Mount Ouray

by Dave Cooper

Guarding the northern approaches to the San Luis Valley, the mass of Mount Ouray dominates the view as you drive towards Poncha Springs on US 285. Close to the southern end of the Sawatch Range (Antora Peak, 13,269 feet, six miles south of Mount Ouray, is the last peak in the range), Mount Ouray offers views of several of Colorado’s most impressive mountain ranges. From the summit the entire sweep of Colorado’s Sangre de Cristo Range is laid out in front of you, while off to the west the San Juans appear much closer than they really are. If you look closely you should be able to spot Uncompaghre Peak, over 70 miles away. Pikes Peak and other Front Range mountains, along with the Sawatch giants to the north, round out the 360 degree panorama.

Mount Ouray’s only close neighbor is Chipeta Mountain, named after Chief Ouray’s wife. (Chief Ouray was the leader of the Southern Utes in the mid-1800’s).

We first climbed Mount Ouray many years ago on Christmas Day, via the long east ridge (all the way from the campground at O’Haver Lake). This still remains a viable winter route, though recommended only for the hardy (or foolhardy?). The relatively gentle east ridge offers a fairly safe (from an avalanche perspective) approach. The downside is that you must negotiate seemingly endless aspen and coniferous forest, then krummholtz before reaching treeline.

A good route up Ouray in the autumn is from near the summit of Marshall Pass. As long as the Marshall Pass road is open, this is the route I would recommend. As we move from autumn into winter, the road may not be drivable for many more weeks, so for completeness I will describe both routes. As of October 30th Marshall Pass was easily accessible, but is not maintained during the winter. Check with the Salida Ranger District for current conditions (719 539 3591). After the road closes an overnight trip would be required to reach the Marshall Pass Trailhead.

 

Mount Ouray is one of Colorado’s “Centennial” peaks. At 13,971 feet it just barely misses fourteener status, so of course it is climbed much less frequently than its famous neighbors to the north. Don’t expect to encounter many other people on this hike, especially at this time of year. As always be aware of hunters during this season - wear something orange.

Hike Description

From the parking area, walk east along the road, passing the Colorado Trail trailhead, for just over one tenth of a mile to an unmarked road heading north. Depending on snow conditions, don your snowshoes here. Walk north on this road (hard to see if snow-covered) through a meadow to the Hutchinson-Barnett cabin, 100 yards from the Marshall Pass Road. The road ends at the cabin. Continue to head north up the ridge, navigating through clearings in the conifers, staying close to the ridgeline.

After a mile you will reach treeline, where snowshoes may no longer be necessary. From here the route is obvious. Continue up to the ridgepoint at 12,685 feet, then turn east and continue along the ridge to the summit, 3.0 miles from the parking area. With snow on the ridge there will be times when you need to do some easy scrambling, especially on the upper parts of the ridge. However the difficulty never exceeds Class 3. Enjoy the views from the summit while staying warm. Descend the same way you came up.

Alternate winter route via the east ridge (Note that this route is not recommended except as a winter route. A trail which parallels Grays Creek and eventually provides access to the upper ridges of Mount Ouray offers another reasonable summer route. For more information on this route see “Colorado's Thirteeners: 13,800 To 13,999 Feet, from Hikes to Climbs” by Gerry Roach).

From the Grays Creek Trailhead, find the best way to gain a small ridge on the creek’s south side. One way is to head west on the north side of the creek for a few hundred feet before crossing to the south side of the drainage. Using map and compass (and possibly GPS), snowshoe generally west up through tight aspen and later, conifers.

Closer to treeline you will encounter krummholtz. After several hundred vertical feet battling through the krummholtz things become easier. Continue up the broad east ridge to the summit. Although probably not visible under winter snow, at 12,600 feet you will pick up an abandoned trail which joins the ridge from the south.

Retrace your steps to descend.

Getting to the Trailhead: From Poncha Springs, drive south on US285 for 5.1 miles to Chaffee County Road 200. Turn right on CR200 (signed to Marshall Pass) and drive 2.3 miles to an intersection. Turn right at this intersection, again signed to Marshall Pass and drive 0.9 miles to another intersection. Turn right again on the Marshall Pass road. From this intersection the Grays Creek trailhead is 4.3 miles at a sharp left hand bend, while the Marshall Pass trailhead parking is reached after 10.5 miles.

Hike Statistics: Marshall Pass Trailhead to the summit of Ouray : 3200 feet of total elevation gain in 3.0 miles one way.

Grays Creek Trailhead to the summit of Ouray (via the east ridge): 4250 feet of total elevation gain in 3.5 miles one way.

Difficulty: Off-trail hiking and/or snow shoeing at high altitude. Some moderate scrambling on snow-covered rock.

USGS Quad:. Mount Ouray, CO