When a line began to form on summer weekends as the day’s first light peeked over the top of the Amphitheater and spilled into the Uncompahgre Gorge — that’s when the operators of the Ouray Via Ferrata knew.

They knew the nearly mile-long climbing route was poised to become the newest jewel in Ouray’s outdoor recreation crown. Knew the people waiting to venture out onto the 35-foot single-cable bridge marking the entrance to the trail were more than just rock-climbing adrenaline junkies �...