3rd Annual "100s in the Hills" - Ouray, Colorado: August 2-4
- Thread starter jonharis
- Start date
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bluecruiser
SILVER Star
Thanks for the quick response on the shirts, guys...that really helps out.
I might be up for Red Cone, we'll talk in Ouray.
I've actually been in Ouray for the last few days...... I missed some good stuff on here!
Let me know when you're here, we'll do Red Cone plus a few other great local trails.
Jon, $$ sent for the 2 shirts ordered, you should have the sizes already in the pm with our info.
Thanks
Paulo
Thanks
Paulo
Completely unrelated but was wondering if anybody from the Denver area made to the Colorado Irish Festival at Clement Park (S Wadsworth and Bowles) the past couple days!
Great time with lots of music and beer! Tomorrow (sunday) is the last day and I'll be there again!
Great time with lots of music and beer! Tomorrow (sunday) is the last day and I'll be there again!
Do you have your truck on stock hight or do you have it lifted? Did you have your tires rubbing at all after the wheel/tires swap?
Still trying to make a tire swap before the trip but not sure yet.
Just wanted to give everyone an update and help with their last minute plans and packing. I just spent 3 days solo (with my dog) camping/fishing in some areas around Ouray. I wanted to prerun a new trail I was thinking about for the fishing/family run to make sure it was what I had hoped it would be.
Wow! That's all I'll say. The wildflowers are waist high in some spots, the views are quintessential San Juan Mountains Colorado. The trail is mild and there are fish in a lake so pretty it will take your already short breath away. We'll be traveling over 12,000ft.
After camping at the lake, I got a good look at this spot for almost 24 hours. It's one of my new favorite places and I'm looking forward to sharing it with everyone on this run. If you've never been to Colorado, it's gonna blow your mind. If you don't like shelf roads or heights, try to overcome that fear for the very short period of time we'll be exposed. This will be a great alternative for trails like Black Bear Pass, or it's even a warm up for Black Bear to let you see how you do up high.
Some things to not forget.
Rain Gear (I got poured on at the lake)
Warm Clothing (temp got down to 36 in the early morning)
Binoculars (I'll have a good pair everyone can use)
A good book to read
A backpack
Hiking Shoes
Some other great ideas, especially for kids; Have them bring a journal to write down some of the things they see. At these altitudes, it may be the only time in their lives they see it. I'll have a field guide to the Rocky Mountains that everyone is welcome to use. My kids use it to find the names of some of the wildflowers, then they press a flower in the pages of the book to show they found it. It's worth buying one of those books online or in town. A Rocky Mountain birds book would be good to have to. If you're fishing, almost anything should work. Small lures or flies. The fish will be small (12" max) but their colors are unreal. Brook and Cutthroat trout. The Cutts have to be returned immediately, (state law) but you're free to harvest a few brook trout to cook over the fire back at camp. I do have some small streams in mind for those who'd like to venture out and fish with short 2-3wt fly rods.
This whole thread makes me sound like a tree hugging hippie, but I'm really not. Jonathan is the one who could get a part-time gig posing for Jesus pictures. I do appreciate all things outdoors and I'm especially passionate about Colorado and the opportunity to show people all the things this state has to offer. You'll see why I value these resources so much when you're here. They have provided me and my family some of the greatest times together that my kids will never forget. Some pics from my trip.....but not even the best ones to avoid spoiling it.
Wow! That's all I'll say. The wildflowers are waist high in some spots, the views are quintessential San Juan Mountains Colorado. The trail is mild and there are fish in a lake so pretty it will take your already short breath away. We'll be traveling over 12,000ft.
After camping at the lake, I got a good look at this spot for almost 24 hours. It's one of my new favorite places and I'm looking forward to sharing it with everyone on this run. If you've never been to Colorado, it's gonna blow your mind. If you don't like shelf roads or heights, try to overcome that fear for the very short period of time we'll be exposed. This will be a great alternative for trails like Black Bear Pass, or it's even a warm up for Black Bear to let you see how you do up high.
Some things to not forget.
Rain Gear (I got poured on at the lake)
Warm Clothing (temp got down to 36 in the early morning)
Binoculars (I'll have a good pair everyone can use)
A good book to read
A backpack
Hiking Shoes
Some other great ideas, especially for kids; Have them bring a journal to write down some of the things they see. At these altitudes, it may be the only time in their lives they see it. I'll have a field guide to the Rocky Mountains that everyone is welcome to use. My kids use it to find the names of some of the wildflowers, then they press a flower in the pages of the book to show they found it. It's worth buying one of those books online or in town. A Rocky Mountain birds book would be good to have to. If you're fishing, almost anything should work. Small lures or flies. The fish will be small (12" max) but their colors are unreal. Brook and Cutthroat trout. The Cutts have to be returned immediately, (state law) but you're free to harvest a few brook trout to cook over the fire back at camp. I do have some small streams in mind for those who'd like to venture out and fish with short 2-3wt fly rods.
This whole thread makes me sound like a tree hugging hippie, but I'm really not. Jonathan is the one who could get a part-time gig posing for Jesus pictures. I do appreciate all things outdoors and I'm especially passionate about Colorado and the opportunity to show people all the things this state has to offer. You'll see why I value these resources so much when you're here. They have provided me and my family some of the greatest times together that my kids will never forget. Some pics from my trip.....but not even the best ones to avoid spoiling it.
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Agree, awesome post.
I have two questions:
1. As a southerner I've obviously never driven any shelf roads. Realistically is it going to be that intimidating? And define shelf for me...16' wide? Hopefully!?!
2. I would love to bring my dog since the wife isn't coming, but I would hate to have her not be able to tolerate the altitude and put a kink in the trip for me. Anyone have any experience here?
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I have two questions:
1. As a southerner I've obviously never driven any shelf roads. Realistically is it going to be that intimidating? And define shelf for me...16' wide? Hopefully!?!
2. I would love to bring my dog since the wife isn't coming, but I would hate to have her not be able to tolerate the altitude and put a kink in the trip for me. Anyone have any experience here?
Sent from my iPhone using IH8MUD, and hopefully approved by the NSA.
This road is wide enough for one vehicle only, with a few pullouts to pass at the switchbacks if needed. You can see the whole shelf as you climb, so we'll know if someone is coming in the other direction. My dog does fine at altitude, most dogs do. She's climbed over 14,000ft with me a few times. The only exception is the snub nosed breeds who have a hard time breathing anyway. I would not hesitate to bring your pooch. I even let Libby drive....
Pics....the shelf road pic is down low. It gets a little more narrow as you climb, but nothing too sketchy. You could pass a quad in most spots. You'll want to keep your eyes on the road, but there is a little room to wander. Worst case scenario, if you have passengers that are terrified...... park down low and hike the road up. I did see some folks doing that. There is a beautiful waterfall and it's an amazing hike.
Pics....the shelf road pic is down low. It gets a little more narrow as you climb, but nothing too sketchy. You could pass a quad in most spots. You'll want to keep your eyes on the road, but there is a little room to wander. Worst case scenario, if you have passengers that are terrified...... park down low and hike the road up. I did see some folks doing that. There is a beautiful waterfall and it's an amazing hike.
Thanks. I think I can handle that. My dog is a 9yo yellow lab, calm and cool as can be. Right now I'm leaning towards bringing her but will play it by ear.
Sent from my iPhone using IH8MUD, and hopefully approved by the NSA.
Sent from my iPhone using IH8MUD, and hopefully approved by the NSA.
Great stuff Stan! SO looking forward to getting out, breathing thin air and having fun on this trip with everyone!
I'm here to tell you...... the place is out of this world pretty right now! All of Colorado has been getting the rain we so badly needed and it's making things go into hyper growth.
2 places where you can shower are Ouray Hot Springs Pool ($2 for locker room use) and Ridgway State Park ($7 for a day pass) The Hot Springs Pool and Fitness Center will be the closest to where we're camping and right in town. Most of the RV parks that used to rent showers, do not do so anymore. $2 is darn cheap for a hot shower, I'll be taking advantage of that service. You just pay your $2 at the front desk. Ridgeway State Park is very nice too.
2 places where you can shower are Ouray Hot Springs Pool ($2 for locker room use) and Ridgway State Park ($7 for a day pass) The Hot Springs Pool and Fitness Center will be the closest to where we're camping and right in town. Most of the RV parks that used to rent showers, do not do so anymore. $2 is darn cheap for a hot shower, I'll be taking advantage of that service. You just pay your $2 at the front desk. Ridgeway State Park is very nice too.
aaronrules
Coolest person you know!
How far will we be from modern facilities that you talking about with the showers? Or if we want to run into town for a sit down meal? Like how long will take to drive to the showers? Also, any suggestions for a place(s) to camp/stay further north and central? I think we are going to take I70 thru Kansas and the way home, maybe spend a couple extra nights in CO.
We'll be ten minutes from town (Ouray). And, another 5 minutes from Ridgway. Sit down meals available in both towns. http://adobeinnridgway.com/ in Ridgway has great Mexican food and famous margaritas. If you go a little further, Telluride has more food options and shopping. It's bigger than Ouray and fancier, but it still has the anti-Aspen mountain town feel. http://www.browndogpizza.net/ and http://www.lacocinatelluride.com/ are our favorite spots there. You wont be disappointed with either. As a family, we spend much more time in Telluride than Ouray/Ridgway because of all the "family friendly" things there are to do. With that being said, we vacation there in the fall, which is considered "off season". The entire area will be busy when we're there for the 100s event.
I'll have some suggestions for you on/off of I-70 through Colorado. What kind of stuff are you looking for?
I'll have some suggestions for you on/off of I-70 through Colorado. What kind of stuff are you looking for?
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aaronrules
Coolest person you know!
Probably nice mountain scenic areas. I would love to take my boy to see the area where the Arkansas river starts. I saw once when I was kid. Basically the cool spots that isn't Aspen or other tourist type areas. No super hard off road stuff either.
Nice teaser pics! We are spending the next couple nights in the tent in our yard to make sure we have everything covered. I don't want to be figuring things out with the 1yo 2k mi from home... Great ideas with the guide books. My 5yo has eagle eyes when it comes to wildlife. She spotted an osprey out behind the house today before anyone else as a matter of fact! We live in an über rural area so she's used to spotting critters etc. and is quite the fisherman at our pond.
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Sent from my mudPad
aaronrules
Coolest person you know!
Those pics are awesome! I cannot wait to get there!
Just confirming, It will be myself and my 7 yr old son only this trip. This makes the packing simpler, and lighter, so we will forego the camper, and will be tent camping. We'll be leaving up on Thursday from Albuquerque around 9-10ish (as soon as I finish up some work in the AM).
Pot luck: Not decided, but I will bring something up.
Firewood: If we confirm fire restrictions are lifted before we leave, I'll bring some up as well.
fishing: a definite maybe, neither of us have ever fly fished; so if anything I may just bring a rod/reel and some lures/flies/powerbait for my son to fish.
Pot luck: Not decided, but I will bring something up.
Firewood: If we confirm fire restrictions are lifted before we leave, I'll bring some up as well.
fishing: a definite maybe, neither of us have ever fly fished; so if anything I may just bring a rod/reel and some lures/flies/powerbait for my son to fish.
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