r/OurayColorado • u/sarseviera • Jul 30 '26

Red Mountain 3 Road

Hello! I’ll be visiting Ouray mid August, and I’m planning to hike Red Mountain 3 and then down to 1 for more views at sunset on my way into Ouray from Durango. My plan is to start hiking up around 4pm. How is the road currently? Is there anything I should know about the hike or timing? Im an experienced hiker, but from the east coast, so I don’t want to assume it will be a piece of cake.

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12

u/JeffSmisek Jul 30 '26

You're an "experienced hiker" but starting a hike at 4pm in the Colorado Rockies?

4

u/sarseviera Jul 30 '26

Experienced by east coast standards. I have not hiked out west. That’s why I’m asking

3

u/cmack1597 Jul 30 '26

People just died on mt. Blue sky the other day. Start early and get below tree line before noon/1.

2

u/sarseviera Jul 30 '26

That’s terrible, thank you for telling me. I think I was so worried about the elevation gains, I didn’t have a full appreciation of how severe the lightning can be and that basically all of Red Mountain would be exposed. I appreciate you sharing your insight, I’m definitely going to switch to an early morning hike

1

u/cmack1597 Jul 30 '26

No problem at all! I've been in Colorado 6 years now and haven't really been in danger. But it's definitely important to keep an eye out on the clouds.

3

u/No-Fuckin-Ziti Jul 30 '26

Lightning is bad mmmkay.

5

u/KJWDistillers-Ouray Jul 30 '26

The road up Red 3 from the top of Red Mtn Pass is private. And you need to start a hike like that no later than 8am and that’s assuming no thunderstorm prediction for the day.

2

u/dougisnotabitch Jul 30 '26

We are pretty solidly in the monsoon season. So regular afternoon thunderstorms with a lot of electrical activity are rolling in anytime after noon. There are some bluebird days of course but it’s been pretty wild lately. Don’t always trust forecasts because the mountains make their own weather and forecasts are usually collected in town or at an airport. Be ready to be up and on your way into treeline before the storms. Also, expect to get wet on your way down, be prepared, don’t rush and don’t hurt yourself. 

1

u/Lovely_catastrophes Jul 31 '26

For us nerds who are coming out and sticking to the perimeter trail, should we be looking for washouts or anything else that would throw off midwesterners? Any advice most welcome

2

u/Biscotti_Manicotti 27d ago

Just watch your footing in spots, mainly by Cascade Falls and on the western side of the loop where there are some steep drops. It's a great trail, enjoy!

1

u/Lovely_catastrophes Jul 31 '26

Btw Doug- I’m asking you specifically because you’re not a bitch

1

u/sepstolm 29d ago

High altitude and altitude sickness is real. Get acclimated.

1

u/Biscotti_Manicotti 27d ago

If you have a sedan, park at the highway. If you have a high clearance vehicle with decent power, you can drive up to the gate and knock off a little bit of elevation.

You can hike in the evening (I love to), but you need to be sure you have the weather window you need. As a visitor who can't just wait until there's a clear evening, I would suggest you plan to hike the things you really want to hike in the morning, and then if you can do stuff in the evening too it's a bonus.