Need some trip advice

My brother and I are planning a trip this summer with our families to CO, UT, and AZ. Never been out that way, and need some advice as far as when, where, etc.

We'll be in a Tacoma (33's, rear locker, winch, sliders, skids) and a 4th gen 4runner (32's, rear locker, skids, sliders, winch). We are planning to go to Imogene pass, 2nd week of July as of now, as I've read that the trail gets plowed in early July. But I'm concerned that the moment it gets cleared, there's 5000 people there making it look like a CA freeway.

We are planning to tent camp most of the time, with a few hotel stays in between to recharge the women and children. (And let's be honest, ourselves too.). Anything we shouldn't miss in this area? Or any advice at all would be appreciated.

 

In Utah, Moab (obviously), Bryce Canyon and Zions.

 

We have a few Moab trails on our list. Fins and Things, and I've heard Hole in the Rock is a really cool trail.

 

Imogene is only a few miles from me and I ski and work in that area weekly. Check the weather reports and pass info on the Silverton or Ouray Chamber of Commerce sites before you come for confirmation of opening. Last year we got a lot of snow late into the Spring and big avalanches so that some passes didn't open until August.

 

Good to know. Good thing, is that there's more than enough other draws that it won't ruin a trip if it's still closed. Unfortunately, due to work, we have to put in for vacation time as soon as possible.

 

Definitely run Imogene, it's my favorite out that way, I leave it too to decide to link/ loop it with Black Bear Pass (Switch back Shelf road). You could run the Alpine loop or just say on West Side and See Animas Forks/ Silverton/ Ouray and all the trails over there.

 

Alpine loop is on our list as well. I believe Black Bear is the one we're iffy on, because supposedly there a lot of rollovers, and as Floridians, our rock experience isn't plentiful.

 

If Heights bother you or your not experienced offroading, Black Bear (BB) is not a trail you want to be on. Moab has way harder trails than BB but not the heights.

You can also Loop Imogene with Ophir pass.

Here is a quick site showing trail/ pass status. Sometimes a little slow to update.
https://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/sanjuan/recreation/?cid=fsbdev3_002300

 

Yea, thats why I think we're going to skip black bear until we have more experience.

 

want to chime in here... I'm also in the midst of planning a trip to CO/WY form Virginia. My girl and I went to Moab a few years back for the TacomaWorld event and had a blast but didn't have any time to spend in these areas. We're in the very basic stages now of planning but know we want to stay in CO and maybe loop north to Jackson, WY. Don't want to thread jack @JeffBoyardee, just also looking for trails in CO that offer views with some challenges. We'll be trailering a '87 4runner out there that will be fully skidded, sliders, front and rear bumpers, maybe a full exocage (not sure if I'll have that done by then or not), winch and at least a rear auto locker if not a real locker.

 

Displaced and replaced Floridian here! Lived in ABQ for 25 years and took advantage of it. That Durango/ Silverton/ Ouray/ Telluride area is truly God's country. I did all of it in my first gen (2003) no problem. Just be smart.
On Black Bear, it's not the rocks so much as the switchbacks and the 1,000 plus foot plunge if you screw up. It's beautiful and manageable if you take it slow with a spotter. Many, many 3-4 point turns. Otherwise see below quote. Yankee Boy Basin is cool too and should open before Imogene and Black Bear.

 

Dude! You're golden with that rig. I recommend staying in Durango and doing day trips. Great town BTW... good beer. You can plan small half-day rides stopping for lunch or do extensive loops through Engineer / Cinnamon passes, etc. You can't miss really. If you want to be challenged, Imogene and Black Bear is for you. Just remember, Black Bear is one-way from the pass down to Bridal Veils. Don't screw this up.

 

@G8R_Taco
the debate is if we want to do this as a 2 state or 1 state trip... starting around the Denver area, wheeling up to Jackson, WY to see her brother and cousin and highway back south to the tow rig... or just stay in one state and do the other on a second (really third) trip. Wheeling/camping is a part of our lives so I know we'll be back, just trying to determine if the 2 state way is too much for one deal or not