Yankee Boy Basin

4.8/5 (49 reviews)
Ouray, Colorado (Ouray County)
Last Updated: 10/23/2022

Trail Information

Highlights

Picture the grandeur of Colorado, and the area that comes to mind may certainly be Yankee Boy Basin. This spectacular area has been immortalized in many landscape photos and calendars of Colorado mountains. Yankee Boy Basin offers something for most anyone that makes the trek into its mountains. From some of the most lush and beautiful evergreen forests one can imagine, seemingly infinite fields of wildflowers that stretch from peak to peak in the later part of July, to stunning craggy peaks that stand watch over the area, including the formidable 14,158 foot Mt. Sneffels. In addition to the natural wonders of Yankee Boy Basin, this area once held some of the richest mining history in the state of Colorado. Still active gold and silver mines contrast the approximately 130 year old mining ruins present from a bygone era. More information about the mining industry in the area as well as splendid photographs of the mines working in their heyday can be found at Miningartifacts.org

Trail Difficulty and Assessment

Trail Navigation

Trail Reviews

4.8/5 (49 reviews)
Official Crew
27400
Impassable
Visited: 10/23/2022

A recent winter storm in the Ouray/ Silverton area has dropped a measurable amount of snow and high winds have been in the area. Some high country routes in the area may be passable but high country travel is not recommended.
800
Open
Rated 4/5
Visited: 09/15/2022
Difficulty Accuracy: Spot On

1st part is easy up to twin falls is a 2, the top part has a couple tough rocky spots with a hard obstacle at the top. It was wet and difficult at top. The top is a 4 difficulty.
Official Crew
27400
Open
Visited: 09/14/2022

Operations to clear the vehicle from the Drinking Cup area of Camp Bird Rd should be completed. Please be aware that emergency vehicles may still be present in the area.
Official Crew
27400
Temporary Closure
Visited: 09/13/2022

Per Ouray County Road and Bridge: Ouray County is closing. Camp Bird Road for vehicle recovery on 9/13/22 from 6am-4pm This will impact travel on Imogene Pass. Vehicles on the Telluride side will be required to turn around at the Ouray County line. Updates will be posted if conditions change.
Open
Rated 5/5
Visited: 08/27/2022
Difficulty Accuracy: Harder

Made it very close to the end, about 2/3rds the way between waypoints 11 and 12. At that point, I really needed a spotter. Since I was alone, I turned around and headed back down. On one of the switchbacks on the way back down, I was balancing on two tires for a moment. Thankfully, I was taking it very slowly and didn't rock much. Definitely worth the drive up to waypoint 11. From there, it gets technical on off-camber trails. As a novice off-roader, I wouldn't attempt that last leg again without a spotter.

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