Hello all - CAZ and I are planning a trip to the San Juans in late July to shoot wildflowers.
I've been around the area quite a bit, but never in peak wildflower season.
I'm hoping to get some suggestions for locations that are reliably productive (understanding things change from year to year) and not extremely difficult to get to.
Also hotel recommendations, probably in Silverton (?).
Every time I've been to Porphyry Basin the wildflowers have been fantastic. Also, Yankee Boy Basin, Governor Basin, Velocity Basin, Ice Lakes Basin and Clear Lake are all amazing places to photograph wildflowers and/or peaks.
I agree with all of Bret's recommendations. I would add American Basin and Stony Pass (Silverton area), Gold King and Kilpacker Basins (Telluride area), Owl Creek Road and West Fork of the Cimmaron (Ridgway area) to your list of possible places to check out.
As for hotels, Silverton doesn't have many. You might have better luck in Ouray which has a few more places to choose from including Best Western, Antlers, Beaumont, Chalet, etc. I usually stay at hotel "Jeep Liberty" when I'm in the area but in the fall after a couple of cold snow storms in different years I've stayed at the BW and Antlers. Both are pretty basic and affordable but I'd say the customer service was better at Antlers. I've heard the Beaumont is very nice but, of course, a little pricier. Staying at a hotel means you might be driving some 4wd drive roads in the dark to make it by sunrise/early morning to most of these locations. Not a problem if you are somewhat confident in your driving abilities (except for maybe Porphyry Basin which is quite precipitous in a couple spots and I personally would never drive at night and maybe Governor Basin).
Posted by Todd Caudle on June 29, 2010 at 11:58 PM
Hard to add anything to that excellent advice.
Posted by Mel Ladewig on June 30, 2010 at 12:09 AM
I've said it before, but the best wildflowers I've seen in the area in terms of variety and garden like appearance were in Blue Lakes Basin above lower blue lake. There are also excellent flowers as you get closer to Blue Lakes Pass, but that is a BIG dayhike from the bottom. The tallest I've seen were in Ice Lakes Basin. I've done American, Yankee Boy, Ice Lakes and Stony Pass.
I've stayed at the little cabin/tent complex in Silverton. It was really nice. I've stayed in several hotels in Ouray. Box Canyon Lodge is my favorite for hospitality and amenities. Riverside was cheap off-season and a good place to stop over for a night en route to Hite. I wasn't to crazy about Weisbaden. The Best Western is typical Best Western.
Posted by Laurie Wendt on June 30, 2010 at 11:41 AM
Like Joshua says there's not much lodging in Silverton. At this late date I think you'll be lucky to find anything available there. I've stayed at The Prospector Motel. I liked that it was 1 level and was located in town. Not fancy but clean and it was the lowest price in Silverton. Just 1 block from a great place to eat the Brown Bear Cafe. Ouray has much more to choose from. I've stayed at the Riverside Motel.
Can't add anything to the flower locations already listed. Have a great trip!
Discussion
6 repliesI've been around the area quite a bit, but never in peak wildflower season.
I'm hoping to get some suggestions for locations that are reliably productive (understanding things change from year to year) and not extremely difficult to get to.
Also hotel recommendations, probably in Silverton (?).
Not planning to camp.
Your thoughts? Thanks in advance...
As for hotels, Silverton doesn't have many. You might have better luck in Ouray which has a few more places to choose from including Best Western, Antlers, Beaumont, Chalet, etc. I usually stay at hotel "Jeep Liberty" when I'm in the area but in the fall after a couple of cold snow storms in different years I've stayed at the BW and Antlers. Both are pretty basic and affordable but I'd say the customer service was better at Antlers. I've heard the Beaumont is very nice but, of course, a little pricier. Staying at a hotel means you might be driving some 4wd drive roads in the dark to make it by sunrise/early morning to most of these locations. Not a problem if you are somewhat confident in your driving abilities (except for maybe Porphyry Basin which is quite precipitous in a couple spots and I personally would never drive at night and maybe Governor Basin).
I've stayed at the little cabin/tent complex in Silverton. It was really nice. I've stayed in several hotels in Ouray. Box Canyon Lodge is my favorite for hospitality and amenities. Riverside was cheap off-season and a good place to stop over for a night en route to Hite. I wasn't to crazy about Weisbaden. The Best Western is typical Best Western.
Can't add anything to the flower locations already listed. Have a great trip!
Check out Darren's excellent page for some more info and pics. Good luck guys!
Darrens' Wildflower Page