Ouray adventure

[callbob]

Well we did as trip to Yankee Boy and got out of there before the rain. Most of the pics I took were on the big camera. Here is one of Charley looking at Ouray from the road going to Imogene and Yankee Boy. Rain d most of the rest of the afternoon and part way through the night with big thunder boomers.

 

[angiebaby]

One of my favorite areas. We love Ouray.

 

[LHC30]

We were just up there two weeks ago. Rained every afternoon for a bit. Sure was nice waking up to 44 degree mornings while it was 115 here in Havasu! Here’s a pic of the lake at the top of Yankee Boy.

 

[callbob]

Just a few from camera phone today. Did Engineer Pass, Poughkeepsie and Corkscrew today. Met up with a guy from Canada with a Gladiator Rubicon and we just cruised along. He flew a drone over us quite a bit and going to send me the footage. Charley loved it and hung out the window on my lap for most of the time. The rough stuff never bothered him. More pics when I get home and download the camera. This place is off the hook beautiful. So glad I live only 3 hours away pulling the jeep with the Moho.

 

[NIKAL]

I was supposed to be doing this trip last week. We were going to hit Durango, Silverton, do the Alpine loop. Ouray, Telluride. And if we had the time and found our way to Glenwood Springs to the whole hot springs water park. But we had to cancel as I’ve even dealing with some muscle & nerve issues. Lots of Dr appt. and PT have grounded me. Maybe next year?

Planned on using my Hummer H3 Champion edition and my sister in BIL would use their Bronco.

 

[STV_Keith]

I was booked at the Ouray KOA for the 8th-12th, but the forecast showed rain every day. Our plan was to ride motorcycles on all the cool roads, so I cancelled and we went to WY instead. I still want to get out that way in the future. Looks like a cool area!

 

[callbob]

Jeering, sis or trail bikes off the hook. Scenery can’t be beat.

 

[Ol Man]

Just got back from a week in Gunnison and a week in Buena Vista. Our Jeep club usually spends one to two weeks in Colorado each summer. We bounce around from the two mentioned to Leadville, Silverton and Ouray.

 

[LHC30]

Ol Man, which Jeep club?

And, CallBob, the reason they call that Silverton/Ouray/Telluride area the Little Switzerland is shown in your great pics

 

[mash on it]

@callbob
So, what do I need to do these trails?
CJ7, locked rear end, 4" lift and 33 BFGs, 50:1 low range.
No doors, bikini top and a 327
doable?

Dan'l

 

[NIKAL]

@callbob
So, what do I need to do these trails?
CJ7, locked rear end, 4" lift and 33 BFGs, 50:1 low range.
No doors, bikini top and a 327
doable?

Dan'l

That would work on most of these trails. Some are more hard core, but there are plenty that are not. I have yet to do this trip myself, and was concerned at first that maybe a stock H3 with 33’s, stock front & rear lockers & skids was not enough. But I spoke to a few who have done the majority of the popular trails in a stock newer Wrangler, and Gladiator. The guy with the Gladiator said it was a little long for some of the tighter turn stuff and could have used a lift as he scrapped in a few trails.

On YouTube there are some good videos people have made of their trips. I suggest checking them out. You can get a good feel of what’s needed for most of the popular trails in that area. You will see lots of Toyota trucks with 4inch lifts & 33’s, and I’ve watched a guy with a pretty stock FJ Cruiser do several of the trails. For me the trip is more about the sites, old goast towns, mines & mills, lakes, streams & wildlife you can see on the way vs the actual off roading.

It seems like most trails are not technical, but it’s the narrow feeling of the trails as many are cut into the sides of the mountain with steep shelf cliffs on one side that can make it intimidating.

I will say I’d put doors on your jeep and in that high altitude they get rain storms year around from what I’m told, and even in the summer on trails like the Alpine loop, you go to 14,000 ft and theirs still snow on the ground.

 

[Sleek-Jet]

Just to give you and idea of what mods you need... I took the family on a "Jeep" tour in Telluride a couple of years ago. The company we used has 3500 Silverados modified with beds for seating. I was chatting with the driver at one of the stops and asked him what modifications they had done and he said the trucks were stock except for the beds.

And when I was growing up and lived back there we ran those trails in stock CJs, XJs and 4Runners. All of those roads were originally wagon trails, so they aren't super technical. A locker or at least a limited slip differential makes the driving easier, and that's about it.

Keep the picture coming Bob, looks like a great couple days.

 

[callbob]

Most trails can be done with stock 4wd but takes more finesse and picking a line. The ones we were on yesterday, Engineer, Poughkeepsie and Corkscrew I wouldn’t do without a lift, bigger tires and at least posi in rear. My Gladiator has a 2.5 AEV lift running 35” tires. No lockers but has the posi rear end. There are some trails I wouldn’t try without lockers but not many. The trail ratings On some of these are worst case scenario imo, but did see a couple of Ram and Chevy trucks with built on beds and seats for tours heading up corkscrew from the highway. Don’t know how far they go but would assume probably the loop to Silverton, not towards Poughkeepsi. Keep in mind, the severity of the trail can change with conditions and rock slides. Heading out to Imogene and coming back on Ophir pass today hopefully. Been raining most of the night and as I type this at 6 am. Highly recommend this area and if you are into tenting, there are some great displaced areas in the forest to camp. My idea of roughing it anymore is not having full hookups lol.

 

[tostark]

@callbob
So, what do I need to do these trails?
CJ7, locked rear end, 4" lift and 33 BFGs, 50:1 low range.
No doors, bikini top and a 327
doable?

Dan'l

I just did Imogene with a 2001 Cherokee, 3 1/2 “ lift, front lockers riding on 31’s. A lot of 4 low but made it no problem. You see a lot of stock looking newer jeeps out there

 

[17 10 Flat]

Up and over Engineer pass, fun excursion !!

 

[Ol Man]

Ol Man, which Jeep club?

And, CallBob, the reason they call that Silverton/Ouray/Telluride area the Little Switzerland is shown in your great pics

On the Rocks.

 

[callbob]

@callbob
So, what do I need to do these trails?
CJ7, locked rear end, 4" lift and 33 BFGs, 50:1 low range.
No doors, bikini top and a 327
doable?

Dan'l

Doable for sure but like someone else said I would do doors or at least half doors and a back piece off the bikini behind you. Rain comes up quick, but doesn’t usually last long.

 

[pwerwagn]

@callbob
So, what do I need to do these trails?
CJ7, locked rear end, 4" lift and 33 BFGs, 50:1 low range.
No doors, bikini top and a 327
doable?

Dan'l

You are 100% fine on everything. I have done every trail in the silverton/ouray area in a stock 2002 jeep grand cherokee. The "wall" on poughkeepsie you need to pick the right line with a short wheelbase but you'll still be just fine. Heck, one year we did black bear in a 2005 long bed 3500 cummins. Took a few 15 point turns but it was all good.

We spend ~10-12 days up there every summer. My grandpa used to be a jeep guide out of silverton, was great having him around up there as a kid. In all honesty, the "hardest" trails are sometimes the ones that people dont even talk about. There are portions of Kendal Mtn that get pretty hairy, especially if its raining. This summer the one that shocked me was the top of Arrastra Gulch. My Cummins Swapped Ramcharger on aired down 37's was actually having a tough time at the top, and while we were up there a jeep and 2 broncos turned around halfway up it.

 

[mash on it]

Doable for sure but like someone else said I would do doors or at least half doors and a back piece off the bikini behind you. Rain comes up quick, but doesn’t usually last long.

Note to self bring doors.
Put windshield wipers back on. (replaced windshield in 2010ish)

Dan'l

 

[Hava-Schiada]

Well we did as trip to Yankee Boy and got out of there before the rain. Most of the pics I took were on the big camera. Here is one of Charley looking at Ouray from the road going to Imogene and Yankee Boy. Rain d most of the rest of the afternoon and part way through the night with big thunder boomers. View attachment 1418890 View attachment 1418887 View attachment 1418888 View attachment 1418887

Taking our Jeep up there in a couple of weeks! Can’t wait!

 

[paradise]

You are 100% fine on everything. I have done every trail in the silverton/ouray area in a stock 2002 jeep grand cherokee. The "wall" on poughkeepsie you need to pick the right line with a short wheelbase but you'll still be just fine. Heck, one year we did black bear in a 2005 long bed 3500 cummins. Took a few 15 point turns but it was all good.

We spend ~10-12 days up there every summer. My grandpa used to be a jeep guide out of silverton, was great having him around up there as a kid. In all honesty, the "hardest" trails are sometimes the ones that people dont even talk about. There are portions of Kendal Mtn that get pretty hairy, especially if its raining. This summer the one that shocked me was the top of Arrastra Gulch. My Cummins Swapped Ramcharger on aired down 37's was actually having a tough time at the top, and while we were up there a jeep and 2 broncos turned around halfway up it.

Just don't do this on Blackbear:

 

[rivermobster]

Just a few from camera phone today. Did Engineer Pass, Poughkeepsie and Corkscrew today. Met up with a guy from Canada with a Gladiator Rubicon and we just cruised along. He flew a drone over us quite a bit and going to send me the footage. Charley loved it and hung out the window on my lap for most of the time. The rough stuff never bothered him. More pics when I get home and download the camera. This place is off the hook beautiful. So glad I live only 3 hours away pulling the jeep with the Moho.

My kinna summer trip. Beautiful area!

 

[2Driver]

We were just up there two weeks ago. Rained every afternoon for a bit. Sure was nice waking up to 44 degree mornings while it was 115 here in Havasu! Here’s a pic of the lake at the top of Yankee Boy.

View attachment 1418982

Looks like the lower Blue lake. Did you hike over from Yankee boy Basin?

 

[pwerwagn]

Just don't do this on Blackbear:

I actually saw a CJ7 do that in ~1999 or so. It had a dana 300 with 4:1 gears in the T case, the slave cylinder failed and when he went to push the clutch in as he came up on a rock on the passenger side it wouldnt stop and the brakes wouldnt stop it. Over she went! He wasnt buckled up and he came right out of the jeep without a scratch on him and watched it tumble about 3 switchbacks down.

They run this trail in H1 hummers, big tour trucks with 15 people in the bed, etc. Its not hard at all, just requires a small amount of common sense. Ive ran it probably ~40 times in 15 different vehicles and only seen an accident once. I even got to run it backwards once with my grandpa when he was doing the tour guide thing there.

 

[paradise]

I actually saw a CJ7 do that in ~1999 or so. It had a dana 300 with 4:1 gears in the T case, the slave cylinder failed and when he went to push the clutch in as he came up on a rock on the passenger side it wouldnt stop and the brakes wouldnt stop it. Over she went! He wasnt buckled up and he came right out of the jeep without a scratch on him and watched it tumble about 3 switchbacks down.

They run this trail in H1 hummers, big tour trucks with 15 people in the bed, etc. Its not hard at all, just requires a small amount of common sense. Ive ran it probably ~40 times in 15 different vehicles and only seen an accident once. I even got to run it backwards once with my grandpa when he was doing the tour guide thing there.

Agreed, certainly not challenging, but high 'risk' if you fuck up

 

[pwerwagn]

Agreed, certainly not challenging, but high 'risk' if you fuck up

Bingo!

This past summer we saw 3 vehicles drive off the side of the trail between Eureka and Animas forks. The consequences are certainly high!!!

 

[LHC30]

Looks like the lower Blue lake. Did you hike over from Yankee boy Basin?

Hike? Nope - Jeep all the way up from Ouray.

 

[callbob]

Todays highllites

 

[callbob]

First pic is a whistle pig or groundhog if not from around here. The Trump carved into the snow is leaving the summit of Imogene. Somebody really worked for that. Well kids, that’s it until I get home tomorrow and go through what I have on the real camera.

 

[Ol Man]

My scariest time on Black Bear Pass was in the late 90s with a couple of buddies. I had a CJ7 and had a clutch busing get destroyed. I could not get the clutch in and had to start in gear. At every corner I had to stop, turn off the engine, put it in reverse, turn on the engine until I needed to stop and repeat the process. Sweaty hands for sure.

 

[Dannyo]

Did California, Engineer, and Cinnamon with a Raptor but it was tough. Jeep all the way next time.

 

[angiebaby]

I just saw that Imogene Pass is closed due to a mudslide, FYI.

 

[callbob]

I just saw that Imogene Pass is closed due to a mudslide, FYI.

Could be. We did it yesterday and rained hard most of the night.

 

[DILLIGAF]

Beautiful area for sure but naw.....not ever going to understand the death defying aspect of it all....lol I don't like heights and Jeeping like that isnt for me. I will stay on the Harley and cruise and hope for the best some idiot doesn't plow into me

 

[callbob]

Tom, it’s not near as bad as the internet wants it be. The scenery is amazing and most of the trails aren’t that bad. Rough? Yeah but you see stuff you don’t normally see. I am more afraid of two wheels than four.

 

[dave29]

Took these yesterday. Durango afternoon pictures. Rain on and off for the next 8 days. You're usually safe until 1 or 2pm. River is muddy from Silverton rain.

 

[DILLIGAF]

Tom, it’s not near as bad as the internet wants it be. The scenery is amazing and most of the trails aren’t that bad. Rough? Yeah but you see stuff you don’t normally see. I am more afraid of two wheels than four.

Tomato vs Tomatoe.....haha

 

[NIKAL]

Do you guys have on board air, or just a hand carry compressor? If so what brand and setup are you using? Are you deflating your tires when you get on the trail and then re-airing up when you get back to the roads?

 

[Orange Juice]

@callbob
So, what do I need to do these trails?
CJ7, locked rear end, 4" lift and 33 BFGs, 50:1 low range.
No doors, bikini top and a 327
doable?

Dan'l

I did it in a leased Dodge Nitro

 

[mash on it]

I did it in a leased Dodge Nitro

The best off road car ever is a rented one.
- David Freiburger

Dan'l

 

[paradise]

Do you guys have on board air, or just a hand carry compressor? If so what brand and setup are you using? Are you deflating your tires when you get on the trail and then re-airing up when you get back to the roads?

Nothing that really takes airing down a lot up there On the main trails. I drop to 25 psi or so and leave it there.

 

[ryanshaw07]

We will be in town next weekend for the Four Corners motorcycle rally. Looking forward to exploring the area for the first time. anyone else going to be in town?

 

[NIKAL]

Nothing that really takes airing down a lot up there On the main trails. I drop to 25 psi or so and leave it there.

Ok. I just see on allot of the YouTube videos they talk about airing down to smooth the ride out. I’m assuming it’s for the small washboard/chatter & tire tracks. Not for actual grip. I also read where most trails the speed limit is 15mph? Black Bear is probably 5mph at best with being a shelf road trail with switchbacks.

 

[callbob]

Do you guys have on board air, or just a hand carry compressor? If so what brand and setup are you using? Are you deflating your tires when you get on the trail and then re-airing up when you get back to the roads?

I aired down to 25 lbs on this trip. Don't have onboard air yet, still getting the Gladiator set up. I do have a Craftsman pancake compressor I carry on the Motothome, so aired back up before I left yesterday. I used to carry a co2 bottle in my LJ which works super fast to air up. Not sure which route I am going with this jeep yet. Most have onboard air like a Vair. Normally I would air back up before getting on the pavement again, especially if I go around 15 lbs or so like in Moab, but 25 worked pretty good here.

 

[callbob]

Last of the photo dump. I apologize for some of the quality, I did get a sprinkle or two on the lense and I sure as hell am not a Tommygun or some of the others.

 

[callbob]

The guy in the other Gladiator is from Canada. Met him on the start of Engineer and wheeled 2 days with him. The drone is his and he said he would send me videos when he got back home to edit. Can't wait to see some of that. Pretty cool setup he had where the drone follows him. He would send it out to look at stuff and get different perspective of things we couldn't see. Should be some epic video.
Oh here is the closure on Imogene. We did this the day before and both commented on how sketchy that corner was getting.

 

[rivermobster]

Amazing pics. Thank you so much for sharing!!!

 

[NIKAL]

Very cool. Impressive you went in this adventure alone without another truck or buddy. I’m sure it was more fun for both of you once you met and hooked up with the guy from Canada. Thanks for the pictures. How did you get a picture of the Imogene slide? Did you go back to see if it was passable?

 

[callbob]

No it was sent to me but more pictures are on Imogene or Ouray Facebook page. I don’t like wheeling alone however there are a bunch of people out there right now and I saw a lot of people out alone.

 

[dave29]

Big rains expected tonight in La Plata county. Stay dry.