Handies peak is a beautiful and easy class 1 in the San Juan's. My group and I did this one the day…read moreafter Redcloud & Sunshine, so it was nice to have a shorter day. It's less than 3K elevation and I clocked 6 miles round trip, granted the elevation builds quickly during those 3 miles to the summit. It was so beautiful that my two friends declared it was one of their top three favorite 14ers that they've done! The view at the top is stunning, with gorgeous scenery and breathtaking vistas along the way. You can make a very short detour and even visit a lovely alpine lake. The hardest part of the hike is accessing it. We were already parked along cimaron pass at our campsite, but it took an additional 40 minutes or so to drive from Redcloud trailhead to Handies. I made it in my Crosstrek but there were a couple of truly sketchy spots and a very very bumpy ride. No bathrooms at the trailhead and not much coverage to duck into the woods so keep that in mind. A must do for every 14er fanatic or ambitious hiker!

Handies peak! I have dreamed about hiking this one for several years in the summer when…read morewildflowers are blooming but distance kept me away. Planned a 5 day stay up in the lake city/san juan area so we could knock it out. I finally did it and it did not disappoint. We took the Handies via grizzly gulch which is the non standard route and it is longer than the american basin route. The road getting to grizzly gulch from lake city was rough. lots of pot holes and jutting rocks. Also narrow stretches with drop offs on the side. ATVs and jeeps like to zip down the road at the speed of light and there are not a lot of pull offs along the way. I made it with my honda pilot but it was SLOW going. plan extra time for this road. (cimmaron pass) We were initially going to go to american basin but after the long drive to get to grizzly gulch i just didn't have it in me to do another 4-5 miles on even rougher road. There is a bathroom at the Trailhead. There are no trash cans or dog poop bags however so be sure to pack out whatever you pack in (including your dog poop)! This trail is a class 1. Though that does not mean it is "easy" by any means. However we did enjoy the first half or little more of the trail that had dirt trails and step ups. The trail was very well maintained. Currently in july there are fields of lovely wildflowers that are so abundant and in a variety of colors. Also there is a stream for a chunk of it that you will walk near. As you ascend further up, it begins to get rocky and there is scree near the top. As you merge on to the peak, you will meet up with all the hikers from american basin standard approach which is substantially more. So the peak may seem a little crowded. On our trek, we only saw maybe 6 other people. The flowers along the way and then the view at the top was all breathtaking! So thankful to have finally gotten to complete this peak!

Bridal Veil Falls is absolutely worth the hike and was one of our favorite stops in Telluride. I'd…read morerate the trail as moderate. There aren't any ladders or technical sections, just a steady uphill climb that becomes a bit steeper after the second waterfall. We hiked it with our Labrador, Luna, and she had no trouble at all. Along the way, you'll pass two smaller waterfalls before reaching the main Bridal Veil Falls, which makes for great places to stop, take photos, catch your breath, and enjoy the scenery. The trail is about 2.5 miles round trip. It took us longer than average because we stopped often to take in the views, but it was well worth the time. There is also a decent amount of shade from the trees, which makes the hike more enjoyable on warmer days. It's a popular trail, so while it never felt crowded, there were people hiking up and down throughout the day. That made it feel safe without taking away from the experience. If hiking isn't your thing or you're short on time, you can also drive to the top with a high-clearance 4WD vehicle to see the waterfall without making the hike. Overall, this is a must-do if you're visiting Telluride. Beautiful scenery, dog-friendly, and one of the most rewarding hikes in the area.

Bridal Veil Falls Trail is absolutely amazing...It's not too advanced...making it perfect for most…read morehikers...but still offers a great workout (my legs are sore...but it was worth every step!!!)...The trail is filled with beautiful sights and wildlife -- I spotted several birds and some adorable chipmunks along the way. There are three breathtaking waterfalls that are truly the highlight of the hike...Reaching the top feels so rewarding...and you even have the option to walk back using the road...which we did for an easier descent. I highly recommend this trail for anyone looking for a scenic adventure that's not overly difficult but still feels like a great accomplishment!!!

Did the entire Perimeter Trail the other day...clocked 6.2 miles in just under 4 hours…read more Started in the am at the trailhead located in the parking lot across from the Ouray Visitor's Center (which I highly recommend). You'll understand as you begin your final descent. As you start your initial ascent and climb the wood stairs into the hillside, enter the cliff path...a .8 mile slightly narrower trail than I'd prefer and a drop-off...but hey, the views are stunning! You can see the Ouray Hot Springs and more! As you keep on trekkin' on you'll start to "hear" before you make it to the gorgeous Cascade Falls!!! Chill, explore...even hike up behind the falls if that's your thing! I think I was pretty "ok" until we passed through the tunnel after the upper Box Canyon Bridge. We almost took a bail-out trail back into town along the way but persevered. There are actually a few bail-outs along the trail. Anyway, there were some sketchy narrow, steep, rocky-dusty-slidy, drop-off sections along the trail that gave me the heebie-jeebies. If you have a fear of heights, this may not be for you. For the majority of hikers out there I'm sure it's easy, but nonetheless make sure you go prepared. 1. Depending on what time you hike, be sure to eat a healthy meal before you go and bring some extra snacks just in case. 2. Signage isn't the best and is lacking "you are here", so I'd recommend taking a photo of the trail map before you head out. 3. Staying properly hydrated is key along the trail. If you've got a camelback that's great! 4. Take breaks when needed and don't feel pressured by any of your overzealous hiking buddies...it's supposed to be fun, safe and not a competition. 5. A walking stick or trekking poles can prove very helpful! Many people leave sticks at the trailhead(s). If you use one be sure to leave it behind for the next person. 6. Wear appropriate shoes for hiking. Yeah some peeps can hike in Croc's or Chaco's, but not highly recommended. Enjoy the trail, be safe, and take some pix! The views are beautiful! Be Happy Outside!

This is a must do hike, plan to take about 5 hours or more if you take side trips. You will have…read moregreat views of the city, mountain ranges on all sides, Canyon views, waterfalls, an aspen grove, a tunnel, various bridges, some narrow heart pumping areas on the west side, and views of the rock climbers along the via Ferrata

Ouray, Colorado is also known as the "Switzerland of America." At this lookout point you get a…read morepicturesque view of the city and an opportunity to grab a photo in front of this sign. Ouray sits in a deep valley at 7,792 feet above sea level. The jagged, snow-capped peaks of the San Juan Mountains that encircle the town give Ouray its resemblance to the Swiss Alps. It is a great town to visit, especially if you are an outdoor enthusiast and a fan of hot springs. The Switzerland of America Lookout Point sign is located on the Million Dollar Highway about a mile and a half south of town. It is a popular photo spot for tourists. The Million Dollar Highway is a 25-mile mountain road with stunning views that runs between the towns of Ouray and Silverton. We were able to spend some time in Ouray before driving the Million Dollar Highway. We visited Box Canyon and enjoyed some time in a hot spring.

Stopped at this lookout point for a rest to stretch our legs. There is a wide area where you can…read morepull over to enjoy the sights. Birds soaring overhead, the pretty blue sky, the town below and the mountains. Pretty, pretty mountain. Majestic and beautiful. We took some lovely photos against the backdrop of the mountains. Looking at them brings back the fun adventure we had on our road trip. I encourage you to stop and take some of your own. Make your own memories. There's also an informational board so you can read more about the history of the area.

We only stopped to take a peek at the falls. We had already summitted mount sneffels that day and…read moreour legs were tired. But a friend who is a local said we needed to stop there to see it. The falls were beautiful and amazing. It was definitly worth the short stop. The trail was nearby and easy to access. If i was in the area id definitely stop to do the entire hike.

Bear Creek Preserve Trail is a must-do hike when visiting Telluride…read more You access the trailhead at the end of South Pine street, right in town. This beautiful and well-marked wooded trail ends with a waterfall and an unbeatable view of the town of Telluride. The hike is 2.5 miles one way to the Falls, with an elevation gain of 1,050 feet. You should plan between 1 hour and 1 hour 1/2 from the trailhead to the falls depending on your pace. 5 miles round trip, so it's perfect to start the day!

Nice camping, poor execution and customer experience. Handled a miss reservation poorly and even…read moreblamed the customer for their staffs mistake.

We've stayed at several independent campgrounds throughout our travels; however, none compare to…read morethis one. The staff are so warm, welcoming, and friendly! On top of that, it'd be so easy to just let the location do all the work and neglect the facilities but the showers were amazing and incredibly clean. We will definitely be back!

Just super. There are deer and a bunch of nice birds. There are several gay wolves on premesis…read morekissing

Excellent hike! Would definitely recommend this hike for everyone who is able bodied. It is listed…read moreas an easy hike on All Trails, but it does have some challenging little parts. And it is not accessible, so people with mobility disabilities may have trouble. It is beautifully scenic even with the beetle kill. Love the water falls and river as well as the wildlife. A great adventure for kids too- something new to explore around each bend.

This hike was suggested to me by several friends who went to school in the area. It is pretty easy…read moreto find and parking wasn't too horrible. As much hype as this trail got before we did it, I can tell you that we all agree that this might be our favorite hike in Colorado so far. The trail is so lush and covered in wild flowers, knowing that it could have been the time of year, too. I loved that a lot it went through wooded areas before opening up above the tree line. It seemed that once we got above the tree line that there were amazing views everywhere we looked. We saw some mountain bikers but the trail wasn't too crowded overall. The summit is just under 13,000 feet but it is a great hike to get out of Durango for the morning and then to enjoy the afternoon back in town. Here are the directions to get there: Head North on Hwy 550 past Purgatory toward Silverton. Coal Bank Pass is 35 miles north of Durango, 13.5 miles south of Silverton, on Route 550. There is a parking area and restroom facility on the east side of the road at Coal Bank Pass (but don't park there). Just north of that, turn onto a road on the west side(opposite the rest area) which goes to the Pass Creek TH in under 200 yards.Slow down after mile marker 56 (it's between mm 56 and 57), you will see a rest area on the right and about 30 yards from that there is a small dirt road on the left - turn in there. It is hard to see, so slow down. Park at the end of the road on the side of the cul-de-sac. You will see the trail head heading north, and start there. Make sure you have plenty of water, a sweatshirt, and some rain gear. It should take 4 hours to casually hike up and back.

This trail is amazing, the wildflowers were incredible. It's a medium challenging trail up until…read morethe base of the mountain, then it's shale all the way to the top. Amazing views of mountain ranges even if you just make it to the fields. I went late July beginning of August and it was just the perfect temperature and I still can't get over all the wildflowers!

The best campsite in the area. There are limited campsites but, if you have the opportunity to snag…read moreone at S. Mineral, it's much recommended. Came here the second week in September (post Labor Day) and we got lucky scoring the last vacant campsite (site 17). The host Jeff was so welcoming and gave us some surrounding + weather details. This campgrounds is perfect if you hike Ice lakes trail. It's a busy/popular hike so, the earlier the better. Will hopefully get lucky to get a camping site as I'd love to visit/stay here again.

We are mostly sedentary, 45-50 years old, relatively unhealthy, and live at about 700 ft elevation…read more It took us 11 hours to ice lake, island lake, and back. We struggled to breathe a lot but found the inclines and the hikes to be pretty easy. The entire hike had always rewarded us with amazing views, and we got two lakes for the price of one. It took us only 20 minutes to island lake from ice lake (go right and cross a stream). There was a constant threat of storms, but we weren't turning around. There were campers at ice lake and island lake. I'm afraid of heights, and I was scared once on the ice lake trail and twice on the island lake trail...nothing too bad though. We saw many wildflowers going to ice lake and many marmots going to island lake. There were places to use the bathroom along the trail, at ice lake (behind boulders), and island lake (boulders). The park and trails are well maintained. Trekking poles were helpful. Finding the trail head from the parking lot was easy. There was plenty of parking at 9:30 am. People parked around the perimeter of the parking lot and the side of the road. There was a restroom in the parking lot. The trail is obvious, although not always marked. There are tons of people that hike it at all hours. Side trails are 2 ft wide. The main trail is 4 ft wide. Tips: bring water, snacks, rain gear, trekking poles, a light. Also, travel light. In conclusion, we handled ice lakes well probably due to having adjusted to the altitude, using oxygen canisters, inhalers, and traveling with light day packs. We weren't that sore afterward either. We were just tired. Also, There are no pages in the trail register. We saw people hiking even around dark though. We are from Texas and we're hot the entire time. The creek crossings weren't bad enough to need water shoes unless it's raining. The water is ice cold. You must do island lake. If you can't camp at South Mineral then stay in Silverton.