To all you colorado wildflower enthusiasts, a little advice on driving to American Basin please. I drive a full size silverado, extended cab, but the shorter bed. I'm planning on heading to some of the high basins this upcoming weekend, in particular, American. My original plan was the head out after work Thursday, and drive to American via Silverton. I've heard the road is pretty tight and has a fair amount of switchbacks coming from this direction. How difficult of an approach is this when driving at night? I probably wouldn't make it in until about 2 am. I've heard one can also access it from the east and the drive is quite simple, but it will be much more driving since I'm coming from Utah and would have to go all the way around to get to the eastern side. Would it be easier to do something like Yankee boy my first morning, and then head to American in the light of day? Thanks!
Would it be easier to do something like Yankee boy my first morning, and then head to American in the light of day?
That's exactly what I would do if I were going to AB via Silverton.
As a matter of fact, that's exactly what I will be doing on that weekend!
I think you need better light than what headlights provide on some of that stretch of road via Cinnamon Pass, especially the beginning steep, rocky section and the ending switchbacks.
The advantage to this (assuming that you're camping) is that you would also have an evening to shoot and scout a good sunrise location for the next morning. Much more satisfying than fumbling and hurrying at dawn's first light.
As an aside, I've admired your work for a long time now and look forward to meeting another desert photographer should our paths cross. I'll be driving a green Jeep Wrangler.
Posted by Jack Garrett on July 20, 2009 at 10:18 AM
Adam, I drove this road last week from Silverton to American Basin. I drove at night but I have been on it before and knew it well enough to be confident. I don't necessarily recommend driving it at night if you've never done it before. From Animas Forks to American, going over Cinnamon Pass, the road is narrow and pretty rough. As for the switchbacks, they are on the far side, approaching American Basin. I ran into a guy who had an extented cab truck and he let me ahead of him going into the switchbacks. I have a jeep Grand Cherokee and his truck was way bigger than mine. He got through the switchbacks with no problem..just had to go slow. Once again, this is a judgement call for going at night. As far as Yankee Boy first, that is a much easier road. I've driven that in the dark also and had no issues. It is about a 45 minute ride out of Ouray and the sunrises there are pretty good...go to my first post from Yankee Boy which is somewhere on this page. Good luck!
Posted by Todd Caudle on July 20, 2009 at 10:19 AM
Hey Adam, my previous truck was a full-size Silverado with the standard (7-foot?) bed, and I took it over Cinnamon Pass many a time. The only issue is a set of switchbacks on the east side, not far from the AB turn-off, that will require you to do a 3-point turn. If you're uncomfortable or unfamiliar with this sort of thing, daylight would be better, but it's not a big deal. Almost everything else on this route is a piece of cake. A sometimes bumpy, sometimes steep piece of cake.
Posted by Mel Ladewig on July 20, 2009 at 11:18 AM
Kalin and I drove up in the night from the Lake City side of Cinnamon Pass in his 4-runner. Its very easy up to American Basin from that side. The more challenging section IMO is from the American Basin turnoff to the summit and then another very short stretch into Animas Forks, but even those are not too challenging. But my sense of easy 4WD is a bit skewed.
One thing is for sure. Use your common sense and don't take excessive risks.
John- I think I'm leaning towards heading to Yankee Boy for Friday morning. Then heading out to American in the light of day for Friday evening and Saturday morning. I'll be out there with my girlfriend and her dog and I'll be driving a white Chevy Silverado from Utah. I'll also be the guy shooting with some wooden contraption with an accordion on it......
Posted by Kalin Wilson on July 20, 2009 at 2:13 PM
Hey Adam, good to see you posting! Have fun playing in the wildflowers!
Discussion
6 repliesAdam
That's exactly what I would do if I were going to AB via Silverton.
As a matter of fact, that's exactly what I will be doing on that weekend!
I think you need better light than what headlights provide on some of that stretch of road via Cinnamon Pass, especially the beginning steep, rocky section and the ending switchbacks.
The advantage to this (assuming that you're camping) is that you would also have an evening to shoot and scout a good sunrise location for the next morning. Much more satisfying than fumbling and hurrying at dawn's first light.
As an aside, I've admired your work for a long time now and look forward to meeting another desert photographer should our paths cross. I'll be driving a green Jeep Wrangler.
One thing is for sure. Use your common sense and don't take excessive risks.
Mel-
John- I think I'm leaning towards heading to Yankee Boy for Friday morning. Then heading out to American in the light of day for Friday evening and Saturday morning. I'll be out there with my girlfriend and her dog and I'll be driving a white Chevy Silverado from Utah. I'll also be the guy shooting with some wooden contraption with an accordion on it......