Trails in and around Ouray Colorado
Ouray has earned the much-deserved reputation of the "Jeeping Capital of the World". Now its our turn; For four days in July, Ouray will become the FJ Cruiser Capital of the World! with breathtaking trails rated from easy to difficult.
Traverse a variety of terrain from extreme high mountain passes and rugged winding roads to areas of spectacular wildflowers that blanket the ground throughout the spring and summer. Four-wheeling enthusiasts travel here all summer long for the breathtaking scenery and then again during the fall months for the spectacular amber colors.
The descriptions below are courtesy of www.TrailDAMAGE.com Please visit their site and thank them for all the wonderful descriptions.
Photo's courtesy of FJ owners. Hover over the pictures to see who took the picture !
Yankee Boy Basin (Easy)
http://www.traildamage.com/trails/index.php?id=81
A very popular trail, this one can't be missed if you find yourself in the area. It is short and not particularly difficult and you get to see some gorgeous sites.
It intersects with Imogene Pass, Governor Basin and basically is the end of road 361 out of Ouray. It starts with the Torpedo Eclipse Mill on your right and the Ruby Trust Mine on your left. A little further up the trail and you can see the Atlas Mill on the left.
Imogene Pass (Easy-Moderate)
http://www.traildamage.com/trails/index.php?id=80
This trail is a good one to do alone or after Black Bear Pass as a loop. It is the second highest pass in Colorado, making it a beautiful and thrilling ride.
Most people start from Telluride and go towards Ouray. The trail starts out in town and there are driveways and houses on both sides as you start a gradual climb. The trail is wide and surrounded by trees and is fairly easy.
The Alpine Loop (Easy/Moderate)
The Alpine Loop Back Country Byway in the northern San Juan Mountains of Colorado is a spectacular 65-mile tour of some of North America's most magnificent scenery. The byway boasts two 12,000+ foot passes that require a high clearance, four wheel drive vehicle. For those with an adventurous spirit (and an appropriate vehicle!), the area offers an opportunity to look backward in time to a time when early miners struggled in a rugged, often hostile environment. Description of Courtesy of http://www.alpineloop.com
Engineer Pass (Moderate)
http://www.traildamage.com/trails/index.php?id=76
This trail is the first half of the "Alpine Loop" outside of Ouray, It is extremely scenic and very long, filled with many things to photograph.
It starts just south of Ouray on the left side of the road as you are winding your way along the shelf. There is plenty of room to air down at the trailhead, and the trail starts out rocky right away. It gets easier after a mile or two, though. You can pick your lines through most of it and make it as easy or as difficult as you would like.
Cinnamon Pass (Moderate)
This trail is part of the Alpine Loop, and takes you through many of Colorado's historic ghost towns and mining camps. Very Picturesque and a lovely trail to take.
Black Bear Pass (Moderate-Difficult)
http://www.traildamage.com/trails/index.php?id=79
Enjoy the thrill of true rugged four-wheeling in the San Juans! This is a heart-stopping and breath taking alpine trail to Telluride passing right by the spectacular Bridal Veil Falls.
This is one of the most famous trails in the state and for good reason. It's beautiful and slightly terrifying. You travel from south of Ouray to Telluride over Black Bear Pass, around Ingram Basin, and right through the middle of Bridal Veil Falls.
Last Dollar Road (Easy)
This road was originally an early supply route from Ouray to Telluride. This extremely easy road traverses through picturesque ranches, passes through beautiful aspen forests, and provides scenic views of the San Miguel canyon as you wind your way to Telluride. Beautiful in the fall with its amber colored aspen stands.
Ophir Pass (Easy)
http://www.traildamage.com/trails/index.php?id=106
This trail is fairly easy though you spend a lot of time on a shelf road. The road is usually narrow so if you have to pass someone it could be difficult and dangerous.
The trail connects Telluride and Silverton and is very scenic. If you run it in June or later it should be cleared by snowplows, and you get to pass on the trail between walls of snow.
Governor Basin Ouray County, Colorado (Easy-Easy/Moderate)
http://www.traildamage.com/trails/index.php?id=82
Because this trail is not as used as Yankee Boy Basin it ends up being a lot more private. It is a network of trails with lots of sights to see.
The network of trails starts right away after a climb on a shelf road. The whole area is fun to explore. As you are climbing the switchbacks keep your eyes peeled for a very well-hidden trail that leaves from the turnoff in a switchback as you climb and make a right turn. This is the place you will come back to if you make a loop around Sidney Basin. The trail at this end is narrow, off camber, and not traveled very often.
Cork Screw Gulch (Easy-Moderate)
http://www.traildamage.com/trails/index.php?id=83
If you enjoy the red-colored mountains in the Ouray area you will really enjoy Corkscrew Gulch. There are three red mountains on Red Mountain Pass -- their names are Red Mountain Number 1, Red Mountain Number 2 and Red Mountain Number 3. This trail climbs between Red Mountains 1 and 2 as it connects highway 550 to highway 11. It is also short enough to make a nice shortcut.