Ouray, Colorado’s Fall Foliage is some of the best in the state because of the number of aspen and rugged mountains. Timing is everything. Last time we were here, we missed the peak by about a week and most of the leaves were down. It just takes a good rain or a few windy days to knock them off the aspen. This time it was peak, but it rained most days during our week stay. The bad thing about the rain was the jeep trails were mud, many of the yellow-orange leaves had fallen and clouds blocked the mountain peaks. The good thing was that snow fell above 10,000 feet creating dramatic snow capped mountain images.
Ouray, Colorado Fall Colors
At about 7,800 feet, it was nice to be at lower elevation after the last few weeks in Granby, Breckenridge, and Leadville, Colorado. Prospectors arrived in the area in 1875 mining for gold and silver. There is no ski area, so the main economy depends on tourism.
Less than 1,000 people live here. Views looking north and south towards Ouray.
It is a beautiful area, with historic buildings surrounded by tall mountains. There are numerous four-wheel drive roads, hot springs, and ice climbing is popular in the winter.
From Crested Butte to Ouray it was about a 3 hour drive. Along the Gunnison River we stopped to photograph a couple of Bald Eagles.
Just north of Ouray there were a herd of elk and deer, but they never came close enough for a good photo, maybe because it was still hunting season.
Beer and burgers at Ouray Brewery were perfect. The bar chairs are swings made from old chairlift cable.
Local Deer.
KOA, Ouray Colorado Fall
We had a back in site against a creek, which was nice to listen to. There was hardly anyone here. We had 50-amp electric, good water pressure, sewer, and internet usually just fast enough to stream. There were plenty of places to walk Jake.
Yankee Boy Basin, Fall Splendor
Yankee Boy was a very scenic drive.
Along the way there were a couple of waterfalls.
Along this road is Imogene Pass, which is an alternative way to get to Telluride. Views were incredible.
A moderately difficult four-wheel drive road that leads to Mt. Sneffels, which is a 14er that Michael climbed in his twenties.
Red Mountain Pass
The pass goes from Ouray to Silverton, Colorado. Along the way there are incredible views of the San Juan Mountains covered in either snow or yellow from the aspen.
The reflections off Crystal Lake were amazing.
The road is otherwise known as the “Million Dollar Highway”. Reportedly it got that name either because it cost a million dollars per mile to build or because gold ore worth millions was used in its base during construction. Either way, it is considered one of the most dangerous and scenic roads in America.
We needed to explore before noon each day because it would cloud up then rain, or snow above 10,000 feet.
Bear Creek Falls are stunning, appearing to shoot straight out of the rock and falling over a couple hundred feet into a canyon.
At 11,018 feet it is a stunning pass because of the rugged mountains, lack of guard rails, and the red mountains from the amount of iron oxide in the rock.
The road has a lot of twists and turns. Around every corner was a new view.
Throughout the area there is evidence of old mining activity, either because of tailings or leftover abandoned buildings. We didn’t take any photos of the old mines this trip, but did in our last Ouray visit.
The Uncompahgre River flows along the road.
The river has an orange color to it not only because of the iron oxide in the rock but because the years of mining has caused numerous minerals to leech into the river.
Kind of bizarre, this lupine blooming along the Uncompahgre River in October, above 9,500 feet, during fall and it had been snowing. Its siblings have long gone to seed and withered away. They normally bloom in the spring. Mother nature was providing some nourishment for those late nectar dependent species migrating through.
Silverton, Colorado
The aspen in Silverton were just past their peak, but beautiful nonetheless. We had coffee and a breakfast burrito at the Coffee Bear, delicious.
