We took Hwy 50 out of Montrose east. The highway took us past the Blue Mesa Reservoir. It looks like the reservoir was really low. Apparently it is over 60 feet below normal levels for this time of year. There was not much snow and the spring was dry.

Blue Mesa Revervoir

San Juan Mountians

We eventually came to the **Continental Divide** at **Monarch Pass**.

St Elmo Colorado

We decided to check out a ghost town called St Elmo. This town is one of Colorados best preserved ghost towns. It was founded in 1880 during the booming mining period of the area. There are 43 buildings still standing. The General Store is still operating and you can get souvenirs and snacks.

This area is full of hot springs, so we endeavored to find one to stop in. Mount Princeton was on the way to St Elmo, so we thought we could stop on our way back. However, it was busy (and expensive), we decided to take a pass on this one. The Cottonwood Host Springs Inn & Health Spa looked promising on paper, but when we arrived, it seemed run down and rummy. We had passed a small sign that simply said “Hot Springs” with an arrow. Figured we had nothing to lose and followed the arrow. From the outside, it seemed fairly basic. A big metal shed with a sign reading “Hot Springs”. Inside the metal shed was a botanical garden. Behind the shed were the hot springs. They were three small pools with different temperatures (101, 104 and 108 degrees). The pools looked clean and new and the price was right. The springs were called Charlotte Hot Springs & Botanical Gardens.