Distance
2.86 mi one-way, out & back
Time
1.5–2 hours
Difficulty
Difficult
Yankee Boy's quieter sister trail — same caliber of scenery, a fraction of the traffic. Jagged St. Sophia Ridge dominates the views, wildflowers peak in late July, and the route ends high above timberline at the remarkably well-preserved Mountain Top Mine. Rated on the line between moderate and difficult, and the named hazard is exposure rather than technical obstacles: as one driver put it, the road is not that difficult but you do need to pay attention through the shelf sections, and sometimes the hardest obstacle in the San Juans is the scenery.
Highlights
- •Well-preserved Mountain Top Mine above timberline
- •Jagged St. Sophia Ridge views
- •Same scenery as Yankee Boy with far less traffic
- •Shelf-road sections that demand attention
- •12,056-ft high point
Access & Permits
No permit required — GMUG National Forests (Ouray Ranger District), Ouray County Rd. 26A. Typical season July 1 – Nov 1. Heads up: this was the one route in our set last reported only PARTIALLY OPEN, so confirm status before committing a group to it.