Alpine Loop - Too Much for a Stock Tacoma?

I will be visiting Colorado next week. I am tempted to take the Alpine loop, but wondering if anyone with a stock 4WD Tacoma has done that? The websites recommend a high clearance and skid plates.

But then a lot of off-ramps say 40mph and I ignore that.

So, are they serious about the clearance and skid plates?

 

Is that Cinnamon and Engineer pass?

I'm pretty sure you could drive a Subaru Outback up that one if you really wanted to. If I recall correctly there aren't any serious rocks/obstacles at all. Just shelf roads and cliffs that'll turn your sphincter into a decimal point.

Disclaimer: I could be thinking of an entirely different trail system though

 

My brother did cinnamon pass last year in a stock raptor w/o issue.

 

Stock raptor > stock tacoma.......

 

Yep, that's the one.

 

Then you're totally fine in a stock Tacoma, IMO

Have you checked traildamage.com?

They are pretty dead on accurate with their write-ups and assessments.

 

You'll be fine. I've seen a cutlass classic go over them.

 

Just to put things in perspective for me since the Tacoma is my first offroad vehicle.. I see all the time on Traildamage, and websites for certain trails like the Alpine Loop, that vehicles with "high clearance" are needed. But what constitutes high clearance the majority of the time? Is that just a way of saying passenger cars are out of luck, or does the stock Tacoma's 9" or so of clearance constitute "high clearance"?

 

I used to work on the Loop saw a lot of rigs up there that suprised me.
The stock taco will be fine, tires would be my only concern. Make sure you have a spare.

 

Back from Colorado with my Taco. The trails were doable. But I can imagine scenarios where a large rain storm or big melts after a snow could wash out the trail and expose rocks.

While I was ok this time, I will definitely get an update on the conditions if I go again.

 

Must be something wrong with my computer.

Your pictures aren't showing up for me...

 

Yup, agreed. Pics or it didn't happen.

 

When my Taco was stock, it basically laughed at any forest service road. The only time I got in trouble was when I went on spurs that had not been traveled in a while. It's surprising what a stock Taco can do. We've raised eyebrows during wheeling trips where somebody brought a stock truck but lo and behold, they made it through moderately tough OHV trails safely.

Pics?

 

Tough crowd. I guess my credibility is under attack.

Wasn't able to snap pics on the hairier stretches. I was a big preoccupied with my oil pan being gored. But this should give you a sense. In the lower left of the 2nd pic, in front of the truck, is a big granite rock that is exposed. I went right over it. The last pic is the tundra at the summit of Engineer Pass.

My truck is 100% stock, right off the dealer lot.

I have a 4-cyl, 5-speed manual. In granny gear (4-LO), there didn't seem to be any hill that was too steep for it. Driving back east across Texas, I did 80mph, and still got 23 MPG.

 

I did the Alpine Loop last year in my stock 4x4 and Rugged Fails, no issues. A 2WD car could probably make it if you take the right lines.

The pic in my sig is from near the top of Bristol Head just southeast of Lake City toward Creede. That one was a little rougher, but still no big obstacles -- just some tight areas. There is an offshoot to Crystal Lake (I think that is what it is called) that is even tighter and steeper. I was impressed with the Tacoma's climbing capability, especially with crappy tires. But those 2 trails are the extent of my offroading experience.

Here's the thread from my trip: http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/off-roading-trails/237919-sw-colorado-trails.html

 

Stunning photos. I wish I took more time to stop and snap more. We basically did the same trail. It was my 1st 4-wheeling experience and I was constantly worried about damaging my only means to take me 2000 miles back home.

 

that looks more like my speed. too bad nothing like that in the mid atlantic. might have to add a trip out west to my buck list.

 

Nah, just messing with you. I just always see the numerous pics taken when someone does the loop. Glad you had a good time, I've done it numerous times in different vehicles. Love that I only live 2.5 hours from the trail head in Lake City.

Alpine loop IMO is one of those things that you just have to do in life. Here's our secret camp spot Aug 10.. Notice the snow.

 

August 10th? Wife and I were camping for our anniversary and got the camp setup about 2pm and it was a torrential downpour for about 5 hours straight. Fortunately we had tarp city setup so we were dry just cold since it got down to 37* that night.

 

We did Engineer from the Lake City side. We were staying in a lodge in Lake City.