Should take 8 hours for a round trip Silverton ride or 4 hours for Winter Cascade ride. Take some water and snacks. Eat at the Palace Restaurant for Dinner after the ride. It's right by the train depot and it is the best food in town. Counterclockwise in the summer.
Full Day Do the loop .
Anytime between September 15 to October 15 you will be able to see Aspens changing to brilliant yellows and florescent oranges all along the San Juan Skyway , a 235 mile loop drive through the dramatic mountains and forests of the San Juan and Uncompahgre National Forests. Arguably 'the' great drive in Colorado, the San Juan Skyway is a drive to the top of the world. Drive straight through to Telluride - but go slowly through Rico as this one of the most beautiful parts of the trip. Stop at Trout Lake right before Telluride for a beautiful view. Walk around Telluride, take the free gondola to the mountain village, have lunch in Telluride at the Eagle's Nest.