July 2014 San Juan Trip

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PWCO70crusier

PWCO70crusier

10 Year
Joined
Jan 15, 2011
Threads
80
Messages
1,036
Location
Pueblo West, CO
Website
kyle-landcruiser.blogspot.com
I'm planning on heading down to the Ouray and Silverton area July 18-28 to do some hiking and wheeling. The FJ Summit is July 16-20 and will be really busy, especially up near Ouray. I'm thinking the next weekend July 24-28 should be a bit less crowded. I normally camp down South Mineral Creek just north of Silverton. There is free camping down the road and multiple hiking and off road trails near by. I'm looking forward to this trip and hope we can get a great turn out! I just figured I'd get the ball rolling and start a thread about it. Here is some info on the area...as you can see...lots to do besides just wheelin!

http://www.fjsummit.org/ (for those interested in this event)
http://www.narrowgauge.org/4x4/html/4X4.html
http://www.bushducks.com/tripreps/passopen.htm
http://www.traildamage.com/trails/index.php
http://silvertoncolorado.com/
http://www.ouraycolorado.com/
http://www.durangotrain.com/
 
I can probably see myself making out for like a four day weekend the 24th-27th. Probably just wheeling/sightseeing. Let me know if you need any help planning routes, Ive been all over that area.
 
As I said if I don't go to the summit I will probably do the same weekend as blaze. There was some interest with other fj cruisers who couldn't get in as well. I would mostly just want to wheel and would like to try Poughkeepsie, black bear, and California and corkscrew gulch. I at least want to do Poughkeepsie again. I want to make it up the wall without winching this time.
 
That may be close enough for me to join in a day or two. Once things start to solidify at work I will know for sure. Still a bit early to tell. Would be looking for more wheeling than anything else, where wouldn't be a deal breaker for me.
 
PWCO70crusier said:
I'm planning on heading down to the Ouray and Silverton area July 18-28 to do some hiking and wheeling. The FJ Summit is July 16-20 and will be really busy, especially up near Ouray. I'm thinking the next weekend July 24-28 should be a bit less crowded. I normally camp down South Mineral Creek just north of Silverton. There is free camping down the road and multiple hiking and off road trails near by. I'm looking forward to this trip and hope we can get a great turn out! I just figured I'd get the ball rolling and start a thread about it. Here is some info on the area...as you can see...lots to do besides just wheelin!

http://www.fjsummit.org/ (for those interested in this event)
http://www.narrowgauge.org/4x4/html/4X4.html
http://www.bushducks.com/tripreps/passopen.htm
http://www.traildamage.com/trails/index.php
http://silvertoncolorado.com/
http://www.ouraycolorado.com/
http://www.durangotrain.com/
Click to expand...
I'm off the week of July 21 and am planning on heading out the 19th. Will be camping with my wife. My brother may join us as well. We need to get tougher and do a bit more planning.
 
Awesome Doug! I plan on heading down there either the 17th or 18th (most likely the 18th) and will be down there until the 28th. I know most in the club are thinking of coming down the 24/25-27 to do some camping and wheeling. Prior to that I will most likely be hiking...lots of trails I still want to do!

As far as camping...there are several good areas down South Mineral Creek (just north of Silverton) including some free areas (Golden Horn has a toilet, the other free areas don't). Golden Horn is also a good spot to get multiple trailers in for those that camp in more luxury. Probably the best area to camp is all the way at the end of the South Mineral Road (easy 4WD past the fee campground $19 a night there), but its a long ways to facilities there. My recommendation is staying at the free Golden Horn camping area.

As far as trails...most are pretty easy to moderate in the area. There are lots of ghost towns, mines, views and lakes to check out. I know Poughkeepie Gulch has been requested, but that has a pretty technical wall. Otherwise, its pretty much up to what people want to do. http://www.narrowgauge.org/4x4/html/4X4.html
http://www.traildamage.com/trails/index.php

If anybody has any questions, let me know. I frequent the San Juans and know the area pretty well.
 
PWCO70crusier said:
Awesome Doug! I plan on heading down there either the 17th or 18th (most likely the 18th) and will be down there until the 28th. I know most in the club are thinking of coming down the 24/25-27 to do some camping and wheeling. Prior to that I will most likely be hiking...lots of trails I still want to do!

As far as camping...there are several good areas down South Mineral Creek (just north of Silverton) including some free areas (Golden Horn has a toilet, the other free areas don't). Golden Horn is also a good spot to get multiple trailers in for those that camp in more luxury. Probably the best area to camp is all the way at the end of the South Mineral Road (easy 4WD past the fee campground $19 a night there), but its a long ways to facilities there. My recommendation is staying at the free Golden Horn camping area.

As far as trails...most are pretty easy to moderate in the area. There are lots of ghost towns, mines, views and lakes to check out. I know Poughkeepie Gulch has been requested, but that has a pretty technical wall. Otherwise, its pretty much up to what people want to do. http://www.narrowgauge.org/4x4/html/4X4.html
http://www.traildamage.com/trails/index.php

If anybody has any questions, let me know. I frequent the San Juans and know the area pretty well.
Click to expand...
I'll leave it to you to find the best group camp site. I'll be tent camping so don't need a trailer spot. Brother dave is bringing a small camping trailer.
 
So its sounds like most people will be down the 24 or 25th. I know a few people want to ride some harder trails, some want easier. Matt...I know you know the area pretty well and are game for the harder trails...maybe you could lead them if you can make it down.

Harder trails: Poughkeepsie and Black Bear Pass (I know Matt wants these)

Full Day Rides: Alpine Loop (Engineer Pass and Cinnamon Pass loop...great trails...better views and cool sites)
Full Day Rides: Yankee Boy, Governors and Sydney Basins, over Imogene Pass to Telluride. (we could meet up with the Black Bear Pass people in Telluride, have lunch, ride back over Imogene back to the other side, another option would be to take Ophir (hit up Alta Lakes area) pass over, meet in Telluride, come back via Imogene) There are several options here.

So the tentative plan...arrive July 24th, set up camp at Golden Horn camping area down South Mineral Creek (free dispersed camping area County Road 7 or FSR 585 on maps).

Full days of trail riding July 25 and 26th. Partial day July 27th...something in the morning, 5 hour ride home from the area in the afternoon.

If anybody has any ideas, thoughts, whatever...post up. Hopefully we have a good group going...so far I've heard from myself, Doug, Travis and Matt (thinks he'll make it).
 
This was the hardest part on poughkeepsie,but it does have a bypass. The wall is tough but as longs as there is a winch if you didn't want to try you can just get pulled right up. Black bear is just dangerous and you better not have bad breaks, otherwise its not tough. we saw a vw bus on it when we went. I would do either of these trails by myself without concern, just not in the rain or if it just down poured the night before.
fj summit 2012 292.webp
 
i will hopefully be able to get out there during the same times as everyone else. I didn't get into the summit so i need to get out there and with you guys preferably rather then alone. all depends on work and wifes work schedule
 
Matt...I wasn't sure about Black Bear...just haven't ever done it. I've seen it, read about it, etc...so maybe a Black Bear Imogene would work for everybody. Poughkeepsie may be a bit above my skill level, but would be fun to watch...I think the wall is at the beginning if I remember right. I really don't know which vehicle I'm bringing down...I've been thinking of getting a bikini top for the 40, but still have some things I'd like to get done before a big trip. Most likely it will be the xterra. If I bring the 40...anybody want to follow me down on the 17 or 18 to make sure I make it?!?!?
 
If you drive down the wall it would be at the beginning but we traveled the other way so it was at the end. Then you have to do a little California/corkscrew gulch which is my favorite. When we were on black bear I saw a vw bus. I would take the stock rubicon on black bear and I am pretty Leary of pushing its limits right now. If I brought the rubicon instead I would not be doing Poughkeepsie
 
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