Thanks go out to all you guys who read the trip report!
Woops, definitely looks like an amazing trip. Once my daughter is old enough we will be making a trip out to Colorado in the 4runner. What kind of mileage did you average this trip?
Worst MPG on a tank was 17, best was a little over 20. It had alot to do with how much time was spent on the highway vs exploring side roads. I've got a daughter on the way, which is why I had to do this trip now. I might not get these chances again for a few years.
Your rig is so sick... I love the slight rake to it.
Thank you sir.
WOW, what a trip!
Those are awesome pictures, very beautiful country. I can't get enough every time I go up.
Glad to hear you are starting to warm up to this 4runner, haha. I know you always thought of it as the adopted child compared to the good 'ol 97, lol.
Those temps are actually pretty good considering what you were doing. But if I may suggest the 170* thermostat in addition to all the stuff you mentioned? I have nothing but awesome temps from that thing.
Anywho, great photos. That landscape is awesome, and that one shot of you standing by the runner at the top of that 13k pass deserves to be a profile pic IMO.
Edit: did you get my PM about the tensioner plate?
You've got to run those passes man. There's so much to take in, it's really overwhelming.
You're dead on w/the adopted child comment, but it's true, I'm starting to love it. I thought the temps were pretty good too, my only gripe is that I have no margin of safety. I was running right on the ragged edge at times, and I don't like operating like that so far from home, and in such remote places. A single tow bill would cost more than what it would take to make it right and build in some extra cooling.
Got your PM, but I was back on the road at 4am the morning after I made the last post, will reply ASAP.
Nice. Looks like you all covered alot or grounds and saw some great places.
Was Black Bear Pass not open yet?
You're dead on. Black Bear opened on Saturday the 16th, we came home on Wednesday the 13th. Next time around for sure though.
Love the fish and the pics.
When I lived in Boulder for a year and trained in Durango, on the way back people would stop off 550 for the Ouray hot springs. Mountain bike riders swore that it helped their sore legs.
Public hot springs give me the willies. I wouldn't get in them unless it was at gun point. Too much "who knows what" floating around w/no chlorine.
Great trip pictures man!
Thanks for the detailed report. I am definitely going to save this trip report. Those places look amazing
Thanks for the compliments, and as always, for following the thread. It's definitely a worthwhile trip. Your truck would handle it easily.
Nice moves BFAD. I was beginning to wonder why you have been abscent the last few days.... Now I know you were just out doing, what we all WISH we were doing when we are spending time on the forum! Stunning photos and report in your usual style!
Interesting report on the temps. as well. I need to be proactive and start looking at my own data...
If I disappear from the forum, you can bet your paycheck I'm in the wild.
Thanks for the compliments my friend. The Scanguage proved invaluable on this trip, esp for clearing the CEL. The truck might have been in limp mode the rest of the trip had I not been able to clear it.
What a great trip sir! Imogene pass is no joke, did you end up doing Black Bear? I have taken it up to the falls, but not up and over (from Telluride side). My sister, the beast she is, has RAN Imogene Pass twice. I can't remember the mileage, but the race starts in Ouray and ends in Telluride. Now that you have driven it, I am sure you can have some respect for that task! They hold that race every year, and it is pretty much for the super elite runners or the true gluttons for punishment!!!!
You should get a hold of me when you do these trips!! This is my backyard boss!!!!!!!!! Well done, hope the fishing was awesome. I am going to hit the East Portal of the Gunnison tomorrow after offloading some hay for a buddy.....hopefully I will have some more good photos!! It's always nice to see fellow Runner owners putting their rigs to the trails.
Believe it or not, I did think of contacting you when we were passing through Ridgeway. I saw Cimmaron on the map just a few miles away and I know you're nearby there... No phone number though, so maybe PM me w/that and I'll buzz you next time around.
Like I was saying, Black Bear was still closed or I'd have spanked it too, but next time around I guess. Hope you had some good luck on the Gunny.
Awesome trip! What a crazy coincidence it would have been if we would have crossed paths in Lake City. There's no way I would have missed your rig. lol. You guys must have been there after we left. (we were there the 3rd-8th)
Your trip is the kind I want to do in about 6 years, when the kids can hold their own camping out. Nothing beats the views from all those passes, and there are tons of high country camping spots to enjoy.
That would have been cool. I remember reading that you were headed up that way. We were in Lake City on Wednesday June 6th @ about 5pm. We gassed up on the south side of town, got beer & ice on the north side, then went up and camped on the Lake Fork above San Christobal. I'll be back for sure.
Great pictures, looks like an awesome trip!
Imogene and Black Bear are both on my list of trails to run. I really need to make a trip down to that part of Colorado!
Thanks bud. You'd get a kick out of that area. I'd also recommend that Granby Lakes trail on Grand Mesa, that's right up your alley... I'd say it was tougher than any of the passes. And if you do Imogene, go up the Ouray side, lots of optional lines that would be a blast on the way up. Governer Basin is on that side too, and it's a Class 4.
i want to go there so bad! looks like a lot of fun!
You should... it was.
I've been on Black Bear Pass! I was less then a year old though... but I was in the same 4Runner that I'm daily driving now!
Nice.
Wow BFAD!!! Thats about all I got, just Wow!
Thanks man. That says it all.
Kids are great! 
