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Ouray Perimeter Trail

Saturday, June 18, 2016

Waterfall View
Diane stands on the edge next to Lower Cascade Falls along the Ouray Perimeter Trail.

After spending last Sunday hiking just outside of Ouray, Diane and I decided to head back again today for another hike near town. I’ve wanted to hike the Ouray Perimeter Trail for a while and though that this would be a good weekend to do it. While I’ve hiked bits and pieces of the loop before, since it connects up with other shorter trails in the area, I wanted to complete the entire loop in one shot. When doing a little research on the hike, I found out that they may have recently extended the trail to include part of the Twin Peaks trail that I had hiked last year. I couldn’t find any information about this new section online, so I was looking forward to checking it out.

Since this loop trail connects up with a few other local trails, there are many different options for starting and ending points (Cascade Falls, Baby Bathtubs, Ouray Ice Park, Box Canyon- to name a few). We decided to start and end our hike at the Visitor’s Center near the Hot Springs. We arrived at the trailhead mid-morning and started hiking shortly after 9:30am after driving down from Grand Junction.

One of the many signs marking the Ouray Perimeter Trail.

Ouray Perimeter Trail

The trail starts out climbing above the Hot Springs to the base of the cliff across the highway from the Visitor’s Center.

Ouray Hot Springs

The views over Ouray start out quickly and continue throughout the entire trail.

Another Ouray View

Lower Cascade Falls is the first popular spot along the trail.

Lower Cascade Falls

The waterfall was back-lit nicely when we arrived.

Backlit Waterfall

Under the Falls

Diane hikes ahead through the green brush below The Amphitheater.

Very Green

The trail follows the road to the Amphitheater Campground Road for a short distance where you get this view of the Million Dollar Highway climbing out of town.

Million Dollar Curves

Before dropping down to cross the highway, there’s a nice view of Abrams Mountain. Plus, you can see the tunnel near Bear Creek if you look closely.

Abrams Mountain Overlook

Crossing over the Uncompahgre River on the Ice Park Trail.

Uncompahgre River

The Ice Park Trail follows this large pipe that supplies water to the ice park in the winter. There was water running through the pipe so it was nice and cool to the touch.

Water Pipe

The view from the high bridge in Box Canyon Falls Park.

Bridge View

After crossing the bridge you immediately enter this tunnel that was used to bring water to Ouray at one time.

Tunnel Entrance

After exiting the tunnel the trail descends down a steep ledge.

Down the Ledge

Following the newest section of the Perimeter Trail to the Oak Creek bridge.

New Section

Rushing water in Oak Creek below.

Oak Creek Falls

The new bridge across Oak Creek.

Oak Creek Bridge

 

Since I haven’t found any information online with the latest updates to the Ouray Perimeter Trail, I am including the map below from my GPS track which is accurate as of June 2016. Enjoy!

 

 

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One Comment

  1. john griffith
    john griffith June 21, 2016

    very good write up. thank you for doing the detailed review. You have created an amazing resource.

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