Doing Colorado 2007

**chris_doing** · 09-05-2007, 10:18 AM

Headed back to Silverton this year for another session in the San Juan's, I've been going out there since I was 3 so I never thought much, I knew it was great but I didn't know how great. We took my in-laws this year, born and bred here in the mid-west and I thought the father-in-law was going to have a breakdown when immersed in teh nature.

First Day was Stony Pass, good warm up that lived up to his expectations I think

Had the usual suspects with us, parents and aunt-n-uncle in the uncles CJ

Day 2 was Governor's basin and Sidney Basin, proved to be more challenging than the f-I-L thought a jeep could handle, we were just getting started;

**chris_doing** · 09-05-2007, 10:18 AM

Then we ran Imogene Pass for kicks and had lunch in Telluride;

Saw a lot of these;

And a couple of these;

Did alot of this;

and this;

And helped out others when we could;

Broken_Soldier · 09-05-2007, 10:50 AM

That's some beautiful country there, it's got me really wanting to go. It's great to see a road sign that doesn't read 'all vehicles on approved surfaces'.

Rossta · 09-05-2007, 10:54 AM

Nice pictures! Looks like you all had some good times.

**SirGCal** · 09-05-2007, 11:05 AM

I find that sign ironic... If you have a runaway vehicle, downhill is going to be far more severe, in which you really should give downhill traffic the right-of-way... Uphill can always stop... I'm not sure who was thinking what when they made that rule...

**chris_doing** · 09-05-2007, 11:12 AM

You're much more likely to encounter in control vehicles, in which case the downhill jeep can back up under power and the uphill jeep would have to fight gravity.

Its better thought out than it seems. Run away vehicles won't make it too far before the road leaves them or vice versa.

Rossta · 09-05-2007, 11:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SirGCal

I find that sign ironic... If you have a runaway vehicle, downhill is going to be far more severe, in which you really should give downhill traffic the right-of-way... Uphill can always stop... I'm not sure who was thinking what when they made that rule...

That rule is common trail etiquette. It is safer for the downhill vehicle to back up, and easier for the downhill vehicle get underway.

**SirGCal** · 09-05-2007, 11:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rossta

That rule is common trail etiquette. It is safer for the downhill vehicle to back up, and easier for the downhill vehicle get underway.

And easier for the downhill vehicle to kill everyone involved if it's having a failure of any kind... I'd be far more concerned about that... If an uphill vehicle has a catastrophic failure, it's going to stop eventually (though may become a downhill vehicle). If a downhill vehicle has the same failure, it may not be able to stop...

Also, How is it easier or safer for a downhill vehicle to backup? It would be more difficult for the downhill vehicle to backup since it has to stop, change directions and start, in reverse, going uphill. Sure it's easier for a downhill vehicle to get underway. But easier for the uphill vehicle to backup.

As for safer, it would depend on the particular trail. If it's a seriously steep incline with a lot of obsticles it would not be safer for the downhill vehicle since the reverse gear is one of the weakest, it may strand them, plus it may not be possible for the vehicle to backup once started down a difficult trail. If it's just a steep but normal dirt/rock path, then ya, it's safer for the downhill rig to backup... I guess I'm thinking more of an extreme setting... Like a 3-5 rated trail, not a 'road' type trail...

Rossta · 09-05-2007, 12:04 PM

Yes, you have valid points, and this etiquette rule is not really taking into consideration a runaway vehicle, which as the OP said, would probably leave the trail rather quickly.

I did not make this rule up, but it makes sense to me. Backing down a hill is more difficult and dangerous since it is far easier to slide down a hill and lose control, than it would be for the downhill vehicle to when it is backing up the hill.

**SirGCal** · 09-05-2007, 12:10 PM

Ya, I understand... I think I'm just thinking of more difficult obstacle type rated trails and not just the scenic 4x4 paths... I think first I think runaway, second I think hard obstacles... I guess I always think the worst case... (fault of beign a software engineer I guess)

Anyhow, sweet pics... I'd love to go there... Did you camp or just a day trip?

**chris_doing** · 09-05-2007, 12:14 PM

We camped for a week, derfinitely not enough time.

As for right-of-way its not uncommon to yield to someone already committed to a difficult section. The days we ran tougher trails we didn't see anyone else anyway so it never came up this year.

**SirGCal** · 09-05-2007, 12:17 PM

How about prices, or season open times, etc... Website?

**chris_doing** · 09-05-2007, 12:30 PM

You can wheel out there from June - Sept depending on the snow, all trails are usually plowed by mid-June but the wildflowers are really blooming late July/Early August. Camping options range from primitive pull off and camp in the forest to cheap (National Forest campgrounds with pit toilets. Free after Labor Day) to deluxe (in town cabins with hot and cold running water at the communal bath. We stay outside of Silverton but there is wheeling from Silverton - Leadville and Ouray to Durango. There's plenty of options in Colorado and into Utah, its not far from Moab either. Most of the trails are rated at < 4 but there are a few tougher ones, including Black Bear which is rated a 6 by Massey and Wilson. I haven't found a trail I can't get through on a stock suspension but you can't always take the most dramatic line.

The father-in-law had ridden the million-dollar highway (550 between Ouray and Silverton) on streetbikes a couple years ago, he felt that not getting out into the county roads was like going to the circus and looking at the outside of the tent after our trip this year.

**grogie** · 09-08-2007, 03:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chris_doing

We camped for a week, derfinitely not enough time.

As for right-of-way its not uncommon to yield to someone already committed to a difficult section. The days we ran tougher trails we didn't see anyone else anyway so it never came up this year.

Last summer when I was on the Alpine Loop south of Ouray, I was coming down a tight turn with a decent drop, and two Rubicons wanted by me. So I went to the side as much as possible and they squeezed by me. It was definately easier for me to get out of their way as it was a bit of a climb and a turn for them to take. Fortunately Jeeps are narrow, so they did squeeze by me.

Loved the photos, btw! My Ouray trip was so much fun, and I hope to get back next year for trip number two!

kinder · 09-11-2007, 11:09 PM

Hey has anyone taken black bear road? Ever since I was a young kid and my father payed C. W. McCall on the tape deck I have always wanted to see the road up close. Never wanted to take it after seeing it this past year while skiing in Telluride, but have never heard of anyone taking that trip down the mountian.

There is something quite spirtual (not to get religous or anything) about those hills. Great pictures.

09-05-2007, 10:54 AM	#4
Rossta Registered User Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: - Posts: 255 Profile Gallery Classifieds My Jeeps	Nice pictures! Looks like you all had some good times.

09-05-2007, 12:04 PM	#9
Rossta Registered User Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: - Posts: 255 Profile Gallery Classifieds My Jeeps	Yes, you have valid points, and this etiquette rule is not really taking into consideration a runaway vehicle, which as the OP said, would probably leave the trail rather quickly. I did not make this rule up, but it makes sense to me. Backing down a hill is more difficult and dangerous since it is far easier to slide down a hill and lose control, than it would be for the downhill vehicle to when it is backing up the hill.