Visiting Colorado? This is your Local Information Thread!

I'm trying to push my buddy to spending a couple extra hours on the road each day on the drive out. If he's up for it we would be in Silverton the night of the 26th and could run BBP and Imogene on the 27th. We are heading to Sedona after running them and then to Moab from there.

 

anyone see any updates on the state wide fire ban? tomorrow will be 31 days from the 30 day ban. or will it be 30 days? either way, know where i can find some updates? ive been looking at http://www.coemergency.com/p/fire-bans-danger.html but haven't seen any changes

 

News article posted on 9/17

https://gazette.com/news/colorado-g...cle_fbb5f12a-f915-11ea-905f-cf609b043548.html

"Gov. Jared Polis extended a statewide fire ban and the use of Colorado National Guard to help firefighting operations in Colorado, according to a state news release Thursday.
The fire ban, which was instituted Aug. 18 will continue for another 30 days as wildfires burn around the state and severe drought conditions persist.
The fire ban limits fireworks, campfires, and other sources of open flames including welding and charcoal grills."

 

thanks for the update and quotes in your reply. the article is stuck behind a paywall

 

Sweet man, keep me in the loop, I was hoping to run Imogene but if that doesn’t happen I’d be down to run BBP. Just don’t want to run Imogene the other way since we’re staying in Telluride 9/27. Should be a blast either way!

 

weird...I just kept x-ing out of the popups. You can always google CO fireban and click the news tab of Google. Thats how i got the above.

 

Right on. I booked a campsite in Silverton for the night of the 26th, so we should be good to go.

 

I've read a bunch of mixed info on the Alpine loop. I've heard it's been done in a Prius and I've also read there are technical sections where a lifted 4x4 and good line choice is needed.

I have very little off road experience. I drive a 2020 TRD Off Road with 265/70/17 KO2's and 5100's up front to level my truck. Do I have anything to worry about?

 

Whoever said you can do the alpine loop in a Prius is someone who has either A) never driven the alpine loop or B) grossly understated the difficulty of the trail. Either way, I would disregard any other advice that person has to offer you regarding trail difficulty. Sure there are sections that are graded dirt roads two cars wide, but make no mistake, the alpine loop is a 4x4 trail with rocky passes. The other bit you read about picking good lines was accurate and good advice.

 

Yeah... Last time we were up there I had to get a stock DCOR unstuck that was high centered, finally got him to take the best line down and he still beat the crap out of his frame/front mud guard

 

Hey all,

I've planned a trip late in the season, 10/24, I know its late. That's the soonest I can go due to work. Does anyone have experience on the trails that late in October? I'll take what I can get.

I've got a garmin SOS, CB, onX app, HiLift jack, max tracks, a moderate lift, and armor with 265s.

I'll be monitoring the below 3 sites for closures.

1. http://bushducks.com/tripreps/passopen.htm#engineer

2. https://traildamage.com/reports-calendar/

3. https://www.cotrip.org/map.htm#/roadConditions

 

If it snows in mountains before that just continue on to Moab.

 

Thanks again for the info. We had a great trip, although a little early for the aspens -- had great weather and clear skies for most of it. We greatly enjoyed Ohio Pass, Kebler, and Paradise Divide, but missed the turn to Washington Gulch and I guess just came right down Slate. Found a great camping spot in Poverty Gulch, though.

We did head over to Crystal Mill, went on past it, ignored the "vehicular traffic discouraged" sign and headed up to Lead King Basin. That road is freakin' scary until you get up to the basin and the bridge. We took it slow and spotted at multiple obstacles, but made it just fine. Probably would not do again, though, lol. Line choice for my buddy was key, he has no locker. The north side of that loop is much mellower, and seeing Lead King was worth it.

 

Just did Engineer Pass and Mineral Creek. Both where perfect. Some locals tried to tell me I would hate Mineral Creek, but I politely thanked them and did it anyway. The weather worked out in our favor. Hoping we can fit in Imogene tomorrow before the weather arrives!

 

Live in NM, kids and grandkids live in Colorado Springs. Looking to do Black Bear Pass and Imogene Pass this summer late July/August weather and conditions permitting.

My question is this, I have a DCSB 6inch lift with 35's, full skids, sliders, high clearance bumpers front and back, lockers front and back, 4.88 gears, (pic for reference) any issues with a rig configured like this other than what has been mentioned on line selection (shelf roads/drop-offs) that I need to be concerned with? I will not have an RTT on top to reduce the (top heaviness)

 

I've not done Black Bear yet myself, but given what I've seen of it virtually (all the tough sections), you should have more than enough clearance. I suspect my truck with a ~2" lift and ~32" tires would be fine, although I'd have to pick lines very carefully in a couple sections.

 

Imogene- Easy Peasy
Black Bear- just the Switchback 3-5 Point "turns".

 

Great! thanks for the information

 

Appreciate the insight, I think I have watched every blog, YouTube video, etc. in preparation for this area of the country, just like I did with Moab prior to executing. understand the 3-5 point turns for the switchbacks, will have my oldest (32Yr old) son accompanying me (he is well versed ) in spotting/navigating obstacles etc.

 

With that setup, you can do 90% of the trails in Colorado... probably more than that if you consider miles traveled.