Durango, nestled in the Southwest region of the Rocky Mountains, has stunning mountain terrain and vistas that are amplified by both sunrises and sunsets. Explore some of the best viewing spots in Durango, CO below.
What Affects Sunset Colors?
Rayleigh scattering is the scientific term for how sunlight interacts with particles in the atmosphere. The sun’s light always carries the full spectrum of colors from violet to red - violet has the shortest wavelength and red has the longest. During the day, the sky appears blue because shorter wavelengths like blue and violet scatter more easily in the atmosphere. On the other end of the spectrum, orange and red have much longer wavelengths and are not scattered as easily, so they remain in the sky when blue becomes too scattered to see. As the sun begins to set, its light travels through more atmosphere, scattering the shorter blue wavelengths out of our sight and leaving behind the yellow, orange, and red tones.
Additional factors such as smoke, dust, clouds, and other air pollutants can further scatter light and influence the color of the sky, even during the day. Altitude and barometric pressure can affect timing and color intensity, depending on location and atmospheric conditions.
The Rim
Referring to the Fort Lewis College mesa rim, this mile-long stretch overlooks town and gives an unobstructed view of Smelter Mountain, Hogsback, Perins Peak, and the La Plata Mountains. As the sun sets in the west behind these landmarks, the sky can turn stunning shades of orange, pink, and purple while the mountains create a dramatic foreground. You can also drive along Rim Road for an easy outing or explore one of the many trails in this area.
Missionary Ridge
Just north of town in the Animas Valley, the red cliffs of Missionary Ridge to the east can provide a stunning sunset viewing spot. Missionary Ridge Road is a dirt road accessed from County Road 250, with switchbacks allowing you to gain elevation quickly to see across the valley, Durango to the south, and the mountains to the north.
North County / Purgatory Ski Resort
After a day of skiing or adventuring in the mountains, you can often enjoy an après-ski sunset glow on the landscape known as alpenglow. This occurs slightly after sunset when long-wavelength colors shine through the atmosphere, reflect off particles in the air such as snow or ice, and highlight the mountaintops. Although you can see alpenglow in the summer, it is more prominent in the winter because of atmospheric conditions. Oranges, reds, and pinks can appear even brighter when the peaks are covered in a blanket of white snow, which acts as a natural canvas.
Mancos & Cortez
If you travel west into Montezuma County, Mancos and Cortez offer a slightly different sunset perspective. With the mountains primarily to the east, the landscape opens up to the west, offering desert-like views and expansive horizon lines for a wider and more panoramic sunset experience. Depending on your location, you may have iconic landmarks such as Mesa Verde or Lone Cone in the foreground.
Real Estate with Sunset Views
Many Southwest Colorado homes are situated to offer a view of the sunset or sunrise, due to the varied elevation and terrain…and for some lucky homeowners, they get unobstructed views of both!
As locals, we love to see a multi-color sunset sky and have a few favorite viewing spots of our own. If you’re visiting or looking for a new place to call home, we would love the opportunity to welcome you to our area. Please don’t hesitate to contact Max and Deven at The Durango Team for more Southwest Colorado information.
