August 9-13, 2023 - Ouray, Colorado Camping

Ouray Coloardo camping trip

This will be a short trip report as everything went pretty much perfectly.  No breaks, no spills, no drama.  Just plenty of some of the most incredible scenery you'll find anywhere, a great group of people and a pretty good time was had by all. 

We all camped at the Ouray KOA, most of us getting in on Tuesday 8/13.  This group included:

·   Myself and Cory (my son)  LJ

·   Mike and Marilyn  LJ

·   Alex and Sharon (from our North Carolina Chapter)  LJ

·   Homer, Linda and Ainsley YJ

·   Ben  riding with Mike in his LJ

·   Ryan (from our Tennessee Chapter)  Gladiator

On Wednesday we had our longest trail day.  We started out on Mineral Gulch then took Engineer Pass to Lake City.  We then headed over Cinnamon Pass back to Silverton which completed the Alpine Loop.

On Thursday we had a down day with most of the group taking the narrow gauge rail from Silverton to Durango in the afternoon.  From there they  took a shuttle back up to Silverton to get their trucks and then back to the campsite by around 9:30.

On Friday  our group was joined by Jenn, Tiff and Jenns mom Dawn riding in their Tacoma.  We were also joined by our newest Bighorn member Gary who rode with Ryan and got some time behind the wheel of Ryan's newest toy, a diesel Gladiator.  We went from Ouray to Telluride via Imogene Pass (my favorite trail).  We then stopped in Telluride for lunch and then back to Ouray via Ophir Pass and Highway 550. 

On Saturday we ran Poughkeepsie Gulch.  This is the hardest rated in that area but even so it's something that most club members would have little problem driving right through.   However, it rained overnight which changed things a bit.   The wet rocks and muddy tires added a degree of difficulty so everyone had some fun pulling winch lines at least once.  It was a great way to end the week.   We finished with a group meal at the True Grit Cafe in Ridgeway then headed our separate ways.

If you haven't been out to the Ouray area you're missing out on some of the most awesome high altitude mountain scenery anywhere in the world.  It was a trip to remember...Bob

Photo link   https://photos.app.goo.gl/2Nsi9nb7VAi6n2nbA