Ouray - Best trails for Aspens

[Alec W]

Heading to Ouray tomorrow for the weekend and looking for some moderate wheeling and moderate hiking with the wife.

Any suggestions for trails or hikes with lots of Aspen groves?

Thanks

[cwkelle]

go to slyvan lake, good 4x4 trails and lots of hiking trails too....

[phattdraggon]

lower part of the alpine loop is great for aspens, as well as going up to yankee boy basin.

[Brutus]

I just looked through my pictures last year in Ouray and I didn't really see any aspens (had not changed colors yet). I am sure there are some down there I just don't know where.

[kemosabee]

Ophir is a real pretty trail in the fall.

[Claw]

It's more of an easy dirt road than a trail, but Owl Creek Pass outside of Ridgway is a good place for aspen. Also, County Roads 5 and 7 just west of Ridgway on hwy 62 are also good.

[Oscar]

Box canyon up through Ralf Lauren's ranch is good

[jimfoo]

Last Dollar has loads of aspen. It is an easy trail, but can have lots of mud if it's been raining.

[Alec W]

Thanks for all the ideas.

[yjkarl]

AlecW,

I'm heading to Ouray for the weekend as well. Keep your eye out for me. I drive a 95 blue YJ on 33's. I'll be with a black FJ cruiser.

Should be a beautiful weekend!

Karl

[Claw]

Box canyon up through Ralf Lauren's ranch is good
Yep, that's County Rd 9, just west of CR7. It dead-ends in Box Factory Park in the middle of a bunch of aspens near the foot of Mears Peak. I forgot to mention that one.

[JeepTherapy]

Yep, that's County Rd 9, just west of CR7. It dead-ends in Box Factory Park in the middle of a bunch of aspens near the foot of Mears Peak. I forgot to mention that one.

Where does this road start at? It sounds like it is a easy road, is that the case?

Kevin

[Claw]

Where does this road start at? It sounds like it is a easy road, is that the case?

Kevin

Just head a few miles west from Ridgway on hwy 62. Look for West Dallas Creek Rd. which is County Road 9. You'll go through a gate for the Double RL Ranch (Ralph Lauren's). There are others of these gates before you get to CR9, so don't be fooled. It is a very easy road with only a couple of mild mudholes toward the end (depending on recent rain or snowmelt) and one very easy stream crossing. There is a nice spot a few miles off the hwy before you get to the wooded part of CR9. Look for a wide spot in the road. On your right, if you get out of your vehicle, you'll be able to walk a few yards to the edge of the river canyon, and you'll probably be able to see golden eagles flying around. Sorry I can't give you more details than that. You kind of have to know what to look for.

[Alec W]

AlecW,

I'm heading to Ouray for the weekend as well. Keep your eye out for me. I drive a 95 blue YJ on 33's. I'll be with a black FJ cruiser.

Should be a beautiful weekend!

Karl

I remember seeing a Jeep with an FJ today but don?t remember where. I was in a silver H2 and ran Ophir, tooled around in Telluride and then took Imogene back to Ouray.

Holy f**k I?ve never been as scared as I was today at the top of Imogene with a few inches of new snow (on my own) during a white out :eek: . It was fun though :) Imogene may be closed for the year if it snows anymore.

Wow this place is stunning! Driving down 550 towards Silverton is worth the drive out here this time of the year. Hopefully the weather is nicer tomorrow and I plan to run Poughkeepsie in the morning before heading home.