FJ Summit 2012 in Ouray, CO July 18-22, 2012.

[Okki]

I did some digging and found that the FJ Summit in Ouray, CO is July 18-22, 2012.

Can anyone who has been there before tell me how much I'll miss with arriving late on 18th and having to leave the morning of the 22nd? It's a 2 day drive from Indiana for me.

Also any suggestions on places to stay (hotel/motel/B&B preferred, camping second choice)... the wife would rather have a real roof and shower if possible :nerd:

Who else is going?

Okki

 

[KCcarguy]

I've been seriously considering going this year. My friend with a ticked-out FJ has been several times and says it's a blast.

 

[jhawk]

It's not a 2 day drive unless you have a trailer! From Kansas City to Denver sucks though.

 

[TOY2G]

I did some digging and found that the FJ Summit in Ouray, CO is July 18-22, 2012.

Can anyone who has been there before tell me how much I'll miss with arriving late on 18th and having to leave the morning of the 22nd? It's a 2 day drive from Indiana for me.

Also any suggestions on places to stay (hotel/motel/B&B preferred, camping second choice)... the wife would rather have a real roof and shower if possible :nerd:

Who else is going?

Okki

Been there all but two years, an i can tell you that if you make Fri-Sat you will get the full effect still. problem is on the longer trail runs, you may only get one run a day in. So if you are looking to spend a little more time on the trail get in on thurs morning and have a blast.

You will miss one of the evening dinners and some vendor intros.. Be sure to register early to ensure you get in the drivers drawing.

 

[Okki]

It's not a 2 day drive unless you have a trailer! From Kansas City to Denver sucks though.

??? Google maps says 1,340 mi, 23 hours 6 mins on I70 West. That's more than I care to drive in a single day! My route takes US40 to Colorado Springs; doesn't get close to Denver.

Okki

 

[Okki]

Just confirmed our stay at Spangler House Bed & Breakfast. Now just sit tight and wait for registration to open and July to roll around. I'm excited!

Okki

 

[CRYA]

We just booked there yesterday! Good to know we'll be with fellow T4Rs. We have the reservation but are still up in the air. This would be our first, and I'm not sure I can keep the wife entertained for 4 days in Ouray. Hopefully they have spas or something for the ladies that don't want to ride. It's a two day drive from CA as well. Looking forward to seeing other 4-Runners this Summer. I'm all stock!

Just confirmed our stay at Spangler House Bed & Breakfast. Now just sit tight and wait for registration to open and July to roll around. I'm excited!

Okki

 

[Okki]

We just booked there yesterday! Good to know we'll be with fellow T4Rs. We have the reservation but are still up in the air. This would be our first, and I'm not sure I can keep the wife entertained for 4 days in Ouray. Hopefully they have spas or something for the ladies that don't want to ride. It's a two day drive from CA as well. Looking forward to seeing other 4-Runners this Summer. I'm all stock!

Whoohooo! . What are you stock in? TE? SR5? Limited? I've decided to upgrade the wheels and tires before the trip, but the underbelly and nose are all stock, so I'm only signing up for the easy/moderate trails. Everyone I talked to did highly recommend some decent AT tires and some more sidewall than what you get with the LMTD 20" rims.

The scenery is breath-taking so I'm sure the Mrs's will enjoy herself. The whole town is only 12 blocks, so I would keep her expectations reasonable. a good book for her to pass time with while you attend clinics will be high on the recommendation though!

See you there!

Okki

 

[CAN-03runner]

A friend of mine with an FJ was planning on going this year. But is not sure anymore because some of his other FJ buddies have said to him that there isn't any real offroading during the event itself. That it is more like trails that go through the forest and regular cars have made it other years too. That the big thing is really the fantastic scenery.

Anyone else have some other insight into this?

 

[harper7]

A friend of mine with an FJ was planning on going this year. But is not sure anymore because some of his other FJ buddies have said to him that there isn't any real offroading during the event itself. That it is more like trails that go through the forest and regular cars have made it other years too. That the big thing is really the fantastic scenery.

Anyone else have some other insight into this?

It is mostly about the scenery and is a definite must see in your life.The San Juan Mountains are one of the most beautiful places on our continent. I hope to go every year and plan to next year.
San Juans, near Telluride, Ouray, Silverton, Durango : Colorado Rockies

FJ Summit - Ouray CO - IH8MUD Photo Gallery

Some places are pretty hairy as in Black Bear Pass......your right along ledge at 13k ft elev and making switch back turns where one false move or slip of the brake pedal and it's a 1000 ft drop to your death. Poughkipsie Gulch,just a couple of miles south of Ouray,is a pretty tough trail with a lot of rocks.

If you want to go all out rock climbing ,Moab is only 2-3 hrs or so SW of Ouray and has all kinds of trail grades from easy to nearly impossible and also a place I wouldn't miss in my life and will be back this year.

 

[Reata]

I'm booked at the Spangler as well. I am really looking forward to it. See you all there. Right now I am solo, but might be able to get the wife to tag along (doubtful) too.

 

[phillyd2]

We need a 4Runner Summit

 

[Okki]

I'm booked at the Spangler as well. I am really looking forward to it. See you all there. Right now I am solo, but might be able to get the wife to tag along (doubtful) too.

Great to have you on board Reata! Looks like we're building a good mini-summit of 4Runners at Spangler

Okki

 

[CAN-03runner]

It is mostly about the scenery and is a definite must see in your life.The San Juan Mountains are one of the most beautiful places on our continent. I hope to go every year and plan to next year.
San Juans, near Telluride, Ouray, Silverton, Durango : Colorado Rockies

FJ Summit - Ouray CO - IH8MUD Photo Gallery

Some places are pretty hairy as in Black Bear Pass......your right along ledge at 13k ft elev and making switch back turns where one false move or slip of the brake pedal and it's a 1000 ft drop to your death. Poughkipsie Gulch,just a couple of miles south of Ouray,is a pretty tough trail with a lot of rocks.

If you want to go all out rock climbing ,Moab is only 2-3 hrs or so SW of Ouray and has all kinds of trail grades from easy to nearly impossible and also a place I wouldn't miss in my life and will be back this year.

One day I might hit those places. Right now it's just too far to drive, :lookout: to do even more driving.:biggrin2: Thanks for the info about the summit.

 

[brockeverly]

I am trying to get my buddy John to come up with me with his monster. I already ordered a vinyl decal for the back "FJ RECOVERY TEAM" :banana:

I am already going to be camping in Cotopaxi, CO the week of July 4th, so I may be making two trips to CO in July. My t4r will be home though, I would rather be riding along on the extreme trails than driving my truck on the easy ones.

 

[adio3x]

It's not a 2 day drive unless you have a trailer! From Kansas City to Denver sucks though.

Try doing STL to Denver in 1 night, without switching drivers lol.

 

[CRYA]

Whoohooo! . What are you stock in? TE? SR5? Limited? I've decided to upgrade the wheels and tires before the trip, but the underbelly and nose are all stock, so I'm only signing up for the easy/moderate trails. Everyone I talked to did highly recommend some decent AT tires and some more sidewall than what you get with the LMTD 20" rims.

The scenery is breath-taking so I'm sure the Mrs's will enjoy herself. The whole town is only 12 blocks, so I would keep her expectations reasonable. a good book for her to pass time with while you attend clinics will be high on the recommendation though!

See you there!

Okki

YEah I'm stock in an black '11 TE, on stock tires, but...if plans stay the same and I do make it, I agree some A/Ts would def be in order. I'm same as you, just looking for some scenery, food, and some easy-moderate stuff.

Cheers!

 

[fifthcircle]

That whole area is amazing. I would not hesitate to take a trip there again for any reason. I think a stock TE could do most of the passes stock, but some heavier tires might be beneficial for any sharp rocks....wouldn't let that stop me though. I would go on the stockers :uzi:

I took a motorcycle trip out there in 08. It rocked! Here is a thread on ADVrider with lots of great pics.
West Fest 2008 (8/8-10) - Page 221 - ADVrider

That's me in post #3313 :banana:

 

[codyaustin5]

I have been every year and took my 4Runner each year. It is an amazing event and the wife's do enjoy it as well. My wife's company sponsors the event each year so we make a vacation out of it. I can tell you a stock 4Runner can do 95% of the trails with no damage. The scenery is amazing and the friends you make last a lifetime and everyone there loves Toyota. We always stay at the Best Western which very comfortable. You can do trails on your own or with a group some last all day and some can be a couple hours. One thing I do get a kick out of when you see all these lifted FJ's heading up the mtn going slow up the rocks and you see a Pontiac sedan rolling down the mtn just fine.. having a good ol time... just tells you it's mostly the driver...

 

[Arc.]

I did some digging and found that the FJ Summit in Ouray, CO is July 18-22, 2012.

Can anyone who has been there before tell me how much I'll miss with arriving late on 18th and having to leave the morning of the 22nd? It's a 2 day drive from Indiana for me.

Also any suggestions on places to stay (hotel/motel/B&B preferred, camping second choice)... the wife would rather have a real roof and shower if possible :nerd:

Who else is going?

Okki

Hey Okki,
Carmel IN huh? I grew up in Zionsville back in the 80's and went to purdue then bolted for CO 1 week after graduating and have been out here ever since I've made that trip from Denver to Indy several times for Xmas and it's a pretty boring drive especially driving solo.

Not sure I'm going to Ouray yet, but I've been there before to 4x4 and camp and it's an awesome place. Have a great time