Black Bear Pass?

[TexasTJ]

Just take that extra second or two to verify what gear you're in when performing those 3-point turns on the switch backs. Just take it slow and easy. Pull over, get out and walk it if you're not completely sure about something. Also, stop to take pictures, don't try to take them while driving. Take plenty of water and remember to drink it.

Sounds good. Like I said, this isn't my first 4x4 and I've been wheeling for several years, just new to the 4R platform. I'm sure there will be lots of walking, and TONS of picture taking. Water is pretty much all I drink, I'll be sure to drink a lot. Thanks guys.

 

[4Running303]

For those of you with the fancy crawl control stuff, did you use those on BBP or just low gear and brakes? I haven't played around with the 4R controls quite as much, I'm used to my old Jeep w/ 4low and go.

I never use crawl control...now that thing is scary!
Black Bear is fine in a low gear and brakes. Just do what everyone else has said above. Enjoy the views!

 

[wfo9]

Yep, it is super easy.. Only real concern is if something went wrong for a split second.. Like a brake failure or other suspension failure.... If you go off the narrow shelf road it is all over... You clearly want to have a well inspected vehicle... I've seen so many brake failures on trails (everything from air from a steep climb and low res to a rock hitting and causing a failed line fitting)

Hold first and use 4lo for sure.... It's not near low enough for many sections on there though so you will be on the brakes quite often. It's good to have a spotter and walk the one section where you are up on the edge of the creek. Think is called the steps.. still very easy just looks intimidating at first. Neat views for sure.

 

[Jdavera]

Black Bear Pass, FJ Summit last week

 

[adio3x]

For those of you with the fancy crawl control stuff, did you use those on BBP or just low gear and brakes? I haven't played around with the 4R controls quite as much, I'm used to my old Jeep w/ 4low and go.

I don't have any of those "handicaps", just 4LO & 1st gear. There's only one real tough part of BBP that everyone talks about, it's at the very top of the waterfall, it's a sharp right and in the 5th gen, you can't see anything. If you have a good spotter, trust them, go slow, like real slow. It started to rain the day we did it, nothing like being 12k feet up, not being able to see anything, and feeling your tires slide on loose gravel. Once you get past that, it's just a series of switchbacks. Take your time, you will most likely have to do 6 point turns for each switchback lol. Also the width of the trail is wide enough, I still don't get why people hug the inside of the trail (prime example, youtube jeep rollover BBP), there's more than enough room, I've seen tundras & H1's go through it.

 

[clweathers]

This is on next years list for me, along with alpine loop.

 

[SoAZ4Runner]

Anybody take their 4runner down this?

I took my old 2wd down it once upon a time. :lookout:

I will be doing it in my new 4wd Ghost here in about 2-3 weeks.
:becky::banana:

 

[Jimmy_D]

No vehicle outside of a motorcycle can do it without at least a 2 point turn

I've done it 7-8 times in my 2013 5th Gen and I've never done more than a 1 point turn at any of the switchbacks the whole way down. Did it twice last week at the Summit in my SAS'd FJ and never had to use more than a 1 point turn (and the turning radius on it is truly awful). But I should mention that I've done it probably 25-30 times over the last 25 years so I have a good deal of experience making those turns.

You do want to make sure you have traction control (ATRAC) enabled since at least one of the turns is fairly off-camber and it's usually very loose so backing up to make the turn can be problematic if don't have traction control enabled.

 

[CoMtn4Runner]

I ran it in 4lo in low gear and did fine around the switchbacks (2 pt turns). I used crawl control in low speed down the steps (not required, just did it for fun), which worked great. Overall, a great trail. I think anyone with decent off-road experience and a good spotter should be able to run the trail if you take it slow, focus on the road, and drive carefully.

 

[LawnDart]

I ran it in 4lo in low gear and did fine around the switchbacks (2 pt turns). I used crawl control in low speed down the steps (not required, just did it for fun), which worked great. Overall, a great trail. I think anyone with decent off-road experience and a good spotter should be able to run the trail if you take it slow, focus on the road, and drive carefully.

BBP has a reputation, but that reputation has been earned by too many bad drivers without spotters or without the basic skill levels to slow down and realize that the trail isn't going anywhere so there's no need to rush.

Ultimately, it's not a hard trail, you can absolutely do it in a bone stock SR5. You just need to be humble about what you know and what you don't.

Your ability to be good on the brake and accelerator is the biggest skill needed. Most times people get close to making a bad decision is they get shakey and mash the accellerator or slam the brakes. I always have to remind myself to do SMALL inputs.

When in doubt, go with a good spotter, it's not an off camber trail, when it's dry it's super grippy. Slow is steady.

 

[Dravur]

hmmmm, ok, after doing it several times in the FJs, I would not do it in MY Tundra hehe. I had to do three or 4 point turns in my FJ, I would hate to see what it is in the Tundra.

I will give it a go in my 4Runner, no problem.

 

[007Tacoma]

How about a 5 year bump (can't say I didn't search). Waiting on my supervisor's approval, but I am planning on going to CO for a week next month and when there I would like to run BBP and a few others. Just curious of other 5th gens that have done it and how they felt it handled the tight roads and multi-point switch backs.

I will be out there at the end of August 2017 for a wedding. I am hoping to make this run with my cousin (Jeep Wrangler) if we have time.

...I miss the mountains already and it has only been a month!

 

[Sleeter]

This should be in the off-road section, where is [MENTION=66316]1engineer[/MENTION] when you need him? Oww yeah y'all ran him off and forced him into a Taco...I mean exile..

 

[twalker1998]

Totally possible. Did it in my dad's 2011 a couple weeks ago, and aside from having to do a few 3-point turns it wasn't difficult. There was some snow blocking the road once you reach the top of bridal veil, and the waterfall above bridal veil (can't remember the name) was pretty high due to a snowstorm they got in that area towards the end of May. I would assume it's melted by now, but even if it's not we still passed it no problem.

 

[Presa Canario]

I just got back a couple days ago. I ran Black Bear, Imogene, Ophir, and Engineer all with zero issues. Never more than a 3 point turn and those were few. Take your time and use some common sense.

 

[Jetboy]

I'm just gonna leave this here for everyone to dream about in the next generation. We discussed how to make this happen in a 5th gen/3rd gen taco at a recent event. Definitely do-able with some electronics and 4 channel electric braking system, but I'm not sure I have the time to ever get around to it. It would obviously bind a lot with a locked center diff - on a limited you should be able to do a front dig electronically.

<iframe width="854" height="480" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/5GJhIjqfxZE" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

 

[greatape]

This should be in the off-road section, where is [MENTION=66316]1engineer[/MENTION] when you need him? Oww yeah y'all ran him off and forced him into a Taco...I mean exile..

Lol..add about 50 others...