2026-07 Colorado — Day 6

July 23, 2026

The dirt road up to Marshall Pass, dead standing snags among the aspens. — img_3718.jpg

The dirt road up to Marshall Pass, dramatic clouds framed between the treetops. — img_3720.jpg

Fred at the Marshall Pass sign, Continental Divide, 10,842 feet. — img_3721.jpg

A weathered, layered ghost sign in Turret, the one-building ghost town up canyon from Salida. — dscf3860.jpg

A hewn-log building in Turret — an old bell in the cupola, a carved sign reading "TURRE..." — img_3733.jpg

An old brick smokestack and power lines against a heavy storm sky. — dscf3872.jpg

A vintage double-sided neon sign reading "Uncle Dale's Jug — Liquors" mounted above a brick building corner. — dscf3877.jpg

Part of the 2026-07 Colorado — July 18–26.

Took the recommended Marshall Pass over from Gunnison — took longer than expected but the road was fine, only a little bumpy rocky. So when I got down here, took a walk, it was hot so I went back up canyon to another “ghost town” (Turret) that was only one building.

“King of the mountain, mountain, mountain…”

“He’s out of the neck brace, and he’s climbing again.”

“I’m ninety feet up, and I’m looking at my ropes thinking if I did anything wrong I’m literally dead. Best case scenario you’re going to be really fucked up and in the hospital.”

Thought about getting a steak dinner but I decided on a burger and a booze milkshake. This hotel is an expensive “dump” compared to the others — best I could find.

I didn’t need a milkshake, let alone a boozy one, but it was good. I’m in no hurry to get out of town, or out of this restaurant. The burger was good — not great.