Yankee Boy Basin/Wrights Lake Spur

Jellystone of Black Canyon
Montrose, CO
July 4, 2015



Yesterday, our sights were on the San Juans. Our trail of choice was Yankee Boy Basin. Actually that was the seond choice, but Imogene Pass is still closed due to snow.

Yankee Boy Basin is an alpine basin with stunning beauty. Access is by foot, bike or a moderate rated 4X4 trail.  


The first part of the trail is Camp Bird Road. It is easy and wide and lined with spruce, pines and aspens.

We always go slow with the windows down to enjoy the smell of evergreens and moist dirt.

 The last section of trail gives this trail it's moderate rating...it is rocky with a couple of ledgy spots and the higher you climb, the more narrow and steep the trail gets.

A gate at the upper portion is closed until the snow melts in late June or early July.

 Our first stop was Twin Falls on Sneffels Creek...I love hiking here from bottom to top and back down again. 

 There are paths for walking among the wildflowers...

...and rocks for scrambling to get close to the falls.

Colorful wildflowers carpet the ground...

The water is crystal clear and very cold.

 From Twin Falls, the end of trail is just under 2 miles and our second stop. High Point is 12,400 ft. and the suggested best time of year to go is mid July-September.

Yellow Indian Paintbrush

Until next time,

 HAPPY TRAILS!

Yankee Boy Basin

Jellystone Park of the Black Canyon
Montrose, CO
July 25, 2014

Yankee Boy Basin is an alpine basin located in the Uncompahgre National Forest. Access to the basin is by a dirt road 4X4 trail.

This trail is rated moderate. Most of the road is easy just like Ophir. It's the last mile that gives the trail the moderate status...it is  rocky, steep and narrow. This is a 9.3 mile trail one way.

  

A narrow spot under a rock overhang...

We started out on Camp Bird Road...0.4 miles (going south on Hwy 550) from the Beaumont Hotel on Main Street in Ouray.

Camp Bird Mine today....

The famous Camp Bird Mine...a highly productive gold and silver mine was discovered in 1896 by Thomas Walsh.
He sold his mine in 1902 for $5.2 million.



Another interesting tid-bit...Camp Bird Mine was named after the "Camp Birds" probably Rocky Jays that ate the miner's lunch.

Another highlight of this trail is Twin Falls...two beautiful waterfalls along Sneffels Creek. We did park and I enjoyed myself... trapsing thru the narrow trails lined with wildflowers, flowing water and climbing the rocks.

 

Twin Falls from the trail...

Narrow walking path lined with wildflowers...

Rosy paintbrush...common in moist meadows 10,000 to 12,000 feet



What a hoot to play on the rocks...and yes, the water is freezing!



Tall Bluebells...about as tall as my waist...

with soft, hairless leaves glistening with dew.

 After the falls, the trail continues for about 2.2 miles where it ends at about 12,000 feet elevation. There is a small area for parking and turning around.

Last mile looks like this which is why it is rated moderate.

King's Crown...in the Stonecrop family...the roots of this plant are good for physical and mental fatigue. Might come in handy next time you are hiking at 12,000 feet!



 Yankee Boy Basin is well know for its wildflowers. The week days are less congested than the week-ends. Best time of year is mid July thru September. A gate for the upper trail is closed until the snow melts in late June or early July. Many stock SUVs make it to the end of the trail.

Another must do trail if you are visiting in this area!

Until next time,

 happy trails!

 Up next: Imogene Pass...our highest climb to date!