Ouray Trip - Need Help Planning

[jdtaylor42]

Thanks everyone for all the information so far! Lots of suggestions that I will be researching this week. I will update thread as I make plans.

Great resource I used on trips out there for trails and camping.

Guide to Colorado Backroads & 4-Wheel-Drive Trails, 3rd Edition https://www.amazon.com/dp/1934838047/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_awd_NvsgxbAQEAAHN

I planned to get this book as I have the Arizona one and it is flat out awesome. But since it will likely help a lot in planning I went ahead and ordered now and it should be here tomorrow!

Here's a trip report a buddy wrote up after we went a couple years ago. Black Tacoma was mine...
bakerla does Ouray 2013 | ToyotaOff-Road.com

Thanks for the link! Pictures look amazing and will help me make plans!

Also, be aware that early July is "monsoon" season in SW Colorado. You probably know this being from AZ. You might get lucky and get no rain. In any case, plan to get your butt below treeline in the afternoon and lookout for lightning. That stuff is not to be trifled with!

Actually I hadn't even considered this so thanks for the heads up. We are very used to afternoon rains during the monsoon season but I didn't realize Colorado got the same thing. Are they usually heavy and prolonged rains or are they generally light rains like in Arizona?

 

[proimion]

Actually I hadn't even considered this so thanks for the heads up. We are very used to afternoon rains during the monsoon season but I didn't realize Colorado got the same thing. Are they usually heavy and prolonged rains or are they generally light rains like in Arizona?

Last year camping in the Vallecito area July 6-8 we had 1 day of constant, heavy rain followed by a day of showers on and off all day. Really put a damper on things. Third day it broke up and was beautiful. If the monsoon flow sets up just right, you can get a day or two with low ceilings, cold temps, and lots of rain. Other times if a high pressure system pushes the flow east, then the front range (Ft Collins - Denver - CoSpgs) gets it instead of the SW corner.

The difference with AZ is that there are some tall mountains that trap the systems, and that is how you can get an all-day steady rain.

So who knows. You might get prolonged rain or you might just get the typical afternoon thunderstorms. Let's hope for a high pressure weather system for you! Last year even with the rain we still managed to get out and hike. All the local creeks were roaring with water and that was pretty cool too.

 

[Jeremy556]

Actually I hadn't even considered this so thanks for the heads up. We are very used to afternoon rains during the monsoon season but I didn't realize Colorado got the same thing. Are they usually heavy and prolonged rains or are they generally light rains like in Arizona?

Could be either one, widespread or highly localized. Might snow, too. It's a bit unpredictable, but generally you'll have better weather in the mornings.

 

[smallfry]

3) Good Non-4Wheeling Activities - Are there good fishing spots? What are the suggested hiking trails the girls could do? They will have their own 4WD vehicle so they can get to whatever trail as long as it isn't crazy off-road. Also we live in Flagstaff at 7900' feet and are very active so I don't anticipate fitness or altitude sickness being an issue.

Check out the mining museums in town (Ouray, Telluride and Silverton) they are kind of cool to check out. There is a hiking trail that takes your around the perimeter or Ouray that's not bad.

Two of the three trips I've done to the area that might help out with planning.

Ouray, Colorado to Cruiserfest 2015 - Expedition Portal

Get way to Ouray, Colorado before you go mad - Expedition Portal

 

[jdtaylor42]

Ok so I got my book and after reading through it I have a tentative plan.

Day 1:

Drive from Flagstaff (5.5 hrs)
Take Ophir Pass (2 hrs)
Drive to camp and set up (Haven't decided on a camp location yet)

Day 2:

Yankee Boy Basin Trail Partial (3 hours)
Imogene Pass (3.5 hours)
Hang out in Telluride (3 hours)
Take Last Dollar Road back to campsite (3 hours)

Day 3:

Hiking and Fishing (Haven't decided what trails or where to fish yet)

Day 4:

Alpine Loop!
Mineral Creek Trail (1.5 hours)
Engineer Pass (3 hours)
Cinnamon Pass (3.5 hours)
California Gulch (1 hour)
Corkscrew Gulch (1.5 hours)

Day 5:

Pack Up and Drive Home

So what do you guys think? Are the times about right?

 

[Jeremy556]

Personally, I would skip hanging out in Telluride and try to break up the trail days with hiking/fishing along the way or in the area.

Do you have an air compressor or CO2 to refill your tires between trails? You can get air in Telluride, Silverton, and Ouray, but some of those trails will drop you on to a highway a long way from a gas station.

 

[proimion]

The schedule itself looks fine, but prepare to switch days around due to weather. Do Alpine Loop on whatever day looks to have the best weather and clearest skies.

You are going to love Alpine Loop.

Me personally, I'd want more time out of the vehicle. Instead of driving all day, for example, drive half the loop and do some hiking up there. Handies Peak if feeling ambitious, or a shorter trail if not. But that's just me. It is an epic trip no matter what.

 

[jdtaylor42]

Personally, I would skip hanging out in Telluride and try to break up the trail days with hiking/fishing along the way or in the area.

Do you have an air compressor or CO2 to refill your tires between trails? You can get air in Telluride, Silverton, and Ouray, but some of those trails will drop you on to a highway a long way from a gas station.

I do carry a Viair 450P compressor that I use to fill the tires back up. Has worked great for me so far even though it takes about 15mins to fill all four tires back up. Definitely better than driving 30mph on asphalt aired down though.

The schedule itself looks fine, but prepare to switch days around due to weather. Do Alpine Loop on whatever day looks to have the best weather and clearest skies.

You are going to love Alpine Loop.

Me personally, I'd want more time out of the vehicle. Instead of driving all day, for example, drive half the loop and do some hiking up there. Handies Peak if feeling ambitious, or a shorter trail if not. But that's just me. It is an epic trip no matter what.

I will definitely be open to changing up days but was just hoping to hit Imogene on the first full day since that will be a weekday and I was hoping less traffic. I like to stop and take pictures along the way but sucks when the trail is crowded and you can't really stop.


You guys are right though, that might be too much time in the truck. While I wouldn't mind I am sure my wife will get bored. I will start researching hiking and fishing the next couple of days and see if I can break it up more.

 

[c-dub716]

Have a fun safe trip! I will be in the area as well and can't wait!

 

[blackoutt]

4th gen driver here but no "old fart" yet. I'll be in the area 4th-6th July as part of a longer trip and have similar plans to you. Alpine loop and some other easy trails broken up by hiking and taking in the area, hot springs for sure. Have a safe and fun trip!