Wisconsin Tacomas and bad financial advice

Here are some of the pics. Spent a week out there, with my buddy planning everything, which made the whole deal even better lol. First day on the trails was Imogene Pass, starting in Ouray.

His neice and nephew live near Denver and wanted to meet up and do some of the trails with us, which turned out to be interesting. His Chevy Colorado ended up either losing 4wd, or it never worked right to begin with. He was pretty good with his momentum and throttle, and had a rear locker, so we didn’t discover his 2wd situation until we were past half way up the Imogene pass trail. What do you do when you’re half way across the river? You keep going! (Right?) The kid made it apparent you pretty much don’t need 4wd to get anywhere. Tim was right. Well, for the most part…as he did get a little help under tow from the jeep on the slippy parts, on occasion.







Just past the tree line


Here we are near the top letting the little jeep and Colorado that could take a break after a period of precautionary towing.

Another break


Getting close



We all made it up without too much drama The view at the top was really something else in person.






We took our sweet time before deciding to descend. When I started the 4runner to head down, the engine was slow to catch, then it made the most horrible dieseling sound for about half a second. Must have been detonation due to the thinner air, but the computer must have caught it quick and it stopped. Freaked me out a bit lol. For a second there I thought it went “Tundra” on me and dropped the bottom end. (Sorry, too soon)


The initial shelf roads down were pretty intimidating, but 4lo first gear was perfect to keep the speed under control. This probably felt like the hairiest part.
It was hairy later nearing Telluride, but you start getting used to it (numb) as time passes lol.

Plenty of nice places to take in the sights on the way down.


We had dinner in Telluride and took the Last Dollar road at sunset to get back to Ridgway. Views were incredible, while the light held out.




To be continued…

 

The second day was spent on some easy scenic gravel roads to Owl Pass that lead to somewhat rough trails that ended up at some hiking trailheads and tons of very nice spots for disperse camping. The views simply did not quit.







Toyota TuRD parking at the spot we stopped to hike.


Third day of trails next up tomorrow.

 

Stunning! You have a way with a camera! You truly captured that scene, now I really want to take that trip.

 

I think this heat is getting to some of you.
It's the 2nd time this week I heard someone say Tim was right.

 

These are some beautiful photos. Looks like it was a great trip.
I’m a bit jealous as well although shelf roads are not my thing.

 

I buy it local. I have a friend who is a member and gets a price break.

 

Thats an EPIC. Definity on my bucket list. Have it planned just need to make the time. I saw Black Bear pass-were you tempted???

 

Notice anything? SecOndGenBestGen!!!! Ha

 

That was the first thing I noticed!

 

3rd gens don't need to stand front and center with their chest puffed out.
They know what they are.

 

They're not all equally spaced.
Still using step/repeat?

 

Wide in the hips and under powered-yup your right. Stand down and let the old brothers take care of biz

 

Think it was time: it’s wafer thin…

I

 

Remembered that a breakfast spot I really like has their own Anodyne blend. But didn't realize it would be whole bean. Any grinder recommendations?

@Camerasandcoffee

 

Food processor?

 

KitchenAid Blade Coffee Grinder - Onyx Black

$30 KitchenAid Blade Coffee Grinder - Onyx Black

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B003WIZ5PC
I have this one...
Flash deal 50% off rn.

 

I most certainly was not tempted lol. That’s one we both decided was not worth the risk. Towing a half-wheel drive pickup up Imogene…sure. A 14 hour trail day that included half of the Alpine loop in the dark? Why the hell not. But Black Bear…nah. And I think it was closed anyway.

Speaking of the Alpine Loop…

 

When I was out there, word I got was Black Bear was opened on July 11. @Trident904's better half and his daughter had a case the altitudes and bailed on me. I wasn't doing BBP without a spotter so I never confirmed if it was really open. Imogene Pass was meh, but Engineer Pass had some cool places. Like looking out the drivers window straight down for hundreds of feet on a narrow shelf trail.