Pine River Lodge - Vallecito Lake Colorado

We stayed here at Pine River Lodge. Owned and operated by the sweetest folks, known locally as Ermalee and "the Sister's". It's 22 miles from Durango on the oh so beautiful Vallecito Lake. They have lots of cabins from tiny one room log cabins like the one we stayed in on up to really large newer homes sleeping up to 11 people. The cabins are located both above the road and below the road on the lake.

Pine River Lodge

This is the sweet little one room cabin we chose.

Really enjoyed the large rock fireplace.

The cabin had everything we needed for our stay.

View from in table in front of the cabin.

I would really love to get the rest of our family up here for a Family Vacation / Reunion. It's perfect in that they have large cabins 2 or more families could share as well as many smaller one's if a private cabin is preferred.

Some pictures of their other cabins

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#27

I love this log cabin with the great wrap-around porch.

Above photo is courtesy of TripAdvisor

 

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#1

#1 Not much to look at from the outside but....

It sits above the road close to the lodge on the right but with views of the lake to the left.

The interior surprised me.

2 Queen rooms on main floor, rather plain loft above has 2 full beds on one side and 1 full, 1 twin on the other side of ladder

2 tables in open kitchen

 2 queen bedrooms on the main floor, as well as the 1 bathroom. The loft has 3 full beds and 1 twin bed. I didn't get a picture but it's pretty plain.

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Cabins #3 - 9  Are identical compact cabins near the lodge with two queen bedrooms and a kitchen/dining combo with a couch. These are simple and more rustic cabins. Nice views of the lake. 

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#24 2 Queen bedrooms

#24

#24

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#26 Don's Cabin

#26

Mesa Verde National Park - Cliff Dwellings

On our drive to Mesa Verde National Park I noticed the terrain and foliage changes, no more aspen trees. The country just west of Durango reminds me of the Texas Hill Country on steroids. Lots of cedar and juniper trees, more arid feeling. The park was beautiful and it's amazing how many different dwellings are there carved high in the cliffs and surrounding area. 

Big Corral Horseback Ride

We took a horseback ride with Big Corral and Vallecito Outfitters just up the road (CR 501). It was a lot of fun riding thru the aspens wearing their fall colors. I was just Derick and I and our wrangler. She told us next Saturday would be their last day rides. They let the horses rest up while the tourists are slowly leaving the area and the hunting season approaches. We decided a half day ride is about as long a ride we could handle and be comfortable. We we're right...! These are some pictures of the Big Corral Stables and the ride we took thru the Weminuche Wilderness at Vallecito Lake. 

Lindsey our wrangler and guide for the day

Derick enjoying the scenic view while taking a break at the high point on the trail. 

The weather was perfect for horseback riding, the air was crisp and the sun warm.

Vallecito Lake

Vallecito Lake Colorado