Ouray Trails on Memorial Day | Sunday – Monday, May 24-25, 2026
After leaving the Paradox Valley on Sunday afternoon, I went for a scenic drive across the Uncompahgre Plateau to Montrose and then headed south to Ouray so I could start off my summer hiking season in the San Juan Mountains since the snow is melting out early this year. I arrived with plenty of time to get in a late afternoon hike near town, so I started from the Baby Bathtubs Trailhead just below the Amphitheater Campground and planned to hike a loop up the Portland Trail, since it’s one of the few trails near Ouray that I had never hiked before.
It was a nice afternoon in Ouray, and not as busy in town as I was expecting for a holiday weekend.
Twin Peaks seen from the Baby Bathtubs Trail.
The lower portion of the Portland Trail switchbacks up through the trees with limited views, but near the top there were some openings.
The Amphitheater
I left the loop for a little bit and crossed Portland Creek to hike over to the Portland Mine.
I followed the Portland Road back to the trail and then carried on with the loop.
Shortly before completing the loop I stopped in my tracks when I saw this large bear standing near the trail just staring at me. I made a little noise to see if it would move, but it did not budge. Since this was my first hike in the mountains this year, I forgot to grab my bear spray and I didn’t want to try to make more noise and then have the bear come my direction, so I just decided to turn around and head back the way I came, which kind of sucks because that means I will have to come back and complete the loop some other time when I was so close to finishing it!
On my way back down this deer was right next to the trail and briefly looked at me before going back to eating.
Hayden Mountain
After eating dinner in town I headed north in search of a campsite for the night.
It took me longer than I was hoping, but I eventually found a campsite along the Owl Creek Pass Road just above Nate Creek.
I was up bright and early on Monday morning so I could hike the Old Horsethief Trail, which is also known as the Gold Belt Trail.
After switchbacking up through the trees the trail narrowed up as it entered The Blowout.
This trail had been closed for many years and was reopened in 2004 after a great deal of repair was required to get this section back in hiking shape.
Hayden Mountain
A short spur from the main trail led to this waterfall on Bridalveil Creek.
The trail passed by this old mine shaft.
Up higher the trail crossed and followed a few old mining roads, but it was well marked and easy to follow.
There was a view to a larger waterfall higher up on Bridalveil Creek.
There was a nice overlook shortly before reaching the junction with the (New) Horsethief Trail.
Once I reached the junction with the Horsethief Trail, I followed a side trail to the west that went to the top of a hill with a 360 degree view. To the north was Baldy Peak and the Grand Mesa in the distance.
To the west was Whitehouse Mountain and Potosi Peak.
Potosi Peak
After enjoying the view for a little while I started hiking back down the way I came.
Down the Old Horsethief Trail
