Colorado wildflower Itinerary in a week??

I'm flying into Grand Junction in a week (Sunday July 18), renting a 4WD SUV with low gears, and planning to shoot the wildflower and mountains around Crested Butte and Ouray. Given the conditions now, could you make some recommendations on best places to visit the week of July 18 through 25? I'd also love some suggestions for logistics. I'm bringing camping stuff and imagining some nights I will camp out at night either in the SUV, if the seats fold down and there is enough room, or on the ground. I'm imagining to be able to shoot sunrise and sunset, this is the best way to do it. If there are great places to go that I could safely drive to for sunrise and/or home from after sunset, I'd love to sleep in a real bed.

What I would like to know is should I go to both the Crested Butte area and the San Juans around Ouray, and if so, which first? Which specific areas are looking good for my visit in a week? Which areas could I spend the night in a motel and safely drive to and back from for sunrise/sunset? Can I get last minute lodging in Crested Butte and/or Ouray, or are they likely to be full?

Thank you so much for your advice!!

Sorry, Tony, apparently they are all out shooting wildflowers. I, unfortunately have never had the privilege of being at either place during wildflower season. Sigh! Well someday, perhaps. From what I have heard about the peak of the blooms, it might be best to go to Crested Butte first, then south.

You will have quite a few choices in Ouray, but , during that time frame I would have something booked before hand. Gunnison is a good alternative and only 30 miles or so from Crested Butte. Lots of lodging choices for less money has been my experience.Your are coming during a peak tourist time so plan accordingly.
Joe Rogers

You are coming right in the middle of the Crested Butte Wildflower festival so lodging will be tough to come by in that area. Crested Butte peaks before Ouray so next weekend should be just about peak.

I will be in Ouray starting next friday and will be going back and forth between there and Silverton...Stony Paas, Porphyry Basin and Yankee Boy basin. There should be quite a bit to shoot but I'm thinking the following week (25-31) will probably be best for that area.

Since quite a few of us are planning to be in Ouray area starting next Friday - can we plan on a meet sometime somewhere (RMNP meet) - I am sure we will definitely cross paths in Yankee Boy Basin or somewhere else ...

If your 4wd rental contract allows you to take it off road, the American Basin and Yankee Boy would be a good bet. If the contract does not allow you to go off road it might be better to rent a normal 2wd car, then rent a 4wd in Ouray for off road use. The CB area will be good during your visit as well as the Ouray area.

I have been down in that area a number of times to shoot wildflowers and will also be leaving to go down to that area on the 18th. In Crested Butte there is a nice hostel where it is fairly easy to get a space if you don't mind sharing with several other people. It is very reasonable and quite clean. It is right in town and easy to drive back to at night. You will actually be getting there at the end of the Wildflower festival, so it might not be as crowded. There are also beautiful campgrounds at Lake Irwin and Lost Lake. I have also gone to Ouray without reservations and had no problems. I have stayed at Cascade Falls on 6th Street and there are several small motels in that area. There is a large campground in Ouray called the Amphitheatre - but sometimes it is full! If you go south of Ouray toward Silverton there is camping at Molas Lake and Little Molas Lake that is very easy to get to. It is generally harder to find hotels in Silverton. Clear Lake near Silverton is another beautiful spot for flowers. Hopefully that will be peak time for the wildflowers. Have a great time.