Ideas around Silverton, CO - Hike + Camp

[JohnP]

I have an "open" day coming up when I'll be around Silverton, CO and looking for ideas for a cool place to do a day hike & camp (1-2 nights night with 1 full day).

Any advice? Handies Peak is a possibility per @IntrepidXJ suggestion last year but I thought I'd open it up to the experts on this forum.

I'd prefer a camp site that's a bit more secluded (I like people, just not all the time) and I have 4x4 so access can be expanded accordingly.

Trip logistics would look like : camp thurs night; hike all day friday; camp friday night; leave early Sat

Thanks in advance!

 

[gnwatts]

You could drive back towards Ouray, head up to Yankee Boy Basin and climb Mt. Sneffels. Lot's of camping around there, if memory serves.

 

[mike_offerman]

You could drive back towards Ouray, head up to Yankee Boy Basin and climb Mt. Sneffels. Lot's of camping around there, if memory serves.

You are not allowed to car camp in Yankee Boy Basin anymore.

Are you looking to hike a peak (you won't find solitude on a 14er), a quieter/lower peak or a hike up to a lake?

Ice Lakes Basin is also a great area, though there will be a fair amount of people hiking around there.

 

[gnwatts]

You are not allowed to car camp in Yankee Boy Basin anymore.

Are you looking to hike a peak (you won't find solitude on a 14er), a quieter/lower peak or a hike up to a lake?

Ice Lakes Basin is also a great area, though there will be a fair amount of people hiking around there.

If @JohnP wants a fairly short climb to the top of a 14er, you can camp in the area, as there are opportunities to camp between Ouray and Yankee Boy Basin.

 

[IntrepidXJ]

If @JohnP wants a fairly short climb to the top of a 14er, you can camp in the area, as there are opportunities to camp between Ouray and Yankee Boy Basin.

Only in designated campgrounds these days.

 

[gnwatts]

Only in designated campgrounds these days.

I have camped off of the Governor Basin Road. Incredible site. It was not designated. Maybe it is not allowed now.
I have also camped in the Blue Lakes area (near Ridgway), if you hit it at the right time it can be uncrowded.

 

[JohnP]

Thanks guys - I appreciate the help / ideas.

@IntrepidXJ - I might actually replicate your trip from 2014 : http://backcountrypost.com/threads/handies-peak-ii.3521/
Did you guys camp in a "designated spot" that time? I thought a majority of that was BLM land?

 

[JohnP]

You are not allowed to car camp in Yankee Boy Basin anymore.

Are you looking to hike a peak (you won't find solitude on a 14er), a quieter/lower peak or a hike up to a lake?

Ice Lakes Basin is also a great area, though there will be a fair amount of people hiking around there.

The solitude on the peak doesn't matter to me (I like people on trails) .... more on the camping side. I'm not a fan of camping by other people if I can avoid it. I'd like to do a 14er early and then just kind of explore the area - I haven't been to that part of the San Juans yet.

THANKS!

 

[IntrepidXJ]

@IntrepidXJ - I might actually replicate your trip from 2014 : http://backcountrypost.com/threads/handies-peak-ii.3521/
Did you guys camp in a "designated spot" that time? I thought a majority of that was BLM land?

We just found a dispersed campsite off the main road near Handies Peak. There are a number of them around the area.