Ouray Trails | Sunday, May 31, 2026
I recently realized that it has been almost ten years since I last hiked the Ouray Perimeter Trail, and at that time the entire loop was not even fully completed yet. Although I have hiked all the newly created segments since then, I had not hiked the entire loop in one shot again and was interested in finally doing that. Plus, since Ouray is celebrating its 150th birthday this year I though that this would be a great way for me to partake in the sesquicentennial celebration in my own way! So after spending the night just outside of Montrose I was up well before sunrise and made my way into Ouray so I could get an early start hiking the Perimeter Trail around town.
While driving into Ridgway I stopped for a quick photo of Mount Sneffels shortly after sunrise.
I started the hike at the trailhead just across the road from the Ouray Hot Springs Pool, which did not exist the last time I hiked the loop. That time we just parked in the lot for the pool.
The trail climbed up above the Ouray Hot Springs Pool on the east side of the valley.
Hiking above Ouray early on a Sunday morning in late May.
The trail hugs the cliff around the base of Cascade Mountain on its way to Cascade Creek.
It wasn’t long until I reached lower Cascade Falls.
The trail switch-backed down to the base of the falls for a closer view.
As I followed the trail towards The Amphitheater there was a nice view across the valley to Oak Creek and Whitehouse Mountain.
Looking back there was a fuller view of Cascade Falls through the trees.
The trail passes by this old mine shaft along the section of the route that follows the Portland Road.
Looking up the Uncompahgre Gorge to Abrams Mountain.
Crossing the Uncompahgre River along the Ice Park Loop.
Uncompahgre River
The trail follows the old penstock through the Ice Park.
When I reached Camp Bird Road there was a good view of Twin Peaks.
Crossing the High Bridge above the Box Canyon of Canyon Creek.
I don’t like looking down through this bridge when I walk across it…
After leaving the tunnel I descended the staircase on the other side.
I took a short side trip for a closer look at the BOX CANON sign.
I visited the troll under the bridge at Oak Creek.
This is one of the segments of the trail that didn’t exist ten years ago.
On my way back to the trailhead I stopped to look at the fish and turtles in the pond near the Hot Springs Pool.
It was nice to re-hike the full Ouray Perimeter Trail ten years later, so maybe I’ll do it again in another ten…
After completing the Perimeter Trail I still had plenty of time to hike a couple of other trail segments around Ouray before heading back home, so I drove up the Million Dollar Highway a short distance to the Bear Creek Trailhead so I could hike a short trail that connects the Bear Creek Trail to the Perimeter Trail and is part of the Hardrock 100 course.
I descended from the trailhead into the Uncompahgre Gorge.
The trail passed under this old aerial tramway support.
The route then reached the bank of the Uncompahgre River and followed it for a short distance.
After reaching the Perimeter Trail I turned around and followed the route back to the trailhead.
Next, I returned to town to grab a Mocha Shake from Mouse’s and then returned to a trailhead near the Amphitheater Campground so I could complete the segment of the Portland Trail that I was unable to finish on Monday, thanks to a bear standing right next to the trail.
This time I followed the Upper Cascade Falls Trail to the Portland Trail so I could close the loop.
There was a nice view of Potosi Peak from the trail.
Hiking beneath a canopy of scrub oak on my way back to the trailhead.
