Ouray / Telluride / Silverton Area Ideas

[Desert Dawg]

I've seen it done in full size pickups. The trail has a couple of narrow spots; one on the steps leading down to the switch backs that tends to pitch you into the wall on the right and one between the 1st and 2nd switch back that pitches you off camber towards the drop off. The 1st switch back is a *****, but the 2nd one is her mother. A full size can make it but plan on 4 and 5 point turns and a spotter.

Try this site for trail reports:

Bushducks - Jeep Trail and Backroads Trip Reports<BR>Colorado Jeep Trails and Passes - Opening Dates

Black Bear typically doesn't open until July 4th. Ouray and San Juan counties generally have their trails plowed by late June. San Miguel (Telluride) county doesn't care about 4X4 traffic and is in no hurry to clear their trails.

Great info....thanks!

 

[tschuckers]

Appreciate all of the ideas from this thread guys. My wife and I are doing an overlanding trip through Utah in May. Then we'll be heading through Telluride and down towards Silverton and Durango. We've been looking for ideas around Telluride and Durango to see if any of the lower passes may be open since a lot of the higher stuff will still be closed at that time. Any other recommendations would be greatly appreciated!

 

[HOJeepster]

I think you've picked a great itinerary. This is hands down one of our favorite parts of the country and state. Ice Lakes is super super dope, just prepare for high elevation hiking coming from MN.



Black Bear - doable, but don't underestimate it. It got my heart racing for sure, and not to be taken lightly. Once you drop in, there's no going back...







California Pass

 

[Jimmy_D]

Is June too early or will the major trails be clear of snow and good to go

If you want to be able to do all the trails June is probably not a good idea. You can count on all of them being open by mid-July, irrespective of the snow pack. The powers-that-be make sure they're all open by the time the Summit happens. I've been to all the Summits (number 10 coming up this July) and there are years that some of the trails don't get opened till a day or two before the Summit begins.

First pic is at the top of Black Bear and the second pic is heading up to the top of California pass from the Animas Forks side during the '08 Summit.

The only trial that could be called technically challenging is Poughkeepsie Gulch and there are winch points at the top of the most challenging section. You can be as creative as you want with respect to linking the various trails together.

 

[dogojoe96]

When you are in the area, keep a lookout for this map at the gas stations or such. It is one of the better detailed maps specific to just 4x4 trails. Hard to beat for $5, I just wish it was the waterproof plastic type that the forest service maps are.

 

[coulter6]

When you are in the area, keep a lookout for this map at the gas stations or such. It is one of the better detailed maps specific to just 4x4 trails. Hard to beat for $5, I just wish it was the waterproof plastic type that the forest service maps are.

Amazon Prime. $4.95
Be sure to click "See all 2 formats and editions" to see the $4.95 edition
http://www.amazon.com/Trails-Juans-Historic-Mining-Towns/dp/0942927338

 

[HOJeepster]

Shop local and just buy the map in Colorado:tea:

 

[wallytoo]

Shop local and just buy the map in Colorado:tea:

no kidding, right? why buy on amazon when you can support locals who support 4wheeling? i blame the walmart mentality that has infected americans.

 

[gaara46]

in on this thread!

 

[v_man]

no kidding, right? why buy on amazon when you can support locals who support 4wheeling? i blame the walmart mentality that has infected americans.

Maybe he wants to peruse said map before he actually gets to Colorado , no need to turn it into a whole corporate America vs. mom and pop tiresome argument ...