Alpine Loop Area Friends?

Hey everyone! I am heading to Colorado from Pennsylvania and what will be one of the most epic road trips of my life! I’ll be driving a stock 23TRD off-road. I am planning to do the Alpine loop, but skip engineer pass and mineral Creek other than that I have some plans to hit up the great Sand dunes and the Gunnison area, but Beyond that, I don’t really have any set plans. Do you guys think I will be OK in my stock Tacoma? I do have some offloading experience, but I have never done mountains like this. I was also wondering if anyone had any other recommendations for easier, but trails with lots of campsites. Also, if anyone wants to meet up and do the trails together, I would love that! Added a pic of myself and my rig! Rig now has a softopper and a lot more scratches.

 

Also adding a pic of my beautiful girlfriend in the rig since she wants it to be known that I am spoken for on this journey, even though I assured her the odds of there being a woman on here are slim. (No offense to any women on here)

 

When do you plan to come out? That will dictate which trails will be open/passable

 

On my way out there now! Figure 2-3 days from now ill arrive in Gunnison and make my way down. I have to be back by oct 3, so leaving around oct 1

 

Your truck will do fine. I would recommend NOT skipping Engineer Pass. I have had a granny in a rental jeep pass me on that trail, twice. It's the most talked about trail in the area.
It's narrow, so be aware of any potential spots for allowing others to pass. But otherwise it's fairly easy.

 

Keep an eye on weather. Winter seems like a long way off but the mountain tops saw their first snowfall last week. Expect temps to drop ~5 degrees for every 1,000ft of elevation you gain, and beware of the possibility of strong afternoon storms even when mornings are perfectly clear.

 

I have not done those passes...yet. Here's some of my experience. Colorado is the best place for finding dispersed camping in the mountains. Without a camper you will find tons of spots. Get onX or Gaia and download the maps before heading up. Don't discount NFS or County or Fire Roads. Some of the best views and spots are on these. Be flexible with your route, plan. If you don't feel comfy doing it, turn around. No one that I have seen on the trails got mad if you're going slow. You will run into Trucks, sxs, cycles, bike, hikers on the trails. Yield to Uphill travel. Learn and use the hand signals for how many are in your group.
If you run into a Gate that is locked or says "Private Property" Turn around. If you find a gate that is closed but not locked or signed PP, It's most likely a livestock gate that you can open drive through and close afterward.
Sand Dunes NP is totally worth it. Rent a good board. There is only 1 offroad trail Mendano pass. You don't get to drive on the dunes, but bring a swimsuit and chill. It is a NP so try to get camping in there.
Enjoy your Free Colorado Pinstripes!

 

Solid advice. FS roads are my bread and butter. Hoping to do mostly NF dispersed camping (not a big campground kind of guy). Any specific recs for trails/quiet campsites w mountain views? Deff gonna hit Medano Pass. Also thinking Montezuma.

 

How did this trip go?