Silverton 4th of July

[SoAZ4Runner]

Hi All,

I was curious if anyone is going to be in the SW Colorado area around the week of the 4th. I will be up with my brother (Modified 13 Taco, shes beautiful) all around the area. Can't wait to hit Black Bear again and grab a slice at Brown Dog Pizza!

If you are in the area or going to be heading there we would be happy to meet up for some trails!

-Chris

 

[SSDuck8]

Hopefully, Black Bear will be open by then. Sometimes it doesn't open until the week of the FJ Summit. Either way, have a safe trip and eat a slice from Brown Dog for me. We will be up there the week after labor day. That will allow everyone to be back in school and less crowded.

here is a link to make sure the passes you would like to travel are open.

https://www.fs.usda.gov/wps/portal/...0000000000000&ttype=detail&cid=fsbdev3_002300

 

[fourwd1]

Moving to OffRoading / Meet n Greet section.

 

[WLSchroder]

I'm headed to Moab for a few days and then headed to Gand Junction maybe. Been looking if others were headed that general direction. Are there a lot of good trails in that area?

Hi All,

I was curious if anyone is going to be in the SW Colorado area around the week of the 4th. I will be up with my brother (Modified 13 Taco, shes beautiful) all around the area. Can't wait to hit Black Bear again and grab a slice at Brown Dog Pizza!

If you are in the area or going to be heading there we would be happy to meet up for some trails!

-Chris

 

[darenwelsh]

I'm planning a trip to that area (Alpine Loop) the week of July 15th. Anyone going to be around that time?

And while I'm asking ... any guidance for a new/inexperienced off-road driver looking to do trails in that area? I watched a video on Black Bear Road and it seems a bit much for a newbie. But I'm hoping we can complete the Alpine Loop.

 

[HOJeepster]

I'm planning a trip to that area (Alpine Loop) the week of July 15th. Anyone going to be around that time?

And while I'm asking ... any guidance for a new/inexperienced off-road driver looking to do trails in that area? I watched a video on Black Bear Road and it seems a bit much for a newbie. But I'm hoping we can complete the Alpine Loop.

I'll be down there on the AL with some other Toyotas 7/13-7/16.

If you're a newb, I would not suggest Black Bear Pass. Stick with the Alpine Loop, it's straight forward enough and it's beautiful. Keep in mind, anyone with a Texas license plate get's zero respect in Colorado

 

[RonJR]

I'm planning a trip to that area (Alpine Loop) the week of July 15th. Anyone going to be around that time?

And while I'm asking ... any guidance for a new/inexperienced off-road driver looking to do trails in that area? I watched a video on Black Bear Road and it seems a bit much for a newbie. But I'm hoping we can complete the Alpine Loop.

Alpine Loop is great and should give you no trouble, even in a bone stock 4runner. Also, if you want to get over to Telluride, you can skip Black Bear and go over Ophir Pass instead. Much easier; pretty but not as jaw-dropping scenic as Black Bear. You can come back on Imogene. It's a bit harder than Ophir, but very dramatic and nowhere near as potentially dangerous as Black Bear.

Another good route is Hurricane and Corkscrew passes from Animas Forks up and over back to highway 550. Again, very scenic but not particularly tough.

One more: Yankee Boy Basin. Easy drive up past the waterfalls (think Coors beer) as far as the outhouse. Gets fairly tough past there, but by then you've seen the beauty of the basin.

 

[SoAZ4Runner]

Hopefully, Black Bear will be open by then. Sometimes it doesn't open until the week of the FJ Summit. Either way, have a safe trip and eat a slice from Brown Dog for me. We will be up there the week after labor day. That will allow everyone to be back in school and less crowded.

here is a link to make sure the passes you would like to travel are open.

https://www.fs.usda.gov/wps/portal/...0000000000000&ttype=detail&cid=fsbdev3_002300

As of right now BBP is supposed to open this coming Sunday!

 

[SoAZ4Runner]

I'm headed to Moab for a few days and then headed to Gand Junction maybe. Been looking if others were headed that general direction. Are there a lot of good trails in that area?

There are some stunning trails! They are not the most technical but the views and towns make it one of my favorite places.

 

[SoAZ4Runner]

I'm planning a trip to that area (Alpine Loop) the week of July 15th. Anyone going to be around that time?

And while I'm asking ... any guidance for a new/inexperienced off-road driver looking to do trails in that area? I watched a video on Black Bear Road and it seems a bit much for a newbie. But I'm hoping we can complete the Alpine Loop.

We used this book when we started getting into the area. You won't be disappointed, and the trails are all traffic'd enough you can always get help.
https://www.amazon.com/Guide-Colora...=2025&creative=165953&creativeASIN=1934838047

 

[SoAZ4Runner]

I'll be down there on the AL with some other Toyotas 7/13-7/16.

If you're a newb, I would not suggest Black Bear Pass. Stick with the Alpine Loop, it's straight forward enough and it's beautiful. Keep in mind, anyone with a Texas license plate get's zero respect in Colorado

Texas license plates definitely get snubbed that is for certain.

 

[darenwelsh]

Thanks for all the trail recommendations and the book link! I'm really looking forward to this trip. I just hope they get those fires under control soon.

 

[SSDuck8]

As of right now BBP is supposed to open this coming Sunday!

I saw that on Facebook yesterday. Have a great trip. POST PICS when you return.:hello:

 

[darenwelsh]

Do any of you have advice when it comes to choosing camping spots along these trails? We've got a RTT and want to enjoy some solitude.

 

[HOJeepster]

1. There is a stage 2 fire ban in effect, don't be that guy that starts the forest on fire

2. Camp below tree line to avoid the afternoon t-storms. It's NF so most anywhere goes.

 

[RonJR]

Some areas allow dispersed camping, but along the more popular roads you'll probably find some restrictions. You'll need to keep an eye out for signs and/or visit the local forest service office and ask. Visiting the office is a good idea anyway; they have lots of maps and can tell you which roads are closed, etc.

If you do dispersed camping, try to pick spots that have already been used, instead of creating new ones. And, as said, with a Stage 2 fire ban in effect, pretty much all fires are forbidden, except for petroleum fueled stoves. No charcoal, no fire pans, no wood burning backpacker stoves, not even fires in developed campgrounds with fire rings.

Keep a shovel, 5 gallons of water, and a fire extinguisher handy as well.

It's a great place - enjoy!

 

[darenwelsh]

Thanks guys. I've been watching the fires (link). I've got a fire extinguisher, shovel, and water jug. I'm hoping to use our propane camp stove, but we'll have other stuff to eat if that doesn't work out.

 

[RonJR]

Propane stove should be fine. It just needs to be a stove that can be shut off with a valve. So far, I've never heard of white gas or propane stoves being banned. Usually if things get that bad, they'll restrict forest access altogether.

Sounds like you're prepared and of the right mind set. That's the main thing.