Alpine Loop (Sept 1-6 2016)

[JEMP1003]

Might see you around, I'll be in the area from Sept 3-10th. I'll base camp from Ouray and will be doing day trips around the different trails.

 

[gm350reratliff]

I would not recommend Black Bear Pass on stock tires or novice driver. That trail is not to be understimated by "tourist" offroaders.

I would second that. I haven't done it for precisely that reason. I have done Ophir and Imogene though.

The biggest think with Black Bear Pass is paying attention to what you're doing and don't be an idiot. The scenery is amazing but if you're driving that is what you should be doing. If you absolutely need to take a pic (you will), stop, take the shot, then continue. Also, take the extra second or two on the switchbacks and verify what gear you are in while performing mulit-point turns.

My wife, who has rode shotgun with me for many years while wheeling but never really drove herself, did Black Bear Pass a couple weeks ago. In her words, it was really one of the easier trails there.

Take your time, pay attention, walk it first if you are unsure, a spotter helps but isn't necessary, have fun!

 

[wfo9]

The biggest think with Black Bear Pass is paying attention to what you're doing and don't be an idiot. The scenery is amazing but if you're driving that is what you should be doing. If you absolutely need to take a pic (you will), stop, take the shot, then continue. Also, take the extra second or two on the switchbacks and verify what gear you are in while performing mulit-point turns.

My wife, who has rode shotgun with me for many years while wheeling but never really drove herself, did Black Bear Pass a couple weeks ago. In her words, it was really one of the easier trails there.

Take your time, pay attention, walk it first if you are unsure, a spotter helps but isn't necessary, have fun!

Yea, I don't get it. BlackBear seemed like nothing to me. It is a little narrow in spots.. but nothing really scary. It needs some respect, but I think people over hype it big time. Some of the actual paved roads are more dangerous if you ask me.

 

[InspectahDeck]

Yea, I don't get it. BlackBear seemed like nothing to me. It is a little narrow in spots.. but nothing really scary. It needs some respect, but I think people over hype it big time. Some of the actual paved roads are more dangerous if you ask me.

You don't seem like a tourist off-roader, based on the extensive list of mods to vehicles in your sig. For someone like me who is owning an "off-road" or "wheelin" vehicle for the first time, it may be a little different game. Driving over sharp, pointy rocks on Ophir Pass was a win for this dude. I thought my tires might blow up.

 

[bajacolorado]

I recommend the following passes to have less traffic and equal if not better views.
Stony Pass and back - if you go over - it's a long way 'round
California
Corkscrew
Red Mountain Pass to Brown Mountain past the Brooklyn Mine (East side of 550)
or in reverse (access North of Silverton)

We always have a bundle or two if firewood - wet wood is not fun. September is wet.

 

[Davemon]

I would not recommend Black Bear Pass on stock tires or novice driver. That trail is not to be understimated by "tourist" offroaders.

I second this statement. I have a buddy, very experienced off-roader in a tricked-out 4th gen, and he said that was the closest he ever came to sliding and dying on a trail. I've never tried it, and never will (in my 5th gen, anyway).

 

[High_Country]

Another shout out for stony pass and for corkscrew. Both easy enough, less traveled - no crowds - and beautiful scenery. Oh, and stony takes you close to Creede which I've already recommended.

 

[High_Country]

I hear the fishing near lake San cristobal and the waters above it (near lake city off of cinnamon pass) are good. Most of my fishing is around Creede. Plenty of spots around there. Near the Rio Grande reservoir you have ute creek and the Grande itself.

 

[LawnDart]

Black Bear isn't hard, but you'll be on 3 wheels on the approach down to the stair step. Go with a vehicle with good tires, ground clearance, and a really good spotter. It's not a hard trail, but the margin for failure is such that if you screw up you screw up bad, fatally. No one cares if you've been offroading before, if you screw up you potentially risk first responders as well.

Go with a spotter who knows what they're doing.

 

[DgoDog]

Black Bear isn't hard, but you'll be on 3 wheels on the approach down to the stair step. Go with a vehicle with good tires, ground clearance, and a really good spotter. It's not a hard trail, but the margin for failure is such that if you screw up you screw up bad, fatally. No one cares if you've been offroading before, if you screw up you potentially risk first responders as well.

Go with a spotter who knows what they're doing.

This is a good post. The bravado of the "it's nothing" comments are not.

I have a house at 9000 feet in the San Juans. I have done many trails in the area, and Imogene a number of times (a good trail actually). I have done Black Bear once; absolutely fantastic and memorable. But I probably won't do it again. Why? Not because it is technically difficult, but because the penalty for even a simple mistake is severe. Even if the odds of demise are extremely low, I owe it to my family to stick around a little longer. Just getting chicken perhaps. Probably the same reason I have seen the annual miles on two wheels plummet as I have gotten older. YMMV.

OP: you'll love the Alpine Loop, and you should be fine stock if your tires are good. Have fun!

 

[HOJeepster]

For what it's worth, I'll be down there that same weekend. Maybe I'll see you around. I'll be in the big "Earl Grey".

California is a win win, I'd recommend that.



For fishing, you can check out Vallecito Lake, east of Durango.

 

[Jeremy556]

I second this statement. I have a buddy, very experienced off-roader in a tricked-out 4th gen, and he said that was the closest he ever came to sliding and dying on a trail. I've never tried it, and never will (in my 5th gen, anyway).

Was it snowing or something?

 

[Jeremy556]

The bravado of the "it's nothing" comments are not.

There's a small ledge to go down (not near any drop offs or danger), and a couple of multipoint turns to make. There are tons of other drop offs in the area, that while not as high or spectacular, would be just as deadly.

 

[HOJeepster]

More beta:

 

[Engineer]

I will be in the area that weekend and the following week staying Molas Lake Campground closer to Durango. You have already got plenty of good advice, for the drive I would not pass up a chance to do Blackbear pass assuming good weather (no rain).

 

[Khjphoto]

I'll be there September 20th for a few days. After you guys have all the fun,
Please leave the trail signs up - don't wanna get lost :wink2:

Hey, if anybody is still in the area let's meet up at Handlebars in Silverton for
dinner and "trail stories"

 

[K0nfusion]

Great information all around. Thank you to everyone that is posting and helping me. Good news is I'm upgrading my tires finally!

 

[wfo9]

Black Bear isn't hard, but you'll be on 3 wheels on the approach down to the stair step.

I don't remember anyone in our group having a wheel leave the ground. I know I did not, but I don't think the stock TJ or the other 4runner with a standard lift + KDSS did either, but I remember a spot where the rear passenger tire had to drop pretty good to maintain contact. That is probably the spot you are talking about.

I second this statement. I have a buddy, very experienced off-roader in a tricked-out 4th gen, and he said that was the closest he ever came to sliding and dying on a trail. I've never tried it, and never will (in my 5th gen, anyway).

I guess it all depends on what you are used to.. I've done trails where I'm totally puckered up and tense... wondering if I'm going to stay rubber side down... It's fun and stupid all that same time, but I never felt the slightest bit of concern for my safety or anyone in the group on BlackBear and it was my first time down it with nobody who had ever done it before... It seemed just like most of the other trails to me. We did get out and spot on the steps.... I have a video of that part I will find and post soon.

Funny how people think it is a jeep only thing... Ran into some nice folks from Texas while we were out there in side by sides on corkscrew... I mentioned we had done BlackBear and Imogene the day before and they were in complete shock that a 4Runner could do it. I told them it did not even push it in any way shape or form. Even the switchbacks are no easier in a JKU. Even a stock 4runner should have no problem. Shit, they do it in jeep trail chickens....

 

[K0nfusion]

Just to double check, I can upgrade my tires from 265 to 275 and not have to worry about rubbing? (Suspension is stock)

 

[CoolMax]

Thanks for all the info!

Really look forward to [MENTION=110041]CoolMax[/MENTION] reporting how it went.

Yikes- didn't realize it'd been this long...
Did you go already?
I did fine with my setup...smacked my front skid plate as usual, but I really do need/want a real lift after that trip