87Warrior Posted August 9, 2014 Share Posted August 9, 2014 I have just finished a week wheeling the San Juans again. Even though I have been to the area a dozen times, it never gets old. I saw 4 MJs on the trip and one JK Brute. One black MJ I saw from NM was especially sharp as it scooted past me near Animas Forks. Unfortunately it evaded being photographed as my camera was still mounted to the dash.While I don't have many pics uploaded yet, I couldn't help but to share this one with the club. I still do not know why folks get so worked up over the Poughkeepsie Gulch trail. All rigs made it, including a stock Rubi. First time I tried it with a truck :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
87Warrior Posted September 3, 2014 Author Share Posted September 3, 2014 This is my official San Juan trail report for this year, the first week of August. I love the San Juans. Even though I have visited a dozen times, I am always eager to return. I must admit, I did get exceptionally lazy this trip with my photography. Most of the pictures were taken with my phone mounted to the dash. Every trip starts at home. Preparing to start the 14 hour drive westward @ 5:00AM. During the last climb to Silverton out of Durango, the Cummins developed a big exhaust leak and lost power. The EGT probe came out of the manifold. One pair of melted leather gloves later it is back together. Day 1 – Corkscrew, Hurricane, California, Animas Forks Resting at the worst smelling forest service restroom on Corkscrew View of Lake Como at the base of Hurricane and California Coming down California to Animas Forks. The Alpine Tundra is spectacular The restored Bay Window House at Animas Forks Day 2 – Black Bear, Telluride and Imogene The starting point. Cue C.W. McCall. Stopped at a lookout partway up. We could hear sheep, but couldn’t see them The Black Bear Pass summit Making our way down the trail towards the ever famous shelf road At the bottom enjoying the mist of Bridal Veil Falls After enjoying lunch in the Telluride Town Park, our journey continued up Imogene A nice view of the MCAI at the Imogene Pass lookout point Due to the soggy conditions, we skipped out on Governors and Yankee Boy this trip. The sun was shining in Silverton though! Peaceful camp. …at least for a while… Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
87Warrior Posted September 3, 2014 Author Share Posted September 3, 2014 Day 3 – Animas Forks side of Engineer, Lake City, Cinnamon A rainy start up Engineer from Animas Forks Looking down valley towards Animas Forks More Alpine Tundra Jeep wave! Right turn a head. To the Engineer Pass summit Rounding a bend as we approach the summit On the Lake City side of Engineer Pass, Sheep Days were just kicking off. It was still a bit early for mutton stew so we kept on going. Continuing down Engineer towards Lake City Lunch, followed by a chocolate malt, at the Lake City Park Cinnamon Pass is a real easy drive The little rig on Cinnamon Pass. Runs as well at 12,000ft as it does at 1,100ft Stopped at the base of Cinnamon near Animas Forks looking towards Silverton Day 4 – Silverton Ski area to Corkscrew, Ouray side of Engineer, Poughkeepsie, and Hurricane When going down Corkscrew I saw a dreaded constipated frog KL Starting up Poughkeepsie Take a right to go up the wall The ‘wall’. Little rig had no issues. Rubi was ready to winch if needed The stock rubi did need a tug to get over the wall (slight newbie behind the wheel). Some of the ‘fun’ lines past the wall The end of Poughkeepsie at Lake Como Heading up Hurricane After a spectacular dinner at camp, my buddy and I decided to check out the Little Giant Basin. Not much to see in the dark Day 5 - Stony Pass, Pole Creek, then drive to Woodland Park, CO-Home Starting up the pass, more Alpine tundra Overlooking the Creede side of the Stony Pass summit Crossing Pole Creek, headwaters to the Rio Grande Starting back up the pass from Pole Creek Dropping back down towards Silverton Passing some fellow Jeepers on Highway 50 headed towards Gunnison More bugs on the windshield means we are getting closer to home The sign I always look forward to after having been on the road for 12 hours. The heavily soiled windshield and the good old “Jeep Road” sign outside of Abilene, KS means I am almost home. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
87Warrior Posted September 3, 2014 Author Share Posted September 3, 2014 Here are a few videos I shot out there. Going up the Black Bear Pass waterfall obstacle Going down the Black Bear Pass switchbacks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
87Warrior Posted September 3, 2014 Author Share Posted September 3, 2014 The Poughkeepsie Wall And a quick drive from Ouray to Silverton Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dscowell Posted September 3, 2014 Share Posted September 3, 2014 You went up to Lake Como? So did you take La Blanca up there? Also did you hear about the guy that rolled his jeep on black bear? One day I'll go to Telluride Ouray area! Anyways Always love pictures and video, thanks for reporting. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete M Posted September 3, 2014 Share Posted September 3, 2014 damn, that's some gorgeous country up there! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HOrnbrod Posted September 3, 2014 Share Posted September 3, 2014 Damn right. Thanks for posting - enjoyed. :cheers: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnj92131 Posted September 3, 2014 Share Posted September 3, 2014 That U.S. 550 is tamer than I remember from a couple of years ago. Took the Durango-Silverton narrow Gage RR trip one way and a bus trip back down to Durango. Well worth the trip. Liked the Video. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shawn Posted September 3, 2014 Share Posted September 3, 2014 awesome country. thanks for showing it. :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jimoshel Posted September 3, 2014 Share Posted September 3, 2014 Sure appreciate the fact that I don't have to drive 500 miles to see the beauty in my back yard. Nice pics. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
87Warrior Posted September 3, 2014 Author Share Posted September 3, 2014 Thanks for the comments guys! I think an unofficial CC meeting in the San Juans would be epic. Who's up for it next year!?!? You went up to Lake Como? So did you take La Blanca up there? Also did you hear about the guy that rolled his jeep on black bear? One day I'll go to Telluride Ouray area! Anyways Always love pictures and video, thanks for reporting. You are confusing your Como Lakes. Someday I'd love to do the Como Lake trail in the Sangre de Cristo mountains. Lake Como in the San Juans is just that, a lake ;) I did hear about the JK who went over the edge, about 5 hours after it happened. Those people need to buy some lottery tickets, because they are lucky to be alive let alone uninjured. They went off the trail somewhere within the first 40seconds of the switchback video I posted. The Jeep landed on the only ledge below Ingram Falls. Had they been 20' either direction, they would have taken the fast trip to Telluride.... That U.S. 550 is tamer than I remember from a couple of years ago. Took the Durango-Silverton narrow Gage RR trip one way and a bus trip back down to Durango. Well worth the trip. Liked the Video.550 only looks tamer because the camera doesn't look down the edge! I took the train ride about 20 years ago with my folks. It was a blast. And sooty. Sure appreciate the fact that I don't have to drive 500 miles to see the beauty in my back yard. Nice pics.That is something to appreciate. But, I must confess. I really enjoy the drive on the highway from KS to CO. The drive is part of the excitement. On the way out the Jeep was trailered and I was bored, but I got to drive it home and was thrilled...even with a throwout bearing starting to squeal. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AZRick Posted September 11, 2014 Share Posted September 11, 2014 Awesome, thanks for sharing. BTW: Hit up Mcmaster Carr for some Kevlar gloves, throw them in the glove box and forget them until, you have to reinstall a temp probe, reconnect a blown off intercooler connector, etc. They don't melt and don't transfer heat... :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xjrev10 Posted September 12, 2014 Share Posted September 12, 2014 You went up to Lake Como? So did you take La Blanca up there? Also did you hear about the guy that rolled his jeep on black bear? One day I'll go to Telluride Ouray area! Anyways Always love pictures and video, thanks for reporting. See that one FB. That JK almost over the edge. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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