Ouray Solstice Hiking

IntrepidXJ

ADVENTR
Joined
Jan 17, 2012
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Upper Cascade Falls & Baldy Peak
Saturday & Sunday, June 21-22, 2014


This weekend for the summer solstice, Diane and I headed down to Ouray to get in a little hiking in the San Juan Mountains. Since there's still a lot of snow up high and it would be our first time really hiking in the mountains this year, we decided to start with some lower elevation hikes close to town between 8,000 and 10,000 feet. When we arrived, we setup camp just above town in the Amphitheater Campground and then got started on our first hike up to the Upper Cascade Creek Falls and Chief Ouray Mine. The hike started out easy, but soon it quickly climbed over 1,000 feet up a series of switchbacks. First we reached the Upper Cascade Falls and took a few photos and then we crossed the creek and continued on to the remains of the Chief Ouray Mine located high above town.

Near the beginning of the trail shortly after leaving the Amphitheater Campground.


Upper Cascade Falls 213
by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr

Hiking under a canopy of curved trees.


Trail Arch
by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr

Diane on an upper section of the trail after climbing up many steep switchbacks.


Upper Trail
by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr

First view of the falls from the trail.


Trail to the Falls
by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr

The rocky waterfall above the crossing of Cascade Creek.


Rocky Waterfall
by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr

The taller waterfall below the trail.


Upper Cascade Falls
by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr


Cascade Creek Waterfall
by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr

Looking over the top.


Cascade Creek
by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr

After crossing the creek, we continued on to the Chief Ouray Mine. The trail went through this building and continued on the other side. Unfortunately, many people have felt the need to leave their name behind...


Inside
by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr

A view over the second building we came across, looking down over Ouray.


Above Ouray
by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr

There was some old mining machinery inside.


Gardner - Denver
by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr

Looking out the window of the first building on our way back.


Out the Window
by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr

A view up the Uncompahgre Gorge towards the Red Mountains as we hiked back down.


Uncompahgre Gorge
by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr

After finishing the hike we stopped in town for dinner at the Ouray Brewery and then took a drive up to Owl Creek Pass for sunset.

Mount Abrams over Ouray as we left town and drove to the start of Owl Creek Pass near Ridgway.


Ouray
by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr

Cimarron Ridge in the summer. Much different than the view I had last fall!


Summer View
by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr


Cimarron Ridge
by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr

This guy was really interested in us when we spotted him near Owl Creek Pass.


Interested
by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr

Nice evening light on the ridges above.


Evening Ridge
by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr

Chimney Rock and Courthouse Mountain shortly before sunset.


Chimney Rock
by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr

Beautiful color to the west as we drove back down from the pass.


Pink Rays
by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr

On Sunday morning we woke up early, packed up camp and then started our hike up Baldy Peak. Even though this peak is only just over 10,000 feet, there were plenty of great views of the surrounding mountains from this trail once we got out of the trees. After reaching the summit we hiked back across the ridge and took the Storm Gulch trail back down creating a nice loop. We didn't see anyone else all day on the trail and the solitude was very nice. It turned out to be a great lower elevation mountain hike.


Baldy Trailhead
by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr

There were plenty of wildflowers starting to bloom at these elevations.


Woods Rose
by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr


Wildflowers
by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr

Sun rays filtering through the clouds over the ridge.


Rays
by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr

Light on the mountainside.


Ridge Light
by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr

Following the trail to the ridge above. Great views all around!


Baldy Trail
by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr

As I was hiking along the trail this female Dusky Grouse got startled and almost flew right into me. Then it walked in a complete circle around both of us and flew up onto this branch. I took this quick photo and then moved on so we wouldn't agitate it further.


Female Dusky Grouse
by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr

A view of Baldy Peak as we traversed the ridge to the summit.


Baldy Peak
by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr

Diane on the final stretch to the summit.


Final Climb
by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr

Great view from the top towards the Sneffels Range.


Summit
by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr

USGS benchmark at 10,603 feet


Baldy 10,603
by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr

Looking the other direction with another view of Chimney Rock and Courthouse Mountain as we started the descent from the top.


Baldy Ridge
by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr

There were some nice clouds above Mount Sneffels and the rest of the Sneffels Range.


Sneffels Range
by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr


Sneffels Clouds
by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr

A lot of dandelions along the ridge as we hiked around to Storm Gulch.


Dandelions
by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr

While the initial trail down Storm Gulch was in the trees without much of a view, the trail did eventually break free of the trees for some nice views across the valley.


Descending View
by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr


Storm Gulch Trail
by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr


Whitehouse Mountain
by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr

According to my GPS, the loop ended up being around 7 miles in length with over 3,000 feet of elevation gain. We made a quick stop at Mouses in Ouray for a Mocha Shake and then headed back home. We had a nice weekend in the mountains and I'm looking forward to many more this summer!

>> Ouray Solstice Hiking Photo Gallery
>> The Original Trip Report on ADVENTR.CO

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The first time I visited Grand Junction, I thought why would anyone live here? It was just too arid for me. Now I wish I lived there. You are in the perfect spot for so many great sights and uncrowded trails. (After spending the weekend up on the west side of Rocky with what seemed like a few million people....) Your trips reports and photos always make me envious. Great report!
 
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