Durango ... Weminuche Wilderness and Wild Kayaking

Another amazing day in Durango ... we hiked the Vallecito Creek Trail into the Weminuche Wilderness (east of Durango, north of Vallecito Lake).  The trail initially followed the Vallecito Creek, then crossed a ridge to continue the trail along the Pine River ... steep rocky canyon walls with rushing water racing through the abyss below and eventually hiking alongside the waters to the first bridge over the river.

Each turn in the trail could have yielded another picture  ... I tried to restrain my photography or we'd never have finished the hike before the late afternoon thunder and lightning storm hit.  We did take some time to watch some kayakers make their way down the canyon.  We initially ran into them as they hiked up the canyon ... the kayaks attached to their backs with a form of kayak backpack ... we spoke to them ... the kayaks weigh approximately 70 pounds ... they are carrying paddles and wetsuits ... helmets and Go-Pro cameras.  They put into the river just above an incredible drop ... we watched, along with other hikers, as they skillfully worked their way through the swirling, tumultuous water and dropped down the river.  Simply amazing ...

We finished up the night at Ken and Sue's Restaurant in downtown Durango ... we've been "working" our way through Durango's highly-rated restaurants ... unfortunately, this was a less than satisfactory meal ... but, we continue to enjoy the energy and excitement of the downtown Durango scene.

The night was capped off by a downpour complete with lightning and thunder ... Bambi got a rainwater rinse.

Tomorrow we head back to Arizona ... Coming full circle back to Bonito Campground at Sunset Crater Volcano National Park.