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Ouray is a lovely home rule municipality tucked away in the San Juan Mountains in Colorado, United States. As of the 2020 census, this little city—the county seat of Ouray County—has a population of 898. The ZIP code the Ouray Post Office handles is 81427. At an amazing height of 7,492 feet (2,375 meters), Ouray’s magnificent alpine surroundings and breathtaking views rightfully qualify as “Switzerland of America.“
One of the most interesting features of Ouray is its unique location geographically. Since the site is at the narrow head of a valley, both visitors and locals are enthralled by the dramatic and breathtaking scene almost totally surrounded by steep mountain faces. From snow-capped mountains in winter to lush, green stretches in the warmer months, a climate that offers unique seasonal beauty balances this natural grandeur.
Tourism drives Ouray’s economy since its appeal of natural beauty and adventure attracts guests. The town’s self-appointed moniker, “Switzerland of America,” reflects the variety of leisure activities it offers in addition to paying homage to its gorgeous views. Offering a range of activities including ice climbing, mountain biking, hiking, trail running, and off-roading trips in four-wheel-drive vehicles across the tough San Juan Mountains, Ouray is a heaven for outdoor enthusiasts.
One of the most well-liked attractions is the amazing length of road that links Ouray to Silverton and Durango. Although the highway is well-known for its stunning views, it is also a challenging and exciting trip with its sharp turns, steep ledges, and lack of guardrails. Along this path, among the most famous sites are the Yankee Boy Basin, Engineer Mountain, and the infamous Black Bear Road. Recording artist and former Ouray mayor C. W. McCall captured the latter by penning the song “Black Bear Road,” which gently notes the dangerous nature of the road.
Renowned ice climbing destination Ouray boasts the first ice climbing park in the world. Rising between 80 and 200 feet, this unique facility boasts dozens of frozen waterfalls along more than a mile of the Uncompahgre Gorge. A committed volunteer group keeps the park running; donations from nearby companies, gear manufacturers, and climbers help it to survive. Traveling from all around the globe, climbers swarm the publically accessible Ouray Ice Park, especially busy during the annual Ice Festival. This event spans a weekend and features contests, displays, and instruction from some of the most skilled ice climbers worldwide. The flood of climbers has greatly helped the local economy since closed hotels and restaurants during the winter are now open all year long.
Apart from its adventure sports, Ouray offers rest and rejuvenation by means of its five developed hot springs located in both Ouray and the adjacent town of Ridgway. The biggest establishment, the Ouray Hot Springs, has several pools for guests to enjoy; these thermal pools and vapor caves offer a peaceful haven among the untamed mountain scene.
Furthermore, the area is full of natural waterfalls; many of them are found along the Durango to Ouray road. Especially popular within the city limits are Cascade Falls and Box Canyon Falls. While Cascade Falls is a short climb from a parking lot on 8th Avenue, Box Canyon Falls, at the southwest edge of Ouray, offers simple access to amazing natural beauty.
Ouray’s history is firmly anchored in mining; its most famous site is the Camp Bird Mine. Thomas Walsh found Colorado’s second-largest gold mine opened in 1896. The mine closed in 1990, but its legacy lives on since during its running years it produced 4 million troy ounces of silver and 1.5 million troy ounces of gold. “The Crusher,” the outdated milling machinery, was sold and moved to Mongolia, where it was briefly operational. Travelers heading the rough roads leading to Yankee Boy Basin and Imogene Pass still find great interest in the closed mine.
Ouray, Colorado is a fascinating mix of adventure attitude, natural beauty, and historical curiosity. Whether your search is for the challenge of negotiating mountain roads, the peace of hot springs, or the excitement of ice climbing, Ouray offers an unforgettable experience that reflects its moniker, the “Switzerland of America.“
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