Uncompahgre Peak - Jct #239

NOTE: Uncompahgre Peak is a CLIMB--not a hike!

Uncompahgre Peak

A closer view

TRAILHEAD:
The Uncompahgre Peak Trail begins off the Ridge Stock Driveway Trail near its eastern end. The trail is east of the eastern edge of the Hiking Trails of Ouray County map and guide, so you should acquire a USGS map of the area before departing.

ATTRACTIONS AND FEATURES:
The trail departs the Ridge Stock to the left and heads southwest before turning back to the northwest and the climb to the peak. It is approximately 1.4 miles to top of this 14,308 foot peak. More details of the climb will be added later.

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Uncompahgre River Walk

TRAILHEAD:
The Uncompahgre River Walk trail begins at Uncompahgre Street, 0.8 mile north of the Hot Springs Park.

ATTRACTIONS AND FEATURES:
This is a 2.0 mile loop trip along the riverbank of the Uncompahgre River. The terrain is relatively flat, and the trail meanders along a sun-filled wildflower meadow from its trailhead to the city's north boundary. The Silvershield Trail climbs to the west; Gold Hill looms to the east; and Mt. Abram guards the valley to the south.

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Upper East Fork

TRAILHEAD:
The Upper East Fork Trail begins 1 mile up the Matterhorn Trail. The Matterhorn Trail begins 9.8 miles up the East Fork Trail. For details on reaching the East Fork trailhead, see East Fork.

ATTRACTIONS AND FEATURES:
This little used .5 mile side trip off the Matterhorn Trail has a spectacular view of the 2,000' northern extremity of Wetterhorn Peak and the northwest face of Matterhorn.

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Weehawken - #206

Click on pictures to enlarge

The Amphitheater from the Weehawken Trail

Ouray from the trail

Potosi from the Weehawken Trail

TRAILHEAD:
The Weehawken and Alpine Mine Trails share a common trailhead. Take Hwy 550 south out of Ouray and turn right at the Box Cañon sign onto the Camp Bird Road, County 361; keep left and take the higher bridge over the Uncompahgre Gorge. Look for the trailhead sign off the right side, 2.7 miles from the highway and 0.7 mile beyond the second bridge. Parking: You will find ample parking across from the trailhead.

ATTRACTIONS AND FEATURES:
The first mile of these trails climbs through aspen groves and open meadows. The views of Mt. Hayden are beautiful. The trails split after 1.3 miles. The right fork is the Alpine Mine Trail. Take the left fork for the Weehawken Trail, which takes you up and down on a narrow trail into the Weehawken valley. The effort taken on this trail will reward the careful hiker with views of waterfalls, verdant alpine meadows, shoulder-high flowers and canyon walls of gray volcanic rock, contorted, convoluted and eroded by the incredible forces of nature. The trail reaches an open avalanche basin at 2.7 miles, then enters forest and soon goes along a precipitous gorge where cascades may be seen. After crossing a gravelly "dry" stream bed, the maintained trail ends at the boulder-strewn Weekawken Creek bed, at 3.1 miles.

SPECIAL PRECAUTIONS:
Extreme care must be taken to prevent falls along some of the steep, sandy slopes high above Weehawken Creek.

U.S. Mountain-Lt, and Potosi-Rt, View Across the Valley
from Weehawken Trail

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