2010 Colorado Trip

[BigDaveZJ]

Haven't even been home for 2 weeks and already jonesin' to get back out so I started planning the 2010 trip. NO clue on dates yet, but probably sometime in August again depending on how winter goes. Some weather dudes are saying it's going to be a really nasty winter, so this might get pushed to 2011 and do White Rim and/or Hole in the Rock instead, but we'll roll with this for now.

The 09 trip covered a lot of trails, but left out the Ouray/Silverton/Telluride area, which is HUGE for 4-wheeling. So that's where we're headed. Originally I was going to combine it with the area from the 09 trip, but it would've taken way too long or not given either area due justice.

Day 1
Drive from Denver to Montrose, hotel it one last night

Day 2
Head south from Montrose towards Ridgway and then towards Placerville on Hwy 62.
Shortcut to Telluride via Last Dollar Road.
From Telluride, head up Imogene Pass and also do Yankee Boy Basin and Governer Basin.
Camp somewhere between Telluride and Ouray that night.

Day 3
Head south on Hwy 550. Ditch camping trailer somewhere and head over Black Bear Pass back to Telluride. Return to Hwy 550 via Ophir Pass.
Camp somewhere between wherever we left the trailer and the start of Day 4.

Day 4
Head up Mineral Creek and then cut east for the Alpine Loop. Go to Lake City via Engineer Pass and return to the Animas Forks area via Cinnamon Pass.
Camp somewhere in the area.

Day 5
Little bit of a break here as we explore Stony Pass which is a pretty easy trail with a fair amount of mining history on it. We would also keep the same campsite as Day 4.

Day 6
Head back north to the intersection of Mineral Creek and Poughkeepsie Gulch and run Poughkeepsie north to south which is supposed to be a bit more difficult. From there, head through California Gulch back towards Animas Forks, and explore Picayne and Placer Gulches. If time allows, head down to Eureka Gulch before returning to previous night's campsite.

Day 7
Return to Montrose

[Z]

I probably won't be able to do all this trip, but might be able to do 4 days (including travel to/from Denver). Might help if you scheduled it for Labor Day weekend.

[BigDaveZJ]

Our hope was to go a week or two before Labor Day. I think we really timed the trip a couple weeks ago very well. Most kids were back in school already and hunting season started the day we got back, so there weren't very many people up in the hills. But it's still almost a year out, so who knows when we'll actually do it.

[rstrucks]

This is real tempting, especially after looking at the pics in your trip report Dave. I may be able to head to CO and make a few days of this trip if you guys wouldn't mind. It has been about 12 years since we were in the Ouray, Silverton, Durango area and did Black Bear Pass. We loved it and said we wanted to go back some day. Plus CO is within easy driving distance of TN. Maybe, just maybe.....

[Kauzi Zj]

now this I might can do!

[ELLLLLIOTTTTT]

In!

Edit: Out!

[jsteves]

I wish I had more time in August but between school and soccer starting I have about ZERO extra time! This years looked AWESOME!

[zj-monster]

In x2

[getlost4x4]

i'll be in laramie wyoming this summer. so i'm hoping to get down to colorado for some wheeling.

[96Limited5.2]

I live in Durango Co and just picked up a 96 ZJ LMT and I'm hoping to have it trail ready ASAP. I was just in Silverton a couple of weeks ago testing out the Jeep. If I can find some parts on these forums I'll be up in those passes every weekend either way.

[slim616]

Just wondering, It sounds like you do almost as much road driving as you do trails. I'm guessing these type of trips your better off having something that can handle the road as well as the trail or is there places to park a trailer at the trail head. Also the awsome that you can camp on the trails, hell most the trails around here are close enough to the camp to walk or cb to some come help you if you break down.

[Bort62]

I would definitely be interested in this.

[PassRunnerZJ]

I'll post because I'm interested in doing at least part of this depending on when you start. That is a great set of trials to tie together. Depending on San Juan snow, early August would be the soonest. I've seen Poughkeepsie snowed until the last weekend in July. N to S on Poughkeepsie is tougher and if there is a large mud puddle at the bottom of the rock wall it adds a little more challenge with wet tires.

[WJChris]

Hmmm..

20 hours to Montrose. How about bringing the family? I can be self sufficient and carry my own supplies for 7 days.

[PassRunnerZJ]

WJChris - You might look into meeting Dave and crew at Placerville and see if it cuts any time off. Probably not though and being able to stock up in Montrose woud be better though... so, never mind. You could head home from Silverton though and avoid having to drive over Red Mountain again, just to start heading south from GJ home. You could see more of AZ and maybe UT as well. Just a thought.

[WJChris]

PassRunnerZJ,
This will be my first time exploring outside CA, so any inputs are much appreciated.

The point of this trip for my family would be to see as much as possible, that is why I was hoping to try another route home. This should be a great opportunity!

[ELLLLLIOTTTTT]

I just recruited a buddy of mine to go. He's got a barbie'd out TJ but he's friends with Justin too, so I guess he'll do.

[BigDaveZJ]

WJChris,
I would be concerned about just being flat out exhausted halfway through a trip like that. For our trip in 2009, we only had a 2 hour drive to the "jumping off" point and we were BEAT by day 5. Also, by family, I'm assuming you mean wife and kids. How old are the kids? A trip like this may not be the most kid friendly unless they're already into their teens.

[WJChris]

WJChris,
I would be concerned about just being flat out exhausted halfway through a trip like that. For our trip in 2009, we only had a 2 hour drive to the "jumping off" point and we were BEAT by day 5. Also, by family, I'm assuming you mean wife and kids. How old are the kids? A trip like this may not be the most kid friendly unless they're already into their teens.

BigDaveZJ,

I know what you are saying. I think for the wife and my younger daughter (5 yrs old), it might be a stretch. My 10 year old was really excited when I brought it up. Ever since I read Ryan's (ArloGuthroJeep) trip reports I have wanted to see Colorado for myself. These trips are what I bought the Jeep for.

I will do what I can to make this trip, either with the family, or just my oldest.

Now, sorry to clutter the thread, after reading the Trail Damage site, it looks like the terrain would be fine for a WJ with 31's and 3" lift, right!?

[BigDaveZJ]

Yeah the terrain we'll be on really isn't challenging. A couple spots on Poughkeepsie Gulch might be interesting, but nothing we couldn't give you a tug over if you need it (tow points are an absolute must for this type of trip). Some of the easier stuff we go through pretty quickly, but with this trip we won't have any days where we have to cover close to 50 trail miles in one day, so I don't think you'll really need to push it anywhere.

I don't want to discourage you from making this trip at all, but I would try some shorter 3-4 day trips closer to home and see how it goes if you haven't already. I would certainly recommend making it out to CO, I just don't want you and the family to get in over your head 20 hours from home in the middle of nowhere.

[WJChris]

I don't want to discourage you from making this trip at all, but I would try some shorter 3-4 day trips closer to home and see how it goes if you haven't already. I would certainly recommend making it out to CO, I just don't want you and the family to get in over your head 20 hours from home in the middle of nowhere.

No discouragement! We have done a couple 3 and 4 day camping trips. I guess the deciding factor is how much time there will be outside the Jeep.

Thanks again for your insight. I'll be lurking as the plans iron out.

[Jimbug57]

I was in the area last weekend and there wasn't as much snow as I thought there would be. I usually figure all the gates are open by July 4th. I'll be doing the Alpine Loop last week of July this year.

Here's some video to help get you pumped.

[InIt4TheFun]

I am very interested in the trip

Have done all the trails on atv trips. Have taken the Alpine Loop in the Jeep but wanted to take it on the trails you are talking about after being there on the atv's.

The Black Bear into Telluride is an awesome drop into Telluride.

Very hard to pass up this trip and do not think I can

It is a beautiful area and one of my favorites places to go.

[WJChris]

Ok. I have ordered some parts and my plans are to be ready for this trip. I may just take my older daughter. I am on schedule as for parts.

One question:
How many days are we going to be without a place to re-supply? I need to gauge how much water and food to bring.

[Kauzi Zj]

Any update on this, i've been talking it up with the wife and she is pretty excited about it.