Durango Train Aims to Resume Coal-Fired Steam Engine Service July 12

A young Durango train passenger waves to rafters on the Animas River from a passenger car. Photo: Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad

The Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad is aiming to resume coal-fired steam locomotive trips between Durango and Silverton this week, depending on weather and fire conditions.

The Durango train suspended its coal-fired steam train passenger service as a result of the 416 forest fire that briefly closed San Juan National Forest in June. Durango train officials worked with local authorities, agencies and other community leaders to instead launch limited diesel locomotive passenger service through this Wednesday, July 11.

If the Durango train isn’t able to resume service to Silverton using its historic coal-fired locomotive, the railroad will continue to offer diesel train trips to Cascade Canyon, a journey that allows passengers to see a majority of the most beautiful scenery along the route, including the High Line.

Between July 5 and July 11, the Durango train also launched two additional daily, round-trip diesel locomotive excursions. These hour-long trips travel from the downtown Durango train depot to an event park located just outside the city. The special summer train adventures take passengers through historic Durango along the Animas River to their destination in the Animas Valley.

Durango train officials chose July 12 to restart coal-fired steam engine service based on current weather forecasts, which project an improved chance of precipitation. Crews have also been working to complete track and right-of-way repairs in the fire-affected areas and complete a full inspection of the rail line prior to resuming service. The railroad will continue to monitor these and other factors in the coming days, and it reserves the right to modify the service resumption date if weather patterns and fire conditions do not improve.

Passengers who bought steam train passenger service excursions to Silverton that have been canceled can opt to receive a full refund, transfer their tickets to ride the Cascade Canyon Express, a diesel train locomotive experience through the San Juan Mountains, or reschedule their trips for when steam train service resumes. Visitors can find fare and schedule information for these excursions at www.durangotrain.com.

In the meantime, the Durango & Silverton train encourages visitors and to stop by the Durango train depot for scheduled railyard tours and free museum admission.

While you’re visiting Durango for your summer vacation, be sure to stay with us at the Econo Lodge Durango! The Durango Econo Lodge Inn and Suites is one of the best hotels in Durango (according to our guests), where you’ll find our newly renovated lobby and updated guest rooms. Book your stay today!

2018 Music in the Mountains

June is nearly over, and July is nearly here. And, for more than 30 years, July has meant the start of a Durango summer staple: Music in the Mountains.

Music in the Mountains is a music festival and conservatory program that features world-class musicians, orchestra performances and chamber concerts under the white peaks of the festival tent at Purgatory Resort.

Every summer since 1987, the Music in the Mountains festival has brought live music to venues in and around Durango. Although its history is rooted in classical music and chamber concerts, Music in the Mountains has expanded and diversified its offerings, and the 2018 schedule features world music and family concerts as well as access to open rehearsals and pre-performance lectures.

From the Music in the Mountains website:

In 1987, Maestro Mischa Semanitzky dreamed of a classical music festival in Durango and set his vision in motion. Through support from Fort Lewis College, The Durango Herald, Durango Mountain Resort, Morley Ballantine and Bank of Colorado, the original concert season was born. The first season included five concerts and featured 11 musicians, all of whom were members of the Dallas Fine Arts Chamber Players, a group also founded by Semanitzky.

In response to the growing interest of local and regional audiences, Music in the Mountains has steadily broadened its programs for more than 30 years – increasing the number of concerts and venues. Conceived originally as a fully integrated summer music festival, a chamber music series was introduced in 1997, under the direction of Gregory Hustis, principal horn of the Dallas Symphony Orchestra. Now more than 100 world-renowned musicians entertain audiences of all ages during the three week festival.

Concerts and Events

Music in the Mountains kicks off July 7 and runs through July 29 and will feature nearly 20 performances throughout the festival’s three-week run (be sure to check the schedule so you don’t miss out on any amazing events). Festivities getting rolling Saturday, July 7, with a World Music Concert by The Hunts, an indie-folk band from Virginia, at Bayfield Performing Arts Center.

Other festival performances include benefit events, such as the Chocolate Indulgence benefit July 11 at Purgatory Resort that will feature artisan desserts from Animas Chocolate Co. and Ore House Restaurant paired with specialty cocktails, wine and beer — all before a cappella powerhouse Backtrack Vocals takes the stage.

Family concerts feature kid-friendly fun, like the Green Eggs and Ham dinner and concert July 12 at Fort Lewis College’s Community Concert Hall. Guests can enjoy a picnic dinner before the festival orchestra concert that’s designed for Thing 1 and Thing 2 and their parents.

You can buy your tickets online or by phone and either pick them up at the Music in the Mountains’ downtown Festival Office at 515 E. College Drive, have them mailed to you or pick them up at the will-call booth one hour before the concert.

Concert Venues

Music in the Mountains’ festival tent is located at Purgatory Resort about 30 miles north of downtown Durango on U.S. Highway 550 — a straight shot north of the Econo Lodge Durango. The tent is located at the base of the ski area. Although many concerts are held at the festival tent, Music in the Mountains includes performances at several other venues throughout Durango and other nearby communities.

Stay With Us

Summertime in Durango is all about fun and festivals, and summer vacations in Durango give visitors plenty of both to choose from. While you’re here, be sure to catch a Music in the Mountains concert and stay with us at the Durango Econo Lodge Inn & Suites! Guests consistently rank us among Durango’s best hotels, so book your room at the Econo Lodge Durango today.

Take the T-Rex Express aboard the Durango Train!

Photo: Durangotrain.com

June is already National DJ Month, National Adopt a Cat Month and even National Accordion Awareness Month (no, we’re not making these up), but we think we should add another one to the list: T-Rex Express Month!

That’s because the Durango train will be running its T-Rex Express train to the Dinosaur Discovery Zone on June 16, 17, 23 and 24. The dinosaur-themed train is perfect for Durango visitors or locals on summer vacation because a) duh, dinosaurs and b) there are three departures each day — 10 a.m., 11:30 a.m. and 1 p.m. — making it a quick, fun, educational excursion.

During the outing, kids can earn the title of “Junior Paleontologist” by participating in educational activities. The T-Rex Express excursion starts at the Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad depot in downtown Durango where kiddos can get their photo taken with a “live” T-Rex skeleton as it roams the grounds looking for a tasty treat.

The T-Rex Express train then departs for a 30-minute ride through Durango and the Animas Valley, back in time to the Mesozoic Era. During the trip, each child can learn about the contents of their individual paleo pouch from on-board safari guides who also tell them about what they will find when they reach the Dinosaur Discovery Zone.

The T-Rex Express then stops and lets everyone disembark. At the Dinosaur Discovery Zone, kids can use their Evidence Collection Cards to learn about dinosaurs and collect information about how dinosaurs lived on Earth.

At the Discovery Dinosaur Zone, families will also find:

• Live musical entertainment with dinosaur-themed songs and the featured Dino
• Stomp Line Dance
• Raptor Tractor Ride through the Mesozoic Era
• Colorado Gators Live Reptile Exhibit
• Temporary tattoos and dinosaur-themed face painting
• Dino Diner Food Tent featuring kid-friendly fare (Meal Prices range from $5-$10
• Paleontologists from the New Mexico Museum of Natural History & Science
• Paleontologists from Fort Lewis College Department of Geo Science
• Horseshoes
• Fossil Finders Excavation
• Prehistoric Putt Putt
• Snowcones- Lion’s Club Fundraiser
• For adults, beer will be available for sale at Dinosaur Park

After a 90-minute stint in the Mesozoic Era, it will be time to once again board the Durango train’s T-Rex Express to head back to present-day Durango! During the train ride back, children can munch on a delicious dinosaur snack from their train car attendant. And, finally, each child will receive a T-REX Express Junior Paleontologist badge when they arrive at the Durango depot!

While you’re visiting Durango for summer vacation, be sure to check out the Durango Econo Lodge Inn & Suites! Our hotel is under new ownership and is one of the best hotels in Durango for families (and couples and just people in general). We’re located on Main Avenue, just a quick trip and straight shot north of downtown Durango. Summer is our busy season, so book your room with the Econo Lodge Durango today!

Purgatory Resort Summer Season

Purgatory aerial ropes course

As winter bids us farewell, Purgatory Resort is wrapping up its 2017/2018 ski season. Closing day at Purgatory is this weekend, and Sunday, April 29, marks the last day of scheduled winter operations. Sad, right?

Well, dry those eyes, people, because summer season at Purgatory Resort starts May 26! As much as we all love to ski and snowboard and snowshoe and take Snowcat tours at Purgatory, the Durango ski resort is also a haven for summer fun.

Mountain Biking

In the summer months, Purgatory mountain becomes Purgatory Bike Park with a slew of bike trails criss-crossing the ski slopes. The resort has miles of singletrack trail accessible from the base area, Lift 1 and Lift 4. Fourteen trails range in difficulty from easiest to “expert only,” so there’s something for all experience levels and everyone in the family. Purgatory Bike Park is home to Divinity Flow Trail, Durango’s only lift-served downhill flow trail, and the first World Mountain Bike Championships.

Purgatory Resort also offer mountain biking lessons for first-timers, beginners and intermediate riders to help them learn new skills and gain more confidence. Lessons start June 17th and happen twice daily at 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. Instructors cover balance and body positioning, shifting and speed management, cornering and other basic techniques. Family lessons and bike rentals are also available.

Alpine Slide and Mountain Coaster

New this summer is Purgatory’s Inferno Mountain Coaster! The 4,000-foot rail-car coaster will zoom passengers through nine switchbacks, one 360-degree loop and multiple dips while descending over 300 vertical feet. The coaster will be open in both summer and winter, so riders can experiences the rush pretty much year-round.

Take a scenic chairlift ride up the mountain and enjoy even more scenic views coming down the slopes on the Alpine Slide during a half-mile descent. The slide is more like an Olympic luge — a sled on a track — while the coaster is a car on rails.

Zipline and Ropes Course

Brave the Purgatory zipline when you step off the Purgatory Village Tower! The zipline zips riders over Purgatory Beach at speeds of up to 35 mph for the length of a football field.

Test your skills and your will at the Sky High Adventure Family Ropes Course! Guests will have to navigate obstacles and challenges as they’re suspended in the air. The course requires people to climb over wooden beams, rope ladders and wooden steps, cross a suspended skateboard and more.

Jump, jump, jump!

The truly fearless can get a taste of being a Hollywood stuntman on Purgatory’s Big Airbag Jump. The 50-foot x 50-foot inflated airbag gives adrenaline junkies a cushy landing after they free-fall jump  — no ropes or safety harnesses here — from the 18-foot platform onto the airbag, the same kind used in freestyle athlete training and movie stunts.

Kids can jump to their heart’s content in Purgatory’s Bounce House or get an even bigger rush on the Bungee Trampoline that allows guests to strap into a harness and jump and flip and do as many aerial somersaults as their stomachs will allow.

There’s a whole bunch of other Purgatory summer activities as well, such as panning for gold, summer tubing (like in the winter, but without the snow), riding a gyro chair, playing miniature golf or trying out the 24-foot-tall climbing wall.

Total Adventure Tickets

The Total Adventure Ticket allows guests to choose from either five or 10 summer activities at Purgatory Resort. It’s less expensive to buy in advance than walking up on the day of, so save yourself some moolah and buy your tickets online.

Durango Hotels

You can also save some moolah by staying with us during your Durango summer vacation! The Durango Econo Lodge Inn & Suites is a great value and makes a great home base for all your summer fun. Whether you’re heading to Mesa Verde, the Durango train or to Purgatory (just 26 miles due north of our hotel — seriously, the only turns you have to make are out of our parking lot and into theirs), we’re one of the best Durango hotels to be your jumping-off point, so book your room today!

Durango Whitewater Rafting

Springtime means birds and bees, budding trees and allergies — dang, we’re poets over here at the Durango Econo Lodge Inn and Suites. But spring is also the season for Durango whitewater rafting.

As the snow melts off, the rivers rise — and that means it’s time to go rafting on the Animas River.

The Animas River is one of the prime rafting rivers in Colorado. Visitors of all ages and abilities can go whitewater rafting on the Animas because the river offers a wide range of rapids, from family-friendly to technical and somewhat terrifying. (OK, “terrifying” is a subjective term.)

The Lower Animas is better for easy floats because that stretch is less intense than rapids found on the Upper Animas. Depending on water levels and time of year, the Lower Animas is usually rated Class 2 to Class 3 rapids. Rafters will float along some nice, calm stretches while still getting to bounce through some exciting (but not terrifying) whitewater, such as the Pinball, Smelter and Santa Rita rapids.

Newbies may want to think about their options before taking on the Upper Animas River. This 12-mile stretch of river ranges from Class 3 to Class 5 rapids as it winds through the narrows of Animas Canyon, past several of the San Juan Mountains’ 13,000-foot peaks. When the water is running high, the Upper Animas ranks as one of the nation’s most advanced stretches of commercial river. Adrenaline-pumping rapids on the Upper Animas include sections called “Dinner Gorge” and “Lunch Box.” Yikes.

Durango is the perfect home base for your whitewater rafting trip. Water levels are usually highest in May and June, but now is a good time to start planning your Durango rafting trip because floats do fill up. There are simply too many Durango rafting companies to list, so we won’t try, but there are some darn good ones to choose from. It’s kind of impossible to go wrong.

While you’re in Durango for your whitewater rafting trip or your summer vacation, you should stay with us at the Econo Lodge Inn and Suites Durango! We’re one of the best Durango hotels and getting even better under new ownership. We’re located on Main Avenue, just a short drive or quick trolley ride north of downtown Durango and only 30 minutes south of Purgatory Resort. So book your room with the Durango Econo Lodge today!