Ouray, Silverton, Tincup, Salida | August and October 2015

[87Warrior]

This years Colorado trip was unlike any other. The group of Kansans that usually embark on the adventure to Colorado was reduced by two experienced guys and replaced with two who had never wheeled the Rockies. This was also the first time I left my Rubicon at home and choose to drive my rusty, crusty 86 4 cyl Comanche.

 

The plan for this year's trip was to camp in and around Taylor Park, north of Gunnison. A week prior to departure, news of the possible closure of my favorite road, Black Bear Pass, surfaced. Not wanting to miss an opportunity to possibly drive the road one more time, I quickly called the Ouray KOA to make a short reservation.

 

We stopped in Salida to visit my younger sister who lives there. It is always nice to see family. We left Salida in the morning and took the highway to Gunnison then Lake City. From Lake City we started up Engineer Pass and took advantage of some shade to enjoy lunch and air down.

 

 

On the way up we met a hiker who was staying at that spectacular cabin along the pass. She certainly had more energy than myself! The view is spectacular.

 

 

Of course we had to stop at the top.

 

 

We then choose to go straight to Ouray as the day was starting to come to a close.

 

 

Here is a glamor shot of my truck at the Poughkeepsie Gulch intersection. I did not attempt the wall on this short trip. The black TJ pulled the frame side UCA brack off of the rear end. The welding shop in Ouray got it fixed in less than an hour right at closing time. That was a nice surprise.

 

 

While doing the morning Jeep inspections, we noticed the black TJ had lost a driver side axle ujoint cap. Luckily a group of Jeepers from NJ were camped next to us and had a ujoint and a ball joint press. Pulled the shaft, replaced the ujoint and headed towards Black Bear. I will now carry ujoints and a press on my trips.

 

 

Climbing up Black Bear is a lot of fun.

 

 

Check it out, that rusty truck made it to the top of the pass.

 

 

Preparing to go down the steps. The view from this part of the road is simply amazing.

 

 

The switch backs did not seem as steep as they did last year. The dozer must have spent some time flattening them out. Even then, a spotter never hurts.

 

 

Lunch was enjoyed at the Telluride park in a light rain shower. I sure am glad the rain held off until we got off the pass. The route home took us over Imogene Pass. The pass was quite busy with traffic flowing in both directions. Luckily everyone on the road was respectful and patient. Here is another glamor shot at the pass.

 

 

I think we were about a week too late to see the wildflowers at their peak. Even then, the views coming down Imogene were mighty impressive.

 

 

Day 3 was supposed to be all highway to Taylor Park, then find a spot to set up camp. After breaking camp at the KOA we headed north out of Ouray towards Montrose. A few miles outside of Ridgeway we got stopped for construction...for 30 minutes. Not wanting to wait any longer, I pull out the old road map I have for the state of Colorado. I spot a gray line indicating a road called Owl Creek Pass that bypasses Montrose and dumps you out just west of the Blue Mesa Reservoir, about a 1/2 mile behind us. The road is a well maintained county road that takes you west and north to Silver Jack lake. We found a secluded spot for lunch just above Silver Jack at Rowdy Lake.

 

 

That evening we found a quiet spot along Tincup Pass to set up camp. It was much cooler sleeping at 11k feet than it was in Ouray. The location was perfect.

 

 

Since we had already started up Tincup Pass, the next day we went over the pass to St. Elmo. The amount of traffic in that little town was shocking. I'd never seen the street so crowded.

 

 

Once at St. Elmo, we decided to call it a day and head back to Salida. One trailer needed new tires as the tires began to separate on the trip out. That evening we stayed in Salida. In the morning we took a road called Aspen Ridge to, Turret, then up Sheilds McGee loop and 7 mile creek. The scenery was quite different than where we had been, but still beautiful.

 

Here is a body of water within an abandoned quarry.

 

 

The roads were very quiet on the way to Buena Vista. The perfect way to end a week of wheeling.

 

 

 

I only saw two other MJs on the trip and that was in Colorado Springs on the way to Salida. I am surprised you don't see them on the trails. The truck did great and always got better fuel economy than the TJs. I sure did miss the 4.0 torque and 4:1 low range the Rubicon offers. I found myself going over rocks too fast by simply trying to keep the 2.5 running up the trail.

[xjrev10]

Awesome! I really would like to do this someday. (Before stuff starts closing for good.)

[87Warrior]

Well.... the stars aligned, the moon aligned and our schedules aligned. Yup, my wife and I were able to take a few SHORT days and enjoy the fall colors of the San Juans.

 

Our adventure started in Lake City where we were greeted by a familiar sight, or odor

 

We had lunch at the only place in town that was open. I can't recall the name, but it was a small coffee shop/bistro/biker bar/hunters retreat on the west side of 149. The food was delicious and reasonably priced. We then headed south toward Cinnamon Pass.

 

We were immediately thrown into to canvas that the San Juan's prepared for us.

 

Oh, and did I mention we are touring in luxury.

 

Cinnamon Pass is a real easy climb when going east to west. This was a good thing since the dang WK wouldn't shift into 4-LO.....(thanks FCA and your N23 recall). I mean, how many times do you need 4LO when going to the mall? Even though the road is relatively smooth, I had to drive faster than I would have liked being stuck in high range.

 

Even with the Jeep issues, we still made it to the top!

 

Cinnamon Pass drops you out at Animas Forks and old mining town. In the summer months this place is crawling with people, ATVs, and off road rigs. It was surreal having the place to ourselves.

 

Even though I take a picture of this place every time I visit, it never gets old! This was the first time I ever saw snow on the roof.

 

The drive to Silverton was the same as it always was, rough and beautiful.

 

Our plan was to take 550 to Ouray for an early supper. It seemed as if CDOT had other plans for us as 550 was closed until 5:00pm. Silverton was quite busy with folks killing time while waiting for the highway to reopen.

 

After a restful evening in Ouray we ventured out again in the trusty WK. That evening, I learned that by pulling a fuse for the 'Final Drive Control Module', moving the Jeep forward and backward, and then reinstalling the fuse, you could regain access to 4LO. Luckily it worked as we piloted the Jeep towards Yankee Boy and Governor Basin. The fall color did not disappoint!

 

 

A view towards Yankee Boy from Governors!

 

This is truly amazing.

 

A final view of the WK making its way back down the road towards Ouray.

 

The fall color was simply amazing. I now question why I have been visiting this area during the peak of tourist season.

 

The morning we left Ouray, Silverton mountain received a significant snowfall which allowed some of the local powder hounds to get some good face shots in. If the same system hit Cinnamon Pass, I'd say it is probably snowed shut.

[88whitemanche]

[shawn]

these are gorgeous photos. so many more roads into the alpines down there. thanks.

[87Warrior]

Thank you. I can't take all of the credit for the photos as my wife took several ;) I don't think I'll ever get tired of visiting the San Juan Mountains.

[jimoshel]

I always feel fortunate that I visited this area before it got settled. You could drive a week up there with out seeing another vehicle. I reckon that goes for the entire state.

[87Warrior]

I always feel fortunate that I visited this area before it got settled. You could drive a week up there with out seeing another vehicle. I reckon that goes for the entire state.

You are very fortunate indeed. 

 

The peaceful, easy feeling I felt when driving the roads in pure solitude this fall was something I had never felt before. No schedules to meet, no pressure to go a certain speed, no large groups of people. I would love to have the opportunity to visit Colorado 50, or 100 years ago. I can only imagine.