Take a scenic ride across the southwestern edge of Colorado as we follow a 12-mile stretch of U.S. Route 160, also known as part of the Trail of the Ancients Scenic Byway, from mile marker 10 east to U.S. Highway 491 just outside of Cortez. This rugged and storied corridor connects travelers to both the timeless beauty of the Four Corners region and the living history of ancestral Puebloan lands.
We begin our journey in the wide, open high desert near milepost 10, surrounded by expansive skies and distant mesas that feel both ancient and untamed. The land here is part of the greater Colorado Plateau, a landscape defined by its dry washes, sparse vegetation, and sandstone outcroppings. The road is smooth and wide, offering uninterrupted views to the south toward the Ute Mountain Ute Reservation and the striking profile of Ute Mountain, an isolated peak that rises nearly 10,000 feet and dominates the skyline. The sense of isolation is tangible—few buildings interrupt the scenery, and the rhythm of the road mirrors the vast, open rhythm of the land itself.
As we continue eastward, occasional signs mark access to rural roads and small homesteads, but the landscape remains largely untouched. This portion of U.S. 160 is a place where time stretches out, and it’s easy to imagine how early travelers—on horseback, wagon, or foot—might have felt as they passed through these silent plains. A few gentle hills begin to roll beneath us, subtly lifting and dipping the highway as we approach more populated territory.
Near the end of our route, the landscape shifts again, as the arid isolation begins to give way to the outskirts of Cortez, a small city that serves as the gateway to some of the Southwest’s most iconic archaeological and natural sites. We arrive at the junction with U.S. Highway 491, a north-south artery connecting Cortez with destinations as far north as Monticello, Utah, and as far south as Gallup, New Mexico. Here, traffic picks up slightly, and signs of commerce—gas stations, diners, and local shops—begin to pepper the roadside. From this point, travelers can head north into town for lodging and provisions or east toward the entrance of Mesa Verde National Park, just a few miles away on US-160.
This short but memorable drive reminds us that not all great road trips are defined by cities and skylines. Some of the most evocative journeys are found in the quiet, wind-swept corners of the country, where the land itself tells the story. The Trail of the Ancients designation isn’t just a name—it’s a calling to explore, understand, and respect the cultures and landscapes that came long before us.
🎵 Music:
Rock Tune by Audionautix is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution license (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/)
Artist: http://audionautix.com/
🗺️ Route Map
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