Trip Length: 3 to 3 1/2 hours from Ouray

Difficulty Rating: Starts out as a 2, increasing to a 4 on the upper sections. Some Ouray Jeep rental firms do not allow their vehicles to be driven up Governor Basin.

Trail Condition: The recent rains have taken their toll on virtually all the Jeep trails in the San Juans. The Governor Basin Trail is no exception. The trail branches off to the left from the Camp Bird Road at the Ruby Trust Mine. The lower section is not difficult, but as the road moves higher through a series of switchbacks conditions become more demanding. The higher sections feature a series of narrow rocky shelves. These stretches demand respect and attention. The recent rains have created ruts in numerous spots that add to the difficulty. There are a number of alternate trails in the upper section. Some of these deteriorate quickly. Be aware of where you're going before attempting some of these secondary routes. Today the main trail leading out in the direction of the Virginius and Mountain Top Mines was still blocked by snow. We were unable to get this far due to a nasty storm that overtook us on the way out. Jerry got pretty wet spotting Miles backing Secret Rental Jeep and Mark backing the truck down a difficult section of shelf road before we could get turned around to return to Ouray.

Sites along the trail: Governor Basin offers some of the finest views in the San Juans. As the trail turns left immediately above the first switchback, stop for a few minutes to catch the view of the waterfall descending beside the Ruby Trust Mine. The views down Sneffels Creek become more and more impressive as you travel up the trail. The same rains that have eaten up some of the road sections have really helped the flora. The mountains have not been this green in years. Wildflowers are abundant throughout the basin. At the upper sections Yankee Boy Basin and Twin Falls are more than 500 feet below. Breaking out on the top of the main trail, Sidney Basin opens up to the left. The remains of the Atlas Mine can be seen in the basin. Governor Basin opens to the right, topped by the jagged Saint Sophia Ridge between Mendota Peak on the left and Mount Emma to the right. The remains of the Virginius Mine and the Mountain Top Mine lie along the basin wall. Gilpin Peak can be seen in the distance while Stony Mountain is directly across Governor Basin. Turning behind you Mount Potosi looms above the Ruby Trust Mine.

View up the Camp Bird Road (75k)

View up to Governor Basin (100k)

View up towards Governor Basin (100k)

View towards Governor Basin from the turn off to Imogene Pass (100k)

View up to Sidney Basin (100k)

Mine tailings along the road to Governor Basin (100k)

Atlas Mill remains (100k)

Stony Mountain (100k)

Twin Falls from the Governor Basin trail (100k)

Coming out from the area below the Atlas Mill (100k)

Jerry and Miles looking towards Yankee Boy (100k)

At the top of the world Who says you can't do this in a truck! (100k)

View from Governor Basin to into Yankee Boy Basin (100k)

This is the trick part of the Governor Basin Trail. (100k)

Fun and games at 13,000 feet! Backing down from a bad spot in the rain (100k)