Daytrip up Yankee Boy Basin and Imogene Pass

[Greg]

We spent Sunday above Ouray, CO. We headed up Yankee Boy Basin, as far up as we could, and explored some of the neat mining sites on the way. We ended up getting stopped by a large fallen tree and deep snow. Up at the top we got rained on, then hailed on, then finally snow.

 

[BroncoMama]

I absolutely LOVE Imogene! :chris: It's so beautiful up there. I'm surprised there's still so much snow up there, we had a nice early spring this year. Looks like a great day though and thanks for the heads up, we'll wait a bit before we head up there!

 

[Greg]

We headed back downhill, towards the turnoff to Imogene Pass. I heard that Imogene wasn't opened yet, but the County was working on getting it passable next. I wanted to see how far up the road was cleared, on the way we stopped to see if we could find anything in the runoff. The Whistle Pigs were out in force, chirping at us as we passed by. There was a LOT of water everywhere... rain, snow, melting snow... the road was a river in spots. It was a great weekend to be up there!

 

[bryson]

Oh man that looks fun!

 

[Greg]

As the elevation increased, the temperature decreased and the snow picked up. The flakes were huge, eventually sticking to the ground. It took a good deal of climbing until we reached the tree line and the snow on the sides of the road kept getting deeper. We rounded the corner and there was another County bulldozer, blocking the trail this time. It looked like the path had been cleared another 1/4 mile up, but traffic wasn't allowed up there yet. After reaching the 'dozer, we turned back and explored a cool mine camp just under the tree line.

 

[Greg]

More of the mining area, some more panning then we headed back down to Ouray where we had a late lunch at the Goldbelt Bar & Grill... it was damn good.

The rest of the pics are here- http://greg-catherine.smugmug.com/gallery/8399787_c6wRA#551388326_P7uNC

 

[Greg]

I absolutely LOVE Imogene! :chris: It's so beautiful up there. I'm surprised there's still so much snow up there, we had a nice early spring this year. Looks like a great day though and thanks for the heads up, we'll wait a bit before we head up there!

Yep, give it a couple more weeks. I wouldn't be surprised if Imogene was opened in another week. I was surprised at the snow up there too, seems like there isn't much looking at the mountains from the valley below, but once you're in them, there's still plenty of snow! I was amazed at how much water was up there!

Oh man that looks fun!

Fix your Junk and come on down!

 

[Bear T]

As always, great report Greg. Looks absolutely beautiful down there. I can't wait till we can come down and have you take us on a trip.

 

[Greg]

As always, great report Greg. Looks absolutely beautiful down there. I can't wait till we can come down and have you take us on a trip.

Come on down!!

 

[SAMI]

You need to fix your d-side HID

paul got his replaced for free.. What's the issue with yours?

Your day's adventure looks awesome!!

 

[RockMonkey]

4 more weeks... I can't wait.

 

[Greg]

You need to fix your d-side HID

paul got his replaced for free.. What's the issue with yours?

Your day's adventure looks awesome!!

I know, it's just a wire connector. It was on the fritz a few weeks ago, I tinkered with it and got it working, then it quit again. I just need to cut in a new connector.

4 more weeks... I can't wait.

Should be great weather by then!

 

[BroncoMama]

Oh man that looks fun!

It is fun! You should come down and check it out!

the Goldbelt Bar & Grill... it was damn good.

Their food is wickedly good! That's our favorite place in Ouray.

4 more weeks... I can't wait.

Neither can we! I think we're going to run up there this weekend to check out the snow levels. We were supposed to go yesterday, but the offer to go rock crawling changed our priorities. :guilty:

 

[cruiseroutfit]

We need to have an RME gold panning camp one of these years, maybe rent some equipment and set up a killer base camp. I've always wanted to do some more serious prospecting. Catherine looks like shes enjoying it too, Candace rolls her eyes everytime we get my panning equipment out

 

[Greg]

We need to have an RME gold panning camp one of these years, maybe rent some equipment and set up a killer base camp. I've always wanted to do some more serious prospecting. Catherine looks like shes enjoying it too, Candace rolls her eyes everytime we get my panning equipment out

We've had our pans for awhile, but yesterday was the first time using them. I have no idea what I was doing, but we just went to the bottom of fast running water, found a pool next to a large rock where I'd think heavy metals would settle and we started panning.

I work with a couple of guys that are really into it. One guy has a small glass jar full of gold flake. The other guy takes his vacations in Northern California and goes out there dredging.

I'd be all for learning more about panning and having an RME panning event... in the San Juans, of course. :greg:

 

[cruiseroutfit]

There are clubs and groups all over, the Utah Goldpanner Society is actually quite active and travels all over the west on trips. If your ever up for lessons, the Bachelor Syracuse Mine north of Ouray does lessons up at their property. My BIL Tom did them while we were up that way a few years back, I have a video that came with my pan years ago so I figured I was a pro already (never actually done panning for more than 5 minutes at a time LOL). In junior high metal shop I built a sluice and in wood shop I built a rocker box. They are still in my parents attic where they have been for nearly 15 years now Time to dig them out!

 

[Skylinerider]

I've got a couple pans I've never used, I'm in.

 

[LT.]

Greg, you always pick the coolest places to wheel in. Great photos and a job well done for the writing. Very nice.

LT.

 

[BroncoMama]

If you guys are serious, I know the perfect spot for a base camp. It's not too far from town, but it's completely off the beaten path.

 

[Rot Box]

Wow incredible pics Greg :greg: I would really love to explore that area one day.