Ouray, CO in late June 2014

[Desert Dawg]

Thank you! I'm sure you have been to them, many times. Winter in Ouray is something I have not experienced, being that I don't ice climb.:bounce:It's always interesting to see what shops and restaurants are "still" there the next year and haven't closed. No more Beer Garten. Great outdoor seating, large dark beers, high altitude . . . It's closed and for sale.

It used to be, only one place opened at 7am for breakfast for years. Now there are three! Daylight's burning, got to hit those trails early to beat the rentals and ATV's. We still like Cimarron Cafe in Ridgeway for breakfast the best. It's gone by many names over the years. Right at the NW corner next to the gas station and not to mention the Ridgeway gas is about $0.50 - $0.75 cheaper per gallon than Ouray with multiple pumps and no rental Jeeps in line. They also have a "cheap" car wash rather than the one in Ouray that's a minimum of $3.25 for the first 5 minutes. Yepperrrr! Nothing here you didn't already know . . .

I know where the Revenue Virginius Silver mine is and am sure you're glad you were not still there in Nov 2013.

They have car washes there now? Used to have to drive to Montrose...lol.

Is the Bon Ton still there? I really liked that place (Italian restaurant down in the basement of the St. Elmo Hotel), as well as the old historic Western Hotel as the old west ambiance was pretty cool but not sure it is called that now. It has been about 6 six years since our last visit, so we are planning to go up this fall to take in the colors. We'll probably stay in Durango, stopover in Silverton, and stay in Ouray. I really want to do the Pass over to Telluride too.

Yeah, that was awful news. I worked it when the mine still had the original 1800-era buildings on site (which probably aren't there anymore but haven't seen the site for years). I had fun driving the trammer (little mine train) into the mountain about a mile than taking the shaft elevator down to 2100 feet below the surface to do some underground surveying and take water level measurements. I fell through a boarded up shaft one time that went even lower; good thing it was filled with water but sure made me pucker up...lol.

 

[ToyotaDoodz]

They have car washes there now? Used to have to drive to Montrose...lol.

Is the Bon Ton still there? I really liked that place (Italian restaurant down in the basement of the St. Elmo Hotel), as well as the old historic Western Hotel as the old west ambiance was pretty cool but not sure it is called that now. It has been about 6 six years since our last visit, so we are planning to go up this fall to take in the colors. We'll probably stay in Durango, stopover in Silverton, and stay in Ouray. I really want to do the Pass over to Telluride too.

Yeah, that was awful news. I worked it when the mine still had the original 1800-era buildings on site (which probably aren't there anymore but haven't seen the site for years). I had fun driving the trammer (little mine train) into the mountain about a mile than taking the shaft elevator down to 2100 feet below the surface to do some underground surveying and take water level measurements. I fell through a boarded up shaft one time that went even lower; good thing it was filled with water but sure made me pucker up...lol.

LOL on the car wash. In July, you just wait until the daily afternoon rain shower. Lots cheaper. last week, I was using a broom to remove 10 lbs of talc like dust off the tailgate daily.

Yes, the Bon Ton is still there and open. We REALLY liked the Beaumont Grill in the Beaumont Hotel. It's the best food we had for non-breakfast this time. We ate there 2 nights. They have a beef tip plate with a mushroom gravy on mashed potatoes that was to die for. I had it twice! The Buen Tiempo (Mexican) was fairly good, but living in OK, we're spoiled on good Mexican food. I think their chips were Doritos. It was fairly good. The steaks at the Outlaw are still good and their Scotch and sodas are large and brown. :bounce:We're not cheapo type eaters and like good food and don't mind paying for it. Prices were all pretty good.

Imogene is always a good ride. I was saddened that it was not open when I was there.

Speaking of fall color, have you ever taken the drive on County Road 12 just East of Somerset over the pass into Crested Butte? It's one of the largest Aspen groves in the world and can be driven in a car on gravel. Absolutely gorgeous.

That mine shaft surprise would have given me a permanent pucker!

 

[HOJeepster]

Ah Yes, the dreaded Iron Horse bike race...

Thank you! I'm sure you have been to them, many times. Winter in Ouray is something I have not experienced, being that I don't ice climb.:bounce:It's always interesting to see what shops and restaurants are "still" there the next year and haven't closed. No more Beer Garten. Great outdoor seating, large dark beers, high altitude . . . It's closed and for sale.

It used to be, only one place opened at 7am for breakfast for years. Now there are three! Daylight's burning, got to hit those trails early to beat the rentals and ATV's. We still like Cimarron Cafe in Ridgeway for breakfast the best. It's gone by many names over the years. Right at the NW corner next to the gas station and not to mention the Ridgeway gas is about $0.50 - $0.75 cheaper per gallon than Ouray with multiple pumps and no rental Jeeps in line. They also have a "cheap" car wash rather than the one in Ouray that's a minimum of $3.25 for the first 5 minutes. Yepperrrr! Nothing here you didn't already know . . .

I know where the Revenue Virginius Silver mine is and am sure you're glad you were not still there in Nov 2013.




Thanks. I hope you already have reservations.

Our second day, we drove to Crested Butte from Ouray. All along the way to Montrose, we kept passing bicycles headed South. LOTS and LOTS of bikes. When we returned to Ouray around 5pm, they were ALL camped in the park near the hot springs pool. 800 of them. There was a 5 day ride going on. They headed to Durango the next morning. We passed a ton of them the next morning when we headed South to Mineral Creek.

This week, it was going to be some kind of large motorcycle rally there.

 

[ToyotaDoodz]

Ah Yes, the dreaded Iron Horse bike race...

This one was called the Bicycle Tour of Colorado. The Route

Montrose to Ouray to Durango to Pagosa Springs to Creede to Gunnison loop ride. 407 miles June 22-28th.

It was funny. The morning after they hit town, one of the places opened at 6:30am for breakfast to get them going early. Colorado West Jeep tours had a big sign in front of their place offering to ferry riders to the top of the pass for the minor fee of $36 each. I mentioned this to some of the riders while waiting for the restaurant to open and you'd though I was handing out $100 bills. It was only day 2 and they hadn't even hit the hills yet. It was pretty funny.

 

[Plano26]

This is a group of "civilians" that got hung up coming down from Cinnamon pass. The guy in the while mall runner Jeep led them over the pass from Animas Forks. At the top of this switch back is a 5 foot tall vertical ledge (next to the canvas back Jeep coming up) that they could not get back over. It was apparently too difficult for them to go down towards American Basin so they were just sitting there and would not accept any help from anyone. There were not there two days later. The dark vehicle is a Ford Explorer 4x2, both with Colorado plates.

Hi ToyotDoodz; I was watching the below vid and noticed that at the 4:00 min mark it looks like the 5' shelf you were talking about...is this the one? The guy that is making the vid does runs for a club I joined...they are a hoot..his wife is the funniest; anyways it just looked like the area you were talking about and if it is did you go up that shelf?

P.S. sorry it's a jeep vid


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JOp1QjiHWDM&index=41&list=LLdIQty-YnwhAXXBO98kBClQ

 

[ToyotaDoodz]

Hi ToyotDoodz; I was watching the below vid and noticed that at the 4:00 min mark it looks like the 5' shelf you were talking about...is this the one? The guy that is making the vid does runs for a club I joined...they are a hoot..his wife is the funniest; anyways it just looked like the area you were talking about and if it is did you go up that shelf?

P.S. sorry it's a jeep vid


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JOp1QjiHWDM&index=41&list=LLdIQty-YnwhAXXBO98kBClQ

Hi, no that's the wrong trail (Poughkeepsie was not open yet), but the shelf is arranged the same way and it looks a lot like that. You turn the corner to your right (going up) and the wall is there to greet you. layball: It's not bad if you have a "real" 4x4. The one where the people got hung up was below Cinnamon Pass. If you're coming out of Lake City on the South end it's just above the dog leg from the American Basin turn off. You leave American Basin headed towards Cinnamon Pass. It's the last 180° switchback above American Basin before you drive the long straight towards the Pass. See my Garmin log grab below. It's at the 11,829 foot level.

I had zero issues with the '14 TEP. No lift, just BFG's aired down to 25 psi. It walked up everything we tried. I love the locker.

 

[ToyotaDoodz]

Hi ToyotDoodz; I was watching the below vid and noticed that at the 4:00 min mark it looks like the 5' shelf you were talking about...is this the one? The guy that is making the vid does runs for a club I joined...they are a hoot..his wife is the funniest; anyways it just looked like the area you were talking about and if it is did you go up that shelf?

P.S. sorry it's a jeep vid


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JOp1QjiHWDM&index=41&list=LLdIQty-YnwhAXXBO98kBClQ

Fun video. They look like a fun group no matter what they drive. After thinking it over and based on the obstacles before and after where those people were stuck, we decided they must have come from Animas Forks. If you came up from Animas Forks to Cinnamon Pass and down to that spot, there are no real obstacles to hang up a 4x2 which is what the Ford Explorer was.

I don't believe they could have gotten that far coming up from Lake City. There are some 4x4 only spots just below where they were stuck. Unless someone winched them back over that ledge, they must have driven down to Lake City. It would have been rough, but doable. Many of us tried to offer help, but they refused all offers. They were not there two days later so I guess they got cold and hungry. They didn't look like they'd passed up very many meals in their life.

We saw this Prius parked at the fork below the first outhouse at Animas Forks. We're always amazed at what people drive up there from Silverton. Scary at times. It makes you want to stay on the harder trails just to stay away form them. That strategy doesn't always work, like the Subaru wagon we saw half way up Mineral Creek in a heavy downpour one year. Dang! :crazy:

 

[TOY2G]

I will be there in 4 days, one of my favorite places to vacation and wheel. I have taken a different vehicle there every single year for the last 6 years. So far my favorite was my 4th gen SR5 (2003). Last year we took our 2013 SR5 and this year we are taking our 2010 TE Prem, I'm pretty excited to try the crawl control. How does it do going down loose stuff?

 

[ToyotaDoodz]

I will be there in 4 days, one of my favorite places to vacation and wheel. I have taken a different vehicle there every single year for the last 6 years. So far my favorite was my 4th gen SR5 (2003). Last year we took our 2013 SR5 and this year we are taking our 2010 TE Prem, I'm pretty excited to try the crawl control. How does it do going down loose stuff?

Great! I'm barely back a week and I'm envious.

We love the Ouray area also. It's unmatched in variation. Something for everyone.

My '03 was the 2003.5 V8 Sport. It had the color keyed fender flares unlike the 1st 1/2 year version. Remember the only "on or off" down hill assist control (DAC) it had? The 5th Gen version is variable speed which is WAY better. I used it a lot coming down the worst of the steeper parts. It's noisy, but when you're standing on your head, who cares! It works very well. Why it's nice is you may have a long downhill section with varying steepness where none is flat enough to turn it off so you just speed it up or down until your through it.

I did not use the multi-terrain control. I didn't feel I needed it in that area. The locker is just great. I did use it a lot in the difficult spots.

You're going to have a blast.

 

[trocks]

Question about 5th gen Limited in Ouray

Thank you for taking the time to share so many great pics of you trip to Ouray. My family will be heading to CO for the first time from Florida. I have a 2013 Limited that is currently all stock including those urban 19'' wheels with the Geolanders. I plan to update the rig in the next few years but not for this trip.

I just ordered the FunTreks book and appreciate the link. My question is how you think the stock limited will do on the "moderate" rated trails specifically Yankee Boy, Engineer, and Cinnamon which were on the list if we are equipped to handle it?? We would also start with the easy rated trails for the first day or 2 to get warmed up as well.

Also: Is it proper to ask the locals is they would host / guide me on some of the trails or is this like tourists who come to FL and expect us to teach them how to kill big fish when they don't have to right equipment?

Thank you very much for any advice you may have for a rookie from flat Florida

 

[ur2ez22]

Thank you for taking the time to share so many great pics of you trip to Ouray. My family will be heading to CO for the first time from Florida. I have a 2013 Limited that is currently all stock including those urban 19'' wheels with the Geolanders. I plan to update the rig in the next few years but not for this trip.

I just ordered the FunTreks book and appreciate the link. My question is how you think the stock limited will do on the "moderate" rated trails specifically Yankee Boy, Engineer, and Cinnamon which were on the list if we are equipped to handle it?? We would also start with the easy rated trails for the first day or 2 to get warmed up as well.

Also: Is it proper to ask the locals is they would host / guide me on some of the trails or is this like tourists who come to FL and expect us to teach them how to kill big fish when they don't have to right equipment?

Thank you very much for any advice you may have for a rookie from flat Florida

I'm up here now, we did Engineer and Cinnamon a couple days ago. There were plenty of stock vehicles out there, even a couple Subaru's, so it's not a question of whether or not your truck could handle it. The questions are how patient will you be with your lines to help avoid dragging a bumper or the bottom in a few places, minimize the slipping those street tires will have, and are you prepared to maybe get a few nicks on those wheels from the loose rocks? If you're patient and careful you can probably avoid all those things, and the views up here are amazing.

Btw, for anyone else reading this...Black Bear Pass is still closed up near the top, as is Yankee Boy Basin, but Imogene opened a few days ago and was a lot of fun (especially coming up from Ouray in the rain, truck never skipped a beat!). I'll be posting pics and reports when I get home in a couple days, but this whole area is amazing!

 

[trocks]

I'm up here now, we did Engineer and Cinnamon a couple days ago. There were plenty of stock vehicles out there, even a couple Subaru's, so it's not a question of whether or not your truck could handle it. The questions are how patient will you be with your lines to help avoid dragging a bumper or the bottom in a few places, minimize the slipping those street tires will have, and are you prepared to maybe get a few nicks on those wheels from the loose rocks? If you're patient and careful you can probably avoid all those things, and the views up here are amazing.

Btw, for anyone else reading this...Black Bear Pass is still closed up near the top, as is Yankee Boy Basin, but Imogene opened a few days ago and was a lot of fun (especially coming up from Ouray in the rain, truck never skipped a beat!). I'll be posting pics and reports when I get home in a couple days, but this whole area is amazing!

We will be there July 24 - August 1 and cannot wait. Thank you for the quick response. Indeed I would want to take my time and be careful on routing around or over obstacles. I am not new to doing trails only new to trails in the mountains and with this vehicle which should make it easier being a 4runner. I use to get my old 2WD, "manual" truck out of places people with 4WD trucks got stuck who did not know how to route / line or drive properly. This is of course all in Flat FLorida but we do have very muddy, swampy trails with lots of trees and growth that had to be routed as well. Should I lower the pressure in the geolanders since they are more of a lower profile tire? I also have air, recovery gear, tools, etc. Any other comments are welcome? Any ideas on locals and or having a trail buddy on these specific trails?

Thank you!

 

[CXS]

Thanks for sharing, I hope to be there before long myself. I try to get to the San Jaun's at least once a year but foolishly decided to buy a new place and am missing wheeling while packing and painting. Grrr!

 

[ToyotaDoodz]

Thank you for taking the time to share so many great pics of you trip to Ouray. My family will be heading to CO for the first time from Florida. I have a 2013 Limited that is currently all stock including those urban 19'' wheels with the Geolanders. I plan to update the rig in the next few years but not for this trip.

I just ordered the FunTreks book and appreciate the link. My question is how you think the stock limited will do on the "moderate" rated trails specifically Yankee Boy, Engineer, and Cinnamon which were on the list if we are equipped to handle it?? We would also start with the easy rated trails for the first day or 2 to get warmed up as well.

Also: Is it proper to ask the locals is they would host / guide me on some of the trails or is this like tourists who come to FL and expect us to teach them how to kill big fish when they don't have to right equipment?

Thank you very much for any advice you may have for a rookie from flat Florida

Thank you!
[MENTION=110242]ur2ez22[/MENTION] nailed it in his reply to you.

If you look at my post #1 above at the list of trails and which ones we ran on what days, you'll see that we started out slow and increased difficulty as we went. We do it this way every trip. It's a good way to reawaken your skills.

Your Charles Wells book is a perfect guide for you. Look at the difficulty ratings and read the part of each trail where he tells you why that trail is rated that way. It's very accurate. If you ask someone else to guide you, they may get you in deeper than you're comfortable with difficulty wise and how do you gracefully back out? Most wouldn't, that's when you get damage, etc.

My rig has to get us there and back and so will yours. Always keep that in mind with the trails you choose. Also, your tires will have less cushion (lower profile) so you'll want to minimize the roughness. They will also be subject to sidewall damage if you run trails with sharp scree rocks. Offroad rigs have smaller diameter wheels with larger tires. That puts more rubber between the wheel and the ground. That rubber absorbs shock (smoother ride) and protects the wheel and adds ground clearance.

After saying all that, there are still a lot of fun trails you can run. Your vehicle is very capable as it is. That capability is hindered by the limited's tires/wheels and the lower body molding like running boards and the low front and rear bumper skirts.

New drivers to offroad tend to focus on the obstacle in front and just getting over it which is good, but don't forget what your rear wheels are doing as they go over it and drop down the back side. Hello rear bumper skirt! Try not to take things straight on. Take them at and angle, like 20° or 30°'s. Your vehicle will like you much more.

Yes, you can get by these limitations with careful and patient driving and trail choice.

If you like, I'm more than wiling to give you some trail suggestions that are guaranteed to please and match your rig if you'll let me know how many days you're going to be in Ouray.

PS, the first solo trip I ever ran in Ouray years ago was in a 4x2 4Runner. All it had was traction control on the rear, ground clearance, and the rest was all me. I don't recommend that because without low range you must ride the brakes coming down, and you run out of steam going up, but it can be done. Dangerous, yes, but it can be done.

 

[ToyotaDoodz]

Thanks for sharing, I hope to be there before long myself. I try to get to the San Jaun's at least once a year but foolishly decided to buy a new place and am missing wheeling while packing and painting. Grrr!

I never feed the animals! Just the one behind the drivers wheel.

We will be there July 24 - August 1 and cannot wait. Thank you for the quick response. Indeed I would want to take my time and be careful on routing around or over obstacles. I am not new to doing trails only new to trails in the mountains and with this vehicle which should make it easier being a 4runner. I use to get my old 2WD, "manual" truck out of places people with 4WD trucks got stuck who did not know how to route / line or drive properly. This is of course all in Flat FLorida but we do have very muddy, swampy trails with lots of trees and growth that had to be routed as well. Should I lower the pressure in the geolanders since they are more of a lower profile tire? I also have air, recovery gear, tools, etc. Any other comments are welcome? Any ideas on locals and or having a trail buddy on these specific trails?

Thank you!

Line choice is the big skill to have in Ouray. Think rocks, rocks, rocks. Very little mud. Before you go, get under your rig and look at what is where. Gas tank is under your side and muffler is under the passenger side. If you have to choose what side to take that big rock on, protect the gas tank.:biggrin1:

Due to your wheel size, I'd be concerned about airing down much. Your wheels are already closer to the ground. I wouldn't do more than 5 PSI to be safe. It will make your soft sidewalls stick out an they will get damaged.

 

[trocks]

Thank you!
[MENTION=110242]ur2ez22[/MENTION] nailed it in his reply to you.

If you look at my post #1 above at the list of trails and which ones we ran on what days, you'll see that we started out slow and increased difficulty as we went. We do it this way every trip. It's a good way to reawaken your skills.

Your Charles Wells book is a perfect guide for you. Look at the difficulty ratings and read the part of each trail where he tells you why that trail is rated that way. It's very accurate. If you ask someone else to guide you, they may get you in deeper than you're comfortable with difficulty wise and how do you gracefully back out? Most wouldn't, that's when you get damage, etc.

My rig has to get us there and back and so will yours. Always keep that in mind with the trails you choose. Also, your tires will have less cushion (lower profile) so you'll want to minimize the roughness. They will also be subject to sidewall damage if you run trails with sharp scree rocks. Offroad rigs have smaller diameter wheels with larger tires. That puts more rubber between the wheel and the ground. That rubber absorbs shock (smoother ride) and protects the wheel and adds ground clearance.

After saying all that, there are still a lot of fun trails you can run. Your vehicle is very capable as it is. That capability is hindered by the limited's tires/wheels and the lower body molding like running boards and the low front and rear bumper skirts.

New drivers to offroad tend to focus on the obstacle in front and just getting over it which is good, but don't forget what your rear wheels are doing as they go over it and drop down the back side. Hello rear bumper skirt! Try not to take things straight on. Take them at and angle, like 20° or 30°'s. Your vehicle will like you much more.

Yes, you can get by these limitations with careful and patient driving and trail choice.

If you like, I'm more than wiling to give you some trail suggestions that are guaranteed to please and match your rig if you'll let me know how many days you're going to be in Ouray.

PS, the first solo trip I ever ran in Ouray years ago was in a 4x2 4Runner. All it had was traction control on the rear, ground clearance, and the rest was all me. I don't recommend that because without low range you must ride the brakes coming down, and you run out of steam going up, but it can be done. Dangerous, yes, but it can be done.

Thank you both and thanks for the offer to make suggestions on our goals! Please note a few points and questions below:

- Body/Tires/Comment Reply to UR2ez22: I have removed the running boards for this trip. Future plans will add Shockworks front and rear bumpers (winch of course), 16 - 17'' rims, BFG KA TO's, and a 2 inch lift in the front to level the rig, etc. Since I bought a Runner to be used as it was built, I am not worried about nicks / scratches on the rims and or other areas too much especially knowing the future plans. She is a very expensive toy and I surely don’t want to do stupid things to damage her but know what may happen on the trails.

- I will have my wife and 2 kids 8 and 9. Safety and being careful / patient is #1 Top concern for me...hence why I am here seeking help and info.

- I grew up in FL however stayed out in northern CA for a month every summer growing up in to my 20's. Been all over the upper Sierra range and other areas in northern CA so I am "somewhat" use to the environment. I am however BRAND NEW[/]B to driving on trails in those parts. I stayed with my now late uncle who had a dear friend we camped with which is where I had my first experience with runners at a younger age. He had an 80 something and I have been in love ever since. It has been a long time dream to finally have the rig and use it

- We will be in Durango from July 23-27 and Ouray from the 27th until Friday, August 1. Here are the main goals / concerns in the trail running for us:

GOALS: Views Views Views! Just being able to enjoy the beauty of the area up in the high country.

#1 The Yankee Boy pics you posted are perfect! Great views and areas the kids can get out and experience the landscape.....making memories!

#2 Do you think the snow at Maggie / Picayne gulch will still be that thick? Is this an area we can safely get to?

#3 "We" would love to visit some of the historical items such as mines, ghost towns, etc for educational purposes w/the kids. Any ideas on these types of destinations would be considered #1 for DW...happy wife happy life

Concerns / Questions:

- In researching "recovery equip," I learned that I really do not have what I should based on the region. I have a 14' tow chain (5500 LBS), hooks/clevis, and a "tow" strap (3300LBS) but not a "snatch" strap. I have wood blocks and bottle jacks, full tool box, heavy duty air pump, tire repair kit, fire ext, jumpers, and a shovel. How bad is it not having other items?......

- I assume there are many people on the trails this time of the year. If we get in trouble, how likely will help be coming around from other trail goers? What is the standard way to get help if you do get stranded? Cell service I assume is not going to work? Flairs? CB's?

- Is it worth investing in a Hi-Lift jack w/ accessories and a Snatch Strap for this trip? Was planning on it anyway in the future but we are already over budget for this vacation.

- Line Choice: Could you direct me to any forum pages or you tube videos that discuss this or offer any wisdom. I again assume (and don’t want to assume, want to know) it is following the best route around or over obstacles and being sure the tires run over them in the best way possible? I did some Google searching but came up with nothing online. Is this discussed in the book?

- Final question: Unrelated to the trail running questions: I have an 18' canoe I could bring on the trip. It is a PIA to mount and run out with this however a big goal of mine is to introduce the kids to trout fishing in Mountain lakes. Are there good lakes and is fishing from a canoe a regular sport in the area? I am trying to decide if it is worth the extra cargo and trouble of bringing this to the Durango / Ouray region?

ok, I think that is it for now. Thanks again for the help!!!! At a minimal, I owe you guys lunch if we were in Ouray at the same time If you ever want to come to FL to kill BIG fish, we host people on a regular basis and would be glad to do it.

PS: Advice about getting a local guide..priceless...never thought of it that way.

 

[ToyotaDoodz]

We will be in Durango from July 23-27 and Ouray from the 27th until Friday, August 1. Here are the main goals / concerns in the trail running for us:

GOALS: Views Views Views! Just being able to enjoy the beauty of the area up in the high country.

#1 The Yankee Boy pics you posted are perfect! Great views and areas the kids can get out and experience the landscape.....making memories!

#2 Do you think the snow at Maggie / Picayne gulch will still be that thick? Is this an area we can safely get to?

#3 "We" would love to visit some of the historical items such as mines, ghost towns, etc for educational purposes w/the kids. Any ideas on these types of destinations would be considered #1 for DW...happy wife happy life

Happy wife, happy life, dang straight! Words to live by and also a consideration for trail selection if your passengers have never offroaded before. You'll want to start them out slow as well. Remember, they have no control over what's happening.

I tried to edit one of my previous posts yesterday but couldn't. I was going to mention some of what I said may have implied you didn't know what you were doing but that was not my intent. Many people read these threads and I've learned to word some replies with a wider less experienced audience in mind. You never know who is reading this and will take something and run with it.

Snow will all be off the trails when you're there. Yankee Boy is right above Ouray and a good trail to start on. While Governor basin and Imogene branch right off of it, I don't recommend those for your setup in the beginning, so beware of temptation the first day. Imogene is fun and beautiful but it's not easy driving it with your setup. It's very rocky and rough for lower profile street tires, read climbing lots of rocky outcrops and can be disconcerting until you get your mountain trails driving experience.

Yes, Maggie and Minnie Gulch are well worth it. Maggie is my favorite of the two and a great starter. The only snow blockage was at the end of the trail on a side branch. It will be gone.

Picayne shows to be easy, BUT it has degraded. Coming up from the Animas Forks road, it is very steep with large loose rocks the size of tennis balls. Not saying you can't do it, but I'd run others first or run it from the other direction so you're coming down that part. Picayne will freak you out with few places to turn around along the first 1/2 mile stretch up from the Animas Forks road (Silverton end).

Mine tours? There's a great mine tour on the North end of town. http://bachelorsyracusemine.com/ We've taken it and enjoyed it.

Let me suggest some trail combinations that go together and then you can pick based on time. I'm suggesting these based on the vehicle "you" are driving and with your goals in mind. None of these will get you in trouble compared to other trails there. I'm not suggesting what day or order you do these.

1. A full day round trip. Ouray to Lake City and back, the Alpine Loop. Do this on a day when you can do breakfast around 7am ish and get started. The route is specific for your vehicle with no detours. Ouray to Silverton, then North to Animas Forks to Engineer Pass to Lake City and return via highway 149 South end of Lake City back to American Basin (best wild flowers) then Cinnamon Pass to Animas Forks, back to Silverton and then Ouray. It's all day without detours. Lunch in Lake City.

2. Explore a lot of different trails. Ouray to Silverton to Maggie Gulch, then Minnie Gulch, then Eureka, then Animas Forks. You could go from there to California Pass to Hurricane Pass an back to Hwy 550 via Corkscrew or the easier but longer road to Gladstone, Silverton and Ouray. This is a lot so you may want to break this up or see how far you get.

If you want another all day but easy trip near Crested Butte, let me know.

Yes, there are a lot of people on all of these trails but if you're lucky, you won't run into them.

In late July you can count on getting dirty in the morning and have a nice rain shower in the afternoon to wash some of it off. It's a daily thing in July and August.

I don't think you'll need the chain. I carry a 40' strap with loops, (no hooks) Most people are willing to help because you'll probably be in their way if you get hung up. :nod: Kidding. Many use CB's to communicate vehicle to vehicle in groups. Cell phones are pretty useless in most of this area away from the towns.

Line choice is learned. It's usually safer to put your tire ON the big rock to go over but it depends on the situation. You have to learn your own clearance. Know the underside of your vehicle. Go slow and use your ears. If somebody's pushing from behind, let them go around. You're in no hurry. Going over rough stuff and hear a big bad noise, stop and look.

Start a new thread on the canoe question since this is my Ouray trip report thread. You'll get a quicker answer from locals.

Thanks for the fishing offer.

PS, I ALWAYS start every day with a full tank of gas. You never know what you're going to get into or how long it will take. Over confidence is a killer.

 

[smallfry]

Fun video. They look like a fun group no matter what they drive. After thinking it over and based on the obstacles before and after where those people were stuck, we decided they must have come from Animas Forks. If you came up from Animas Forks to Cinnamon Pass and down to that spot, there are no real obstacles to hang up a 4x2 which is what the Ford Explorer was.

I don't believe they could have gotten that far coming up from Lake City. There are some 4x4 only spots just below where they were stuck. Unless someone winched them back over that ledge, they must have driven down to Lake City. It would have been rough, but doable. Many of us tried to offer help, but they refused all offers. They were not there two days later so I guess they got cold and hungry. They didn't look like they'd passed up very many meals in their life.

We saw this Prius parked at the fork below the first outhouse at Animas Forks. We're always amazed at what people drive up there from Silverton. Scary at times. It makes you want to stay on the harder trails just to stay away form them. That strategy doesn't always work, like the Subaru wagon we saw half way up Mineral Creek in a heavy downpour one year. Dang! :crazy:

It's always crazy to see what people try to take up the trails. I guess some people miss the signs that says 4-wheel drive required/recommended beyond this point.

Last time I was in Ouray someone was take a early 90's Honda Accord up the trail driving really, really slow.

 

[smallfry]

trocks....you guys will have a great time in Ouray. There's some great country to explore there.

 

[Desert Dawg]

Happy wife, happy life, dang straight! Words to live by and also a consideration for trail selection if your passengers have never offroaded before. You'll want to start them out slow as well. Remember, they have no control over what's happening.

I tried to edit one of my previous posts yesterday but couldn't. I was going to mention some of what I said may have implied you didn't know what you were doing but that was not my intent. Many people read these threads and I've learned to word some replies with a wider less experienced audience in mind. You never know who is reading this and will take something and run with it.

Snow will all be off the trails when you're there. Yankee Boy is right above Ouray and a good trail to start on. While Governor basin and Imogene branch right off of it, I don't recommend those for your setup in the beginning, so beware of temptation the first day. Imogene is fun and beautiful but it's not easy driving it with your setup. It's very rocky and rough for lower profile street tires, read climbing lots of rocky outcrops and can be disconcerting until you get your mountain trails driving experience.

Yes, Maggie and Minnie Gulch are well worth it. Maggie is my favorite of the two and a great starter. The only snow blockage was at the end of the trail on a side branch. It will be gone.

Picayne shows to be easy, BUT it has degraded. Coming up from the Animas Forks road, it is very steep with large loose rocks the size of tennis balls. Not saying you can't do it, but I'd run others first or run it from the other direction so you're coming down that part. Picayne will freak you out with few places to turn around in the beginning 1/2 mile up from the Animas Forks road (Silverton end).

Mine tours? There's a great mine tour on the North end of town. http://bachelorsyracusemine.com/ We've taken it and enjoyed it.

Let me suggest some trail combinations that go together and then you can pick based on time. I'm suggesting these based on the vehicle "you" are driving and with your goals in mind. None of these will get you in trouble compared to other trails there. I'm not suggesting what day or order you do these.

1. A full day round trip. Ouray to Lake City and back, the Alpine Loop. Do this on a day when you can do breakfast around 7am ish and get started. The route is specific for your vehicle with no detours. Ouray to Silverton, then North to Animas Forks to Engineer Pass to Lake City and return via highway 149 South end of Lake City back to American Basin (best wild flowers) then Cinnamon Pass to Animas Forks, back to Silverton and then Ouray. It's all day without detours. Lunch in Lake City.

2. Explore a lot of different trails. Ouray to Silverton to Maggie Gulch, then Minnie Gulch, then Eureka, then Animas Forks. You could go from there to California Pass to Hurricane Pass an back to Hwy 550 via Corkscrew or the easier but longer road to Gladstone, Silverton and Ouray. This is a lot so you may want to break this up or see how far you get.

If you want another all day but easy trip near Crested Butte, let me know.

Yes, there are a lot of people on all of these trails but if you're lucky, you won't run into them.

In late July you can count on getting dirty in the morning and have a nice rain shower in the afternoon to was some of it off. It's a daily thing in July and August.

I don't think you'll need the chain. I carry a 40' strap with loops, (no hooks) Most people are wiling to help because you'll probably be in their way if you get hung up. :nod: Kidding. Many use CB's to communicate vehicle to vehicle in groups. Cell phones are pretty useless in most of this area away from the towns.

Line choice is learned. It's usually safer to put your tire ON the big rock to go over but it depends on the situation. You have to learn your own clearance. Know the underside of your vehicle. Go slow and use your ears. If somebody's pushing from behind, let them go around. You're in no hurry. hear a big bad noise, stop and look.

Start a new thread on the canoe question since this is my Ouray trip report thread. You'll get a quicker answer from locals.

Thanks for the fishing offer.

PS, I ALWAYS start every day with a full tank of gas. You never know what you're going to get into or how long it will take. Over confidence is a killer.

Excellent write up ToyotaDoodz! Should be a sticky.