

[piwo]

My cousin and I are going to do a week vacation together the last week of July. Initially, he wanted to do hiking, now it's going to be more of a sightseeing loop: fly into Denver, then make a loop to Durango and back to Denver, but spiced up with a hike or two. If you're on the internet, EVERY square inch of the state boasts the most beautiful hike you've ever seen so honing in on a few is a daunting task. Overload for sure. I was a teenager when I was last in the southern part of the state, and to tell you the truth, that trip blurs with so many others, that I don’t have a good recall of the area.

So, I'm looking for some easy/moderate type hikes that are day hikes: in and out in the same day, but long enough to make it a day. Any "favorite" hikes in that general direction, recommendations, any "trail less taken" that you particularly like? We have a week, and between driving to landmarks and towns, I'd like to have a good stretch...

I humbly await your suggestions

[manleyjt]

Piwo,

You should take a day trip up to silverton via the narrow gage railroad. Or drive up to siverton and have a lot of good hikes around the old mining works and the old ghost towns.

Also you need to stop in at Gardenswarts sporting goods on main street in Durango. The last time I was in there they had some of the nicest doubles and drillings in the area. Also a very good mexican food restaurant just down the street.

And if you have a day to burn youcould visit Mesa Verde. There are some really good hikes and climbs to some of the cliff dwellings and trails to hike about. It is not that far from Durango either.

Lots of stuff to see and do in not too many miles.

[piwo]

Thanks manleyjt,
I'll start "googling" for hikes and such in that area. I have the feeling this is going to be a loosely planned week, so having some concrete suggestions for a given area will be helpful.

Thanks for the suggestions.

[manleyjt]

Piwo,

if you need more ideas let me know, I think I still have a coule of sets of maps and what not from when My better half and I lived int eh four corners area (Farmington, NM). Lots of stuff to see and you will easily fill it up in a week.

You might also want to stop at the royal gorge and ride the tram. It is kind of on your way back north to Denver. Here is a link

http://www.royalgorgebridge.com/

If you are in the San Luis Valley you can visit some nice things there also, including the Mt. Blanca and the Sangre de Cristo Range. Also great sand dunes

http://www.sangres.com/colorado/slv.htm

The dunes NPS website

http://www.nps.gov/grsa/

If you are going to be in this region you shouldtry to hook up with some of the members for a beer and dinner. Send me a note of when you will be in Denver and I will see if we can make it down ( it is only about 100 miles for me).