Our Ouray Signature Hub Adventure

For the Ouray Signature Event in Colorado, we will stay in the same home every night. It’s easy … you check in, drop your gear, and then we ride together on an unparalleled adventure every day for five days. And we have a really special home picked out for you!

Ouray isthe absolute center of the most beautiful rides in Colorado, and we will experience a different ride every day.We will spend a total of five days and six nights exploring the rugged and challenging passes around what’s known as the “Switzerland of America” … Ouray, CO. Ouray is a beautiful mountain town surrounded by rugged canyons and the unparalleled beauty of the San Juan Mountains at an elevation of 7,760 feet. Located in Southwestern Colorado, Ouray is famous for its hot springs, outdoor activities, and its historic charming downtown. Its rich history dates back to October 1876, when the city was established as a mining camp just two months after Colorado became a state.

This area of Colorado is an adventure mecca, surrounded by public roads accessible only by adventure bikes and four-wheel drive vehicles.

Ouray Hot Springs

These geothermal pools have been utilized for hundreds of years, including by the Ute Native American tribe. These springs are nestled into a valley surrounded by 13,000 foot snow-capped peaks. Rain, snow, or shine, the Ouray Hot Springs are open year-round for public use. The Ouray Hot Springs Pool and Fitness Center houses five pools, three of which are geothermally heated. The water contains a vast number of minerals, including, iron, manganese, zinc, fluoride, and potassium, among others.

Orvis Hot Springs

Just 11 miles away is Orvis Hot Springs,a clothing-optional natural hot springs resort.Their natural lithium water, never heated nor treated in any way, enhances relaxation and rejuvenation. Ten indoor and outdoor soaking areas feature water temperatures ranging from 65 to 112 degrees.

Destinations to experience

Below is a tentative schedule for our rides in Ouray. Please note – these passes are not listed in any particular order. Our rides will be dictated by weather conditions that happen at 7,000+ feet in the mountains. We may see some inclement weather. We may be fortunate enough to hit peak Aspen leaves season.

Million Dollar Highway

Built in the late 1880s, the Million Dollar Highway is one of the nation’s most spectacular roads. Forget standard driving safety measures like guardrails and shoulders. This road is not for the faint of heart, as one mistake can have consequences.The first time you ride it, it will take your breath away.You’ll be on the “outside” for a while with a fantastic view to your right. Though the entire stretch has been called the Million Dollar Highway, it is really the 12 miles south of Ouray through the Uncompahgre Gorge to the summit of Red Mountain Pass that gives the highway its name. This stretch through the gorge is challenging; it is characterized by steep cliffs, narrow lanes, and a lack of guardrails. The ascent of Red Mountain Pass is marked with a number of hairpin “S” curves used to gain elevation, and again, narrow lanes for traffic—many cut directly into the sides of mountains.

Engineer Pass

At 12,800 feet above sea level, Engineer Pass is a beautiful point along Alpine Loop, one of Colorado’s best four-wheel-drive areas. The offroad trail has a rich history as one of the most famous mining areas in the country. The road is a rough, dirt and rock road mainly used by offroad vehicles, which means it is perfect for adventure bikes!

In the winter, this road is extremely dangerous. The alpine conditions lead to windy storms with precipitation and quick weather changes. Snow is likely to be on the pass as early as October, blocking access to the summit.

Ophir Pass

Embedded in the San Juan National Forest and Colorado history, Ophir Pass is an accessible mountain pass standing at 11,789 feet. It’s reached from the town of Ophir, about 13 miles south of Telluride, or from the east in Silverton. Although a 4WD vehicle may not be required, it is strongly recommended. High clearance is also necessary to reach Ophir Pass.

Black Bear – optional

Black Bear Pass is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 12,844 feet, located in San Miguel County. Set high in Colorado’s Rocky Mountains, the road to the summit is totally unpaved. It’s a dangerous dirt track known as Black Bear Road (Forest Service Road 648), andis one of the highest roads in the state.The road is 11.1 miles, running east to west from U.S. 550 (Million Dollar Highway) to Telluride, a former Victorian mining town. The drive offers stunning views: Two significant waterfalls, nice views of the San Juan Mountains, and an overview of Telluride.

The road is narrow, treacherous, and one of the more intense mountain passes in Southwest Colorado. It is open to all motorized vehicles, however, only-high clearance, short-wheel-base 4-wheel-drive vehicles are recommended. This OHV route offers a very technical trail that is not for inexperienced drivers or riders. While most of the road is moderate in difficulty, the mile-long stretch of steep switchbacks on the Telluride side above Bridal Veil Falls is rated as difficult, and there is a high risk of rock slides. The trail is two-way as it begins on US 550, but switches to one-way at the point it gets narrow and scary. From this point on down, there are very few spots wide enough to pass. It is known as one of the most dangerous roads in the country due to narrow shelf segments and unnerving drop-offs.

Imogene Pass

Imogene Pass is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 13,162 feet located on the boundary of Colorado’s San Miguel and Ouray counties. The road is accessible by 4WD vehicles, and is not for the novice drivers.

One of the highest roads of Colorado, the path to the summit is totally unpaved and demands 100 percent concentration. The views along the way are unbelievable. It was built in 1880 as a well-traveled mining road and opened as a 4WD road in 1966. The road is named after Imogene Richardson, who was the wife of a Camp Bird Mine owner.

The pass is 16.3 miles long, running from Ouray (the county seat of Ouray County) on the Million Dollar Highway to Telluride (the county seat of San Miguel County). From Ouray, the road turns off to Yankee Boy Basin above the Camp Bird Mine near the ghost town of Sneffels southwest of Ouray, and climbs through Imogene Basin to the summit. From Telluride, the road takes off north of downtown and climbs past the ghost town of Tomboy through Savage Basin to the summit. You’ll find historical mining towns along the way.

Last Dollar

Last Dollar Pass is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 10,676 feet. It’s said to be one of Colorado’s best back-country roads. Bumpy, colorful, vast and adventurous, this hidden dirt road in historic ranching country gives stunning rewards for those willing to take the time to get around the bend.

As Last Dollar Road winds through a low valley surrounded by jagged peaks and deep-blue skies, each bend delivers jaw-dropping scenery. At one turn you’ll find yourself in a cathedral of aspens; at another, a flat vista with views of furry pines and aspens. Turn again and you’re in a wide-open grassy field, with clear views of the San Juan Mountains.

This route offers superb, panoramic views of Telluride’s most jagged peaks—the Wilson Range, St. Sophia Ridge, Palmyra Peak, and the Sneffels Range. It’s one of the most scenic roads in the area, withmassive aspen grovesand beautiful views of the mountains, especially in the fall. This road might be arguably one of the best areas to photograph fall foliage.

Please stay tuned as we finalize details about your time with us in Ouray!