These threads have provided great photography and fantastic information on current conditions. Thanks for the sharing.
Would anyone want to share a ride to American Basin and surrounding areas for some wildflower photography? I have a jeep wrangler; but I am not familiar with the off road conditions. I will be here until 8/12.
If interested, feel free to email me at cangialosis@hotmail.com
Attached is a pic I took a couple of days ago at YBB.
Best
Sal
Posted by Mel Ladewig on July 24, 2008 at 12:10 PM
Sal,
The road into American Basin is quite easy. I was just there with Kalin last Friday. From one wrangler owner to another, if you made it Yankee Boy, you'll have no trouble with your wrangler getting to that site.
You might also consider the drive to the top of Stony Pass while you're over that way. The flowers near the top are probably looking pretty good now.
YBB is OK. There is a snow drift blocking the last 1/2 mile or so of the road to the sneffles/blue lakes pass trailhead. Its also blocked before the turn for wright's lake. There was alot of avalanche debris in the valley but none blocking the trail
Posted by Kalin Wilson on July 24, 2008 at 1:37 PM
Jamie,
The road to YBB is open and fine as of last Saturday/Sunday. All the way to the parking at the toilet there are only minor dips to navigate. Once you pass the toilet the road gets more difficult but is doable to within 1/4 mile of the Blue Lakes Trailhead where the snow blocks the road. Just before that part there is an off-camber section where you cut across a switchback that is blocked by snow/mud, and a rocky section with a deep hole/ledge. The flowers are less developed at that elevation. If you go up that road and stop at the lower trailhead there are some nice flowers there.
Kalin
were the switchback difficult because of they were slick from rain or were they washed out?
Sal
Posted by Mel Ladewig on July 25, 2008 at 11:22 AM
Stan,
That's always the best thing when 4 wheeling. Stay safe so you can do it again.
Anyways, I was just a passenger with Kalin through Cinnamon. We really didn't have any trouble, but it was dry when we went through. Personally I wouldn't have any fear of doing Cinnamon in the wet, but I probably take 4 wheeling way beyond what most would consider reasonable. My wife on the other hand would probably get out and walk.
This is a good day of 4 wheeling to me. Its my friend's wrangler on Blanca Peak in 2004. I have a very similar silver one. [ur]http://www.ladewigs.com/Gallery/v/Mel_family/jeeping/Sangres/Blanca_003.jpg.html[/url]
Discussion
9 repliesThese threads have provided great photography and fantastic information on current conditions. Thanks for the sharing.
Would anyone want to share a ride to American Basin and surrounding areas for some wildflower photography? I have a jeep wrangler; but I am not familiar with the off road conditions. I will be here until 8/12.
If interested, feel free to email me at cangialosis@hotmail.com
Attached is a pic I took a couple of days ago at YBB.
Best
Sal
The road into American Basin is quite easy. I was just there with Kalin last Friday. From one wrangler owner to another, if you made it Yankee Boy, you'll have no trouble with your wrangler getting to that site.
You might also consider the drive to the top of Stony Pass while you're over that way. The flowers near the top are probably looking pretty good now.
By the way, your image isn't linking correctly.
Mel-
I was also up there on Saturday and Sunday.
YBB is OK. There is a snow drift blocking the last 1/2 mile or so of the road to the sneffles/blue lakes pass trailhead. Its also blocked before the turn for wright's lake. There was alot of avalanche debris in the valley but none blocking the trail
Here are a few shots from YBB from Saturday evening and Sunday sunrise. The flowers were nice in there.
http://www.ladewigs.com/Gallery/v/Colorado/Silverton/YANKEE/
The road to YBB is open and fine as of last Saturday/Sunday. All the way to the parking at the toilet there are only minor dips to navigate. Once you pass the toilet the road gets more difficult but is doable to within 1/4 mile of the Blue Lakes Trailhead where the snow blocks the road. Just before that part there is an off-camber section where you cut across a switchback that is blocked by snow/mud, and a rocky section with a deep hole/ledge. The flowers are less developed at that elevation. If you go up that road and stop at the lower trailhead there are some nice flowers there.
Kalin
Sal - I'm not headed to American Basin, but I'll email you to see if we can connect Sunday in the Ouray area.
were the switchback difficult because of they were slick from rain or were they washed out?
Sal
That's always the best thing when 4 wheeling. Stay safe so you can do it again.
Anyways, I was just a passenger with Kalin through Cinnamon. We really didn't have any trouble, but it was dry when we went through. Personally I wouldn't have any fear of doing Cinnamon in the wet, but I probably take 4 wheeling way beyond what most would consider reasonable. My wife on the other hand would probably get out and walk.
This is a good day of 4 wheeling to me. Its my friend's wrangler on Blanca Peak in 2004. I have a very similar silver one. [ur]http://www.ladewigs.com/Gallery/v/Mel_family/jeeping/Sangres/Blanca_003.jpg.html[/url]