Yeah, I heard nothing but good things about Alta Lake. Unfortunately we got to Telluride pretty late from Moab and it was already packed. Probably didn’t help that it was a holiday weekend either…next time

I just came back from the area and did Imogene Pass and Black Bear Pass in the rain. Both were relatively mild from a technical stand point. Although, I don't recommend going down the descent into Telluride via BB Pass when it's wet. Not worth the risk of sliding off in some spots, it was definitely sketchy.

You'll be fine, just take it slow and be aware you will probably need to let people pass because these trails are super popular. Note: Uphill always has the right of way

I did Imogene and the entire Alpine loop, plus several bonus side trips, plus Fins and Things and a bunch of other trails in Moab, in a stock 3rd gen with no lift and street tires. You'll be fine if you can drive.

Completed most of the alpine loop this weekend, first time off-roading for me and the family. Scrapped a bit on Engineer along with an unbody hit to the passenger rear near the big decent. On the Engineer decent I had to ride the high rocks on the way down as opposed to following the tire marks as I felt I would get an occasional scrape on the skids keeping the rocks center on the vehicle. A underbody hit somewhere on the end of Cinnamon if I remember that right.

Stock 4x4 Limited 2013. I wouldn't recommend people take a stock rig out IMO, Engineer decent was pretty sketchy on the first switchback heading towards Animas Forks. Some bigger tires with a little lift would go a long way.

Pretty nice overall, time lapsed the whole trip on camera. I don't know why but the worst part other than getting a wheel in the air on the engineer switchback (Going to blame my spotter on that one), was the 550 from Silverton to Ouray, that road scares the hell out of me.

Your T4R looks pretty familiar. Did you go up Imogene from Ouray and was there a red 4Runner and a side by side waiting when you came up close to the top?

I was on Imogene going from Telluride to Ouray when one that looks like yours came up. It was starting to rain at the time.

The stock 4R is very capable. I've done the Alpine loop, Mineral Creek, Imogene Black Bear Pass, and a few others with unmodified suspension.

Engineer Pass


Black Bear Pass


Black Bear Pass


BBP stairs


Imogene going down to Ouray.

Sorry for the late reply. I did Imogene from Telluride -> Ouray and bumped into two built up 4runners along the route. I don't believe I saw a red one though.

To address the original question, in general, I don't like the 3" lift, which makes the vehicle less capable, and I don't like the RTT either. High center of gravity + minimum down travel = decreased stability. And the rear differential is still where that of a stock one is.

For the Alpine Loop specifically, there are three components:

--Corkscrew--Hurricane--California were in very smooth condition earlier in July and they are normally very smooth. I don't recall low hanging branches on Corkscrew (at start, everything else is above tree line).
--Engineer and Cinnamon are rockier but there is nothing really off-camber and they are above tree line. The lower portions are dirt roads.
--Mineral Creek is the rockiest trail in the entire area not counting P gulch. It does have a couple of off-camber spots where a 3" lifted 4R with a RTT is not something I would enjoy driving.

There are some tippy spots on Black Bear one of which is unavoidable as well as a couple of milder ones on Imogene. I would much rather drive a 100% stock 4R on those trails than a 4R with a 3" lift and an RTT.