Ouray trip suggestions

[Nickhick]

Colorado peeps! I'm looking for any suggestions. We're in the beginning stages of planning a 9-10 day road trip from beautiful Akron Oh to Ouray 7/31-8/8ish. 2 day drive out, 5 day stay, 2 day return trip. The plan so far is to stay night #1 in Kansas city. Night #2 somewhere around Alamosa. Two brutal days. Nights 3-7 in Ouray. Returning home we may take 2-3 days. Anyway, we're thinking of staying at Twin Peaks Lodge. Looks beautiful but expensive. (Isn't everything anymore?) Any recommendations would be awesome. The whole point of this trip is to explore and hit some passes. Cinnamon, Ophir and Engineer seem tame enough that I don't scare the hell out of my wife. Black Bear no bueno. Lodging, restaurants, activities I'm all ears. We're just starting planning so I have lots of research to do! Thanks, Nick

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[Tonka Bronka]

You have to get on Engineer Mountain Road just South of Ouray. It connects to the Alpine Loop just below Engineer Pass. That's the toughest section of the Alpine Loop. Doable though. Handlebars and The Golden Block are great places to eat in Silverton. Good times.

 

[swamp2]

I'm not from CO, but did a great trip there last year. Engineer and Cinnamon are easy peasy but worth it. The Ouray Hot Springs was great for some R&R. Box Canon Falls in Ouray isn't off roading, but a very cool sight. Telluride has much better food and grocery options than Ouray. The drive to the last turn around point on Back Bear Pass, before it gets difficult and one way, is beautiful.

 

[chubbs742]

There are plenty of threads on Ouray here worth checking out. Imogene Pass IMO should be top of list. It's incredible. Yankee Boy basin is worth some exploring.

Maggies has great burgers.

 

[Scoop]

Greetings from a Colorado peep! Ouray is an awesome place to get a good feel for wheeling in and the beauty of the mountains of Colorado. You and your wife will enjoy it.

You say your second night is somewhere around Alamosa. I would suggest you go a little farther the second day and stay overnight in either South Fork, Creede or Lake City. Two options (from South Fork) for day 3: Stay on 160 to Durango and then north on 550 (the Million Dollar Highway) to Ouray OR head to Lake City and take Engineer pass to Ouray. Again 2 options after Engineer Pass: Mineral Creek straight to Ouray or south to Animas Forks and Silverton. From Silverton take 550 to Ouray.

Once in Ouray there are lots of easy and moderate trails to choose from and which you'll probably get lots of suggestions! I would hold off on Black Bear until your wife is comfortable on ledge roads and tight switchbacks!

 

[inlifefindadventure]

Colorado peeps! I'm looking for any suggestions. We're in the beginning stages of planning a 9-10 day road trip from beautiful Akron Oh to Ouray 7/31-8/8ish. 2 day drive out, 5 day stay, 2 day return trip. The plan so far is to stay night #1 in Kansas city. Night #2 somewhere around Alamosa. Two brutal days. Nights 3-7 in Ouray. Returning home we may take 2-3 days. Anyway, we're thinking of staying at Twin Peaks Lodge. Looks beautiful but expensive. (Isn't everything anymore?) Any recommendations would be awesome. The whole point of this trip is to explore and hit some passes. Cinnamon, Ophir and Engineer seem tame enough that I don't scare the hell out of my wife. Black Bear no bueno. Lodging, restaurants, activities I'm all ears. We're just starting planning so I have lots of research to do! Thanks, Nick

I did a lap of CO three summers back in a Bronco but it was rented so nothing adverse for me. To that point though, there is a lot more to that incredibly beautiful state than wheeling. So many amazing mountain towns, Telluride being among them - and the free gondola there is epic. And for some more out-of-the-Bronco time head to Durango and take the narrow gauge railway to Silverton. You won't be disappointed! From driving up Pikes Peak, to wandering about Vail, soaking in many hotsprings or being awestruck by Maroon Bells, I could go on and on. There is so much to see and do in Colorado. I've had the good fortune of visiting every state in the union and for scenic beauty, Colorado is in the top five. I realize trail running is the purpose of your trip but do some "regular tourist" things too.

 

[userdude]

I'll just point out you're 3 hours from Moab. Just sayin' (I didn't know and would've gone there while there...). Almost none of the actual Alpine Loop is hard; Black Bear is usually closed. Mineral Creek is fun and probably the toughest tourist part of the area, although I didn't do Poughkeepsie or see it. Most of it is scenic; bring snacks because it is hours long. Stop in Lake City for lunch. If you can take Imogene Pass (it was snowing when we were there), take it to Telluride but bring your wallet.

 

[Dino777]

Nothing as beautiful as the SanJuan Mountains

 

[chubbs742]

I'll just point out you're 3 hours from Moab. Just sayin' (I didn't know and would've gone there while there...). Almost none of the actual Alpine Loop is hard; Black Bear is usually closed. Mineral Creek is fun and probably the toughest tourist part of the area, although I didn't do Poughkeepsie or see it. Most of it is scenic; bring snacks because it is hours long. Stop in Lake City for lunch. If you can take Imogene Pass (it was snowing when we were there), take it to Telluride but bring your wallet.

Moab in August is brutal.

 

[userdude]

Moab in August is brutal.

So is Texas.

 

[chubbs742]

So is Texas.

Ouray is beautiful in August. No reason to suffer in Moab.

OP, be aware of "monsoon season" in the mountains. That time of year there is a near daily storm in the afternoon. Try to be below treeline before it hits. Lightning is a real risk at elevation. Research this weather phenomenon and plan your days/gear accordingly.

https://thenextsummit.org/what-is-the-colorado-monsoon/

 

[userdude]

Ouray is beautiful in August. No reason to suffer in Moab.

OP, be aware of "monsoon season" in the mountains. That time of year there is a near daily storm in the afternoon. Try to be below treeline before it hits. Lightning is a real risk at elevation. Research this weather phenomenon and plan your days/gear accordingly.

https://thenextsummit.org/what-is-the-colorado-monsoon/

I guess I'm glad I just mentioned it was there.

 

[Nickhick]

Greetings from a Colorado peep! Ouray is an awesome place to get a good feel for wheeling in and the beauty of the mountains of Colorado. You and your wife will enjoy it.

You say your second night is somewhere around Alamosa. I would suggest you go a little farther the second day and stay overnight in either South Fork, Creede or Lake City. Two options (from South Fork) for day 3: Stay on 160 to Durango and then north on 550 (the Million Dollar Highway) to Ouray OR head to Lake City and take Engineer pass to Ouray. Again 2 options after Engineer Pass: Mineral Creek straight to Ouray or south to Animas Forks and Silverton. From Silverton take 550 to Ouray.

Once in Ouray there are lots of easy and moderate trails to choose from and which you'll probably get lots of suggestions! I would hold off on Black Bear until your wife is comfortable on ledge roads and tight switchbacks!

The reason for Alamosa is so we can stay south and take the MDH into Ouray. From KC to Alamosa is like a 13 hr drive. I'll take a look at trying to push farther! Thank you!!

 

[Nickhick]

There are plenty of threads on Ouray here worth checking out. Imogene Pass IMO should be top of list. It's incredible. Yankee Boy basin is worth some exploring.

Maggies has great burgers.

I'm digging into these currently. Damn is it beautiful out there.

 

[Nickhick]

I'll just point out you're 3 hours from Moab. Just sayin' (I didn't know and would've gone there while there...). Almost none of the actual Alpine Loop is hard; Black Bear is usually closed. Mineral Creek is fun and probably the toughest tourist part of the area, although I didn't do Poughkeepsie or see it. Most of it is scenic; bring snacks because it is hours long. Stop in Lake City for lunch. If you can take Imogene Pass (it was snowing when we were there), take it to Telluride but bring your wallet.

One day, after I get some quality seat time, moab and the 4 corners region will be a separate trip.

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