Advice wanted, I haven't filmed at Yankee Boy basin before, when is the peak time to find flowers, end of July?? Also any comments on the best locations down that way? Is this season early or late, I noticed that it was about one week late where I live so far this year.
See this older thread for lodging recommendations in the Ouray area.
Posted by Mel Ladewig on June 13, 2008 at 10:26 AM
I was the author of the thread John is referring to.
I will say that I ultimately chose Riverside and found it to be comfortable and reasonably priced. I'd have no trouble staying there again.
As for Yankee Boy and much of the high San Juans, you'd be looking at a peak bloom season from mid-July to early August. End of July is a good bet.
Its hard to say what the wildflower season will look like. There is an awful lot of snow still in that area. But my guess is that it would still be right on time.
Out here on the eastern plains I think the flower bloom is more dependent on summer rains and temperatures. In Colorado Springs the blooms at Ute Valley Park are almost a month behind last years blooms, and some haven't happened at all. Its been extremely dry here this spring.
YBB is a fickle mistress...It may seem like it's running late and then bam, it's right on time. My suggestion: Listen here for comments (maybe from Mr. Brauer, our resident Ouray-ite). I like to check the snowpack data from SNOTEL and see how things are progressing, but that's not really helpful other than to see if it's a wet or dry year. (BTW, it's a wet year this year in YBB but dry in the San Juans overall...). Red Mountain Pass and Schofield Pass, the closest sensors to YBB report 154% and 270% of average. Yep, you read that right...Probably means a late season because of those huge number, but that depends on how hot a summer we have, too...
Here is a shot from YBB a few days ago. Kinda gives you an idea of the amount of snow the San Juans received this past winter. The picture is from the website for the Telluride Watch - http://www.telluridewatch.com/
Posted by Kalin Wilson on June 13, 2008 at 3:20 PM
Wow, I can't believe all that snow!
I've stayed at the Ridgeway lodge before on treks to the Ouray region. It usually has vacancy, is clean, has a pool (if you have kids), and is reasonably priced.
YBB is definately worth the experience but I found myself really not enjoying myself there last year. In 2005 I had a ball. Last year when I hit it there were a LOT of people/photogs up there and I got soured. I had a hard time finding compositions in the main valley without someone in it and I got tired of waiting. There are plenty of other areas that have the flowers that don't have the traffic. Still, if you haven't been there you owe to yourself to go. If you can avoid the weekends it may help reduce the crowds. But at peak season, expect lines of cars through the chokepoints on the road, limited parking in the valley, and lots of people trapsing through the meadows. If you go up higher towards the Blue Lakes trailhead, the crowds thin out because the road is rougher.
That said, I'll probably still put it on my itenerary - see you up there!
Discussion
9 repliesAny hotel recommendations also?
thanks for any help,
Bill
I will say that I ultimately chose Riverside and found it to be comfortable and reasonably priced. I'd have no trouble staying there again.
As for Yankee Boy and much of the high San Juans, you'd be looking at a peak bloom season from mid-July to early August. End of July is a good bet.
Its hard to say what the wildflower season will look like. There is an awful lot of snow still in that area. But my guess is that it would still be right on time.
Out here on the eastern plains I think the flower bloom is more dependent on summer rains and temperatures. In Colorado Springs the blooms at Ute Valley Park are almost a month behind last years blooms, and some haven't happened at all. Its been extremely dry here this spring.
Mel-
Have you also checked out my Hotspot article: http://colorado.naturephotographers.net/hotspots/yankeeboybasin/index.shtml which answers a couple of questions about "other places" and times...?
-D
I've stayed at the Ridgeway lodge before on treks to the Ouray region. It usually has vacancy, is clean, has a pool (if you have kids), and is reasonably priced.
YBB is definately worth the experience but I found myself really not enjoying myself there last year. In 2005 I had a ball. Last year when I hit it there were a LOT of people/photogs up there and I got soured. I had a hard time finding compositions in the main valley without someone in it and I got tired of waiting. There are plenty of other areas that have the flowers that don't have the traffic. Still, if you haven't been there you owe to yourself to go. If you can avoid the weekends it may help reduce the crowds. But at peak season, expect lines of cars through the chokepoints on the road, limited parking in the valley, and lots of people trapsing through the meadows. If you go up higher towards the Blue Lakes trailhead, the crowds thin out because the road is rougher.
That said, I'll probably still put it on my itenerary - see you up there!