This is a magazine travel article I wrote in my magazine article writing class at the University of Nebraska at Omaha showcasing the different places to explore in the Switzerland of America in Ouray, Colorado.
By: Jacob Thimjon
The small mountain town of Ouray, Colorado is a centerpiece of beauty, known for its numerous landscapes, food, indoor and outdoor activities. You’ll soon realize why it’s called the “Switzerland of America.”
Named after Ute Indian chief, Chief Ouray in 1876, Ouray was known for its vast wealth of silver and gold that attracted prospectors in the 1860s. By 1873, the Utes surrendered Ouray to white prospectors flooding the region to build mine factories. By 1890 Ouray had become the second largest town in the San Juan Mountain region behind Silverton, Colorado, according to the Western Mining History Website.
Fall is the season to drive the Million Dollar Highway. About 25 miles in length, the Million Dollar Highway allows drivers pull-off areas to photograph the San Juan Mountain range. Color Sunday, the first Sunday in October is the best time to drive the road when all the aspens and evergreen trees are at their peak.
In the summer, you will want to hike up to Yankee Boy Basin to see all the wildflowers along the trail at their peak. Head up to the Ironton and Uncompahgre river trails during the winter to ski to your heart’s content.
The best way of seeing the town is walking around visiting the variety of antique stores and restaurants, or by riding a hot air balloon over the Ridgeway Valley surrounded by mountain peaks, green mesas and rugged plateaus.
Whether you explore Ouray on the ground or in the air, Ouray is always a sight to treasure.
Mount Sneffels
At 14,150 feet above sea level, Mount Sneffels offers hikers a challenging but yet rewarding experience. Located at the end of the Yankee Boy Basin trail, Mount Sneffels is a 7-mile climb that requires its challengers to climb up gullies, notches and boulders to reach the summit.
You will come across spectacular views of the San Juan Mountains, the Grand Mesa and Yankee Boy Basin along your journey.
“It was breathtaking to see the mountains laid out from that view,” says my mom Dixie Thimjon who lives in Parker, Colorado.
Sneffels also includes bighorn sheep, mountain lions and black bears along the climb and a logbook to write your name and date you climbed Sneffels located at the summit.
“I was so proud of myself,” Thimjon says. “It was the hardest thing I had done but also one of the best things I have done in my life.”
Climbers can expect Sneffels to take between four to eight hours roundtrip.
Essentials needed for Mount. Sneffels
- Food and Water
- Sunscreen
- Hats and Gloves
- Trekking Poles
- Hiking Shoes
- Hats and Helmets
- First Aid Kits
Ouray Hot Springs
Open year-round, the Ouray Hot Springs is an excellent place in town to bring your friends and family to relax and have fun.
The Hot Springs includes a shallow pool for children, a hot pool for adults, lap lanes, an activity pool with an obstacle course and a 12-foot tall climbing wall.
If you want a scenic few while at the Hot Springs go to the Overlook, two pools divided by a waterfall provide panoramic views of the San Juan Mountains.
For days you don’t want to get in the water, the Hot Springs offers a fitness center with free weights, cardio and cable machines as well as a massage area Colorado Kur.
Colorado Kur offers multiple massage techniques from certified and licensed therapists to help you with chronic pain, altitude adjustment, sleepiness and help you achieve rejuvenation.
Box Canyon Falls Park
Known as Ourays “Wonder of the World,” this 85-foot waterfall plunges into a narrow quartzite canyon and provides scenic views above and below the waterfall.
Box Canyon Falls Park offers three trails, the Falls trail, High Bridge Trail and Native Plant Loop ranging from easy to difficult.
Box Canyon also offers barbeque and picnic areas at the start of each trail for you, friends and family to enjoy, while the visitor center exhibits the wildlife, geology, and history of Box Canyon.
Ouray Ice Park
Ouray Ice Park offers you to “Have an Ice Day.” The park includes over 200 different ice routes to climb varying in difficulty from beginner to advanced. The park additionally offers lessons for children, adults and amputees through their Kids Climbing College, Chicks with Picks and Paradox Sports programs.
Helmets, anchor materials, ropes, harnesses and ice axes, are all provided by park staff. The park is open from December to March and is free admission.
Ouray Ice Festival
A three-day free admission event every January, the Ouray Ice Festival welcomes ice climbers from all over the world to celebrate the sport of ice climbing. You can watch climbers compete from the Uncompahgre Gorge in ice climbing competitions throughout the day. Daily vendor exhibitions are also offered throughout the festival for you to demo the latest ice tools, apparel and gear from the Outdoor industry’s leading retailers.
Nighttime events for you to enjoy include music, food, dance parties, multimedia presentations from top climbers in the sport and live and silent auctions on the latest outdoor gear.
Places to Eat
Whether you’re craving a hamburger or a slow-cooked salmon Ouray has a variety of restaurants to satisfy your taste buds.
Start your day heading to lunch at Maggie’s Kitchen for its famous Tilapia fish sandwich and 420 cheeseburgers made with fresh ground beef American cheese, bacon strips and fried onion rings.
For a healthier option head to Brickhouse 737 for vegetarian-friendly and vegan-friendly options.
For a romantic night out, the Mineshaft offers romantic views of the San Juan Mountains and a variety of pizzas, salads and sandwiches for you and your companion to enjoy.
For dessert, head over to Mouse’s Chocolates and Coffee on Main Street for multiple flavors of coffee, cookies, ice cream, truffles and fudge.
“There’s a reason why I call Ouray the best-kept secret in the United States, says Thimjon. “It provides memories that last a lifetime.”