Ouray Colorado

Wildflower News

July 22nd, 2008

Wildflowers in Yankee Boy Basin are about a week to ten days out from peak ... there are a lot of buds up there and they should be "popping" soon!

Blog Headlines

• Yankee Boy Basin Wildflower Update
• Chamonix, Zermatt, and Grindelwald
• Rainbows of color in the alpine basins!!!
• fun in the summer snow
• Zermatt Climbing
• Gilpin Peak North Face Couloir
• Dallas Peak South Face Couloir
• Bicycle Tour of Colorado Comes to Ouray
• Teakettle South Couloir Climb

Jeeping is a wonderful means of experiencing the magnificent mountains surrounding Ouray. Rent a Jeep locally (or bring your own) or enjoy the convenience of a tour with knowledgeable, experienced drivers.

Ouray has earned the much-deserved reputation as the "Jeeping Capital of the World". Jeep roads, 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. In fact, the world-famous Jeep® Jamboree holds its annual rally here every fall. The roads and vistas are truly spectacular.

The immediate vicinity offers limitless opportunities for four-wheelers, from easy scenic drives to rugged challenges, along trails the miners built to passes that climb to spectacular heights. All of these have one factor in common: they traverse some of the most beautiful scenery in the world, abundant with wildflowers, ghost towns, abandoned mines, animal life, all with breathtaking vistas.

Before you set out always check Jeep Road Conditions.

A Jeeping Guide to jeeping in the mountains around Ouray is available for download or you can pick up a copy at the Ouray Visitor Center.

Ouray Area Jeep Roads

Yankee Boy Basin
This easier trail is especially sought out by photographers for its spectacular explosion of wild flowers in the late spring and early summer season and for its serene waterfalls.

Imogene Pass
An old favorite! This spectacular trail takes you to an altitude of 13,200 feet and delivers you into the town of Telluride, passing abandoned mine sites along the way. (3-4 hours)

The Alpine Loop
A great fall foliage tour! This all-day trip through Lake City takes you over the historical Alpine Loop past mining sites, ghost towns, and through spectacular mountain scenery.

Black Bear Pass
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. For the experienced driver only. Consider letting one of Ouray's tour operators do the driving! Many 3-4 point switchbacks.

Engineer Pass
A phenomenal four-wheeling experience! Follow Engineer Pass all the way to Lake City or cut off at Animas Forks and head towards Silverton.

Last Dollar Road
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
One of our easier, but very popular mountain passes, Ophir takes you to the Telluride side of the San Juan Range. This one is spectacular during the fall season.

Jeep Rentals and Tours