10 Miles From Home
Hiking Trails Close to Home in Ouray County
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10 Miles From Home
[San Juan Silver Stage | June 2020 | Ninah Hunter]
While most of us are still hunkering down at home during the ongoing CoronaVirus outbreak, we have to get out once in a while to relieve the cabin fever. Restrictions have been lifted—slightly, and provided abundant caution is used (See latest Colo. Mandates.) One of the best ways to alleviate cabin fever, get out and get some exercise is taking a hike, especially now that our early summer days offer plenty of sunshine and clean, fresh air. Fortunately, in Ouray County, it’s easy to hike close to home. I’m an avid hiker. Here are some of of my favorite trails close to where I live in Ouray County.
Uncompahgre Riverwalk (Ridgway to Dennis Weaver Park). One of the easiest hikes from Ridgway is the Uncompahgre Riverwalk Trail. It’s dog (on a leash), stroller, wheelchair and bike friendly. Start at Hartwell Park and head north. Cross over the River on the old railroad trestle bridge. Stop for a picnic lunch or rest on one of the benches along the river at the BLM Water Park, then continue north to the Dennis Weaver Memorial Park. Enjoy its peaceful stacked-rock medicine wheel and awe-inspiring 2,800-lb., bronze eagle statue. If you turn-around at Dennis Weaver, it will be about a 3-mile round-trip hike.
Dennis Weaver Park Trails From the parking area, there are several, wonderful, single-track, dirt trails radiating from the Park. To the south, there is a nice loop trail along the river starting from within the Park. Going north from the parking area, take Old Stagecoach Trail up to the top of Boot Hill for some of the best views of the San Juan Mountains and valleys below. Several alternative trails branch off Stagecoach in different directions, looping back along the mesa or along the River back to the parking lot. Many of these trails have been improved or created by the RAT (Ridgway Area Trails) Group and are also a favorite for mountain bikers.
Uncompahgre Riverwalk (Dennis Weaver to Dutch Charlie Campground). Whether you arrived on foot or by car, the Riverwalk continues along the cement path along Highway 550 till it crosses County Road 24 into the Ridgway State Park at the Dallas Creek Day Use Area. It follows the river to the reservoir where you can hike down to and play in the water or carry on north a bit further to the Cookie Tree picnic area. This is a great place to stop and have lunch before turning back. If you are really ambitious, you can carry on north where the trail turns into pea gravel around the lake before it heads up steeply along the escarpment into the Dutch Charlie Campground down to the marina and the day use picnic area. Here the trail again becomes a cement path, circling Mears Bay to the trailhead of Enchanted Mesa.
Scenic Overlook Trail (Ridgway to Dennis Weaver Park). A short but worthwhile hike is from the Visitor’s Center at Dutch Charlie to Overlook Point where you’ll find a lovely amphitheater and wooden deck positioned high above the Ridgway Reservoir. The view south of the reservoir with the San Juan Mountains as a backdrop is breathtaking! To extend your hike, walk on down the unpaved Cookie Tree Trail along the escarpment to the bottom along the lake into the Dallas Creek area of the State Park. Just remember, you’ll have to hike back up!
Enchanted Mesa Trail. Enchanted Mesa is certainly enchanting! You can start on the south end at the trailhead from Dutch Charlie (after circling Mears Bay from the day use picnic area) or from the north in the Pa-Co-Chu-Puk campground. The first leg is a series of switch-backs for about a half mile to the top. Enjoy the unfolding spectacular views as you climb. Once on top, it’s mostly level as you travel south past the damn and then along the edge above the lake. There is a covered pavilion with picnic tables just past the damn and benches all along the way. Enjoy the stunning views looking south toward the Sneffels Range then toward the Cimarrons as you make the turn above Dutch Charlie. Go as far as you want before turning around.
Uncompahgre River Walk Loop. If you live a bit closer to or in the City of Ouray, The Uncompaghre River Walk Loop trail is a very pleasant, mostly level, pea gravel 2-mile loop along both sides of the river. Fitness stations are disbursed along the way for a bit more of a challenge. Or rest on one of the benches where you can enjoy the views of the old mines high on the cliffs of Gold Hill and the bubbling hum of the river flowing by.
Loghill Village Escarpment Path. For one of the most unforgettable views in Ouray County, head on up to Loghill Village for a walk along the Escarpment Path. This trail is part of the Loghill Village Trail system owned and managed by the Loghill Village Park and Recreation District (LVPRD). At the end of Tower Road, park and walk out to Inspiration Point. The world drops off below your feet as the Cimarron and Sneffels mountain ranges and valleys below present an expansive, aerial view par excellence. You may want to just stop and sit here to admire the views, meditate, read a book, or play a guitar. Otherwise, head west on the approximate 1.5 mile out-and-back path that borders the Log Hill Mesa escarpment traversing through the Ponderosa, Pinyon, and Juniper forest. You will be inspired, and rejuvenated!
