DId Chipeta, and 13,472...longer day than I thought.
Brian Kalet - Jun 3, 2006 11:20 pm Date Climbed: Jun 3, 2006
West Ridge
En route to Chipeta Peak and Point 13,472. 2 hours up to Ouray, 7 hours roundtrip.
DharmaBum1984 - Mar 11, 2006 10:51 pm Date Climbed: Aug 2, 2005
west ridge/ south face
3 of us camped at Marshall Pass, got an early start and hiked up the West Ridge, out of the trees by sunrise and on top in time to celebrate my 21st with a Fat Tire before the afternoon storms began building. Fast-growing cumulus led us us to make the call and descend directly down & south off the west ridge into the trees for a chill, meandering walk back.
markhyams - Mar 4, 2006 8:31 pm Date Climbed: Aug 5, 2000
W Ridge
Camped two nights at Marshall pass with a bunch of cows and fit in this great hike. Just as good as the 14ers!
Route Climbed: East Ridge Date Climbed: September 4, 2005
A cloud hung over the summit with sun all around. Eventually the clouds boiled down almost filling Devils Armchair. It was overcast on the summit but 20 minutes off the summit the skies completely cleared.
Route Climbed: East Ridge Date Climbed: June 28, 2005
I was camping at O'haver Lake, and I got a really late start on this peak. I could see it in the distance, but I had no idea it was Mt. Ouray. I turned around at the "Devil's Armchair."
Climbed this mountain in not the best of conditions. Early morning fog was fortelling of what was to come. The climb was enjoyable nonetheless.! The ridge is very fun with many ups and downs to negotiate. It started raining shortly after we left the summit making the descent not so fun. Luckily we had the GPS to get us back to the trailhead in conditions where we couldn't see anything!
Route Climbed: Little Cochetopa Date Climbed: July 2, 2005
Made the northern circuit of Ouray, via Little Cochetopa creek and trailhead. 9 miles round trip, and very scenic. Met two other climbers near the summit. (Holiday weekend - it was crowded :-)
Route Climbed: West Ridge, from Marshall Pass Date Climbed: Oct. 1, 2004
Unlike other Sawatch peaks, this one is relatively quick, without huge elevation gain (at least from Marshall Pass). But like most other Sawatch peaks it is scenic, gentle, and worthwhile. I did not find a defined path until I got up to the ridge. The hike through the forest to get to the ridge is like a fairyland journey, with wide open meadows, gentle slopes, towering trees. The grade steepens a bit as you get towards the ridge, but there is nothing hard about this. The ridge walk was a breeze, almost a stroll. The upper mountain does require a little bit of bouldering. Today there was a snow dusting, and the summit had about 4 inches of snow in places. If there was a summit register I did not find it. Conditions changed by the minute. Once you would be enshrouded in clouds, then there would be an opening and you could see towards the west or south. This was my second time on this peak, the first in 1992. Both times were cloudy. If conditions were perfect I suspect that the summit of Ouray would be the one of the best vantage point in all of Colorado because you could view all of the Sangres, the Sawatch, and a good part of the San Juans. The peak is fortunately not overused and I hope it stays that way. Some advise on the descent- as you wander through the forest back to Marshall Pass make sure you get your bearings with a compass or GPS because it could be easy to get disoriented and lost.
On July 23, 2005 I returned and climbed Ouray via the east route, up Grays Creek. The trail is in pretty good shape, easy to follow, makes a few crossings of the creek, and leads up a gentle ravine into the Devils Armchair. This is a longer but definitely more scenic and memorable way to climb Ouray. The Devils Armchair is breathtaking, and walking through the stand of bristlecones is like treking through some ancient, time forgotten forest.
Route Climbed: Devil's Armchair circuit Date Climbed: May 16, 2004
Ryan's right, this is an unbeatable tour of Ouray. I had planned to do it in the other direction, but Erin and I didn't find the right trail in the morning. Off-route, we realized we had positioned ourselves well to begin our day with the northeast ridge, so we did. It was quite windy above 13K, and the views -- especially of the northern Sangres -- were stupendous! A trip report is available here.
Route Climbed: up the NE ridge, down the SE ridge Date Climbed: June 14, 2003
This circle tour of Mount Ouray is unbeatable. The approach into the Devil's Armchair is NOT to be missed. This is one of the most pristine, neglected high peaks in CO. I hope the crowds always neglect it.
Route Climbed: Up the south east ridge/ down the north east ridge Date Climbed: July 7, 2001
Mount Ouray was a fun summit. The circling of the Devils Armchair was enjoyable. Along on this trip was my brother Matthew, my sister in law Melissa, and my friend Glen.. as well as dogs Raymond, Sopris, and Jax. We got toasted on teqiula afterwords.
Route Climbed: East Ridge vie Devil's Armchair Date Climbed: Sept,15th 2002
My day on Ouray was a very memorable day. I spent the night on Marshall Pass and watched the sunset at 10,000 ft. That was really cool. My hike was very eventful for I enjoyed great weather and a scenic setting the entire day. A perfect hike for September, the Aspens really get gold on Ouray and the Marshall Pass vicinity.
boisedoc - Dec 17, 2006 4:29 am Date Climbed: Jun 13, 1992
quickQuick ascent from Marshall Pass. A little early season bushwhacking in the snow
Woodie Hopper - Sep 27, 2006 2:41 am Date Climbed: Sep 26, 2006
West RidgeVery little snow, probably had the mountain to myself. Had to pay for the great views with a lot of wind!
seth@LOKI - Jul 26, 2006 7:17 pm Date Climbed: Jul 24, 2006
I Live on Ouray...Avenue!DId Chipeta, and 13,472...longer day than I thought.
Brian Kalet - Jun 3, 2006 11:20 pm Date Climbed: Jun 3, 2006
West RidgeEn route to Chipeta Peak and Point 13,472. 2 hours up to Ouray, 7 hours roundtrip.
DharmaBum1984 - Mar 11, 2006 10:51 pm Date Climbed: Aug 2, 2005
west ridge/ south face3 of us camped at Marshall Pass, got an early start and hiked up the West Ridge, out of the trees by sunrise and on top in time to celebrate my 21st with a Fat Tire before the afternoon storms began building. Fast-growing cumulus led us us to make the call and descend directly down & south off the west ridge into the trees for a chill, meandering walk back.
markhyams - Mar 4, 2006 8:31 pm Date Climbed: Aug 5, 2000
W RidgeCamped two nights at Marshall pass with a bunch of cows and fit in this great hike. Just as good as the 14ers!
km_donovan - Sep 16, 2005 10:37 am
Route Climbed: East Ridge Date Climbed: September 4, 2005A cloud hung over the summit with sun all around. Eventually the clouds boiled down almost filling Devils Armchair. It was overcast on the summit but 20 minutes off the summit the skies completely cleared.
Mike Mc - Aug 28, 2005 11:32 pm
Route Climbed: East Ridge Date Climbed: June 28, 2005I was camping at O'haver Lake, and I got a really late start on this peak. I could see it in the distance, but I had no idea it was Mt. Ouray. I turned around at the "Devil's Armchair."
mtnhiker13 - Aug 14, 2005 8:23 pm
Route Climbed: West Ridge Date Climbed: 8/11/2005Climbed this mountain in not the best of conditions. Early morning fog was fortelling of what was to come. The climb was enjoyable nonetheless.! The ridge is very fun with many ups and downs to negotiate. It started raining shortly after we left the summit making the descent not so fun. Luckily we had the GPS to get us back to the trailhead in conditions where we couldn't see anything!
miztflip - Jul 25, 2005 9:20 am
Route Climbed: West Ridge Date Climbed: 23 July 2005Fantastic hike. No other people around and the west ridge turned out to be quite enjoyable. Great views all around.
Larry V - Jul 4, 2005 3:05 pm
Route Climbed: Little Cochetopa Date Climbed: July 2, 2005Made the northern circuit of Ouray, via Little Cochetopa creek and trailhead. 9 miles round trip, and very scenic. Met two other climbers near the summit. (Holiday weekend - it was crowded :-)
PeterD. - Oct 2, 2004 2:13 am
Route Climbed: West Ridge, from Marshall Pass Date Climbed: Oct. 1, 2004Unlike other Sawatch peaks, this one is relatively quick, without huge elevation gain (at least from Marshall Pass). But like most other Sawatch peaks it is scenic, gentle, and worthwhile. I did not find a defined path until I got up to the ridge. The hike through the forest to get to the ridge is like a fairyland journey, with wide open meadows, gentle slopes, towering trees. The grade steepens a bit as you get towards the ridge, but there is nothing hard about this. The ridge walk was a breeze, almost a stroll. The upper mountain does require a little bit of bouldering. Today there was a snow dusting, and the summit had about 4 inches of snow in places. If there was a summit register I did not find it. Conditions changed by the minute. Once you would be enshrouded in clouds, then there would be an opening and you could see towards the west or south. This was my second time on this peak, the first in 1992. Both times were cloudy. If conditions were perfect I suspect that the summit of Ouray would be the one of the best vantage point in all of Colorado because you could view all of the Sangres, the Sawatch, and a good part of the San Juans. The peak is fortunately not overused and I hope it stays that way. Some advise on the descent- as you wander through the forest back to Marshall Pass make sure you get your bearings with a compass or GPS because it could be easy to get disoriented and lost.
On July 23, 2005 I returned and climbed Ouray via the east route, up Grays Creek. The trail is in pretty good shape, easy to follow, makes a few crossings of the creek, and leads up a gentle ravine into the Devils Armchair. This is a longer but definitely more scenic and memorable way to climb Ouray. The Devils Armchair is breathtaking, and walking through the stand of bristlecones is like treking through some ancient, time forgotten forest.
RyanS - May 17, 2004 11:07 am
Route Climbed: Devil's Armchair circuit Date Climbed: May 16, 2004Ryan's right, this is an unbeatable tour of Ouray. I had planned to do it in the other direction, but Erin and I didn't find the right trail in the morning. Off-route, we realized we had positioned ourselves well to begin our day with the northeast ridge, so we did. It was quite windy above 13K, and the views -- especially of the northern Sangres -- were stupendous! A trip report is available here.
Ryan Kowalski - Apr 19, 2004 4:54 pm
Route Climbed: up the NE ridge, down the SE ridge Date Climbed: June 14, 2003This circle tour of Mount Ouray is unbeatable. The approach into the Devil's Armchair is NOT to be missed. This is one of the most pristine, neglected high peaks in CO. I hope the crowds always neglect it.
JonBradford - Nov 8, 2003 8:23 pm
Route Climbed: Up the south east ridge/ down the north east ridge Date Climbed: July 7, 2001Mount Ouray was a fun summit. The circling of the Devils Armchair was enjoyable. Along on this trip was my brother Matthew, my sister in law Melissa, and my friend Glen.. as well as dogs Raymond, Sopris, and Jax. We got toasted on teqiula afterwords.
Jon Bradford
Kane - Jun 21, 2003 6:15 pm
Route Climbed: East Ridge vie Devil's Armchair Date Climbed: Sept,15th 2002My day on Ouray was a very memorable day. I spent the night on Marshall Pass and watched the sunset at 10,000 ft. That was really cool. My hike was very eventful for I enjoyed great weather and a scenic setting the entire day. A perfect hike for September, the Aspens really get gold on Ouray and the Marshall Pass vicinity.