Mancos, where the forest headquarters are located, and the southern part
of the forest may be reached over U S 160 from Durango and Alamosa,
Colo., to the east or Cortez and Monticello, Utah, from the west. U S
550, a highly scenic route from Montrose, Ouray, and Silverton, joins U
S 160 at Durango.
[Illustration: F-376864
TROUT LAKE WITH VERMILION PEAK AND SAN JUAN MOUNTAINS IN BACKGROUND]
During the summer, busses operate over these highways between Grand
Junction and the Mesa Verde National Park, which lies a short distance
south of the Montezuma National Forest.
The best approach from the south is U S 666, from Shiprock, N. Mex., to
Cortez, on U S 160. From points near that junction two State highways
extend northward through the forest. State Highway 145 passes through
Dolores, Rico, Telluride, Placerville, and Norwood, important towns
within or near the forest, to junctions with State Highways 62 and 90.
State Highway 147 is a more direct route between Dolores and Norwood,
and State Highway 184 connects Dolores and Mancos.
The Rio Grande Southern Railroad was completed in 1891 and led to the
rapid development of the forest area. This railroad traverses
approximately the same route as State Highway 145 between Dolores and
Placerville, and the principal towns of the forest may be reached by
rail from Ridgeway or Durango, where connections are made with the
Denver and Rio Grande Western Railroad.