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970.325.4484 | info@soajeep.com

Governor Basin

Over 12,000 feet / Half-Day / Moderate, but exhilarating

GOVERNOR BASIN – A WILDFLOWER HAVEN

Stunning views. Colorful flowers.

West of Ouray Colorado sits a truly magical area called Governor Basin. At 12,000 feet elevation, Governor Basin is often unrivaled for the carpets of colorful wildflowers and meadows of green grasses as far as the eye can see. The basin is surrounded by the jagged Saint Sophia Ridge and offers unparalleled views overlooking Yankee Boy Basin and the Twin Falls, as well as several 13,000 to 14,000 foot adjacent peaks. Governor Basin is also rich in mining lore with the historic Virginius Mine located on a spur just off the main trail. While every Jeep tour in and around Ouray Colorado is incredible, Governor Basin ranks up there as a ‘must-do Jeep tour’ for a half-day adventure. This itinerary is generally available from mid-July to late September.

Highlights

  • Bird’s-eye views of Twin Falls

  • Vintage mountain-side boarding house

  • Carpets of wildflowers

  • Rugged and unique geological formations 

Adult (13 to 99 yrs)

$80 half day

Child (4 to 12 yrs)

$46 half day

Book Now!

970-325-4484

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Distant Revenue Mine

B. Ross
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B. Ross
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Mountaintop Boarding House

J. Grossman
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Happy Little Family

J. Grossman
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Mt. Sneffels View

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Carpets of Paintbrush

P. Sherman
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Purple Fringe

B. Ross

Trip Details & Logistics

Governor Basin

Depart from Ouray, Colorado.  Ascend through the ghost town of Sneffels and then up a narrow precipice to the historic mining ruins of the Virginus, Humboldt and Mountain Top mines.View rare alpine meadows, wilderness and ‘above tree-line’ vistas as you climb towards the jagged San Sofia’s Ridge. Explore the spectacular Mountaintop Mine boarding house ruins. Governor’s Basin was also the first area to house a mill inside of a mountain at over 11,000 feet. A unique perspective of  mining life at the turn of the century between Ouray and Telluride. Beautiful views overlooking Yankee Boy Basin and Twin Falls.

AM and PM departures generally available from early July till end of September snow dependent. Itinerary requires a minimum of 4 guests to operate.  If you do not see the tour dates you are interested in booking please call our office.

Book Now!

“The basin reminded us of a floating island in the sky… a secret place just discovered by our family…absolutely beautiful”

S. Velazquez, Santa Rosa, CA