Ouray, CO Trail Guidance - Am I Ready?

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M

mtnspeed

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It's been a bit since I've been to Colorado, but the first time wheeling my 100. (60 and 80 prior) Plan to spend time in Ouray and Telluride. Looking to conquer Imogene, Engineer Pass, Cinnamon Pass. Seeking feedback on set up and what I might be missing. I'm lifted, locked, front and rear bumpers as well as sliders, spare, high jack and lighting. All standard mechanical prep has been done for the vehicle.

More importantly...what I don't have. Winch, recovery gear, onboard air. Still time to get a few items prior to departure. Can I get away without a winch? Will have tow straps and extraction sleds? How much do I really need to air down for these trails?

I've been offroad, but mostly overland type trails. Anything to know before hitting the trials above. Seeking knowledge to make it an enjoyable trip for the fam.
 
Yes, yes, yes... I just attended HIH8 and drove/witnesses vehicles with a lot less mod complete all the trails you mentioned with ease. These vehicles are amazing!
 
Brett Turner said:
Yes, yes, yes... I just attended HIH8 and drove/witnesses vehicles with a lot less mod complete all the trails you mentioned with ease. These vehicles are amazing![/QUOTE

Thanks Brett. Any of the recovery gear you’d recommend?
Click to expand...
 
As far as your rig goes you won’t have a problem at all.

My #1 advice for non-vehicle necessities is what I call an “oh s***” bag....this is assuming you will be traveling solo and something happens that causes you to be stranded overnight. Put the bare minimum of what you might need if you were stranded over night (food, water, light, extra clothing and/or a blanket, etc...;most importantly a thorough first aid kit)

Have at least a tow strap. I don’t think traction sledes will be necessary. Unless you want them for the aesthetics I don’t think you will need them. On the other hand, they’re lightweight-ish and low profile-ish so there’s no real disadvantage to bringing them.
Also, consider getting ones of these (obviously stolen from somewhere I forgot):

BA5FDDA1-7821-4059-B4A4-EC5B9AF3E2E7.webp
 
Good Point @Mike6158 that being said you dont have to be licensed to broadcast if in an emergency situation. Its good to have if traveling alone, much better than a CB for the money, espcially if just for an emergency situation
 
krice118 said:
Good Point @Mike6158 that being said you dont have to be licensed to broadcast if in an emergency situation. Its good to have if traveling alone, much better than a CB for the money, espcially if just for an emergency situation
Click to expand...

That sounds good but if you don't understand the concept of how a repeater works, tone coded squelch, etc how is he going to know what freq to transmit on? Even if he uses the radio simplex it's still a crap shoot whether someone will actually hear him or not. You can't just pick a freq with VHF/UHF and hope it works. Especially UHF. There is a discrete VHF frequency for emergency use but it's not monitored much (146.550). A SPOT or other personal tracker would be more useful and valuable.
 
You'll be more than fine in the rig as you describe it. Just got back from HIH8 and there were guys doing these trails on stock rigs and they got 0 damage. Would be nice to have a compressor for airing back up (every town at the base of the passes has a filling station with free air), but really necessary if you need to repair a flat on the trail.....which leads to....I would recommend a tire repair kit ($10-30) so you can fix a flat if you get one (LOTS of decayed mine structures that were made of wood that were held together by nails and screws). The likelihood of getting a flat from debris is low (more likely to tear a sidewall on a rock), but preparedness is always good.
 
I ran all trails you spoke of and more with no sliders and never came close to touching a rocker panel. Most of these trails can be run in factory 4wd's.
 
On any of the trails in Ouray, you will only be having issues if you have a flat or a mechanical issue. All these trails are well traveled, so I don't think even a CB or HAM is necessary. Worse case, be prepared to sleep the night if you break late, but you would run into someone quickly the next day. So as long as you have a spare tired, and can change it, I think you are good.

I would say that the air situation would be the only thing I would correct, though you will have the ability to air up in the gas stations in each of those cities as a backup.
 
Every time I travel the trails around Ouray/Silverton I pick up at least one nail.
Every. Single. Time.
A basic plug kit and air compressor are much easier to use than dropping the spare when on the trail. I like the portable 12v compressors that you clamp to the battery when needed. Bought my MV-50 on impulse in Colorado Springs back in 2005 and still use it to this day.

You will want to air down. Not necessarily for added traction, but for comfort. I have small 265/75R16's under my 100 and typically drop to 14psi when I am out there. No real science behind that choice, it just works for me. I air down when I get into the area and air up when I am headed home.
 
87warrior said:
Every time I travel the trails around Ouray/Silverton I pick up at least one nail.
Every. Single. Time.
A basic plug kit and air compressor are much easier to use than dropping the spare when on the trail. I like the portable 12v compressors that you clamp to the battery when needed. Bought my MV-50 on impulse in Colorado Springs back in 2005 and still use it to this day.

You will want to air down. Not necessarily for added traction, but for comfort. I have small 265/75R16's under my 100 and typically drop to 14psi when I am out there. No real science behind that choice, it just works for me. I air down when I get into the area and air up when I am headed home.
Click to expand...

We all thank you for your nail retrieval efforts :cautious: :D
 
Thanks for the feedback guys. I will be adding to the mix:
  1. Standard First Aid Kit (already had one, but damn it's old)
  2. D-Rings for recovery
  3. Recovery strap
  4. Tire plugs and repair kit
  5. Air compressor - most likely VIAIR 400
Ohhh, and of course all the requisite food, drink goodies for the ride. Expect to be traveling with Jeep behind me, so all is good! The only passes I've been told to avoid without solid guidance are Poughkeepsie and potentially Black Bear.
 
mtnspeed said:
Thanks for the feedback guys. I will be adding to the mix:
  1. Standard First Aid Kit (already had one, but damn it's old)
  2. D-Rings for recovery
  3. Recovery strap
  4. Tire plugs and repair kit
  5. Air compressor - most likely VIAIR 400
Ohhh, and of course all the requisite food, drink goodies for the ride. Expect to be traveling with Jeep behind me, so all is good! The only passes I've been told to avoid without solid guidance are Poughkeepsie and potentially Black Bear.
Click to expand...
Black Bear is not that bad, it can be intimidating on the back side down into Telle. Ive been down it in several diff rigs, last year in my 03 LC stock, I never mess with my tire pressures. My advice is just go slow, pick clean lines, and dont bounce the rig.
 
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