Black bear, imogene, engineer pass in a...

[weaselox]

We’re doing most of these trails from July 13/14-July 16th. I’m looking forward to getting out there and seeing this area. I don’t think we’ll be doing Blackbear as my wife has already seen videos and has stated that she’ll kill me if we do this trail. Additionally, we’ll pulling our new Turtleback and I’m a bit leery of bringing the trailer down Blackbear with such tight switch backs.

 

[GoISU]

Bro, I’m sure it’s “doable” with a turtle back in tow but it won’t be much fun. Unless you back trailers up for a living and you’ve got a tailgunner with some serious know how to jack up and winch or scoot your trailer around I’d leave that thing in Ouray and pick it up after you make the return trip on Ophir. Just my .02 but it would make for a painfully long and stressful run down B.B. to do it with a trailer.

 

[SchobTime]

I wouldn't recommend pulling a trailer on Imogene or Engineer either. Pulling a trailer up that lip after the last stream crossing at the end of Imogene would be a nightmare.

 

[Swsteury]

Really appreciate all of the excellent advice!!

Another question. The mentioned passes as well as California, hurricane and corkscrew is the majority of what I will do.

Is it advised to put money into a lift and OME medium suspension? Is it better to stay stock if I can? Will I lose reliability by changing the suspension?

 

[indycole]

When are you planning on going? A bunch of us will be in Telluride from 7/25-7/29.

 

[Swsteury]

Second week in June and August 23-30

 

[DirtNap]

I’ve done all those trails in a rented GMC Envoy and Toyota Highlander and the only thing that touched the ground, was tires.

Bro, don't say that out loud!! That would torpedo our excuses for a lot of upgrades! Thank goodness SWMBO doesn't read 'Mud.

 

[indycole]

Really appreciate all of the excellent advice!!

Another question. The mentioned passes as well as California, hurricane and corkscrew is the majority of what I will do.

Is it advised to put money into a lift and OME medium suspension? Is it better to stay stock if I can? Will I lose reliability by changing the suspension?

I'd have no reservations about driving California, Hurricane, Corkscrew, Cinnamon, Ophir, Last Dollar, Yankee Boy, Engineer (via Alpine Loop, not Mineral Creek), and Imogene in a stock LC with AT tires. I'd probably remove the running boards, though.

I'd have some hesitations about doing Mineral Creek, Poughkeepsie, Black Bear, and Governor's (could go either way on Governors) without a lift, sliders, and 33s. That's just me.

 

[Markuson]

Really appreciate all of the excellent advice!!

Another question. The mentioned passes as well as California, hurricane and corkscrew is the majority of what I will do.

Is it advised to put money into a lift and OME medium suspension? Is it better to stay stock if I can? Will I lose reliability by changing the suspension?

You do NOT need to worry about I’ll effects of a modest lift. In fact, your performance and handling will dramatically increase in reduced body lean, bouncing and load bearing.

The most basic mods that will DRAMATICALLY increase your truck’s off road capability and safety/body integrity are:
1. AT tires (32-33”)
2. Rock Sliders (Slee, and others...around $1k)
3. Modest suspension upgrade and the +/- 2” lift that comes with it.

With the above three most basic mods, you are absolutely MORE than ready for all the trails in Ouray area we’ll do.

IMHO, with a bit of care, stock can also do them. But these three basic mods give you leeway to goof...or just relax more.

If all three are too much $ to do at once...do ATs and Sliders. Easily good to go.

Priority 1: ATs and remove steps.
Priority 2: Sliders
3: Suspension.

All 3=Perfect.

 

[Markuson]

PS. To see what kind of crazy trails are totally doable with tires, sliders and lift...check out @kreiten and his zillion trail photos.

Many of us have full armor...but you can do all kinds of stuff without it with those basic three.

 

[Swsteury]

Thanks Markuson that is VERY helpful !!

 

[mcgaskins]

I only have 2.5” of lift, sliders and ATs...

 

[Swsteury]

I only have 2.5” of lift, sliders and ATs...

Awesome, what suspension did you go with? Are those slee sliders?

 

[mcgaskins]

BP51s and Slee sliders. Top notch stuff.