>>These are the airports that get you close:
>>
>>Telluride Airport (TEX)
>>Montrose Regional Airport (MTJ)
>>Cortez Airport (CEZ)
>>Durango Airport (DRO)
>>Gunnison Airport (GUC)
>>Grand Junction Airport (GJT)
>>
>>It's a good four hour drive (at least) from GJ (in good weather)... ignore the mapquest or google or gps driving times of 2.5 - 3 hours - nonsense. It's mountain roads. If you get behind someone sightseeing (which is common), it is almost impossible to get around them (and dangerous) It's hard to plan on a definite drive to/from too since the pass closes periodically in snow storms and you have to wait for the snow plows to make it through to clear it.
>
>noted. Also the time needed for transit is definately non-trivial for TEX - will check again if I need to fly over and try to integrate a side trip either to Bozeman or Telluride if possible.
>
>thx for your help & tips
>
>thomas

Found the perfect hike you can take while you are there (Black Bear Pass - thank John for the idea and the 1st link):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bEti9Zsv5AU&feature=related

and a nice photo (courtesy John):
http://media.photobucket.com/image/ouray%20colorado/tibaal89/Misc/BlackBearJeep.jpg


:o)

bEti9Zsv5AU