01. IMOGENE PASS

Yankee Boy Basin has many spectacular views along the way, which could include photos spots at Twin Falls or Wright Lake at the top. There is also an angle to take photos where you can stand on the edge of a cliff and look down on Twin Falls and the valley below you - a pretty amazing site (I only recommend this spot from Mid-September to October, when you can cross the mountain stream). There are many photo-perfect spots to move around here and explore, with many viewpoints for amazing views to get married.

Yankee Boy Basin OHV Route is a 18.6 mile moderately trafficked out and back trail located near Ouray, Colorado that features a lake and is rated as moderate. The trail offers a number of activity options and is best used from June until October. Yankee Boy Basin is nestled beneath some of the San Juan’s most breathtaking peaks: Potosi Peak, Teakettle Mountain, Cirque Mountain, Stony Mountain, Gilpin Mountain, and the most well-known, Mount Sneffels, which is over 14,000 feet in elevation. The drive to this green-carpeted valley presents spectacular alpine scenery, abundant wildflowers, waterfalls, a high-walled canyon, and old town sites in a once-booming mining area.

The first half of the trail is fairly easy. After that, it gets a little more difficult, but a car with good clearance with a good driver will be able to make it. There are a few steep dips and some high points so a car with a long wheelbase or bad approach and departure angles would have a hard time. Once you make it to the restrooms at the bottom of the basin it gets to be a moderate 4X4 road. A stock SUV with decent clearance and 4-low mode can make it if you drive carefully and pick the right lines. One of the most popular destinations in the Ouray area due to its stunning natural beauty, rich history, and colorful wildflowers. Popular landmarks include the Drinking Cup, Twin Falls, Atlas Mill, Camp Bird Mine and the rock overhang. Because the area is used so heavily, camping is restricted to designated areas and a fee is charged to camp.

The high point of Yankee Boy Basin is 12,400 ft. For current conditions call Ouray Ranger District (970) 240-5300. The lower portion of the trail is easy. Beyond the toilet, the trail gets rocky, narrow and steep, but is suitable for aggressive, high-clearance, stock SUVs. A gate for the upper portion of the trail is closed until the snow melts, usually in late June or early July.




- Several cliffs and space to take portraits or get married
- Easier trail to drive compared to others in the area
- Mountain peaks, aspen trees, pines trees, waterfalls, and a lake (checks all the boxes)




- A very popular trail, you will not be alone
- After the sun sets, the trail gets dark. It’s important to have plenty of lights on your vehicle

Corkscrew Gulch is a 6.8 mile heavily trafficked point-to-point trail located near Silverton, Colorado that features beautiful wild flowers and is rated as moderate. Corkscrew Pass is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 12,244ft. The trail offers a number of activity options and is best used from March until November. Dogs are also able to use this trail. 

This route is a gorgeous drive that continues over Hurricane Pass. 

Once at the top of the pass, the views are fantastic. The drive offers an incredible bird’s eye view of Como Lake. The original route through Corkscrew Gulch was a rough trail built in 1882-1883 to provide access between Silverton with the towns and mines on Red Mountain. This track is unforgiving in many areas. With jaw-dropping views around every corner, the drive is especially beautiful in the fall when you can overlook the spectacular stands of aspen in the Ironton valley. It’s a very popular trail so expect lots of company.

This scenic trail cuts through the heart of old mining country as it winds between Red Mountain #1 and #2. Watch for logging trucks on lower part of trail. You can park and camp at bottom end of trail off Highway 550. From the bottom, you can also explore Brown Mountain and Gray Copper Gulch, which is left at the first major fork, marked as Brown Mountain.
 
This route is easy when dry. The road is wide and graded most of the way; however, one section of narrow switchbacks at the top may be intimidating to novice drivers. If wet, the trail becomes more difficult due to slippery clay soil. 

For current conditions call Ouray Ranger District (970) 240-5300. 




- Breathtaking mountain top spots to take portraits or get married
- Easier trail to drive compared to others in the area (EXCEPT when wet)
- Red Mountain peaks, high alpine lakes, and pines trees




- Slippery when wet
- A very popular trail, you will not be alone
- After the sun sets, the trail gets dark. It’s important to have plenty of lights on your vehicle

Black Bear Pass Trail is a 8.5 mile moderately trafficked point-to-point trail located near Telluride, Colorado that features a waterfall and is rated as difficult. The trail offers a number of activity options and is best used from July until October. Dogs are also able to use this trail. Black Bear Pass is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 12,840ft.

Very scenic trail for off-roading purposes. You occasionally run into a hiker or mountain-biker, but for the most part, it’s all 4x4’s. The views are spectacular throughout the trail.

Incredible views from high above Red Mountain Pass and Telluride. Close-up views of historic mines and dramatic waterfalls. Feel the mist from spectacular Bridal Veil Falls. Switchbacks are one-way downhill; no return to start once you begin descent. Unlicensed vehicles should turn around before going down one-way switchbacks or have pick-up vehicle waiting at the bottom. 

Most of the trail is easy to moderate. The difficult rating is based on a mile-long stretch of dangerous switchbacks above Bridal Veil Falls. Your vehicle should have low-range 4WD, good tires, good brakes, excellent articulation, and a fully functional emergency brake. 

For current conditions call Ouray Ranger District (970) 240-5300. 

My recommendation is to stay on the Ouray side for portraits and or ceremony site, to avoid the most difficult part of the trail and the logistics of driving from Telluride back to Ouray.




- Amazing mountain top spots to take portraits or get married
- Run the Ouray half of the trail to achieve time efficiency and easy part of trail
- Unique location




- A very popular trail, you will not be alone
- To run the whole trail - rated difficult and logistics of ending up in Telluride
- After the sun sets, the trail gets dark. It’s important to have plenty of lights on your vehicle

California Gulch OHV Trail is a 15.6 mile lightly trafficked out and back trail located near Silverton, Colorado that features a lake and is good for all skill levels. The trail is primarily used for ohv/off road driving. California Pass is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 12,960ft.

Incredibly scenic, this trail takes you above Lake Como and is an idyllic location for mountain top wedding ceremonies. California Pass is located on the Alpine Loop Backcountry Byway. The entire Alpine Loop has several other fine viewing areas. Parts of Cinnamon and Engineer Passes have exquisite pockets of alpine flora and epic views. California Pass is well above tree-line and gives you a mountain-top feel, perfect for those epic elopement portraits!

For current conditions call Ouray Ranger District (970) 240-5300. 

My recommendation is to start this trail early, like 3 a.m early and beat the crowds in time for sunrise on the mountains! Trust me, it's magical!




- Amazing mountain top spots to take portraits or get married
- The most amazing sunrise or sunset you will ever see
- Unique location




- A very popular trail, you will not be alone during 8:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.
- Takes at least three hours to get to Lake Como
- After the sun sets, the trail gets dark. It’s important to have plenty of lights on your vehicle

The top of Imogene Pass is a great spot for perfect Mountain views. Typically mid-morning to mid-afternoon are the most popular times of this trail. Imogene Pass is a 17.5 mile heavily trafficked point-to-point trail located near Ouray, Colorado that features beautiful wildflowers.

When the roads are open, Imogene is rated as a moderate trail located in the Uncompaghre National Forest. Imogene Pass is the second highest drivable pass in Colorado. The drive is one of the most thrilling in the state. At Savage Basin, you'll pass through Tomboy Townsite, once one of the most active mining towns in Colorado. A great deal of mining debris is still scattered about. Most is on private property and is dangerous to explore. The pass is blocked by snow until it is plowed, usually in early July. Unlicensed vehicles are not permitted on the lower half of the south side and must start the trail from Camp Bird Road, where plenty of parking is available.

Imogene Pass's high point is at an elevation of 13,114 ft., The best time to hit this trail is Mid July-Sept. For current conditions call Norwood or Ouray Ranger District (970) 327-4261. Do not take this trip lightly. The road is rocky, steep, and narrow in places and passing can be dangerous. Stock SUVs should have low-range gearing, 4-wheel drive, high clearance, and skid plates. Experienced drivers only.

It’s definitely known to get crowded here in the summertime, especially in the afternoon time, so choosing a weekday in the early morning is usually my recommendation.




- One of the best views spots for epic views. For those couples looking for a little more edge to their adventure.
- Not your typical elopement location (as it requires an experienced off-roader)




- Requires off-roading experience and capable vehicle
- Takes at least 3.5 hours to drive to the top of Imogene Pass
- After the sun sets, the trail gets dark. It’s important to have plenty of lights on your vehicle

PROS

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CONS

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02. yankee boy basin

03. corkscrew  Pass

04. black bear  Pass

05. California  Pass