Recs Needed -- Ouray

ntexascardfan

ntexascardfan

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May 15, 2010
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Has anyone else been to this gem of a mountain town?

I'm heading out Thursday for an extended weekend. Any recs for places to eat, hikes to knock out, or things to do?
 
You gotta check out the hot springs pool just outside of town on the north side.
 
Twin Peaks trail is great, but it is a full day hike.

Rent a jeep and just explore trails and roads. There are a lot of old mining ghost towns you can check out.
 
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I went there when I was probably six, and forty years later I still remember the falls. Beautiful part of the country.
 
The provisions cafe in Ridgeway, the next town 15 minutes north, had a great brunch on Sunday. I think everything else is good too if you go another day. The ice cream shop in that town is excellent as well.

Spent a half a day visiting some relatives recently and it is a beautiful spot. If you come from the south, enjoy the Million Dollar highway and Red Mountain Pass. It was described by our relatives as the most fun you can have on pavement. They, however, ride motorcycles.
 
twrexp said:
You gotta check out the hot springs pool just outside of town on the north side.
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This is largely the plan for most the trip.

Thinking about Brickhouse 737 for dinner on Friday, but pretty open other than that..
 
ntexascardfan said:
This is largely the plan for most the trip.

Thinking about Brickhouse 737 for dinner on Friday, but pretty open other than that..
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ntexascardfan said:
Has anyone else been to this gem of a mountain town?

I'm heading out Thursday for an extended weekend. Any recs for places to eat, hikes to knock out, or things to do?
Click to expand...
Drive over to Telluride and do the 13 mile (round trip) Sneffels Highline Trail. Start early...try to be on the trail by 9 or 9:30.
 
1253 said:
Drive over to Telluride and do the 13 mile Sneffels Higline Trail. Start early...try to be on the trail by 9 or 9:30.
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Heading to Trlluride this week, and this trail is at the top of my list of hikes. Any additional info, I've researched it but always good to hear from someone who has done it.
 
Get a four wheel drive, go over Engineers' Pass to the area west of Lake City. Big, but climbable mountains there. Very rugged but beautiful.
 
been to ouray many times. They call it the switzerland of colorado.

We always stay at the "box Canyon Lodge" on the south side of town. They have their own hot springs hot tubs.

Jeep trips (rent them) up into yankee boy basin (thats where the twin falls on the front of the coors beer can are). Take a jeep across last dollar road over the mountain into telluride then back thru ridgeway. There are some breathtaking vista panaramas along that road. Its rough in spots but you can make it.

Book a cookout dinner out along the river.

Try to go late sept and catch the aspen turning.
 
My parents stayed there back in the '50's for a few days, and when we took a family vacation to Yellowstone in 1972 we spent a day or so there. I remember that the town was surrounded on 3 sides by the mountains. We had a guide drive us up Engineer Mountain. Too long ago to remember many details, just remember it being a great time.
 
I second the jeep tour up to Yankee Boy Basin. Multiple water falls and just a gorgeous drive the whole way.
 
bluejay7780 said:
If you are flying into Durango, stop at Animas Brewing Company for a beer. My daughter and her husband, along with some other Texas Exes are part owners.
http://www.animasbrewing.com/aboutus/
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Animas is great, always love their beers when coming off the mountain in January and March. Also, if driving from Durango, I highly recommend stopping at Sow's Ear for dinner while en route - the elk tenderloin served there is worth the trip all on its own. Enjoy the mountains, a stunning area of our country.
 
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bluejay7780 said:
If you are flying into Durango, stop at Animas Brewing Company for a beer. My daughter and her husband, along with some other Texas Exes are part owners.
http://www.animasbrewing.com/aboutus/
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Tell your daughter we loved it this past week. They have some great beers and burgers.

The Jack Rabbit Pale Ale at Carver's is still my favorite, but they are much better than Steamworks and Ska.
 
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  • I live up this way about 6 months of the year. Just google hiking Ouray area.... Can't go wrong. The San Juans are the largest range in Colorado and much of it is wilderness with no civilization in site in much of it unlike other cool places on the front range Etc in Colorado. if you are into it, the area in almost all directions from Ouray offers a variety of walk up peak opportunities. But keep in mind while the beauty in my opinion is awesome and unique the rock here isn't the best, so stay aware up high and on exposed routes...have fun.
 
We always stay in Lake City but you need to rent jeeps and drive the Alpine Loop. Some of the most beautiful scenery you'll ever see!

The Animas river runs south to Durango, we do a day rafting trip when we can.
 
Coffee toffee at Mouse's Chocolates. Also, a trip over to Ridgeway to eat at the True Grit Cafe and also the Chipeta Day Spa is amazing.
 
ntexascardfan said:
Has anyone else been to this gem of a mountain town?

I'm heading out Thursday for an extended weekend. Any recs for places to eat, hikes to knock out, or things to do?
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Outlay and Telluride are my big playgrounds. Fantastic towns.

We always stay at the China Clipper in Ouray. Restaurant scene is lethargic but nothing is bad. The rooftop beer garden is kind of the go to for the setting more than anything.

For hikes, though it's common and close to town, be sure to go to the waterfall just outside town. That catches up to the rim hike and its wickedly interesting as you walk through some narrow old mining tunnels and it's a pretty cool mountain culture experience.

For the longer hikes I always go to the local outdoor shop and ask for a great route for that time of year that won't be packed with people and they've sent me in some amazing trails I don't know if I could evern find again.

If the wild flowers are out, Yankee Boy Basin is world class.
 
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Olatheraider said:
he's joking. Do not do Black Bear Pass. People die on that.

I would rent a jeep and do the Alpine loop to/from Lake City. It's an unreal experience.
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Yes, DO NOT attempt Black Bear Pass. It is definitely for people with properly rigged Jeeps and a lot of experience.
 
= Iceman = said:
I'm heading to Durango on the 24th to do some hiking & mountain climbing with buddies. We're planning to head to Animas as soon as we land!
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If Scott, the head dude and brewmaster is there, tell him Shannon's dad sent you! (Hopefully, he won't charge you more because of that!)
 
wfoot said:
Get a four wheel drive, go over Engineers' Pass to the area west of Lake City. Big, but climbable mountains there. Very rugged but beautiful.
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I suggest the Alpine Loop, which includes Engineer Pass, for inexperienced Jeep drivers. See this web page for details. Imogene Pass between Ouray and Telluride is also nice although a bit nerve wracking on the Telluride end. Do it from Ouray to avoid the outside lane on ledge roads. DO NOT attempt Black Bear Pass unless you know what you are doing. The road is off-camber to the outside toward the ledge in some places and switchbacks are so severe you have to drive to the edge of a precipice and back up to make the turn. Be aware that the altitude can cause dizziness, headaches and nausea.
 
bluejay7780 said:
If Scott, the head dude and brewmaster is there, tell him Shannon's dad sent you! (Hopefully, he won't charge you more because of that!)
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Bluejay,you inspired me, I'm meeting my wife and son at Animas Brewing in 15 minutes . We will give it a little Longhorn business. Been meaning to try it out for a while... That's a nice location near the river. If you see this let me know what beer is a do not miss. Many thanks
 
paleohorn said:
Bluejay,you inspired me, I'm meeting my wife and son at Animas Brewing in 15 minutes . We will give it a little Longhorn business. Been meaning to try it out for a while... That's a nice location near the river. If you see this let me know what beer is a do not miss. Many thanks
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I like their Black. Scott makes a really good IPA also. He'll tell you what's up.
 
bluejay7780 said:
If you are flying into Durango, stop at Animas Brewing Company for a beer. My daughter and her husband, along with some other Texas Exes are part owners.
http://www.animasbrewing.com/aboutus/
Click to expand...

My wife and I stopped in there for a few beers when we were in Durango last summer. Great beers, location and atmosphere are cool as well. We would definitely go back if we were in Durango again.
 
bluejay7780 said:
I like their Black. Scott makes a really good IPA also. He'll tell you what's up.
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Had one of each and both were very good. The strawberry rhubarb pastry madeca special finish to dinner and beer. Please relay to your daughter and son in law ...well done!
 
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Olatheraider said:
he's joking. Do not do Black Bear Pass. People die on that.

I would rent a jeep and do the Alpine loop from Lake City. It's an unreal experience.
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Did the loop from Lake City last year. We left LC around 8:30 and got back 5:00. It is about 58 miles. We only stopped twice. Extremely beautiful. Extremely stressful drive! Would do it again in a heart beat!!
 
Went to Ouray Labor Day...It was awesome. Imagine Fredericksburg with mountains going up to the sky. Truly an amazing place. Loved it. Plus the hot springs there was great.
 
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