San Juan Mountains day trip on July 4 near Ouray,CO

[roverrocks]

Spent the day with my wife in the high San Juan Mountains Between Ouray and Silverton, CO going over alpine passes, viewing wildflowers, and checking out old mines. Absolutely beautiful warm day with little wind and lots of sunshine in the morning and early afternoon. Then clouds and rain/sleet/wet snow /hail made wheeling wet and interesting the rest of the day. From Hyw 550/Ironton Park we went east up and over Corkscrew Pass, Hurricane Pass, California Pass. Took scenic side trails wherever we encountered them. Came down California Gulch to Animas Forks and then went up Picayne Gulch and down Placer Gulch where we hooked back up with California Gulch and retraced our morning route going west this time over California, Hurricane, and Corkscrew Passes to Hyw 550. Lots of snow in the high peaks but the counties bulldoze open the passes and trails. Numerous great waterfalls, several frozen lakes, and lots of old mines plus the start of the alpine wildflower season which never disappoints.

 

[roverrocks]

More alpine pictures

 

[roverrocks]

More alpine pictures

 

[ttora4runner]

Thanks for sharing.

 

[1911]

Thanks for the report; I'm leaving on a trip there in 10 days.

 

[stevec]

Great pictures! We'll be there in less than two weeks; I can't wait!

 

[Matthew King Moore]

I'm going to that area in a couple weeks. The trails you took, would they be capable in a double cab 4x4 trd offroad Toyota Tacoma that is stock?

 

[roverrocks]

I'm going to that area in a couple weeks. The trails you took, would they be capable in a double cab 4x4 trd offroad Toyota Tacoma that is stock?

Definitely doable. Your truck would be more than adequate. Enjoy your trip. You won't be disappointed.

 

[chrismc]

Wow, the snow has melted so much from just a few weeks ago! I was definitely there a little too early.

 

[roverrocks]

Wow, the snow has melted so much from just a few weeks ago! I was definitely there a little too early.

We have been pretty hot and windy lately and a lot has melted. Some trails still aren't open yet such as Black Bear, Poukeepsie Gulch, Governor Basin, Imogene, and upper Yankee Boy Basin. If they did not plow then little would be open yet. Fun to wheel thru the deep snow plowings.

 

[smbisig]

I love Ouray. I want to go back bad, but just don't have the time right now. Nice photos.

 

[1911]

We have been pretty hot and windy lately and a lot has melted. Some trails still aren't open yet such as Black Bear, Poukeepsie Gulch, Governor Basin, Imogene, and upper Yankee Boy Basin.

Come on heat and wind! I'm really looking forward to running Poukeepsie Gulch in two weeks, sure hope it's open by then.

 

[roverrocks]

Come on heat and wind! I'm really looking forward to running Poukeepsie Gulch in two weeks, sure hope it's open by then.

Me too! That's a great trail.

 

[JamesDowning]

Sweet pictures!

That route is similar to one I'm hoping to take in September. How were the dropoffs along that route? My wife's a bit squeamish when it comes to heights so I want to know what I'm getting her into.

 

[maxama10]

Wow, very cool, thanks!