Ames

Talking to locals is an invaluable aspect of traveling anywhere.  When I told a trail volunteer at Bridal Veil Falls about my road trip, she asked if I was planning to go to Mystic Falls.  I confessed I'd never heard of it, and she proceeded to give me detailed directions out of town that involved parking at a power plant and walking past a green cabin.  Those sort of directions clearly mean adventure, so it was that I found myself driving to Ames upon leaving Telluride.

"Trust, but verify" is the expression.  So I confess to going online to confirm what I'd been told.  I was pleased to find the evidence I was seeking.  So I parked at the power plant, hiked past the green cabin, and then where the online information I found clearly indicated I should head right a a fork in the path, I blithely went left.  Can't give any explanation as to why, but as a result I ended up at what I believed to be Upper Ames Falls.

A couple of additional locals I passed on the trail while returning told me that what I'd seen was actually known as Diana Falls, which I find to be a prettier name.

Mystic Falls continued to elude me, even after correcting my earlier mistake and taking the right fork.  I did find what I'd been told was Twin Falls.
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Apparently there was a wood flume along the creek in the past, that resulted in the appearance of two distinct waterfalls.  Flume's gone, but the name remains.

I continued to check my online details, being blessed with service.  The overcast skies I'd had when starting, and been convinced would become nothing more, had now produced a pretty solid downpour.  Because of my forecasting failure, I'd left my umbrella in the car.  So when I finally discovered Mystic Falls, my camera gear was all hiding under the protection of my coat and not to be risked outside it.  So a cellphone photo is the best I got.

A timely conversation with someone who knew the area far better than I had yielded three unanticipated waterfalls.  Serendipity!

Related Links:

• Clear Creek Falls
• Pagosa Springs Area
• Silverton Area
• Ouray
• Telluride