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HIKES -- SHORT AND SWEETBox Canon Falls TrailI you havent seen Box Caon Falls, consider it a must. The entranceis two blocks up hill at the west end o Third Avenue. During the sum-mer months there is a small ee to see the alls but it is worth muchmore than what they charge.Ater youve been into the canyon and seen the alls itsel, you havethe option o climbing a series o stairs and then ollowing a 1/4-mile trail to a bridge ar above the canyon. The views rom there arespectacular.Hiking Time: From the west end o Third Avenue, a visit to see theBox Caon Falls and hike to the top should take less than 1 hour.

Lower Cascade Falls TrailCascade Falls is the waterall in the northeast corner o Ouray, visiblerom almost any location in town. The 1/4-mile hike to the base othe alls is worth the time and eort. In act, consider taking a picnicalong. There are plenty o places where you can sit and enjoy apeaceul, relaxing lunch.You can reach the alls by hiking uphill rom Main Street on 8thAvenue. It is only a two-block distance to the beginning o the trail,

but is quite steep. Or drive up to the end o 8th, park in the smallparking area and walk rom there.Hiking Time: From anywhere in Ouray, this round-trip walk to thebase o Cascade Falls should take about 45 minutes, additional time iyou spend much time at the top.. Children love this short hike.

Portland TrailThis is a slightly longer hike than the two previously mentioned but iseasy and one which children enjoy.

The trailhead starts a short distance up the dirt road just ater youturn onto the Amphitheater Campground road. Park your car at thebase o this dirt road and hike to the trailhead.The trail ollows Portland Creek that meanders through the basinabove the Amphitheater. This trail makes a 3.8-mile tour o thisbeautiul, rolling basin and gains only 900 eet along its various upsand downs. The trail ends in the campground. From there, walkdownhill on the paved campground road to your car.Hiking Time: This hike will take about 3 hours.

Adventure Hiking in OurayAny o the trails listed in this brochure can be completed in less than a day unless otherwise indicated.

You will nd the terrain in the Ouray area to be generally steeper than in most other areas, so hiking time or various distances may bedierent than you are accustomed to. From the short stroll up Cascade Falls, a good rst-time introduction to area hiking, to the challenge othe Horsethie/Bear Creek Loop Trail, the region has something or hikers o all interests and abilities.

Whether you are an experienced or novice hiker, you should gradually allow yoursel to become acclimated to the elevation beore takingstrenuous hiking trips. Jogging or walking at lower elevations prior to coming to Ouray, or just starting out here with a couple o short hikes,will help signicantly. Dont hike alone. I you do, however, always tell someone where you are going and when you expect to return. It isextremely important that you report back to this person when you return so that the Ouray Mountain Rescue isnt called out unnecessarily.

Weather conditions in the mountains can change suddenly and without warning. Always carry warm clothing, plenty o ood and water,and proper emergency rst-aid supplies. Sunscreen is also a must in the clear air at these altitudes. You dont want a sunburn to ruin yourvacation. Be sure to take along a good topographical map, too.

Many o the area hikes are relatively dicult compared to most fatland trails. The Hiking Trails o Ouray County, a customized areatopographical map and guide, is an excellent source or detailed inormation regarding the diculty level, attractions, hazards and location othe trailhead or each o our area hikes. You can purchase one o these maps at many o Ourays shops and hotels.

This particular brochure only briefy describes some o the area hikes but does categorize them by diculty level. Do not attempt to hike anyo the more dicult trails based on inormation obtained rom this brochure. Hiking Trails o Ouray County would be a wise investment orany o the more complex hikes. Books on area hiking are also available. Ouray Hiking Guide and Trails Less Traveled by Kelvin Kent are sold asome local shops and hotels.

Some hiking trails cross private property. Be sure to respect this land by staying on the trail. Pack out garbage and leave old buildings, foraand auna undisturbed.This brochure is presented as a courtesy to visitors. No warranty, expressed or implied, is made as to the saety or ongoing validity oinormation listed herein. The Ouray Chamber Resort Association or its agents are not responsible or any liability arising rom the use o theinormation.

*** For more information on these hikes please refer to Hiking Trails of Ouray County available at the Ouray VisitorsCenter and local bookstores.

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Ice Park TrailThe Uncompahgre River fows into Ouray rom Poughkeepsie Gulchjoining Red Mountain Creek along the way. Over millions o years,these streams have created a magnicent gorge that parallels Hwy550 into Ouray.

The Ice Park trailhead is located just ater you turn onto the CampBird Mine Road. You will nd the trailhead marker just beyond theCDOT maintenance yard and downhill rom the high bridge. The

hike ollows along the gorge about one-hal mile. The trail will crossthe river just this side o a century-old dam, the water rom which isused to generate electricity at Ourays hydroelectric plant. The plantwent unused or many years until about 1992, at which time the onehundred year old penstock pipeline was replaced and was allowedto carry water to generate reserve electricity or the town once more.Ater crossing the river, you will return via the trail on the other sideo the gorge and return back just above the original trailhead on theuphill side o the bridge.Hiking Time: It should take about 1 hour to complete this hike.

Baby BathtubsThis is a great hike to acclimate to Ourays altitude and one that is

good to do i you have small children.

Drive two switchbacks south o Ouray on Hwy 550 to the Amphithe-ater Campground road. Just ater you turn, park on your let justthis side o the rst bridge. Cross over the bridge on oot and thetrailhead is just to your right ater crossing. This trail oers beautiulscenery in a .3 mile stroll to a horse crossing below a bridge. Returnas you came or ollow the Portland Trail back or a loop trip.Hiking Time: This beautiul hike can be done in 30 to 45 minutes.

Old Twin Peaks Trail to the OverlookThis is a short, but very steep, hike. The resulting views, however,make it all worthwhile.

From Oak Street on the west side o town, walk straight up QueenStreet; the road curves slightly to the right as you pass the log homeon your let. The trail takes o to the right just ater a gate. Stop at theoverlook and return or you can continue urther on this extremelydicult hiking adventure. I you plan to go on, be sure you reer tothe map, Hiking Trails o Ouray County, or additional inormation.Hiking Time: This is a quick one - 30 minutes.

HIKES-LONGER / MODERATE

Oak Creek Trail to the Creek CrossingRefer to Hiking Trails of Ouray County for detailed information.

You can reach this trailhead either by oot or 4-wheel drive vehicle.Both the Oak Creek and Twin Peaks Trails ollow the same path orthe rst mile. At the point where they split, take the let ork, ollow-ing signs saying Oak Creek Trail. Ater branching o, you reach thispicturesque canyon ater about one-hal mile, and the alls shortlythereater. For a moderate hike return once you reach this creekcrossing. Round trip is 3.6 miles.Hiking Time: From the trailhead it should take about 4 hours tocomplete this hike.

Lower Blues Lakes Trail fromEast Dallas RoadRefer to Hiking Trails of Ouray County for detailed information.This is a magnicent hike. The scenery is spectacular around everyturn so it is one that never gets tedious. The trail to the lower lakes issae and not too dicult or children who are used to hiking. Round-trip is 6.6 miles.Hiking Time: The drive to the trailhead takes about 1 hour. Al-though the trail map says the hiking time is 3 to 4 hours, allow a little

longer or this round-trip.

Blaine Basin TrailRefer to Hiking Trails of Ouray County for detailed information.Directions to this trailhead are the same as those to the Lower BlueLakes From East Dallas Road recommended previously. From thetrailhead parking area, the Blaine Basin Trail takes o to the let andover the bridge.The hike to the basin is an easy grade through orests, partly alongWilson Creek. From the basin, you have spectacular panoramic viewso the north ace o Mount Sneels and nearby peaks. The round tripis 6.4 miles.

Hiking Time: The drive to the trailhead can take about 1 hour. Theactual hiking time is about 3 to 4 hours.

HIKES-LONGER / DIFFICULT

Bear Creek TrailRefer to Hiking Trails of Ouray County for detailed informationThis is an awesome hike and is a avorite o many locals. This is aNational Recreation Trail -- one o only a ew designated in the USA asan especially scenic hike.I you have a ear o heights and narrow ledges, you might think twiceabout this particular trail. It is also not recommended or venture-some children. Dont get caught on the shel portion o this hike in a

thunderstorm, so know the orecast beore heading out.

The Grizzly Bear Mine, reached ater 2.5 miles, is a great place tostop or lunch. You can then continue on 1.7 miles to the YellowJacket Mine or call it a day and return.Hiking Time: Plan to spend 8 hours i you go to the Yellow JacketMine but only about 5 hours i you return ater exploring the GrizzlyBear Mine site.

Weehawken Trail to the Alpine MineRefer to Hiking Trails of Ouray County for detailed information.The trailhead or the Weehawken Trail is a short drive up the CampBird Mine road.

This hike starts out through aspen groves and open meadows withbeautiul views o the Mt. Hayden area. Ater 1.6 miles, ork o tothe right, climbing steeply to the Alpine Mine and then beyond to amagnicent overlook o the town o Ouray. This round-trip hike is 5.2miles.Hiking Time: Plan about 5 hours to complete this hike.

Upper Cascade Falls TrailRefer to Hiking Trails of Ouray County for detailed information.I youve ever wondered about that old metal corrugated building2,300 eet up the mountainside in the northeast corner o Ouray, it is

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the old Chie Ouray Mine bunkhouse and machinery building. Thisis the culmination o the Upper Cascade Falls Trail and wow, what aview!

The trailhead is in the Amphitheater Campground just south o Ouray.The rst hal hour o the hike is sheltered but when traversing theswitchbacks at the upper portion o the trail, the sun can be quitehot during the summer months. Be sure to take plenty o water andsunscreen. It is best to start early in the morning to complete this 4.9

mile hike during the cooler part o the day.Hiking Time: Plan about 5 hours to complete this hike.

Ice Lake TrailSince this hike is not in Ouray County, it is not included in the HikingTrails o Ouray County map. Inormation regarding this hike canbe ound either on the USGS Topographical Ophir Map or in KelvinKents book, the Ouray Hiking Guide.

This is a avorite trail o many Ouray visitors. It oers dramatic scen-ery, wateralls, meadows abundant with wildfowers, alpine tundraand glacial lakes--providing more scenic beauty and Kodak momentsthan any one person can handle in a day. Much o this trail is only

moderately dicult, with only two very steep sections.Hiking Time: It takes about 45 minutes to drive to the trailhead justnorth o Silverton. Allow about 6 hours o hiking time to completethis magnicent adventure.

HIKES-DIFFICULT / TECHNICAL

Twin Peaks TrailRefer to Hiking Trails of Ouray County for detailed information.This 6.4 mile round-trip hike is extremely deceptive. It starts out

rather mildly, ollowing the same path as the Oak Creek Trail, an eas-ier hike mentioned earlier. Ater it splits o, it can become extremelydemanding, challenging even the most avid hiker. It can be windyand cold at the top so be sure to take a jacket along or protection.

Many o the published aerial photographs o Ouray have been takenrom this spectacular vantage point.Hiking Time: This can take as long as 6 to 7 hours.

Blue Lakes Trail, Lower Lakes to Blue Lakes PassRefer to Hiking Trails of Ouray County for detailed information.This hike is a continuation o a previously mentioned, easier hike -Blue Lakes From East Dallas Road (CR 7). Beyond the Lower Lakes,the trail steepens and the nal ascent to Blue Lakes Pass rates a 5 onanyones diculty scale.Hiking Time: It takes about 1 hour to drive to the trail-head. Onceyou begin this hike, allow about 8 to 9 hours to complete this 11.4miles round-trip hike.

Horsethief Trail to Bridge of HeavenRefer to Hiking Trails of Ouray County for detailed information.Many o the avid hikers who come to Ouray consider this to be one o

the nest trails in the area. During this hike you will have panoramicviews o Ouray, many o this areas 13,000 and 14,000-oot peaks,and much o the surrounding San Juan Mountains and the La SalMountains in Utah. It is one breathtaking experience ater another.This must be why they call it the Bridge o Heaven.Hiking Time: It takes about 30 minutes to drive to the trailhead anda 4-wheel drive vehicle is highly recommended. Once you start o onthis trek, allow about 7 hours to complete the 8.4 miles round triphike.

General Information

There are many more spectacular and challenging hiking trails throughout the area. The ones mentioned in this brochure are the ones mostamiliar to locals and most commonly enjoyed by guests.

I you had not already guessed, we do highly recommend purchasing a Hiking Trails o Ouray County map and guide i you will be hiking anyo the more dicult trails or are planning multiple days o hiking.

The ollowing inormation is provided by the oces o the Uncompahgre National Forest:

Water is the lieblood o all species. Keep it pure. Wash at least 100 eet rom water sources. Also, due to natural organisms, water taken romstreams or lakes should be boiled or ltered through puriers beore you consume it.

To keep water pure, bury any human waste six inches deep at least 200 eet rom lakes and streams.Please keep dogs leashed. Loose dogs can harass wildlie and stock, and can cause conficts with other visitors.

Pack out all o your trash, including toilet tissue.

Revised: April 2008Information is subject to change

Information presented by Ouray Chamber Resort Association

P.O. Box 145 Ouray, CO 81427 800.228.1876 www.ouraycolorado.com