Yankee Boy Basin Trail

Yankee Boy Basin is the wildflower basin above Ouray at the foot of Mount Sneffels, where columbine grow in fields in the second half of July and the road ends under a wall of 13,000-foot peaks. The hike here is the upper basin from the parking area near the outhouse: about 1.5 miles up the old road and trail to Wright's Lake below Sneffels' south face, about 800 feet of gain, and the most alpine ground reachable in Colorado with so little walking.

From the lower Yankee Boy Basin parking area, the route follows the 4WD road up the basin past the old Ruby Trust mine and through the meadows that make the place famous, with Twin Falls dropping off the shelf to the north and Sneffels ahead. High-clearance vehicles continue on the road; on foot it is a wide, gentle walk with the flowers on both sides.

At the upper trailhead the road ends and a trail climbs the last stretch into the upper basin and to Wright's Lake at about 12,200 feet, a small lake with Sneffels' south face rising above and the Sneffels standard route heading up the scree gully beyond. The listing's 12,500-foot high point is the rise above the lake toward the Blue Lakes Pass junction. Return the same way.

From US 550 a quarter mile south of Ouray, take Camp Bird Road (County Road 361) west. Passenger cars manage the first 5 miles to the Camp Bird Mine; beyond, the road to the Yankee Boy Basin outhouse and lower parking area, about 2 miles farther, is rough shelf road that wants high clearance and a careful driver, though cars make it slowly in dry weather. The upper 4WD trailhead is for capable vehicles only. No fee or permit. Toilet at the lower lot.

Dogs are allowed on leash; the Forest Service lists the basin as a wildflower viewing area, and the flowers do not survive trampling, so stay on the road and the trail. The walk suits any kid who can manage a mile and a half at 12,000 feet, which is the real limit; the basin sits above 11,000 feet and visitors from Ouray feel it. Stay on the road and the trail through the meadows. Carry water. Ouray, 45 minutes down the road, has hot springs and every service. The Mount Sneffels guide covers the climb above the lake, and the Ouray hikes page has the Blue Lakes on the far side of the pass.