Imogene Pass

I am heading to Moab around the 21st of May. I will be coming south through Colorado and I was wondering if the Imogene pass is drivable that time of year and also would a DCLB TRD Sport be able to drive it with just upgraded tires and no other mods.

 

My guess is that it will still have LOTS of snow. There's typically a pretty narrow window in Aug/Sept where most of those high elevation passes are clear of snow. May is pretty early in the season to be attempting them.

 

Thats what I was thinking...
I would love the opportunity to run that pass but I would need a snowmobile to go in may!

 

Can it be done in a stock DCLB TRD Sport when there isn't any snow?

 

I'd check with Uncompahgre Nat'l Forest or Ouray County offices.

I've been over it in an S-10 with popup camper in July. Negotiable, but you have to be paying attention.

Would not recommend Black Bear Road. Has lots of loose shale and even with wheels locked you slide wherever gravity wants to take you. You have to release the brakes to regain any semblance of direction, then your speed picks up...quite a ride. Even on a dirt bike it's a challenge.

Whit

 

I think nearly all of the passes could be done with your truck if there isn't snow.

BlackBear isn't as sketchy as some make it out to be. Lots of tight switchbacks and some loose shale but as long as you're paying attention it is fine. When we ran it a few years ago with our cruiser club we had a bone stock Dodge Durango with us. He was fine.

Blackbear is one of the most beautiful I think as the drop into Telluride is incredible. But the switchbacks are definitely tight. Here's a few pics from Blackbear






Imogene was pretty mild IMO. The only one that I think could cause you some stress with a basically stock truck is Poughkeepsie Gulch. There are some optional lines and bypasses that you would need to consider carefully. Here's a few from Poughkeepsie.


4Runner had a hard day

 

Most definitely. I have seen full size double cab Chevrolet and Ford's on Imogene. May is a little early due to snow. Up until the last three weeks they had very little snow but it has been coming down. If you can wait until late June your odds are much better for the pass to be open.

Check out bushducks.com for trail reports before you head out. Happy Trails!

http://www.bushducks.com/tripreps/passopen.htm

 

They just got 3' of snow this past weekend. I'm guessing July before they open. I know its a long drive but it is so worth it. The San Juans and Moab are 2 places you really must wheel if you enjoy wheelin. Do yourself a favor and give yourself enough time to enjoy as much as you can with out rushing yourself. And yes most of the trails in the San Juans are stocker friendly.

This was Imogene last August.

 

Looks like you are just missing the TW Moab gathering May 16-20.


http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/south-west/183493-tacoma-moab-meet-2012-a.html

 

Yea, tough to line up holidays between my bro and I. But gas is cheap down in the States and the pass isn't going anywhere so maybe next year!

 

Here's a couple of video's my wife and I shot. We were in her Rubicon. And one from Black Bear Pass. Personally I think a Tacoma DC could do Black Bear. Would just require a few extra backups to make the turns.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W9AI_c4wagI

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G-DriV0-LCc

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LnKmXFUff6c

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bqb36oShHDc

 

As 06rubi said, the snow has started to really fall on the San Juans. No way in hell is that trail passable in May. Late July for best bet.

 

That whole area is worth making a seperate trip later in the summer!

 

Sounds good, I think I just might aim to do that in the near future!


Awesome Videos. I have a double cab Long Box, just looking at the switchbacks, I don't think I'd want to try the Black Bear Pass... Maybe if I had an FJ

 

I ran black bear with only a rear locker, it I now my favorite trail in the entire world! Right as you go around the first switchback you can look to the left and look down on a house that's built over a waterfall

 

Even with the pitiful snowfall this year, I still think that's too early.

Not to mention whatever snow does exist on the trail will have done through a lot of warming and refreezing and warming trends, thus making it very susceptible to sink way into.

 

the power plant is awesome... My uncle has a house in telluride. He has taken me up there in a jeep but we never went through the pass... absolutely amazing up there

 

A couple pics of the area. Best trail based vacation ever!