Colorado Trail Question for 4th gen peeps (San Juans)

[Martinjmpr]

I've lived in CO for almost 40 years so I'm pretty familiar with the Front Range trails (Summit County, etc) but I've only passed through the San Juans, never really stopped there and definitely never 'wheeled there.

So, wife and I have a few days off next week and we are taking our little teardrop trailer to Durango. While we're there I want to explore some of the back country trails but I don't want to damage my new baby ('07 SR5 4x4, bone stock, with near-new Cooper Discoverer M+S tires in 265/70/16.)

I think I got a little "spoiled" by my "tall coil" 99 that could go pretty much anywhere I had the nerve to aim her. My new T4r sits a lot lower to the ground and has some plastic hanging from the front as well as running boards, which I'm reluctant to ding up (the boards will eventually come off, but not before this trip.)

So, looking at the Traildamage web site, I'm pretty much sticking to 2-3 rated trails (on the Traildamage 1-10 scale) for this trip. Also, scenery is the name of the game, I have no interest in running a trail just to prove something. If I still had my '99 I'd tackle Black Bear but I don't think I'd like taking my '07 there (biggest concern would be large rocks or rock ledges that could cause me to get stuck or body damage.) With no locker and 30.5" tires I'm somewhat limited on how aggressively I can take on a trail.

So my question for those who have lived or 'wheeled in the area, is this: Would you take a more-or-less stock 4th gen on stock-size tires on the following trails:

- Stony Pass
- Imogene Pass
- Ophir Pass
- Alpine Loop (Engineer/Cinnamon passes)
- Hurricane Basin

Any other recommended trails for a stock 4th gen?

Thanks in advance! :hungry:

 

[CGuava]

I've done all the passes you listed there:

Stony Pass and Ophir are doable in a stock ford explorer along with Cinnamon (been there, done that)

I got stuck in the same Explorer going from Ouray to Lake City on Engineer Pass, later did it easily with a rented JK.

I think the only real tough call on your list is Engineer and Imogene, there are a couple rockier sections that could scrape the underside. Body damage is not likely. I think you'd be fine to take it over in all honesty.

I got stuck in the explorer going up the first couple hills off HWY 550 on Engineer. If I really wanted to, I could have just power through, but I didn't. It had just rained all night the night before.

 

[Snarf]

so, I have done all of those passes except for Stony and Hurricane.

you could do Ophir pass in a sedan, ive seen it done, so no issues there.

your most difficult trail will be engineer pass and the alpine loop. i did it last year in a stock 3rd gen with no issues but it did get pretty hairy at times, so use your own discretion there. its doable but definitely more difficult and would be risking some good under carriage scrapes.

I did Imogene last night and it is definitely showing some wear from all the traffic it gets. with a good eye on your line you should have no issues touching anywhere. we did tow a hummer to a safe parking spot last night after breaking down, but it wasnt the trail, most likely driver ignorance. and we found some snow to play in. great trail!!

I would throw in Corkscrew Gulch which is just a few miles outside of Ouray past the alpine look entrance. from the tom you can drop into a few other trails or just catch an amazing view of the other side of Imogene.

im running an 2003 Runner with stock tires by the way.

i live in Telluride so let me know if i can help you out at all, id love to play tour guide!