San Juan Alpine Loop 2015

Anyone interested in doing some 4 wheeling up around the Durango, Silverton, Ouray and Telluride area over the week of 4th July, June 11-July 5, I will be there with a fellow member

If you plan to be in the area or want to let me know. We are currently planning our week, once we finalize it, I will post it up.

Yankee Boy Bason

 

Wow, wish I lived near there. One of the best landscape/tacoma pics I've seen on here.

 

x2! Looks like a place I would want to road trip to

 

Where are you coming from? I may be able to a few days with you all.

 

My half of the group is coming out of Southern Arizona, The other Half is coming out of Texas, meeting in Durango Sat June 11

 

We ride dual sports up there every summer. That early in the season the Alpine Loop passes will probably be plowed and open, but there will be lots of snow above 10,000 feet and the roads will be wet. Engineer pass can be a challenge when the snow is still melting


Have fun


PS that's a great shot, but it looks like you're parked off the trail on the tundra

Please "Stay the Trail" when visiting the high country

 

Oh man that sounds like fun! That area is my favorite part of CO. I'll be heading up that way in Oct. to hunt!

 

Love to go... We go almost every year. I've been on every trail in the Juans and know them like the back of my hand. My advice... Stay away from poughkeepsie gulch.

 

Dang i wanna go. 3500 miles is all that separates me.

 

How beefed up do you need or should be for these trails?

 

How beefed up do you need or should be for these trails?

 

Good advice. The Wall on Poughkeepsie eats jeeps all summer long. Other than that obstacle (and it is quite an obstacle!) the trail isn't that terrible.

Cinnamon and Engineer Passes (Alpine Loop) can be done in a stock 4x4 (I've seen Subarus up there). Ophir is easy, but the east side was chewed up last year. There are lots of easy scenic routes like Yankee Boy Basin OP showed above. But every year the trails change. Slides are common during the spring melt and road conditions can vary from day to day. When it's wet it can be really hard to get traction on the rock.

Early in the season, after the plows have come through but before the lowlanders chew up the trails spinning their tires is the best time to explore the area. By the end of the summer all the rent-a-jeep traffic will have turned the trails into a loose rocky mess. Fun on a dirt bike, not so much in a 4x4.

It's not so much a question of beef, but of balls There are lots of ledges and tight switchbacks on the San Juan passes, with lots of exposure, and wheelbase length tends to be the limiting factor.

 

I have been doing it for 6 years now, annual trip same time every year, and if you a careful and a good driver and have a decent built rig you can pretty much do it all. Last year was the most snow ive ever seen, did black bear the 2 years prior but a lot of the good/technical trails were closed last year due to the amount of snow pack. Its the one trip I look forward to every year, never gets old.

 

Wish yall were going when I was. I'm going up there at the end of May. Fingered crossed that most of the trails in that area are even open then, but it's the only time I can go this year. If they're not open, at least I'll be fishing and hiking. I've been going up there every summer since I was a kid, well over 20 years. The Apline loop used to be a real nail-biter, but over the years it's been widened out. Stock should be no problem, but I wouldn't do it in a 2wd if only for the reason of using 4low headed down the steeper areas so you don't burn up your brakes. We stay in Lake City, so don't really go all the way to Telluride. Been wanting to get around to heading down black bear.

As far as Poughkeepsie is concerned... I recommend watching some youtube videos of jeeps (built) trying to go up the wall before you head out that way. Also look for the video of a guy trying to take a full size dodge up the wall.... it's pretty funny (but don't do that). At worst you should be able to winch up the easiest line.

 

Every year? A man can dream. Loved it in June 2014...

 

Yep most of the stuff is very doable, there are areas that can get crazy, but you typically have a way around it. I did Poughkeepsie last year, made it up with some rim carnage on 3 of em. Man was my anxiety through the roof going up the wall

 

Almost every year... had kids, started new job in there so missed 2 or 3 years. can't wait until my kids are old enough to go. It's always an awesome experience. Different every year. Been in mid June one year and Engineer was still closed about half a mile from the summit due to snow. Wet makes all the trails much more interesting.

 

Never been there before, but now that I know about it will do it for sure sometime in the next few years! Thanks for posting about this amazing looking route!

 

I did that loop last August with a couple of members from tucson. And would love to go again but I cant get away from work. One of the tucson members jusy moved out that way and might want to join in with you.

 

For sure... If we can't get over Cinnamon or Engineer, we will likely hit the trail to Bristol Head and will probably still be able to get up to Wager Gulch. There are definitely many smaller trails/forest roads to take that will get you to some beautiful places.