Colorado road trip

[dylans]

Hey there, my wife and I are heading to Colorado this August and we want to experience the Rockies and the San Juans this time. I'm looking for advice or pointers on a few of the areas we'd like to drive.

I'll be in my 13 TE (of course). It'll have sliders (delivered today), rack with aux driving lights, a 12v compressor and Grabber AT2 tires with a tire repair kit. No lift planned. I'll take a shovel, axe and recovery boards. That's about it for the truck specific gear.

First we want to do Ophir Pass from Silverton to Telluride. Any issues there?

Next we want to do Imogene Pass from Telluride to Ouray. Any issuse?

Finally we'd like to do Pearl Pass from Crested Butte to Aspen. Any issues?

That's really it as far as off road driving. The rest here and there will be on road.

Thanks! We really want to travel these passes, and we hope they're safe for average people to navigate. Let me know any info you guys have.

 

[JWaldz]

[MENTION=171065]dylans[/MENTION]

I don't see you having any issues that time of year, but only mother nature can tell that. Late snow can linger and wet conditions can make for sloppy narrow sections and higher than normal water crossings. Pearl Pass will be your toughest trail in it's entirety. It's been a weird snow season so far. We're just now finally starting to see large waves of snow patterns hit the state. I know a lot of the Rockie ski resorts were hurting for snow up until recently.

I do highly suggest taking a look at a website called TrailsOffroad

Make an account (free) and research the trails. There's a lot of people that leave Trip Reports and you can kind of gather information on average weather conditions from those who went previous years around the time you're going.

Good luck!

 

[Acorn22]

Pearl Pass

Can't help you on any San Juan stuff, but I've done Pearl pass a couple times from CB to Aspen and back in my '98. I had no problems except that there couple possibly be some snow near the top, although we have had a super dry winter so far, so I bet it will be possible.

Also, there is one spot on the aspen side where there is like a 4 foot step up with a fallen tree right before it and a river running down the rock and it took me about 20 minutes of trying to jam my 4runner up the rock to get over it while avoiding body damage from a big rock on the right side. I have 3.25" of lift in the front and about 4" in the back with Firestone Destination AT tires. I was really having to gun it to get over it, and I put a dent in my skid plate doing so. Shouldn't be as bad going down it... And hope you enjoy lots of rocks because you will be bouncing the entire way. Takes about 4 hours

 

[Darren]

I sure hope you're going to do more than just Ophir and Imogene in the San Juans. At the very least, drive up Kendall Mountain while in Silverton, which is only about 4.5 miles. It has my favorite views of all of the roads in the San Juans, mainly due to view of the Grenadier and Needle ranges, which are either obscured or too distant from any other road. You can see Mt. Sneffels all the way to the La Platas. Exhibit A:

Pearl is pretty much the last high road to melt off in the state along with Hermit Pass in the Sangres, both usually in the first part of August, but chances are it will be ready for you.

Other than that, take Owl Creek Pass (car road) en route to Crested Butte from Ridgway for a tremendous back road drive into the Cimarrons unless you're planning to stop by Black Canyon, which would also be a must-see if you haven't.

 

[Jimmy_D]

Both Ophir and Imogene are easy. You can find some spots on Imogene heading the direction you're planning to go that can make it at least a little interesting but they're completely optional. Black Bear is also a great run and not particularly challenging either (it might get you in big trouble though if your wife has a fear of heights). Pearl is considerably easier the way you're planning to go (CB to Aspen). We have a Monday 4-wheel group in Crested Butte and you're welcome to join us when you're there [Brian.....if you're not aware of our group you can get in touch with me the first part of June since that's when we usually start up]. We usually do Pearl and Taylor passes on the same day (some years Pearl over and then Taylor back, and other years Taylor over and then Pearl back). I would highly recommend eating at the Pine Creek Cookhouse, which is on the main road to Ashcroft and then Aspen. It's on your left, right after you get off of Pearl the way you'll be going. Because it's been a rather marginal snow year I would imagine that snow won't be an issue by August. Again, feel free to get in touch with me when you're headed to CB.

 

[dylans]

[MENTION=171065]dylans[/MENTION]

I don't see you having any issues that time of year, but only mother nature can tell that. Late snow can linger and wet conditions can make for sloppy narrow sections and higher than normal water crossings. Pearl Pass will be your toughest trail in it's entirety. It's been a weird snow season so far. We're just now finally starting to see large waves of snow patterns hit the state. I know a lot of the Rockie ski resorts were hurting for snow up until recently.

I do highly suggest taking a look at a website called TrailsOffroad

Make an account (free) and research the trails. There's a lot of people that leave Trip Reports and you can kind of gather information on average weather conditions from those who went previous years around the time you're going.

Good luck!

Thanks for the info. I signed up for that site. Glad you pointed me there! There's so much info. I've got time to really plan this out, but you're right, mother nature and so many other things can change great plans quick. We don't want to get into anything too heavy. Us and our truck have to make it home in one piece. Our 7 year old would never forgive us if we broke "her" truck.

I sure hope you're going to do more than just Ophir and Imogene in the San Juans. At the very least, drive up Kendall Mountain while in Silverton, which is only about 4.5 miles. It has my favorite views of all of the roads in the San Juans, mainly due to view of the Grenadier and Needle ranges, which are either obscured or too distant from any other road. You can see Mt. Sneffels all the way to the La Platas. Exhibit A:

Pearl is pretty much the last high road to melt off in the state along with Hermit Pass in the Sangres, both usually in the first part of August, but chances are it will be ready for you.

Other than that, take Owl Creek Pass (car road) en route to Crested Butte from Ridgway for a tremendous back road drive into the Cimarrons unless you're planning to stop by Black Canyon, which would also be a must-see if you haven't.

So much to do! We've got 10 days with plans to be in Aspen and at Williams Lake on August 12th. The Perseid meteor shower peaks that night and Williams Lake is where John Denver found his inspiration to write Rocky Mountain High, watching the same meteor shower. We'll have to just plan another road trip. We'd like to do it all...

Both Ophir and Imogene are easy. You can find some spots on Imogene heading the direction you're planning to go that can make it at least a little interesting but they're completely optional. Black Bear is also a great run and not particularly challenging either (it might get you in big trouble though if your wife has a fear of heights). Pearl is considerably easier the way you're planning to go (CB to Aspen). We have a Monday 4-wheel group in Crested Butte and you're welcome to join us when you're there [Brian.....if you're not aware of our group you can get in touch with me the first part of June since that's when we usually start up]. We usually do Pearl and Taylor passes on the same day (some years Pearl over and then Taylor back, and other years Taylor over and then Pearl back). I would highly recommend eating at the Pine Creek Cookhouse, which is on the main road to Ashcroft and then Aspen. It's on your left, right after you get off of Pearl the way you'll be going. Because it's been a rather marginal snow year I would imagine that snow won't be an issue by August. Again, feel free to get in touch with me when you're headed to CB.

Thank you! We may be in Crested Butte on a Monday. I'll definitely get in touch with you. I'm glad to hear what you've said about the passes we've chosen too. My wife is afraid of heights for sure haha. In fact, she's afraid of any precarious off roading. She gets out of the truck to watch even on large ruts in the road. I've gone over all of this with her and shown her pictures of the passes and she says they all sound awesome. We'll see what she really thinks when we're driving them. August is so much further away all of a sudden! But I've got a lot of planning and gear gathering to do.

Thank you again, Dylan

 

[JWaldz]

My wife is afraid of heights for sure haha. In fact, she's afraid of any precarious off roading. She gets out of the truck to watch even on large ruts in the road. I've gone over all of this with her and shown her pictures of the passes and she says they all sound awesome. We'll see what she really thinks when we're driving them.

She'll be in such awe of the views she'll likely forget about the heights haha. I did Argentine Pass a couple years back which sits at a little over 13,000 ft. You almost forget you're that high up when you're looking at the beautiful landscape. Don't get me wrong, you're still way the hell up there!

Btw, after my comment I went and did a little more researching and looks like your 3 destinations are best visited between July-September. Looks like you're hitting the road at the perfect time! I hope you guys get great weather.

Just as a precaution, if you're on facebook, there's a group called "Colorado 4x4 Rescue and Recovery". I'd go ahead and join that way if you run into any trouble you know where to ask for help!

 

[Unner]

Last year Imogene opened right around July 4, and Ohir was open for awhile I think. You shouldn't have any problems with either. Ophir is narrow in spots with limited room to pass for 2 way traffic. Imogene has some optional lines that can make it more interesting, but stock you should be fine. If you have extra time, there are so many trails right in that area.

I did 300+ miles of dirt over 18 trails during my 4 days there.
Here's a link to the trip report in my build thread: http://www.toyota-4runner.org/3rd-g...d-2001-toyota-4runner-4x4-44.html#post2811857

This was Imogene Pass on July 6, 2017. It was open, but just barely. You should be fine in August though. Everything should be open so long as there are no rock slides.
DSC08855 by Unner Unner, on Flickr
DSC08867 by Unner Unner, on Flickr

 

[Jimmy_D]

The only thing I would caution you about in the San Juan's is to be VERY careful during extended heavy downpours. The trails there are extremely slide prone so I'd be somewhat hesitant to venture out during such an event. I was staying in Telluride one time and two of us went over Imogene to Ouray and then I returned via Mineral Creek/California/Hurricane/Corkscrew/Ophir. This was during an extremely heavy rain event and when I got to Corkscrew there were large slides across the trail in several spots that were downright dangerous to cross. I later found out that someone in a rented jeep who had passed very close to where Hurricane and Corkscrew intersect (where I had been the same day) was killed when a large boulder had become dislodged and came crashing through the canvas top. Not something I want to experience.

 

[JohnTheLuck]

Subcribed. I might be in this area about the same time. Cheers!

 

[dawudih]

Awesome info, especially from the locals. You're lucky you have beautiful scenery, nothing remotely close in Houston.

 

[tri4cy]

Sounds great! I did Pear (Aspen to CB) last year on my enduro bike. One of the most physically demanding things I've ever done. I was wishing I had my runner through much of the higher elevation stuff. The baby head boulders are ***** when you only have two wheels :biggrin2:

Have a great time!

 

[dylans]

She'll be in such awe of the views she'll likely forget about the heights haha. I did Argentine Pass a couple years back which sits at a little over 13,000 ft. You almost forget you're that high up when you're looking at the beautiful landscape. Don't get me wrong, you're still way the hell up there!

Btw, after my comment I went and did a little more researching and looks like your 3 destinations are best visited between July-September. Looks like you're hitting the road at the perfect time! I hope you guys get great weather.

Just as a precaution, if you're on facebook, there's a group called "Colorado 4x4 Rescue and Recovery". I'd go ahead and join that way if you run into any trouble you know where to ask for help!

I'm sure we'll all be in awe. I was hoping it'd be a great time of year, every day we have to wait is torture. But still a lot of prep to do. I've been stuck on wiring the roof lights for a week and a half now.

Last year Imogene opened right around July 4, and Ohir was open for awhile I think. You shouldn't have any problems with either. Ophir is narrow in spots with limited room to pass for 2 way traffic. Imogene has some optional lines that can make it more interesting, but stock you should be fine. If you have extra time, there are so many trails right in that area.

I did 300+ miles of dirt over 18 trails during my 4 days there.
Here's a link to the trip report in my build thread: http://www.toyota-4runner.org/3rd-g...d-2001-toyota-4runner-4x4-44.html#post2811857

This was Imogene Pass on July 6, 2017. It was open, but just barely. You should be fine in August though. Everything should be open so long as there are no rock slides.
DSC08855 by Unner Unner, on Flickr
DSC08867 by Unner Unner, on Flickr

Amazing pictures! Great trip report too. I went through it carefully haha. I can't wait to get there. This trip will be a dream come true, and although we think we wanna live in CO, this may make us sure that we have to.

The only thing I would caution you about in the San Juan's is to be VERY careful during extended heavy downpours. The trails there are extremely slide prone so I'd be somewhat hesitant to venture out during such an event. I was staying in Telluride one time and two of us went over Imogene to Ouray and then I returned via Mineral Creek/California/Hurricane/Corkscrew/Ophir. This was during an extremely heavy rain event and when I got to Corkscrew there were large slides across the trail in several spots that were downright dangerous to cross. I later found out that someone in a rented jeep who had passed very close to where Hurricane and Corkscrew intersect (where I had been the same day) was killed when a large boulder had become dislodged and came crashing through the canvas top. Not something I want to experience.

Yikes. I'll keep very close attention to weather then. Thanks for the tip, could be life saving!

 

[dylans]

Subcribed. I might be in this area about the same time. Cheers!

Maybe I'll run into you on the trail. Not literally hopefully :cry2:

 

[Unner]

Amazing pictures! Great trip report too. I went through it carefully haha. I can't wait to get there. This trip will be a dream come true, and although we think we wanna live in CO, this may make us sure that we have to.

Thanks! Have fun and enjoy it. It's beautiful out there, especially in the San Juans.

 

[Forum148]

I sure hope you're going to do more than just Ophir and Imogene in the San Juans. At the very least, drive up Kendall Mountain while in Silverton, which is only about 4.5 miles. It has my favorite views of all of the roads in the San Juans, mainly due to view of the Grenadier and Needle ranges, which are either obscured or too distant from any other road. You can see Mt. Sneffels all the way to the La Platas. Exhibit A:

Pearl is pretty much the last high road to melt off in the state along with Hermit Pass in the Sangres, both usually in the first part of August, but chances are it will be ready for you.

Other than that, take Owl Creek Pass (car road) en route to Crested Butte from Ridgway for a tremendous back road drive into the Cimarrons unless you're planning to stop by Black Canyon, which would also be a must-see if you haven't.

Good call on Kendall mountain! Man what a view! Also love owl creek pass such a beautiful little area!

 

[Drummermonkey]

If you're in Durango for any amount of time you've got to check out Kennebec pass. Coming up the backside is a nice easy drive. The descent isnt technical, but runs along a pretty hefty drop. You can always go back down the back side, but the views at the peak are worth it.

 

[pschieti]

Awesome pictures! I'm relatively new to venturing offroad, these pics definitely make me want to. Thanks for sharing.