Blue Lakes Colorado - Hiking from Ridgway AND Yankee Boy Basin to Blue Lakes Pass from Ouray

Blue Lakes Colorado - Hiking from Ridgway AND Yankee Boy Basin to Blue Lakes Pass from Ouray

Tina and I recently got back from Colorado. While we were there, we had to hike one of our favorite trails; the Blue Lakes Trail. The 'traditional' Blue Lakes Trail starts from Blue Lakes Trailhead Road, just outside of Ridgway, Colorado. The road is accessible to any vehicle and no permits are required. You can camp by the trailhead, or backpack up to any of the three lakes. The hike starts going up immediately, and doesn't stop for about 3 1/2~3 3/4 miles when you reach the first lake. This is where camping is first allowed (although no fires); in a wooded area just below the lake. You can continue up to two lakes that are higher (600~700 ft) and also camp there. Or, if you're REALLY feeling it, you can continue up even higher to Blue Lakes Pass.

We weren't feeling it.

However, the following day, after finishing the Ouray Via Ferrata, we decided to drive up from that side to Yankee Boy Basin. Yankee Boy Basin was absolutely beautiful. The road is shown in the video and is accessible to about any vehicle for a while. It eventually gets rough and requires 4WD, and then even rougher, requiring 4WD high clearance with a short wheelbase. But if you don't have that type of vehicle, don't let it discourage you. You can still get quite a ways up the road and the scenery is still worth it.

We parked at the lower Blue Lakes Pass trailhead (upper will cut some mileage and elevation gain off your hike but the road gets very rough) and started hiking. After a bit, you will come to Wright's Lake, which is also the upper trailhead. Continue on up to the pass, for a total hike of about 3 1/2 miles and 1,200~1,300 feet of elevation gain and loss. The pass gives an incredible view of the two upper Blue Lakes, as well as Mount Sneffels and Yankee Boy Basin. It's simply incredible and definitely worth the effort.

Shot on Gopro 8, Canon EOS R

Music Licensed from www.epidemicsound.com
Breath - Ooyy
A Better One - Nickolas Jones
Weather Any Storm - Cody Francis
Easy to Be Us - Alder
Lucky Bird - River Run Dry
Hello Ramona - Solar Sun
Jchs - Cospe
Rev Run - HDBeenDope

Видео Blue Lakes Colorado - Hiking from Ridgway AND Yankee Boy Basin to Blue Lakes Pass from Ouray канала Jerry Arizona