New to off roading & calling all Alpine Loop/San Juans experts! (1 Viewer)

[MtnMantologist]

Hi again,

I'm back with even more questions. I've really appreciated how friendly and helpful everyone here as been - so thank you in advance. Here's the background situation: I recently purchased my first Land Cruiser and really first truck/4WD vehicle. I have plenty of practice driving my old Subaru over dirt roads and dodging potholes while being shaken silly on washboards but zero experience driving on more rugged terrain.

Next week my parents are coming to visit me in Colorado and as part of that trip my parents, girlfriend and I are going to spend some time down in the beautiful San Juans. As part of that we really want to drive some of the Alpine Loop Trail. The focus is 100% on seeing the most beautiful high mountain terrain we can find - the rest of the group hasn't seen anything like the San Juans before so I really want to blow their minds. The focus is definitely 0% on pushing our limits (or our vehicles) - the fun is going to be in the sight seeing for this trip so avoiding the most white knuckle areas is a big plus. I want everyone to enjoy it and not spend all afternoon scared to death, you know?

So here are my questions:

• I googled off road trail etiquette and found this article that talks about uphill drivers having the right of way. It looks pretty comprehensive but are there any big, non-obvious things I should do/not do in order to be a good fellow citizen on the trail? http://www.drivingline.com/articles/off-road-basics-trail-etiquette/
• People have suggested I 'air down' my tires (285/75/16 K02s) while driving roads like this - is that for comfort or to avoid puncture? Does it really make a difference on the more mild trails down there or is this primarily for rock crawlers in Moab? If it really is important how much air should I let out? I'd prefer to keep them aired up for simplicity's sake unless it's truly important to lower the pressure.
• This is a question for folks who have experience on the Alpine Loop trail - I've highlighted my planned route in yellow. Cinnamon Pass is the only pass we'll do in order to see the American Basin before turning back around. I've also been very sure to avoid Poughkeepsie Gulch! My question is: how does this route look given our goals? Are there other must-see areas that we should do an out and back to get to? The plan is to drive from Silverton to Ouray via these trails and we want to spend some time in Ouray so we're not looking for a 7-8 hour off road trip. Very open to alternative routes between Silverton and Ouray if my planned route isn't ideal for some reason.

Thanks again everyone - I'm very, very excited to drive on these roads finally! They've really been the driving force behind my buying a Land Cruiser in the first place.

 

[Ohthetrees]

Air down to 18-20 improves traction, and dramatically improves comfort. Not just for people Wheeling. When you get back on pavement, take it easy, maximum speed 50 mph, handling will be wallowing

Have fun.

 

[ejbea_7]

Air down to around 20psi very important for traction,preventing puncture,smooth ride and most of all 4 safety. I drove my 100 series in the recently concluded fj summit xi and I almost high sided for not properly airing down.my rear pass. tire hit a protruding rock only fist size, but instead of conforming to the object rebounded and lifted the opposite rear wheel brought the truck several inches up and we were at black bear.I learned the hard way.all the trails in the san juans are great. so enjoy! nice looking hundy.

 

[LandCruiserPhil]

Airing down is huge for any offroad travel and starts at 20psi

Here is what 15psi looks like on a 275/70-18, my recommendation.

If you plan to do any off road purchase this MV-50 so you are covered Superflow MV-50 Air Compressor, MF-1050, MV50

I have run all the trails of your interest in a stock 100 series with factory Michelins

 

[MtnMantologist]

OK - so I'm convinced airing down the tires is important and it appears the easy/pricier way of doing this quickly is something like these Staun tire deflators that happen to come set at 18psi.

Amazon.com: Staun Tire Deflators SCV5: Automotive

I don't mind spending some money on an easy, fool proof way of deflating the tires but how important is it (if at all, really) to buy a mobile air compressor to fill them back up before transitioning back to pavement? For this trip I know we can take dirt roads to within 5-10 miles of Ouray before needing to get back on the pavement. If I keep it lower speed (and how fast does one want to drive on the Million Dollar Highway anyway?) I'm assuming I'll be fine getting it to a gas station in Ouray and filling back up there, right? I could see spending $60-75 on an air compressor for my uses but $250-300 is a tough pill to swallow for how infrequently I expect it'll be used. Are there "good enough" air compressors in that $60-75 range that won't take up a ton of room in back?

 

[LandCruiserPhil]

OK - so I'm convinced airing down the tires is important and it appears the easy/pricier way of doing this quickly is something like these Staun tire deflators that happen to come set at 18psi.

Amazon.com: Staun Tire Deflators SCV5: Automotive

I don't mind spending some money on an easy, fool proof way of deflating the tires but how important is it (if at all, really) to buy a mobile air compressor to fill them back up before transitioning back to pavement? For this trip I know we can take dirt roads to within 5-10 miles of Ouray before needing to get back on the pavement. If I keep it lower speed (and how fast does one want to drive on the Million Dollar Highway anyway?) I'm assuming I'll be fine getting it to a gas station in Ouray and filling back up there, right? I could see spending $60-75 on an air compressor for my uses but $250-300 is a tough pill to swallow for how infrequently I expect it'll be used. Are there "good enough" air compressors in that $60-75 range that won't take up a ton of room in back?

The linked compressor above is in your price range and used by 100's of guys on MUD. I would spend the money on a compressor and a digital illuminated air gauge well before I purchasing any deflators.

 

[shoresoccer13]

The beginning of that does start on Mineral Creek which is a shelf road don't know if that will freak people out or not, but I just did almost all the trails out there two weeks ago. You are not doing the entire Alpine loop with that planned route but I doubt that matters it is all beautiful out there. Drive as slow as you feel comfortable as well don't feel rushed by those morons in rentals.

 

[MtnMantologist]

https://www.amazon.com/Viair-45040-450C-Air-Compressor/dp/B000FQ78VI

This one is $190 but has significantly better reviews than some of the less expensive models. Some pictures it looks like people are hooking these up directly to the battery via alligator clamps, am I missing something? Do they have to be connected directly to the battery instead of plugged in to a 12v outlet inside the vehicle?

And I apologize for this super rookie question - but without tire deflators would you simply use the digital illuminated air gauge you mentioned to slowly deflate the tires that way - periodically checking pressure as you go? I've spent my whole life worried about keeping tires inflated so this is all a bit backwards for me!

 

[MtnMantologist]

The beginning of that does start on Mineral Creek which is a shelf road don't know if that will freak people out or not, but I just did almost all the trails out there two weeks ago. You are not doing the entire Alpine loop with that planned route but I doubt that matters it is all beautiful out there. Drive as slow as you feel comfortable as well don't feel rushed by those morons in rentals.

Thanks for the heads up! I don't think anyone in the group is so squeamish that a shelf road will be an issue. I may have actually seen the beginning of what you're describing as well - I was down there for Hardrock 100 a few weeks ago and drove right past Cunningham Gulch and only turned around when I saw this:

and it looked as if the road began climbing from there with a drop off on the passenger side to start with

 

[LandCruiserPhil]

Amazon.com: Viair 45040 450C Air Compressor Kit: Automotive

This one is $190 but has significantly better reviews than some of the less expensive models. Some pictures it looks like people are hooking these up directly to the battery via alligator clamps, am I missing something? Do they have to be connected directly to the battery instead of plugged in to a 12v outlet inside the vehicle?

And I apologize for this super rookie question - but without tire deflators would you simply use the digital illuminated air gauge you mentioned to slowly deflate the tires that way - periodically checking pressure as you go? I've spent my whole life worried about keeping tires inflated so this is all a bit backwards for me!

What happen to your 'good enough' budget request? The linked compressor fits your needs and budget for a 1st compressor. ANY 12volt compressor you purchase that plugs into a lighter outlet is a P.O.S. The reason for a digital illuminated gauge is because you dont always air up in the light and digital is very easy to read.

 

[MtnMantologist]

What happen to your 'good enough' budget request? The linked compressor fits your needs and budget for a 1st compressor. ANY 12volt compressor you purchase that plugs into a lighter outlet is a P.O.S. The reason for a digital illuminated gauge is because you dont always air up in the light and digital is very easy to read.

What linked compressor? The only thing I linked before the Vivair was the Staun deflators?

And does that mean all of these non-junk compressors clip on to the battery?

 

[LandCruiserPhil]

What linked compressor? The only thing I linked before the Vivair was the Staun deflators?

And does that mean all of these non-junk compressors clip on to the battery?

Linked in Post #4 or search MV-50

Yes clip to the battery or direct wired with large cable is the only compressor you should consider.


Pictured stock 100 on Black Bear Pass

 

[MtnMantologist]

Linked in Post #4 or search MV-50

Yes clip to the battery or direct wired with large cable is the only compressor you should consider.


Pictured stock 100 on Black Bear Pass

Sorry - totally missed that link! Thank you for the recommendation.

And I'm glad to see my LC can handle anything we'll face in the San Juans (minus Poughkeepsie Gulch from what I gather). That said, we will not be tackling Black Bear Pass haha that looks wild!! Very cool photo, thanks for sharing

 

[00fourseventy]

Thanks for the heads up! I don't think anyone in the group is so squeamish that a shelf road will be an issue. I may have actually seen the beginning of what you're describing as well - I was down there for Hardrock 100 a few weeks ago and drove right past Cunningham Gulch and only turned around when I saw this:

I think I saw your truck around town and the aid stations down there- I was crewing a friend of mine in my 100. Anyway, I have that Viair you linked above, and so far so good. I would also suggest a quick trip up Stony Pass, too, if the sights are what you want. One of my favorite views in the state is about a 15 minute walk from the summit of Stony (this is the top of the climb out of the Cunningham aid station, to give you an idea)-

 

[geanes]

Air down as others have said....20psi is the sweet spot. Don't bother with the deflator. Get a decent tire gauge and the compressor that @LandCruiserPhil recommends above (he is one of the Jedi of this board and knows his stuff). Once you're going to get back on pavement, hook up the compressor and reinflate in a couple minutes. Easy as pie.

Personally, I would think doing Corkscrew to Hurricane to California and then down to Silverton would be the best option. If you wanted, you could throw in Placer Gulch and Picayune Gulch (these are really 2 sides of an unnamed pass). The scenery up there is absolutely stunning in every way. You could also do Red Mountain Pass which is an "easier" trail that has incredible views from high mountain tundra and no shelf road....that's a good one for those with "concerns" about shelf roads.

Have fun with your San Juans trip....everywhere you look will be a "scenic overlook"......I can't emphasize this enough......CHARGE your cameras and bring extra batteries!

 

[geanes]

I think I saw your truck around town and the aid stations down there- I was crewing a friend of mine in my 100. Anyway, I have that Viair you linked above, and so far so good. I would also suggest a quick trip up Stony Pass, too, if the sights are what you want. One of my favorite views in the state is about a 15 minute walk from the summit of Stony (this is the top of the climb out of the Cunningham aid station, to give you an idea)-

View attachment 1510360

GREAT suggestion! Stony and Kendall are the two everyone seems to "forget". I'm targeting both for my Labor Day trip

 

[larryt]

One more tip on airing up and down. All of the Conoco gas stations I encountered in Silverton, Ouray and Ridgway had free, fast air compressors. Not sure about Telluride, I didn't try. They filled from 20 to 40psi about four times faster than my compressor. If you are inclined to air up each time you have a significant highway trek, it's a timesaver. I just drove the highway portions at 20psi and had no problems. The speeds and temperatures are pretty low.

 

[87warrior]

I would suggest a different route. Avoid Mineral Creek. While a bone stock Cruiser is 110% capable of the road, a few of the obstacles might make a newbie uneasy. While Mineral Creek is special, I'd much rather connect Animas Forks to 550 via California, Hurricane and Corkscrew. Couple that with Cinnamon and you will have a nice drive and the best, of the best views in the San Juans.

The run up Stony Pass from the Old 100 Mine is also spectacular.

I really wouldn't worry to much about the air compressor. Both Silverton and Ouray have good air at the gas stations. However a plug kit and a compressor are nice assurance. I've had the MV-50 compressor for 12 years years and it is still kicking

 

[MtnMantologist]

I would suggest a different route. Avoid Mineral Creek. While a bone stock Cruiser is 110% capable of the road, a few of the obstacles might make a newbie uneasy. While Mineral Creek is special, I'd much rather connect Animas Forks to 550 via California, Hurricane and Corkscrew. Couple that with Cinnamon and you will have a nice drive and the best, of the best views in the San Juans.

The run up Stony Pass from the Old 100 Mine is also spectacular.

I really wouldn't worry to much about the air compressor. Both Silverton and Ouray have good air at the gas stations. However a plug kit and a compressor are nice assurance. I've had the MV-50 compressor for 12 years years and it is still kicking

Just to be clear - the path below in red is what you're recommending instead of the original plan I outlined? And what about doing Yankee Boy Basin out of Ouray? I forgot to mention I was thinking we could do that as well. Also, this new route involves significantly more pavement driving on 550 - at 18-20psi this is still OK if I'm not driving too fast?

I've never used a tire patch kit - I like the idea of buying one to have with me but I don't know how I'd ever get to practice with it like I do my usual gear. Is it something I could use reasonably well the first time I need it?

View attachment 1510541

 

[bamabrock]

https://www.amazon.com/Viair-45040-450C-Air-Compressor/dp/B000FQ78VI

This one is $190 but has significantly better reviews than some of the less expensive models. Some pictures it looks like people are hooking these up directly to the battery via alligator clamps, am I missing something? Do they have to be connected directly to the battery instead of plugged in to a 12v outlet inside the vehicle?

And I apologize for this super rookie question - but without tire deflators would you simply use the digital illuminated air gauge you mentioned to slowly deflate the tires that way - periodically checking pressure as you go? I've spent my whole life worried about keeping tires inflated so this is all a bit backwards for me!

12Volt 150 PSI Compact Air Compressor

I've used these one for years and it's faster than the masterflo one.