Anyone driven the Alpine Loop recently?

[Aggiesdm]

Howdy, my family and I will be traveling to the Lake City, Co area next week and have a day set aside to make the Alpine Loop run. Since my '91 won't be coming along, I've rented a Jeep and wanted to know about recent conditions. I've heard that there has been plenty of rain at altitudes. When I used to do that loop as a kid (30 yrs ago), it was prone to mud slides. Anyone driven it this week? Any input? I just want the family to have a good experience as I'm trying to indoctrinate them into the off-road lifestyle.

 

[sl3807]

You might check over on the 100 and FJC sections. FJ summit was a week or 2 ago, and I believe 100's in the Hills is happening this week.

 

[Summiteer]

Didn't do the loop but I ran Black Bear on Monday, it's in the general area and it was fine. It had lots of puddles along the road and I think it had just finished raining right before I got on the trail. That's an awesome trail if you're up to it, not very difficult but has some good pucker factor to it. When I have family and friends come over I like to go through Ouray and up Red Mountain pass on hwy 550, right on the other side of Red Mountain is Black Bear Pass trail. Head over that then go down into Telluride, have lunch, shop a bit, then head back to Ouray over Imogen Pass. Makes for a great day with some amazing views. I did do some trails on the loop a couple weeks ago and they were good then. Plenty of trails around the area if one happens to be closed. Have Fun!

 

[taccruiser97]

There is a web site called bush ducks and they seem to have pretty up to date information.
It has been awhile since I have read trail reports on it.

 

[B-RAD]

I just ran half of the Alpine Loop on Sunday. I started from our campsite from 100's in Hills, going east, up Corkscrew to Hurricane Pass, to California Pass, then up and over Engineer Pass to Lake City. It took 3 hours, going at a pretty good clip. So if you stop and take a lot of photos, which you will want to do, plan for around 4 hours for that section of it. All of the trail was fine, no issues or problems. All of the trails we did the previous 4 days were in great shape too, so I would expect the routes you choose will be enjoyable! Enjoy your trip and be safe out there!

 

[Aggiesdm]

Thanks so much for the info everyone. I'm glad to hear its in good shape and I might just check out Black Bear. I used to live in Ouray as a kid and I'm really looking forward to showing my family around a bit. We live in San Antonio where is been 100+ degrees for a while now. Looking forward to some cool mountain air.

 

[Timbo FJ45]

I was out for the last day of the FJ Summit and all week following it. Didn't do the loop but did Imogene and Opher and asked around and everything I heard was that all the trails and runs were 100% open.

 

[Alan "Ace" Brown]

Just did the full loop Aug 4 and just the Cinnamon side Aug 12 and all is good. Ran Imogene, Ophir and Yankee Boy on the 13th and good too. The air is cool and wet. Got light snow on top of Mt Antero last week.

2008 FJ Cruiser expedition ready and overland trailer w RTT.

 

[LFD2037]

Man I need to do some of that!!! Sounds awesome.