How would you compare Engineer Pass to White Rim Trail in terms of difficulty?

[transistor]

I've only done White Rim Trail and I made it through without too much white knuckling. I really liked that they limit the amount of people on the trail, so I could really take my time. I'm guessing Engineer Pass is a bit of a zoo? How technical is it compared to White Rim?

 

[RonJR]

It's been a while since I was all the way across Engineer/Cinnamon, but I would rate them pretty similar to White Rim. No obstacles you can't get over in a stock 4runner. Murphy Hogback and Hardscrabble Hill on White Rim are probably steeper than anything on Engineer.

The section of Engineer from Highway 550 near Ouray up to Animas Forks has some fairly rough spots that can cause some scraping in a stock 4runner unless you're really careful. If you want to avoid that just drive up to Animas Forks from Silverton and do the rest of the Loop. You'll have no trouble on the rest.

 

[gm350reratliff]

I agree with [MENTION=134884]RonJR[/MENTION] , my fairly stock 4th gen made it just fine with a few scrapes underneath. Last year Engineer pass was pretty busy, I’m guessing it’ll be the same this year. I do like the section from 550 because there are some technical spots and it’s beautiful through there.

 

[Trivialmonroe]

Do you have any trail maps of an "easy" path around that area from Silverton to Lake City to Ouray to Telluride? I am trying to make sense of the maps I am finding online, but I haven't ever done a trek like this before. Picked up a 4runner (ORP) last week and am hoping to drive through this area in early August. Still stock, but open to getting some minor upgrades if needed.

 

[RonJR]

No maps handy, but for easy and scenic, starting in Silverton, I'd suggest:
Silverton to Animas Forks - easy 2wd
Animas Forks to Lake City - Engineer Pass, easy 4wd
Lake City back to Animas Forks - Cinnamon Pass, easy 4wd
Animas Forks to Hiway 550 south of Ouray - Hurricane and Corkscrew passes, easy 4wd
Hiway 550 to Telluride - Ophir Pass, easy 4wd
Telluride to Ouray - Either Imogene Pass (incredibly scenic but perhaps a bit challenging and/or intimidating). Moderate 4wd.
Alternately,
Telluride to Ouray - Last Dollar Road back to Ridgeway and Ouray -- easy 2wd and quite pretty.

None of these roads will seriously challenge a stock 4runner.

I would budget 2 days minimum for doing all of that. Lots of places to stop and take pictures.

 

[Trivialmonroe]

No maps handy, but for easy and scenic, starting in Silverton, I'd suggest:
Silverton to Animas Forks - easy 2wd
Animas Forks to Lake City - Engineer Pass, easy 4wd
Lake City back to Animas Forks - Cinnamon Pass, easy 4wd
Animas Forks to Hiway 550 south of Ouray - Hurricane and Corkscrew passes, easy 4wd
Hiway 550 to Telluride - Ophir Pass, easy 4wd
Telluride to Ouray - Either Imogene Pass (incredibly scenic but perhaps a bit challenging and/or intimidating). Moderate 4wd.
Alternately,
Telluride to Ouray - Last Dollar Road back to Ridgeway and Ouray -- easy 2wd and quite pretty.

None of these roads will seriously challenge a stock 4runner.

I would budget 2 days minimum for doing all of that. Lots of places to stop and take pictures.

Thanks for the info!


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[EOffRoad]

Engineer pass down to Ouray via CR18 is kinda hairy.

Same with Imogene Pass going from Ouray to Telluride.

Both doable in a stock 2017 4runner with stock sized KO2's and sliders, but there will be some white knuckle time unless you pick good lines. I often didn't.

Imogene Pass going west, in my estimation, is easier than CR18.

We did both routes just last week, and the bottom and spare tire took some solid hits. Plus, it appears as though the body flex cracked the windshield. And, we slid sideways into a tree coming down CR18. Thank goodness for the sliders.

Traction and climbing ability was not really an issue. Clearance was.

But, I am not an experienced offroader, and my spotter's favor phrase was "we really should have chosen another route. Sure you can't just turn around and go back to E Pass?"

 

[Gergin]

Do you have any trail maps of an "easy" path around that area from Silverton to Lake City to Ouray to Telluride? I am trying to make sense of the maps I am finding online, but I haven't ever done a trek like this before. Picked up a 4runner (ORP) last week and am hoping to drive through this area in early August. Still stock, but open to getting some minor upgrades if needed.

4X4Treks the book has been a huge help. I live in Flagstaff and go to Colorado as often as possible in the summer. I have planned many trips from the book.
I have 2005 T4R and barely spin a tire on the "intermediate" stuff. You just might have the time of your life.

 

[SoonerDPT]

4X4Treks the book has been a huge help. I live in Flagstaff and go to Colorado as often as possible in the summer. I have planned many trips from the book.
I have 2005 T4R and barely spin a tire on the "intermediate" stuff. You just might have the time of your life.

Are you talking about this book?

 

[transistor]

Update: I just got back from Ouray. I did Engineer Pass, Cinnamon, Corkscrew, Ophir, and Last Dollar. All of them were basically just gravel roads except for Engineer Pass. The west 1/4 was pretty intimidating. Luckily, I went from west to east and late enough in they day that I could take my time. I don't think I would have been able to go west on that section. Just as I was finishing the tough stuff, I met a Mazda CX-5 heading the other way. I really hope they didn't attempt it...

 

[Trivialmonroe]

Update: I just got back from Ouray. I did Engineer Pass, Cinnamon, Corkscrew, Ophir, and Last Dollar. All of them were basically just gravel roads except for Engineer Pass. The west 1/4 was pretty intimidating. Luckily, I went from west to east and late enough in they day that I could take my time. I don't think I would have been able to go west on that section. Just as I was finishing the tough stuff, I met a Mazda CX-5 heading the other way. I really hope they didn't attempt it...

Great! I will be there next week and plan to cover similar ground. Supposed to rain all week according to the forecast so hoping it’s just sporadic or non existent


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