Ouray-Silverton Wheelin

[RuggedH2]

I did a search for Ouray and Silverton Wheelin and found some interesting posts.

How many H3 owners are not yet aware of this place in Southwestern Colorado? I have run many of the trails there and find the place to be spectacular! Ouray calls itself "Switzerland of America" and it does live up to the bill. It is also referred to as the "Jeep capitol of America". There are Hundreds of 4x4 only trails (old mining roads mostly) leading to mines and ghost towns high up in the San Juan mountains. Some of the passes are over 13,000 feet and the scenery is absolutely amazing!

Most of the trails are not as technical as some of those found in Moab which is only about 3-4 hours away. Both places are beautiful and very different. The trails in Ouray can contain major pucker factor in the fact that some of them are extremely narrow with switchbacks on cliffs, but the H3 can negotiate them (not without challenge). Some of the trails are much more challenging than others of course, and some are technical.

The San Juan mountains are what many people would imagine Colorado to look like, they are spectacular and the town of Ouray is old and authentic. They have a natural Hot Springs pool there (without the sulfur of other places, so it doesn't stink) and a couple of the Inns have their own Hot Springs pools and hot tubs. Ouray has great restaurants and shopping (reasonably priced) and is a fantastic place to stay for a few days of wheeling (with Hot tubbing, after dinner and drinks).

Black Bear Pass is a great run with STEEP switchbacks over a mountain coming down into Telluride (Yuppie Hell) and Imogene back out. Both runs contain 4x4 challenge and are a blast to run. My avatar is me standing by the H3 in Telluride after coming over Black Bear.

I try to get over there every July (before I take off for the Sturgis motorcycle rally). If anybody is looking for a fantastic way to spend a Vacation, this is it in my opinion. I'm kinda giving away one of my favorite destinations but, the place is over run with Jeepers anyway and I'd love to see more Hummers with dirt all over them in town.

http://www.ouraycolorado.com/
http://www.narrowgauge.org/4x4/html/4X4.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Black_Bear_Road
http://www.flashoffroad.com/Articles.../blackbear.htm