Ouray, CO – Wetterhorn Basin Trail #226 is a moderate to difficult trail that travels 5.8 miles roundtrip to West Fork Pass or 9.0 miles roundtrip to the Wetterhorn Basin. The trail starts at 10,760 feet elevation and climbs for 1,757 feet to West Fork Pass and then descends 667 feet to Wetterhorn Basin. Wetterhorn Basin Trail travels into the Uncompahgre Wilderness Area and the trailhead is one of the most scenic we have ever experienced. We used Diane Greer’s “Best Hiking in Southwest Colorado around Ouray, Telluride, Silverton and Lake City” in selecting our hike.
The final approach to the Wetterhorn Basin Trailhead
The trailhead has ample parking
We were able to drive the final 1.5 miles to the trailhead, which requires high clearance/4WD due to extremely rocky terrain and a creek crossing of the West Fork of the Cimarron River. From the trailhead, views of Redcliff and Coxcomb Peaks dominate your view at the head of the valley. West Fork Pass is to the west of Coxcomb Peak. After soaking in the view, we headed down the trail which traveled in and out of a meadow along the West Fork of the Cimarron River. We entered the Uncompahgre Wilderness Area at about 0.6 miles just before entering forest at about 0.7 miles.
The trail begins by traveling across open meadow
Enter the Uncompahgre Wilderness at about 0.6 miles
Along the trail
The trail travels through conifer forest with intermittent mountain views as you climb steadily up the valley. Along the way to the alpine basin you will cross small side streams and avalanche chutes. Snow melt trickles downhill weaving a myriad of paths across the landscape. Wildflowers such as Mountain Parsley, Columbine and Indian Paintbrush were beginning to bloom. The scent of pine filled the air and the sounds of the creeks and birds provided a soundtrack. The basin sits at 11,370 feet elevation.
Wildflowers were beginning to bloom
Looking across the valley
Along the trail
Approaching the valley headwall
After crossing more side streams, begin climbing switchbacks up the valley’s western slope. Precipice, Fortress, Redcliff and Coxcomb peaks punctuate the ridge. As you climb look back toward the trailhead for views of distinctive Courthouse Mountain and Chimney Rock. The trail continues climbing across grassy slopes and talus before reaching West Fork Pass at 12,517 feet. Snow bridges were melting and thinning and creek crossings required thoughtful planning. At higher elevations, the snow was still plentiful causing us to stop a couple 100 yards short of the pass. Yaktrax or a similar traction device would’ve been helpful for the final climb. This is very scenic trail we highly recommend to anyone visiting the Ouray region.
Climbing the switchbacks
Climbing toward West Fork Pass
Snow near West Fork Pass
Looking up at West Fork Pass with plenty of snow on Wetterhorn Basin Trail in late June
Another view near the pass
Looking down at the West Fork Valley
Mike on the climb down
Another view
At the headwall
Courthouse Mountain and Chimney Rock on the return hike
To reach the Wetterhorn Basin Trailhead from Ouray: Head north on US Highway 550 for just under 12 miles. Turn right (east) onto the gravel Owl Creek Road (CR 10), which is about 1.8 miles past the turn off for Highway 62 to Ridgway. Follow signs to Owl Creek Pass, about 14.9 miles with Owl Creek Road changing into CR 8 and then Forest Service road 858 along the way. The drive includes views of Courthouse Mountain and Chimney Rock. Continue over the pass for about 0.3 miles to West Fork Road aka FS 860. Turn right and follow for 3.3 miles to the trailhead, with the last 1.5 miles being extremely rocky, requiring high-clearance/4WD and a creek crossing that can be very high depending on snow melt. There is ample parking, but no facilities at the trailhead.
View from Owl Creek Road en route to this hike
Chimney Rock from the Owl Creek Road
During this trip to Ouray we also hiked the Ouray Perimeter Loop, Blue Lakes Trail in Mount Sneffels Wilderness, a section of the Colorado Trail/Continental Divide Trail from Stony Pass, and the Highland Mary Lakes Loop in the Weminuche Wilderness. We stayed at the Ouray KOA but there are some other RV camping options in the region. We also traveled via Jeep on Last Dollar Road, Ophir Pass Road, Porphyry Gulch, Alta Lakes Road, Corkscrew/Hurricane Pass/California Gulch, and Placer & Picayune Gulches. During earlier trips we have driven Engineer, Cinnamon, and Imogene Passes.
