IntrepidXJ
Explorer
Upper Cascade Falls & Baldy Peak
Saturday & Sunday, June 21-22, 2014
This weekend for the summer solstice, Diane and I headed down to Ouray to get in a little hiking in the San Juan Mountains. Since there's still a lot of snow up high and it would be our first time really hiking in the mountains this year, we decided to start with some lower elevation hikes close to town between 8,000 and 10,000 feet. When we arrived, we setup camp just above town in the Amphitheater Campground and then got started on our first hike up to the Upper Cascade Creek Falls and Chief Ouray Mine. The hike started out easy, but soon it quickly climbed over 1,000 feet up a series of switchbacks. First we reached the Upper Cascade Falls and took a few photos and then we crossed the creek and continued on to the remains of the Chief Ouray Mine located high above town.
Near the beginning of the trail shortly after leaving the Amphitheater Campground.
Upper Cascade Falls 213 by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr
Hiking under a canopy of curved trees.
Trail Arch by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr
Diane on an upper section of the trail after climbing up many steep switchbacks.
Upper Trail by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr
First view of the falls from the trail.
Trail to the Falls by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr
The rocky waterfall above the crossing of Cascade Creek.
Rocky Waterfall by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr
The taller waterfall below the trail.
Upper Cascade Falls by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr
Cascade Creek Waterfall by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr
Looking over the top.
Cascade Creek by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr
After crossing the creek, we continued on to the Chief Ouray Mine. The trail went through this building and continued on the other side. Unfortunately, many people have felt the need to leave their name behind...
Inside by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr
A view over the second building we came across, looking down over Ouray.
Above Ouray by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr
There was some old mining machinery inside.
Gardner - Denver by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr
Looking out the window of the first building on our way back.
Out the Window by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr
A view up the Uncompahgre Gorge towards the Red Mountains as we hiked back down.
Uncompahgre Gorge by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr
After finishing the hike we stopped in town for dinner at the Ouray Brewery and then took a drive up to Owl Creek Pass for sunset.
Mount Abrams over Ouray as we left town and drove to the start of Owl Creek Pass near Ridgway.
Ouray by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr
Cimarron Ridge in the summer. Much different than the view I had last fall!
Summer View by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr
Cimarron Ridge by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr
This guy was really interested in us when we spotted him near Owl Creek Pass.
Interested by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr
Nice evening light on the ridges above.
Evening Ridge by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr
Chimney Rock and Courthouse Mountain shortly before sunset.
Chimney Rock by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr
Beautiful color to the west as we drove back down from the pass.
Pink Rays by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr
Saturday & Sunday, June 21-22, 2014
This weekend for the summer solstice, Diane and I headed down to Ouray to get in a little hiking in the San Juan Mountains. Since there's still a lot of snow up high and it would be our first time really hiking in the mountains this year, we decided to start with some lower elevation hikes close to town between 8,000 and 10,000 feet. When we arrived, we setup camp just above town in the Amphitheater Campground and then got started on our first hike up to the Upper Cascade Creek Falls and Chief Ouray Mine. The hike started out easy, but soon it quickly climbed over 1,000 feet up a series of switchbacks. First we reached the Upper Cascade Falls and took a few photos and then we crossed the creek and continued on to the remains of the Chief Ouray Mine located high above town.
Near the beginning of the trail shortly after leaving the Amphitheater Campground.
Upper Cascade Falls 213 by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr
Hiking under a canopy of curved trees.
Trail Arch by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr
Diane on an upper section of the trail after climbing up many steep switchbacks.
Upper Trail by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr
First view of the falls from the trail.
Trail to the Falls by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr
The rocky waterfall above the crossing of Cascade Creek.
Rocky Waterfall by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr
The taller waterfall below the trail.
Upper Cascade Falls by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr
Cascade Creek Waterfall by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr
Looking over the top.
Cascade Creek by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr
After crossing the creek, we continued on to the Chief Ouray Mine. The trail went through this building and continued on the other side. Unfortunately, many people have felt the need to leave their name behind...
Inside by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr
A view over the second building we came across, looking down over Ouray.
Above Ouray by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr
There was some old mining machinery inside.
Gardner - Denver by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr
Looking out the window of the first building on our way back.
Out the Window by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr
A view up the Uncompahgre Gorge towards the Red Mountains as we hiked back down.
Uncompahgre Gorge by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr
After finishing the hike we stopped in town for dinner at the Ouray Brewery and then took a drive up to Owl Creek Pass for sunset.
Mount Abrams over Ouray as we left town and drove to the start of Owl Creek Pass near Ridgway.
Ouray by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr
Cimarron Ridge in the summer. Much different than the view I had last fall!
Summer View by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr
Cimarron Ridge by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr
This guy was really interested in us when we spotted him near Owl Creek Pass.
Interested by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr
Nice evening light on the ridges above.
Evening Ridge by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr
Chimney Rock and Courthouse Mountain shortly before sunset.
Chimney Rock by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr
Beautiful color to the west as we drove back down from the pass.
Pink Rays by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr