It was about 7:00 am when we left Mancos State Park.   

Although we had cold, wintery weather out, it was currently not snowing, and the roads were clear and dry. We were able to proceed at normal highway speed. But we still had Wolf Creek Pass ahead of us with unknown conditions.

   We drove past Durango,

past Chimney Rock,   

   through Pagosa Springs,

and along the long stretch of road leading us up to the beginning of the climb up Wolf Creek Pass.