OURAY HIKING FIELD GUIDE
Yankee Boy Basin BONUS!: A four-hour off-road search for waterfalls, wildflowers and forgotten mines above Ouray
A 4-hour Alpine Scenic 4x4 Tours outing that extends past the usual turn-around to visit Yankee Boy Basin’s twin waterfalls, wildflower meadows, and lesser-known high basins or portions of Imogene Pass — useful for planning which scenic bonus you’ll aim for.
Yankee Boy Basin BONUS!: A four-hour off-road search for waterfalls, wildflowers and forgotten mines above Ouray.
This Bonus tour departs from Ouray for a concentrated, four-hour exploration that centers on Yankee Boy Basin’s famous twin waterfalls, prolific wildflowers and the scattered ruins of the area’s mining past. Unlike the standard loop, the Bonus continues beyond the usual turn-around to reach one of several higher basins — Governor, Sydney, Silver or Upper Yankee Boy — or portions of Imogene Pass, giving guides the latitude to chase the best scenery of the day.
Highlights
Outing Highlights
Yankee Boy’s famous twin waterfalls
The tour guarantees a visit to Yankee Boy Basin’s twin waterfalls, a focal point of the outing and a repeatable highlight the guides aim to show on every Bonus run.
Wildflower displays and mining ruins
Late spring and summer bring bright wildflower displays across Yankee Boy Basin, set amid historic mining ruins that trace the area’s extractive past — core visual elements the tour emphasizes.
Hidden high basins and Imogene Pass sections
Where other tours turn back, the Bonus pushes farther to lesser-visited terrain — possible destinations include Governor Basin, Sydney Basin, Silver Basin, Upper Yankee Boy Basin or portions of Imogene Pass — offering vistas and places few visitors see.
What the day feels like
What the four-hour Bonus feels like
Over a concentrated four hours, guides take you off the standard loop into a sequence of short drives and photo stops: waterfall viewpoints, meadow edges bright with alpine blooms, and the scattered skeletons of mining infrastructure. The route changes day to day as guides choose among several high basins or portions of Imogene Pass so each outing can deliver distinct, hard-to-find scenery.
THE WATERFALLS
Yankee Boy’s famous twin waterfalls
The tour guarantees a visit to Yankee Boy Basin’s twin waterfalls, a focal point of the outing and a repeatable highlight the guides aim to show on every Bonus run.
THE MEADOWS
Wildflower displays and mining ruins
Late spring and summer bring bright wildflower displays across Yankee Boy Basin, set amid historic mining ruins that trace the area’s extractive past — core visual elements the tour emphasizes.
THE BONUS ROUTE
Hidden high basins and Imogene Pass sections
Where other tours turn back, the Bonus pushes farther to lesser-visited terrain — possible destinations include Governor Basin, Sydney Basin, Silver Basin, Upper Yankee Boy Basin or portions of Imogene Pass — offering vistas and places few visitors see.
Suitability
Who it's for
Who this Bonus tour suits — and who should consider alternatives.
Practical planner
Details to review before reserving
The outing is a four-hour tour; some higher roads can be snowed in until July, and the guide will select an accessible bonus destination accordingly.
Operated by Alpine Scenic 4x4 Tours, which customizes the bonus route based on guest interests and daily conditions.
When booking you can indicate what you most want to see so guides can tailor the Bonus to your interests within available destinations.
Review cancellation policies before reserving.
Frequently asked questions
Planning Your Outing
How long is the Yankee Boy Basin BONUS! tour?
The tour is four hours in duration.
What will we definitely see on the tour?
You will see Yankee Boy Basin’s twin waterfalls, plus wildflowers and mining ruins; the Bonus also visits an additional high basin or portion of Imogene Pass depending on conditions.
Is the bonus route the same every day?
No; the Bonus continues beyond the usual turn-around to one of several destinations — Governor, Sydney, Silver or Upper Yankee Boy Basin, or portions of Imogene Pass — and guides choose the best scenery for the day.
Can the tour be customized to my interests?
Yes; when you book you can indicate what you most want to see and guides will tailor the Bonus route accordingly.
Are there access limitations early in the season?
Yes; some higher roads can be snowed in until July, so early-season outings may visit alternate bonus sites such as the Amphitheater or Cutler Creek Trail instead.