South Colorado Trip

<p>I'm headed to the Salida/Ouray area in a couple of weeks. I am looking for advice as to who to take a jeep tour with and to rent a jeep from in both locations. The same for a 1-2 day whitewater trip in the Salida area on the Arkansas.<br>

As far a photos I will try and hit Yankee Boy Basin and any other areas someone might reccomend. I have no real $WD experience so I do not want anything remotely considered technical. I am looking promarily for wildflower foregrounds with mountain backgrounds. I will also be looking for waterfalls and streams. I wold like to keep my hikes to three miles one way or less.<br>

Suggestions and advice appreciated!</p>

<p>Bob Wyatt/Jonesboro, AR.</p>

<p>I'm not very familiar with that area of Colorado, just searching on Ouray should provide you with a number of possible trails, etc. I've never rented a jeep as I own my own, but I understand there are lots of rentals in that area as well as tours. One road you may or may not hear of is the Black Bear Pass - take a tour, its considered one of the most dangerous roads but worth the trip. Look for Bridal Veil Falls - spectacular falls on the black bear pass road. <br>

Another spot I've been wanting to hit is the Black Canyon of The Gunnison - but living in the metro area, its hard to get down there often. <br>

Good luck and enjoy your trip - its been very wet this year so there should be some spectacular shots.</p>

 

<p>I can't offer any advice on specific trails or tour outfits, but you should definitely pick up a Trails Illustrated map of the Weminuche Wilderness. There are tons of trails and that's a great map. Good luck!</p>

<p>I lived and worked in Salida in the late 70's so I can't give you any info on rentals. If I was going to take a rafting trip, I would go for a trip through Brown's Canyon. This is the only stretch where the Highway doesn't follow the river. A good drive is to go north of Salida to Nathrop (not too far) and take the road that goes past Mt. Princeton Hot springs. After you pass the Hot Springs it will take you up into the mountains along a mountain stream with waterfalls, etc. You can pick up a map of the San Isabel National Forest which will show the mountain trails and roads around the area.</p>

<p>I am familiar with the Ouray area. Any of the Jeep rental companies in Ouray ought to be OK for you.<br>

For wildflowers, Yankee Boy Basin is usually one of the best areas and is not considered to be a difficult 4WD road. Leave early in the morning from Ouray. If you like to hike, drive from Ouray early in the morning to <strong >Blue</strong><strong > Lakes</strong><strong > trail</strong> at the end of <strong >East</strong> <strong >Dallas Creek Road, off of CO 62, just west of Ridgway near Ouray</strong>. There are also great photo ops of the Sneffels range any time of the year from this road. </p>

<p >Last Dollar Road, from near Dallas Divide to Telluride, best near the southern end. Nasty when muddy.

<p >The first mile or so of the Alpine Loop/Engineer mountain road where it leave the 550</p>

<p >Owl Creek Pass Road, from Ridgeway north to Cimarron.</p>

<p >All the roads leaving the 62 between Ridgeway and Dallas Divide and heading S towards Mt Sneffels have something to offer. West Fork Dallas Creek and Badger Creek Road are two to look out for.</p>

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<p >Joe Smith</p>

 

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