Forum Discussion
- Thom02099Explorer II
GoHorns wrote:
Reservation at the 4J+1 RV park in June... What should be on our "must do" list?
TIA
If you are comfortable with high altitude driving, US 550 from Ouray to Silverton, and on to Durango if you'd like, is a must.
In Ouray, there's the hot springs. A nice soak is always enjoyable.
There are Jeep rentals and/or tours available, to take advantage of the many 4x4 roads in the general area.
A day trip over to Telluride would be a good day. Same thing for a drive up to the Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park. More adventurous? Head up to Grand Junction and check out the Colorado National Monument west of GJ. - Off_PavementExplorer IIThe Ouray County Museum is well worth a visit!. Considered to be one of the nations top small town museums by the Smithsonian Institute... http://www.ouraycountyhistoricalsociety.org/
- khager76248ExplorerWe like to rent a jeep and take an adventure over one of the Passes nearby. We have done Imogene Pass, and Ophir pass.
- Jay_PatExplorer
Off Pavement wrote:
The Ouray County Museum is well worth a visit!. Considered to be one of the nations top small town museums by the Smithsonian Institute... http://www.ouraycountyhistoricalsociety.org/
To compliment the mining exhibit at the Ouray museum, there is a real mine tour just south of Ouray on the right side (look for small sign).
In Ridgway (about 5 miles south of Ouray) there is a small railroad museum. They are expecting a brand new replica steam locomotive.
In Silverton there is a very nice museum with a lot of mine stuff and a jail with a tour.
In Silverton, 3 or 4 Steam trains will start arriving before lunch and about 40 min apart. Train Depot and other rail car displays next door.
NE out of Silverton there is the 100 Goldmine Tour and the Mayflower Gold Mill (self guided).
About the jeep rentals, you will get dusty unless you find/rent an enclosed jeep.
Pat - azrvingExplorerSouth side of town has a steel walkway that goes back into the rock crevasses. They do ice climbing in there during the winter. Animas Forks ghost town is further south of Ouray. If it rains go to the east side of town where the water fall forms sending water through the stream and culvert that goes through town.
- 4runnerguyExplorerHow long are you there? I could give you two weeks worth of stuff pretty easily.
With your 4x4, you can get quite a ways up Yankee Boy Basin SW of Ouray. Amazing wildflower displays. Usually I recommend July, but it's been such a low snow year, I'm guessing June will be great.
As mentioned, you can also get to Animas Forks above Silverton without problem. Interesting ghost town that they have started work on preserving some of the houses.
Like hiking? Park just past the first tunnel out of Ouray and hike the Mineral Creek Trail. An old trail the miners used to access workings up the drainage. Etched right into the side of the mountain. Check it out on Google Street view, as someone hiked the trail with one of their 360 cameras on their back. The first mile or so are the most unique, although the flowers are better further up.
A day trip to Telluride is worth the time, even if the town itself has gotten way too "Aspenized" if you know what I mean. At the roundabout when you get into town, take the first right and you'll find a big parking lot four or five blocks down on the right. From there, you can catch one of the free shuttle buses around town. There's a free gondola from Telluride up to Mountain Village. We've only used it to get our mountain bikes up the hill so we really haven't poked around Mountain Village much. But the views alone make the ride well worth your time (and you can't beat the cost!)
Do continue through Telluride and check out Bridal Veil Falls. You can hike to the power station if you have the lungs and legs for it.
As noted, don't miss the Ouray Pool. Just remodeled in the last year or so. We haven't been there since, but it's always been one of our favorites. - fanrgsExplorerA couple of other scenic drives you can take without a jeep are the Owl Creek Pass road east of Ridgway and the Last Dollar Road from near the top of Dallas Divide to Sawpit/Placerville on CO 145 to Telluride. East of Owl Creek Pass is Silver Jack Reservoir and the unique Cockscomb Ridge formation and the road continues all the way to US 50 near Morrow Point Dam and Black Canyon NP.
- Desert_CaptainExplorer IIIWe love Ouray and all of the southern rockies... We are headed back up there next week.
This is a test pic {Photobucket has been holding my pics for ransom which I finally negotiated down to $20 and paid} of our rig parked in Ouray:
The Wiesbaden Spa is one of our favorite stops in town and do not miss therir "Grotto" {check the web for pics and info}. You can pay a day use fee to enjoy their facilities when you pass through town.... just two blocks up the hill from the Ouray Brewery.
:C - RAS43Explorer III
Jay Pat wrote:
To compliment the mining exhibit at the Ouray museum, there is a real mine tour just south of Ouray on the right side (look for small sign).
In Ridgway (about 5 miles south of Ouray) there is a small railroad museum. They are expecting a brand new replica steam locomotive.
Pat
Ridgway is North of Ouray as is the mine tour. And they are worth a visit IMO. South of Ouray is Red Mountain Pass, a beautiful drive, especially in the fall. - rexlionExplorerA jeep tour over Black Bear Pass is on my bucket list.
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