Ouray Trail Group
P.O. Box 50, Ouray, CO 81427

Current updates on information about
specific trails will be found on this page

Trail Updates

May 8 Workday: Silvershield trail is open and cleared to the Memorial Overlook (0.3 mile); two trees removed; snow reported above.
Ice Park is open and in good condition from the Trailhead to the gate near US 550 (by old City dump); beyond the gate you will encounter snow to the pipeline crossing; then the trail is OK along the pipeline back to Camp Bird Road.
Baby Bathtubs is open and clear; steps and cribbing were added and trail widened to stream crossing.
We have reports that the Chief Ouray trail is open to the cliffs above town (heavy snow makes it inadvisable to continue where the trail turns east toward the upper falls).
The Portland/Cascade loop is hikeable, but you will encounter packed snow (hiker boots) as you get above 8500' in elevation and on north facing slopes.
And, of course, both the Uncompahgre River Walk in Ouray and the Ridgway River Trail are open. RS

May 5: Old Twin Peaks trail workday. Results: Trail is in good shape to Silvershield junction.
Remaining problem: One tree (12" to 14" about a 1/4 mile below the Jct) left that was trimmed out & is now a climb over or under. We plan to chain saw out when we do the Oak Creek/Silvershield lower loop.
Surprises: The above tree that totally blocked two SB's, a second tree (12" to 14") just above the last gorge crossing that also blocked 2 SB's and a third large tree overhanging the trail that wiped out some cribbing (now rebuilt) when we removed it just above the second tree. No cribbing needed replacement below the overlook.
Work: Major re-routing and building of SB's just below the second crossing; the trail now stays south of the large log in the middle of the gorge. Rebuilding of steps just above the first gorge crossing. Extensive raking of rocks and dirt on most of the trail; some trimming.
Encounters: A lone, east Texas hiker w/wet jeans above his knees that came up the SS and down the Old Twin Peaks (must have been fun!) At least 3 Bighorn Sheep at the top (overlook on SS just N of Jct); one was very small & I didn't see the others very well but my husky, Stormy, was anxious to make new friends. RS

April 24: I hiked the Chief Ouray trail on Wed. April 23 up to the corner where the trail takes a hard right to head to the mine. The trail was in good shape with a couple of minor exceptions. There is one medium size tree across the trail and another smaller one that you need to duck under. There also are two easily passable washouts with the larger of the two on the ledge part of the trail near the top. There are some small and larger snowy areas that are easy to cross, with the majority of the trail clear. Around the corner there appears to be, as expected, 4 to 6 feet of snow and possibly more. Doug Richards

April 19: Still Lots of snow. We received about 24 inches of snow last week, and around 14 this week. It is melting fast now, but use caution. No trail has been worked on at this early date.

As spring comes on, please be aware that you may be able to cross a stream easily in the morning, but as the heat of the day progresses, runoff may be such that you cannot re-cross that stream. Consider carefully any stream crossing this time of the year.

Click here to view trail use data compiled by the Ouray Trail Group