Telluride!

[4x4JeePmaNthINg]

Hey jeepers im looking for experienced wheelers to the area.
this july Im planning on getting down to telluride to wheel some gorgeous mountain passes.

whos been and how many could I cover within 3-4 days.

Ideally i would like to get black bear, imogene, ophir, perhaps others you suggest.

 

[Hypoid]

"Just-so-happens," we'll be in the area the last week of July: http://naxja.org/forum/forumdisplay.php?f=363

 

[in4aride]

Your timing is exquisite.

 

[ThatGrimmJeeper]

Get this book: https://www.amazon.com/Guide-Colora...&qid=1465927310&sr=8-1&keywords=charles+wells

It has a lot of the trails covered. It's very handy for finding your way around.

I've been out to Ouray/Telluride a number of times. It's hard to go wrong on any trail. There's only a few in the area that are technically challenging. But they're all scenic.

What kind of trails do you like to run?

 

[4x4JeePmaNthINg]

For this trip we are just trying to link what can be covered in the 3-4 days we have down there. More of a scenic trip this go.

 

[old_man]

Run Black Bear & Imogene one day
Run Alpine Loop (Engineer & Cinnamon) one day
Run Corkscrew and Yankee Boy basin in one or two days. Both are extremely pretty and an extended picnic could eat up a full day on either.

 

[4x4JeePmaNthINg]

Should any of these passes be difficult for an XJ?

Black bear seems fine if as long as your driving the pass respectfully. Are Xj Stock breaks ok?


Ive done Schofield pass a few times with ease and that seemed ok.

 

[in4aride]

Use the trans not the brakes to slow down.

 

[ThatGrimmJeeper]

Last year I followed a stock full size 1974 Cherokee with drum brakes down Black Bear.

The key is to go slow and keep it in 1st gear, low range when you're going down anything steep. Let the engine do most of the braking. That keeps you from overheating your brakes.

 

[old_man]

I led a bunch of XJ's over it several years ago. There were a couple of bone stock XJ's with first time offroaders in the group. There is only one spot where you might drag a touch but it is definitely doable. Fear of heights is the biggest obstacle.

 

[4x4JeePmaNthINg]

well we are shooting for the july 24-27th so I really hope to get as many passes as possible. We are excited and Im never this far south to see these areas. It looks like Black bear and imogene are a must, Ive heard of engineer but didnt know it was relatively near the area.

Does anyone have any personal time frames for their trip length on any of the trails/passes in this area?

 

[4x4JeePmaNthINg]

also what trails do you guys recommend linking?

 

[DaJudge]

also what trails do you guys recommend linking?

That depends on how you travel. I like to take my time and take pictures and explore any old mining stuff I come across.

Engineer and Cinnamon (The Alpine Loop) One day
Black Bear and Imogene - One Day
Corkscrew-Hurricane-California and then some of the shorter trails around Animas Forks and Silverton if you have time.

Get Charles Wells book and there is a decent map available for the trails as well. Can't search for it right now.

 

[ThatGrimmJeeper]

well we are shooting for the july 24-27th so I really hope to get as many passes as possible. We are excited and Im never this far south to see these areas. It looks like Black bear and imogene are a must, Ive heard of engineer but didnt know it was relatively near the area.

Does anyone have any personal time frames for their trip length on any of the trails/passes in this area?

Pretty much every trail is a day trip at most. Some are half day or less.

Get the Wells book, it really is very good for telling you everything you need to know about the trails: https://www.amazon.com/Guide-Colora...&qid=1465927310&sr=8-1&keywords=charles+wells


Or you can go to www.traildamage.com and look a the map to see what trails are near along with a description and evaluation of each one.

 

[4x4JeePmaNthINg]

Are you guys camping mostly or staying in telluride when you venture that way.

 

[in4aride]

We are going to be at the koa

 

[freerider15]

Are you guys camping mostly or staying in telluride when you venture that way.

We'll be staying at the Ouray KOA.

You can find all the info in this Sub Forum:

http://naxja.org/forum/forumdisplay.php?f=363

Here's all the Campground Info:

http://naxja.org/forum/showthread.php?t=1128745

And here's a List of the tentative trail schedule:

http://naxja.org/forum/showthread.php?t=1128749

 

[ColoradoRaptor]

Use the trans not the brakes to slow down.

What he intended to say was don't ride your brakes or you will suffer brake fade and most likely be a statistic. Use your drivetrain trans/case to maintain a consistent safe speed for what ever pass/grade you are on and use your brakes sparingly. If you don't have a 4:1 or better you will need to use brakes more. Just be careful and have fun!! :us:

 

[4x4JeePmaNthINg]

How bad are the Imogen water passs. I'm not looking to take on water haha.

 

[old_man]

I don't remember any water of more than about a foot on the east side. It wasn't enough to even remember it.