Once Upon a Mine...

It’s still amazing wheeling in various destinations that take you back in time and leave you in disbelief of how people used to live, work and survive under certain circumstances and conditions. The mountains, passes and old mining areas around Ouray, Colorado are a perfect example of just one of those many places around the country.

Referred to as the “Alps of the United States” the area was a thriving hot spot of activity during the gold rush that hit in the 1800’s. While on the trail you can feel the energy of days gone by that made the many mining communities that are now just remnants in time. At one point in time there were over 2,000 buildings in the area and now only a fraction of them remain as shells to remind us that they were only here temporarily and that nothing lasts forever. The old buildings, the tailings and empty, open holes in the ground or side of the mountain stand out as the only things left from an era of people working against time, Mother Nature and each other in a quest for riches and a new life that somehow would be better than what they left behind to search for their future.

While the trails wind through old mining camps and over the mountains passes like Imogene, California and Hurricane that exceed 13,000 feet remind the visitors that the environment is tough, unforgiving and even in today’s day and age… can kill you you’re not prepared or are distracted for a split second. Wheeling in Ouray is as scenic as it comes and while there are few trails that are what the hardcore Jeep enthusiast would consider extreme there is still excitement and a challenge to be had. One of the biggest challenges to overcome is the distraction of looking around at the mountains, trees, colors and other sites in the area. Some of the trails can easily give driver and passenger the fear of heights, traveling so close to the edge gets the adrenaline flowing and seeing the view from any of the passes makes any fear of heights worth fighting through for the site.

If you are looking for a scenic retreat or a mountainous jamboree to attend look into wheeling in and around the area of Ouray, Colorado and while you’re there check out the tiny but entertaining mountain towns of Ouray and Telluride. Happy wheeling and I’ll hope to see you out there!

As always any information on this or any of Jeep Jamboree USA’s events across the country can be found on their website at http://www.jeepjamboreeusa.com/.