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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Two rock climbers ascending a steep, reddish-brown cliff with climbing gear and safety ropes.
Group of hikers, wearing helmets and backpacks, exploring a trail near a dilapidated wooden structure with a scenic mountain and tree background.
Six people rock climbing on a cliffside with lush green forested mountains in the background
A narrow suspension bridge crossing a deep canyon at sunset, with rocky cliffs and sparse trees on the right, and distant mountain ridges under a clear sky.
Group of people rock climbing on a rugged canyon wall, wearing helmets and harnesses, with trees and a partly cloudy sky in the background.

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

  • A woman rock climbing on a red rock face with mountains and a road below in the background.

    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.

  • Two men in mountain climbing gear walking through a narrow rocky mountain tunnel, with one in the front wearing a green helmet and orange and blue jacket, and the other in the background with a blue helmet.

    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.

  • Three climbers wearing helmets and harnesses are safely climbing a rock face with a mountainous landscape and clear blue sky in the background.

    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

  • Extract from an old newspaper reporting a fire at the Memphis mine near Memphis, with ongoing work by B. H. DuPraw and others, and an estimated loss of about $600.

    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.

  • Historical newspaper clipping about Memphis and Wanakah ore reserves, mentioning the development work, a limestone quarry, and transportation via an adit tunnel.

    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.

  • A scanned excerpt from an old newspaper or document mentioning that three or four high-grade cars are made each month, located near Memphis, with new buildings being constructed.

    Success.

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

  • Newspaper clipping with the headline 'Many Geologists Arrive--Local Men Organize--Many Mining Developments,' featuring a black and white photo of a man in a suit and glasses. The article discusses visits and activities related to mining, including a quote about respecting Gov. Shafroth and mentions of various locations and individuals connected to the mining industry.

    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.

Contact Us

Contact Base Camp directly at 970-318-9828

info@basecampouray.com

 

The Memphis Mine Ore Sorting House Looking North Towards Ridgway