Ouray, Colorado

Elevation of 7792 ft, downtown a “designated historic district”, promoted as “the Switzerland of America”, located on a scenic byway north of Silverton – these were the informational tidbits I had before our daytrip to Ouray.  Gary knew a bit more due to his readings of the Box Canyon Blog.  I really did not know what to expect.

The drive (about 40 miles) was beautiful, and entering Ouray was a sight for panoramic postcards.  High San Juan Mountains surround this town creating a rugged landscape, with water – rivers, streams and falls – an intricate part of its environment. And, there are also hot springs.

Information on the Ouray hot springs activity

Local geothermal (non-sulfur) hot spring waters are centralized into a Hot Springs Pool and Fitness Center.  These waters have been used by people for hundreds of years, and today are featured at this center – one of the first places you see traveling into Ouray from the north along Rt. 550.  

We decided to focus this trip on Box Canyon and the canyon waterfalls; do a little hiking, take some pictures, and see what there was to see.  I still did not have a good “handle” on what was Ouray. 

Our first stop was a bakery on Main Street for some coffee/tea and a pastry.  Picking up the local newspaper while enjoying my scone, a feature on the graduating high school class proved interesting.  



Pictures of each graduate were published (yes, this is small town America). AND each student had chosen a quote as their philosophy/goal/statement to the world - inspirations were taken from a wide range of sources – the Bible, Dr. Suess, Carl Sagen, etc.  Very interesting. 

But, it was time to head to Box Canyon.  People were originally interested in this canyon for silver mining.  Not being as productive a mining site as anticipated, it was eventually sold to the town for about $75 – the lands to be used and maintained as a park. 

Following directions!

Ouray has done a great job keeping the park area very natural, but adding needed walkways along the steep, vertical side walls into the actual waterfalls.  

Not my favorite mode of walking (with open grated walkway), but I went in further than I thought I could. 

Falls from mid-section of catwalk

And Gary, of course, was pulled by his camera to the very end.

Across the abyss

The roar of the falls becomes deafening

Nothing gentle about the falls

View from the falls out of the canyon

There are 3 walks in this little park.  The shortest takes visitors directly to the tight canyon with its roaring waters (as shown above); the second is a easy going nature walk back towards the visitors center. 

And the third is a climb – up 95 steps, then a scramble up rocks and dirt to the top (elevation 8100).  

View of Ouray from the trail

Cascade Falls, across valley

At the top is a foot bridge across this narrow canyon, allowing those who choose to go onto the bridge a viewpoint into the canyon and the top of the falls.  Gary had fun on the bridge; I studied some of the local flora instead.

Visiting the falls was a great choice and we both thoroughly enjoyed going there.  

Back at the park’s visitors center, we ended up spending quite a while watching the local animals coming to bird feeders.  It was relaxing and the antics of the chipmunks and ground squirrels entertained all who stopped by.

The golden mantled ground squirrel, lower left, is often confused with the chipmunks.  However, seen together, the ground squirrel is larger and has stripes only on its sides.  Both were competing for the seeds dropped from the feeders OR hopping onto the feeder occasionally.  Chipmunks far out-numbered the squirrels.

Some of the local birds visiting were black-headed grosbeak, Cassins finch, Stellar Jay and a female hummer (no ID on the species).

We then headed back to Main St. and stopped for lunch at a busy sandwich place.  While waiting for our order, 2 groups of the aforementioned graduates arrived (we think they were getting free lunch in their honor as graduates).  I couldn’t help but watch some of these “kids”.  Right away I noticed they did not dress as a group; each seemed to have an individual statement expressed in his/her attire.  Perhaps, they really are starting out into the next phase of their lives guided by an inspirational statement of “who I am and want to be”. 

Our trip to Ouray allowed just a glimpse into what this mountain community is, but it also provided some good memories.  I sincerely hope the falls continue to mesmerize visitors, the springs flow for other generations and that those graduates find their place in this world.

Canyon Creek flowing down to Uncompahgre River