THE GOLD MOUNTAIN VIA FERRATA

Gold Mountain Ranch is home to an exclusive Via Ferrata experience. This all-inclusive excursion highlights the best adventure, scenery, and history in the San Juans-and its only accessible at Gold Mountain Ranch.

Gold Mountain Ranch has partnered with Basecamp Ouray to bring you a top-tier exclusive guided experience on the Gold Mountain Via Ferrata.

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Questions

Via Ferrata is Italian for “iron path”. A series of rungs, steps, cables, and bridges make accessing Colorado’s most rugged and scenic places possible.
The Gold Mountain Expedition route was designed to be physically accessible to non-climbers, yet adventurous enough to excite even the most experienced climbers. There are optional spurs that allow a group to move at their desired level of challenge.
- First rate local guides
- All required safety gear
- Intimate knowledge of the history and geology of Gold Mountain and the Memphis Mine

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Ouray’s NEW Via Ferrata

Watch Jerry Arizona’s first hand experience of the Gold Mountain Expedition and learn a little bit more about what all went into making this experience possible. Meet the Gold Mountain crew and owners Rick and Sandra Wilson.

The Gold Mountain Expedition

Human Powered.

Having an intimate experience with the Mining History of Ouray doesn’t always require a jeep or side by side. Low-impact immersive experiences are the future of tourism.
Relive the Experience.

This is an opportunity to go where few people have ventured for over a century. The route weaves in and out of the Memphis Mine Site. To spend a day on the cliffs that the “Old Timers”once lived cultivates an entirely new perspective and appreciation for the history of Ouray.
A Class of it's Own.

The Gold Mountain Expedition will be the longest route of its kind in North America. The GME combines hiking, history, and Via Ferrata style climbing that captivates children, adults, and even the most experienced climbers.

Retracing the Footsteps of History

Struggle.

One fateful night the Memphis Boarding house burned to the ground costing Mr. DuPraw an astounding $800. The route of the Gold Mountain Expedition takes you to the very location of this struggle.
Toil.

Years of consistent hard work in hard to reach places were required to make ends meet. Mining in the San Juans at this time was not a game of instant gratification.
Success.

Years of struggle and toil ultimately began to pay off and led to the erection of the very structures we contemplate today.
Excellence.

Ultimately, Mr. Dupraw’s work at the Memphis lead to excellence. Visit’s from Governor Shafroth were not uncommon, and he ultimately invested into a 1/3 of ownership in the mine.