Help me prep for my trip to Colorado!

[CentcomPete]

Not pointing fingers, but it sounds like it was a side by side that had the accident. Those thing are a menace. The jet skis of off-roading... Ban them and most of the problems will go away with them.

"The jet skis of off-roading" . . . That's funny - I can relate being in FL!

 

[wfo9]

"The jet skis of off-roading" . . . That's funny - I can relate being in FL!

I actually used the wrong term. I should have said personal watercraft.

They attract the wrong type of people. I spent my youth on the water, skiing, windsurfing, and sailing. There were jet skis... but they required skill to ride, so everything was balanced and the folks on the water all had mutual respect and a general level of skill. Then the PWC was invented. 0 skill required, just write a check, gas it up, and slam the throttle. Suddenly it was chaos out on the water. With many avoidable accidents. I feel the same thing has happened with the introduction of the side by sides. Of course, not everyone who has them is an idiot... but they tend to attract a mash the throttle mentality. It's much worse than 4wheelers or motorcycles, since the drivers feel invincible inside a cage with controls they are familiar with. I'm concerned they will eventually trigger the closure of what few trails we have left.

[/SOAPBOX]

 

[Jeremy556]

And here is another account of what happened. https://outdoorx4.com/main/2015/08/04/rollover-on-black-bear-pass-during-100s-in-the-hills/


Sounds like the lazy sheriff of 35 years needs to be kicked out of office. Maybe he has been on the gravy train too long. Lord knows Telluride has some money flowing. At least they could be equipped for a simple rough terrain rescue... The entire story makes no sense to me. The area must have backcountry EMS type calls all the time. Something is not adding up.

The Sherriff, like many from that town, is a ****ing tool, just looking to close as much back country to motorized use as he can. This is just a handy excuse.

 

[jpostlethwaite]

Love SW Colorado!

alexb,
Have an awesome time. I am from the Edmond area and have been going to Lake City CO for the last twenty years. It's just over Engineers pass from Ouray. If you make it over that way stop at Poker Alice for a meal. It's great.

As for trails that meet your description I would add Corkscrew Gulch and Hurricane Pass to your list. They are both very scenic and right off the Alpine Loop so easy access for you.

Sounds like good advice for Black Bear. I did it in a stock JK five years ago but that means I had quite a bit of experience under my belt. Trust your judgement. If you don't feel comfortable then don't do it. Have fun!

 

[DesertDog]

Town Marshals does NOT equal sheriff's office. They are two different entities, one associated with Telluride and one with associated with San Miguel County. It is very well possible that the Town Marshals were of little assistance because they were training while county personnel still played an important role.

 

[ikemtz]

Ouray is awsome lil town lots of trails for offroading, Durango Steamworks has a good seafood broil, Pagosa Springs is also fun at the Springs resort lots of fishing spots and offroading Elwood pass. I hit up all these areas every September

 

[alfonzo]

This thread is as refreshing as a breath of CO air; no bickering, judging, or condescending attitudes. There are just people offering suggestions to consider. THIS is the forum I like to see.

 

[alexb]

Posted some updates and pics to my build thread

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/5th-g...2014-te-build-photo-thread-8.html#post2085025

 

[CrazyNorwegian]

Honestly I think the worst problem you can have is a flat tire. You look like your pretty well prepared for that. But, just remember to air down and you shouldn't have any problems. Oh yeah and use your gears for the down hill sections. Especially on the switch backs. Make things much smoother. Have fun!!!

 

[alexb]

Loaded up and hitting the road! First stop, Tucumcari NM.

Raingler Nets strapped down nice and tight.

 

[Blitzkrieg]

Not to hijack the thread, I am also heading to Rocky Mountain National Park from St. Louis. I will have the family in tow and are camping around that same week. Have any recommendations for cool routes in a bone stock 2011 Limited? Thanks for any comments!

There are two ways to get into RMNP. From the Grand Lake side or the Estes Park side.

If you do either you will end up at the other eventually if you keep driving. Either way, fuel up (both your truck and your belly) before you enter the park. There are no gas stations inside the park and there are plenty of great hole in the wall places to eat lunch outside the park, especially on the Estes Park side.

Read up on on this:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Big_Thompson_River

It will give you some interesting knowledge of a tragedy that happened there and also what hell Mother Nature can reek on a box canyon in the mountains.

If you want to do Old Fall River Road (which is the wagon route over the pass before Trail Ridge road was constructed - and you do - plan your entrance accordingly).

This will help.

Old Fall River Road in Rocky Mountain National Park

Don't hesitate to ask questions. I have lived here my whole life and there are very few places in Colorado (or the western states) that I am not intimately familiar with.

 

[c4k30rd34th]

Have fun! I am planning a trip through the same area so this thread has helped! I leave the 30th of this month and will be in Ouray labor day weekend. 3000 mile road trip for me! In Ouray area, I plan to do Alpine loop one day and Yankee Boy/Imogene in to Telluride the next day, with a return through Ophir. Being new to Colorado wheeling(not new to off road), and still getting used to what my 4Runner can and cant do, I plan to skip BB Pass. Not worth it for me.

 

[Blitzkrieg]

Here is a great website on Black Bear Pass. Check it out and the video towards the bottom of the main page will give you and excellent idea of what you are in for if you do it.

Black Bear Pass Colorado - 4WD Trail and Photos

And another great link:

TrailDamage.com - Black Bear Pass

Whether or not you choose to do it while visiting Colorado is up to you, just beware that most of the 4WD clubs rate it moderately difficult to difficult and you will end up with scratches on your vehicle at a minimum. I would not attempt it without a spotter.

 

[PAPAOBEWON]

Roads in Colorado great Flyfishing Black Canyon

There is an online site named funtreks.com it will give you a brief description of each trail in the area! One National Park north of you is Black Canyon which is spectacular and is a paved road into the park! Go north to Montrose then head east on Colorado Highway 50 great Flyfishing and the Rainbows are huge! Catch and release but superfun! Make a day of it with the parents! Also remember to buy a fishing license they do check!

 

[edknight]

Coming from a Creede resident...

If you decide to do Stoney Pass, take care crossing Pole Creek on the Creede side. I've seen a hydro-locked truck that tried to speed through with a nice bow wake. It can be done safely, just go slow.

I'd say one of the more interesting dining experiences around Creede is Freeman's General Store. Coming from Stoney, it's a mile or two toward Creede after you hit CO 149. Around Mile 39 or 40 (Next to the Clear Creek bridge). It has the ambiance of an old general store with great burgers and waffle fries. Grill closes at 6:00pm, so be there by 5:30 or so. You'll have to drink your brewskies elsewhere, though. Agree that Kips in Creede is good, also. It's more of a traditional restaurant/bar.

Have a great trip.

 

[divejoe]

Go to the Air Force Academy and Pikes Peak...lots of trails around here!

 

[IdRatherBe]

Not to hijack the thread, but I used it to help me prep for my own trip our there. The 4runner with some C load KO2s served me well. I got to use the hell out of 4 low and my transmission got some real work in for the first time. I give you a brief clip of some ledges on Yankee Boy and a couple of beauty shots of the 4runner on Clear Lake.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LcCEsErRoog

 

[4RnR Grl]

[MENTION=78909]alexb[/MENTION] I never heard how the trip went.... or did you start a new thread? It may have gotten lost in all the Pro Bro threads if so. I'm interested to hear how it went and what you saw/did. I am planning something similar for 2017 and plan to come back to this thread to plan. Pictures?

 

[cougarzluv]

I used this thread as well to help with my trip. I was a little intimidated hitting the trails by myself so we tagged along (more like was adopted), with a couple of Fj's. Doing that helped gain the confidence I needed to tackle any obstacles. The 4 runner did outstanding! I was still learning the crawl control, but once I figured it out, easy as pie. Walked up every obstacle.
We only had time for the Engineering Pass. That one pass was worth the entire trip. Even despite the rain that day. We are actually planning our next trip. I may have detailed our trip in my build page. I'm not sure what all I included. Let me know if you have any questions. I'll try to help if I can. Btw, we stayed our CO adventure in the Vail area and traveled down to Ouray.

 

[4RnR Grl]

I used this thread as well to help with my trip. I was a little intimidated hitting the trails by myself so we tagged along (more like was adopted), with a couple of Fj's. Doing that helped gain the confidence I needed to tackle any obstacles. The 4 runner did outstanding! I was still learning the crawl control, but once I figured it out, easy as pie. Walked up every obstacle.
We only had time for the Engineering Pass. That one pass was worth the entire trip. Even despite the rain that day. We are actually planning our next trip. I may have detailed our trip in my build page. I'm not sure what all I included. Let me know if you have any questions. I'll try to help if I can. Btw, we stayed our CO adventure in the Vail area and traveled down to Ouray.

Link to your build?