Outdoor Adventure
Insider’s Tip: For a totally unique experience, the San Juan Hut Systems has fully stocked huts, strategically located on dirt roads and singletrack trails from high alpine areas to canyon country. Find hut contact information as well as bike and gear rental and purchase information in the listings on the Outdoor Adventure pages 24-39. Blaine Basin – Nature’s Finest Images
Explore on Foot on our Abundant Trails
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hether you call it hiking, trekking, walkabout or rambling, putting your feet into motion and heading into the hills is a wonderful way to experience the Ridgway area. The San Juan and Cimarron Wilderness Areas, Uncompahgre National Forest and abundant public lands offer not only hundreds of miles of trails, thanks to the Utes, explorers, surveyors and miners, but also the highest concentration Know before You Go: Be sure to of 14,000-foot peaks in Colorado. pick up the excellent local map Dirt trails, gravel roads and provided by the Ouray Trail Group paved paths provide walking, for descriptions, distances, hiking and running opportunities difficulty and topographic for all ages and experience levels, information. The Ouray Trail ranging from easy and short to Group has information on the longer and more challenging status of many trails, with terrain. Plus, many of our some maps and pictures at trailheads are within easy walking www.ouraytrails.org. distance of our downtowns. Whichever route you decide to follow, each is sure to provide postcard-perfect backdrops and awe-inspiring views. From day trips to overnight backpacking, many choices are available. Many of the lower elevation trails are accessible on foot year-round. Warmer, sturdy footwear and layering of clothes is the key to enjoying uncrowded trails from October to April. Fall below the Cimarrons – Cutler Connaughton
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2022 Official Visitor’s Guide RIDGWAY
