Went down to Ouray for an extended weekend. Had a great time. Weather was beautiful even though it rained a little. Wildflowers were like nothing I've ever seen. I love this state. We're already talking about our next trip.
Here's some pics since no one was able to join me.

Saw a lot of deer. This is one of two fawns with the doe.


Animas Forks ghost town




Lake Como


Governor Basin and St. Sophia ridge as seen from Yankee Boy Basin trail


Lunch spot in Governor Basin




My son among the incredible wild flowers.

 

Wow... Those clouds are incredible! The ghost town looks like something outa Scooby-Do cartoons. Great Pics!

 

b-e-a-utiful! can't wait to get out west again!

 

that area is gorgeous, did you climb Handes peak or Redcloud down there? I'm very envious, and great pics!!

 

Truly amazing pics! The Animas Forks shot with the clouds really stands out.

What kind of camera do you use?

 

Wow, that is some amazing scenery!! I wish I could get out in something like that!

 

Very nice pics.

 

Thanks for the compliments. I shot all these with my new Canon S2 IS. My old Canon S40 died on me so I decided to upgrade. All the shots here were taken with the camera's presets. I'd only had it a day when we took off to Ouray so I didn't have much time to experiment. I think it did pretty well, though. Can't wait to go back once I've learned to use the camera a little better.
-Michael

 

Great shots Newdad! Ouray is a very unique town and a lot of fun to explore. Looks like you hit it right for the wildflowers peak weekend. Handsome little man too, good to see you're getting out and enjoying it all with him -

 

Nice pics! Man I HATE living in Iowa

 

I feel your pain, bryanr, I grew up in western Iowa. That's why I'm here now. There's no way I could ever go back after living here for 7 years. I was back that way in early July and I thought the heat and humidity were going to kill me.

Next time I go to Ouray I'm going to re-post some pictures to get everone excited about it and then maybe some of you guys will join me there instead of saying how much you would have liked to be there! I didn't see a single other 4Runner on the trail in 4 days and only two or three Toyotas of any kind. Jeeps everywhere you looked, though. And I actually saw more Pinzquaers than Toyotas down there. I was hoping to bump into someone I recognized from the board but I didn't. Next time.
-Michael

 

ive never hated the northeast more than when i saw these pics...

 

Heck...it better than the southeast....I can't wait to get home...

 

I think Como Lake is one of the most beautiful places! The first time I went up there I had borrowed my Dad's 'Runner. I had ordered mine and it had not come in yet. There was snow and mud on the road all the way down from the top of California Pass (I was coming from Lake City). Needless to say I was a little white knuckled and wishing I was my CJ-7 (in case I had to turn around). Lucky for me I was coming downhill and we went back down the other side. I have seen several inexperienced drivers get stuck on California pass...it stays muddy most of the year if they have had decent snow.

 

Ouray is a great little town, I love going there, I have a Buddy(Mike) that just moved there and is remodeling a store on Main st. between 8th and 9th, If any of you guy's are in the area stop in and drag him out on a run he needs it and has a 96 Land Cruiser but doesn't know the area that well yet. NICE Photo's by the way.

 

Looks like we hit some of the same trails this year. This was the best year for wild flowers I've seen in 12 years to the area. We also found Governor Basin for the first time this year, what a view and good wheeling too. Did you do the little down-hill section at the top?

 

I see you found the Animas Forks hoe house. I'm betting it was wild place back then.

 

thats looks awesome, now im gonna have to make a trip, i think we need a run that way sometime soon,