Ouray, CO in late June 2014

[ToyotaDoodz]

Excellent write up ToyotaDoodz! Should be a sticky.

Aw, thanks. Not sure about the sticky though.

 

[trocks]

Aw, thanks. Not sure about the sticky though.

I second that

 

[trocks]

Reply to ToyotaDoodz's GREAT write up! (I hate using "Quote" on long posts as it floods the page with repeated content)

- No worries on the intent in prior post. You don't know and it is better to preach safety over hurting one's feelings. As you saw fist hand, many IDIOTS everywhere doing stupid things so it is hard not to speak your mind ...I shoot from the hip as well and don't get offended easily. It is all good

- So many great tips...I think you just helped re-plan and plan our week for us at Ouray....could earn a sales commission as a travel agent

- I am thinking #1 would be the finale that we work up to...true? So 2 days of short easier stuff like Maggie, Minnie, etc and than a full day following #1?

- I am not sure we would have time for another full day of trails however would love to see what you suggest. I am sure there will be many other readers that too will enjoy seeing what you have in mind. The sticky idea for your write up, after the addition of another full day option, would be 100% suggested. Hope the community gives back to you what you have shared.

- Mine tours check....done deal - thanks

- As for strap? Should I spend the $100 on a snatch strap? Or are we good as is knowing many others will have what is needed if the issue comes up?...perhaps I worry too much?

- Canoe: Understood...sorry to jack up your thread. Based on all we have to do in Durango and now Ouray, I think it is best to just not bring it this time with trails, mines, hot springs etc being the big attraction.

Thanks Again to everyone who has chimed in! We will post pics when we get done.

 

[ToyotaDoodz]

- So many great tips...I think you just helped re-plan and plan our week for us at Ouray....could earn a sales commission as a travel agent

Now I'm scared.ray::madgrin: (kidding) Read your Charles well's book for that area again and get comfortable with that area's overview map. Compare what I said to that and let the book and your gut/time be your guide. Also, most of these trails are County roads and are on your Toyota nav if you zoom in enough. I always take my Garmin Nuvi 2757 so I can keep my trip logs. The trails are also on the Nuvi.

- I am thinking #1 would be the finale that we work up to...true? So 2 days of short easier stuff like Maggie, Minnie, etc and than a full day following #1?

- I am not sure we would have time for another full day of trails however would love to see what you suggest. I am sure there will be many other readers that too will enjoy seeing what you have in mind. The sticky idea for your write up, after the addition of another full day option, would be 100% suggested. Hope the community gives back to you what you have shared.

The individual trails grouping has the quality stuff to see and each are different. The Alpine loop covers a lot of ground and scenery and is easier but takes longer. Time is your guide and one trip is always too short or so it seems.

- Mine tours check....done deal - thanks

- As for strap? Should I spend the $100 on a snatch strap? Or are we good as is knowing many others will have what is needed if the issue comes up?...perhaps I worry too much?

- Canoe: Understood...sorry to jack up your thread. Based on all we have to do in Durango and now Ouray, I think it is best to just not bring it this time with trails, mines, hot springs etc being the big attraction.

Thanks Again to everyone who has chimed in! We will post pics when we get done.

I doubt you need a strap unless you just want to get one early for your later to come built up rig. I've never used mine. But, never say never, and I never assume others will have what I need.

Have a great time! Go slow and enjoy.

You HAVE to go slow because the driver has to look for everything you're about to drive over, are driving over, did driver over, and what you're driving by that everyone else missed.:becky:

PS, in Maggie Gulch and other places if you "think" you hear sheep bleating but can't see them, look up "very" high and you'll see them and one of the many shepherds grazing their flocks in the area.

 

[Colemanfu]

I was in Ouray for the 4th or July and ran Black Bear on the 5th or should I say tried???

Shocked the gate was open but the road was not, perhaps a work in progress? You could go over but not down very far.

I wanted to go down to Telluride and had never been on the other pass (to the south).

Pretty views but got rained on during the ride back.

 

[trocks]

Thanks again for all the advice! We leave Friday for GA first followed by Durango and Ouray! I went ahead and got the ARB snatch strap and upgraded my shoes. Was going to do it anyway and was just not confident with 20'' low profiles on the trails knowing me and what I am going to want to do out there. Got 17'' MB TKO all black rims with the mighty KA TO's. Will post some pics of it on the trail in Ouray. Thanks again and remember the fishing invitation is open if you head to FL!

 

[ToyotaDoodz]

I was in Ouray for the 4th or July and ran Black Bear on the 5th or should I say tried???

Shocked the gate was open but the road was not, perhaps a work in progress? You could go over but not down very far.

I wanted to go down to Telluride and had never been on the other pass (to the south).

Pretty views but got rained on during the ride back.

The gate was open when I was there as well but I knew it was not yet open so we stayed out. Ophir was the only thing open to Telluride when I was there.

Thanks again for all the advice! We leave Friday for GA first followed by Durango and Ouray! I went ahead and got the ARB snatch strap and upgraded my shoes. Was going to do it anyway and was just not confident with 20'' low profiles on the trails knowing me and what I am going to want to do out there. Got 17'' MB TKO all black rims with the mighty KA TO's. Will post some pics of it on the trail in Ouray. Thanks again and remember the fishing invitation is open if you head to FL!

No problem. Give us a trip report when you get back with lots of pics! Thanks for the fishing invite. Mmmmm, conch fritters sounds good right now.

 

[Jimmy_D]

All the trails there are open. Just got back from the Summit and nothing was closed. Everything I ran was in good shape (Black Bear, Imogene, Poughkeepsie, Ophir, Engineer).

 

[USKTog]

ToyotaDoodz,
This write-up has almost solidified my decision...so THANK YOU!

As a freelance photographer, I was up in the Alta Lakes area in late June and found myself really really really needing a vehicle that is less wide (and long) than what I currently drive. While I do indeed love my truck (2008 F350 CC LWB 4x4 on 20's), I've been pondering the 2014 4R TEP / 2014 4R LTD for a couple of months.

The amenities in the 4R LTD are nice, but the places I tend to go (and want to go) are really making me think the 4R TEP is the way to go.

Now to find one (lol) and make the purchase (knowing how popular they are, it will be interesting to see if any of the dealers want to make a deal)!

 

[ToyotaDoodz]

ToyotaDoodz,
This write-up has almost solidified my decision...so THANK YOU!

As a freelance photographer, I was up in the Alta Lakes area in late June and found myself really really really needing a vehicle that is less wide (and long) than what I currently drive. While I do indeed love my truck (2008 F350 CC LWB 4x4 on 20's), I've been pondering the 2014 4R TEP / 2014 4R LTD for a couple of months.

The amenities in the 4R LTD are nice, but the places I tend to go (and want to go) are really making me think the 4R TEP is the way to go.

Now to find one (lol) and make the purchase (knowing how popular they are, it will be interesting to see if any of the dealers want to make a deal)!

Thank you. If this trip report helped you or anyone, then my goal was achieved!

Alta lakes is a great area, as is the surrounding 5,000 square miles or so (wide loop thrown):wink2:

If you are patient, you can get the TEP you want. The King Ranch's are nice trucks. A 4Runner will get you around and in the high places much easier. The limited is nice inside, but so is the TEP. I can't personally handle all the hangy down body skirt stuff (no offense to limited owners) and huge wheels that reduce it's off road capability, but that's purely my hangup. I wanted an off road vehicle that can do hard stuff without modifying it much if I didn't want to. The TEP fits that bill.

Good luck with your search. Let us know how it goes.

 

[USKTog]

Thank you. If this trip report helped you or anyone, then my goal was achieved!

Alta lakes is a great area, as is the surrounding 5,000 square miles or so (wide loop thrown):wink2:

If you are patient, you can get the TEP you want. The King Ranch's are nice trucks. A 4Runner will get you around and in the high places much easier. The limited is nice inside, but so is the TEP. I can't personally handle all the hangy down body skirt stuff (no offense to limited owners) and huge wheels that reduce it's off road capability, but that's purely my hangup. I wanted an off road vehicle that can do hard stuff without modifying it much if I didn't want to. The TEP fits that bill.

Good luck with your search. Let us know how it goes.

Exactly my thinking (Limited 'things' I don't need allow the TEP to perform the function(s) I need as a landscape/nature photographer!

Here's what I'm currently driving (til I find the right '14 TEP):


Great truck, but just not what I need to get me into those backcountry locations!

 

[Miguelon]

Thank you. If this trip report helped you or anyone, then my goal was achieved!

Alta lakes is a great area, as is the surrounding 5,000 square miles or so (wide loop thrown):wink2:

If you are patient, you can get the TEP you want. The King Ranch's are nice trucks. A 4Runner will get you around and in the high places much easier. The limited is nice inside, but so is the TEP. I can't personally handle all the hangy down body skirt stuff (no offense to limited owners) and huge wheels that reduce it's off road capability, but that's purely my hangup. I wanted an off road vehicle that can do hard stuff without modifying it much if I didn't want to. The TEP fits that bill.

Good luck with your search. Let us know how it goes.

I know right! Freaking powder puff Limited with their big wheels, leather and climate controlled seats. I feel lucky to just get mine out of the grocery store parking lot.

 

[ToyotaDoodz]

I know right! Freaking powder puff Limited with their big wheels, leather and climate controlled seats. I feel lucky to just get mine out of the grocery store parking lot.

Dang straight!!! I don't know how you manage. :biggrin2:

You have to admit, yours does NOT look like a Limited off the lot.

 

[ToyotaDoodz]

Exactly my thinking (Limited 'things' I don't need allow the TEP to perform the function(s) I need as a landscape/nature photographer!

Here's what I'm currently driving (til I find the right '14 TEP):

Great truck, but just not what I need to get me into those backcountry locations!

Nice truck. I can't believe you "had" to use a tripod to take that shot. hoto::biggrin2:

 

[USKTog]

Nice truck. I can't believe you "had" to use a tripod to take that shot. hoto::biggrin2:

LMAO

As a landscape/nature guy, you get so used to the routine that shooting hand-held requires a lot more forethought!

I wanted to be sure the pix came out good for the CraigsList ad, so I tripod'd all the shots.

May have found a 4R TEP that I am going to look at sometime this week...

 

[trocks]

Ouray Trip Update and Pics

We had a GREAT time in Ouray. Here are the trails we did: Yankee Boy Basin, Imogene, Corkscrew, Hurricane, California, Cinnamon, Engineer, Placer and Picayune Gulch, and even "Mineral Creek" due to a navigation error on the part of my navigator (DW) My DD got sick at the top of Engineer so we rushed back down where I planned to hit Animas Forks to Silverton and than to Ouray. The wife saw a sign at the bottom of engineer "To Ouray" and looked on the map and in and said "that is a short cut" I thought it may be rough and she confirmed that the description she read said it was good for 2WD vehicles...ouy!

About half way in, I knew we got up to our necks in trouble plus it was raining the whole time so it was wet and slippery! It took 2.5 hours to go 7 miles but we made it!!! Took our time on positioning the tires and was careful! Family Team!! Thank God for the BFG T/A KO's as they TRULY saved our you know whats that day! And of course the Runner as she never even hesitated at the task!

 

[ToyotaDoodz]

We had a GREAT time in Ouray. Here are the trails we did: Yankee Boy Basin, Imogene, Corkscrew, Hurricane, California, Cinnamon, Engineer, Placer and Picayune Gulch, and even "Mineral Creek" due to a navigation error on the part of my navigator (DW) My DD got sick at the top of Engineer so we rushed back down where I planned to hit Animas Forks to Silverton and than to Ouray. The wife saw a sign at the bottom of engineer "To Ouray" and looked on the map and in and said "that is a short cut" I thought it may be rough and she confirmed that the description she read said it was good for 2WD vehicles...ouy!

About half way in, I knew we got up to our necks in trouble plus it was raining the whole time so it was wet and slippery! It took 2.5 hours to go 7 miles but we made it!!! Took our time on positioning the tires and was careful! Family Team!! Thank God for the BFG T/A KO's as they TRULY saved our you know whats that day! And of course the Runner as she never even hesitated at the task!

It looks like you had a great time!

Now that you've been there, if you go back and read through the end of this thread where I was suggesting trails, you'll recognize that I was trying to steer you away from Mineral Creek. LOL. NOW you know why and you also see why I was worried about your OEM low profile tires. :bounce:

It's a great area. I bet you can't just do it once. :nono:

 

[trocks]

It looks like you had a great time!

Now that you've been there, if you go back and read through the end of this thread where I was suggesting trails, you'll recognize that I was trying to steer you away from Mineral Creek. LOL. NOW you know why and you also see why I was worried about your OEM low profile tires. :bounce:

It's a great area. I bet you can't just do it once. :nono:

Indeed, Ouray has a special place in my heart! We stayed at the Old Victorian Inn which was Awesome! Cannot wait to get back out there however the 32 hour, 3 day drive to and from Florida is tough. We will plan to do a "road trip" with an extended Ouray / Silverton stop next year so we can take longer to get out and back.

FYI: We actually liked Silverton better than Ouray so may use that as a base camp next time. Better prices on food / eating, gifts, and more. To even eat a basic burger or pizza in Ouray they are committing robbery IMO...perhpas I am just cheap but wow! If we had known, we would have booked a hotel with a kitchen and made most of our own meals...oh well.

For those interested, The Saloon in the Old Western had GREAT food and decent pricing considering the quality which was top shelf. This was our favorite eating spot in Ouray. Also the Cimarron up in Ridgeway had great food and fantastic service. We tried a few others in Ouray and the food was not good in regards to the cost.

 

[ToyotaDoodz]

As you can see, the weather was about perfect

Do us a favor and edit your post above and insert some page returns between the photos so we don't have to have a 60" monitor to read this thread. :faint2: Thanks!

 

[ToyotaDoodz]

Indeed, Ouray has a special place in my heart! We stayed at the Old Victorian Inn which was Awesome! Cannot wait to get back out there however the 32 hour, 3 day drive to and from Florida is tough. We will plan to do a "road trip" with an extended Ouray / Silverton stop next year so we can take longer to get out and back.

FYI: We actually liked Silverton better than Ouray so may use that as a base camp next time. Better prices on food / eating, gifts, and more. To even eat a basic burger or pizza in Ouray they are committing robbery IMO...perhpas I am just cheap but wow! If we had known, we would have booked a hotel with a kitchen and made most of our own meals...oh well.

For those interested, The Saloon in the Old Western had GREAT food and decent pricing considering the quality which was top shelf. This was our favorite eating spot in Ouray. Also the Cimarron up in Ridgeway had great food and fantastic service. We tried a few others in Ouray and the food was not good in regards to the cost.

It's a resort town. The food prices are no worse than eating conch fritters at Sanibel Island or any other resort type location.