2020 Official Colorado Color Run

[gmanpaint]

Great idea TJ!

Can join the campfire group after dinners, and stumble to a bear proof bed from there. Lol

I think I might be the only one in a tent on this trip. Except maybe those that are boondocking?

Guess I'm that person in the group that runs slower then the rest. I'm cool with that tho, if it means my sacrifice keeps you all safe.

Do bears think tents are fast food, in a convenient wrapper? Hmmm...

 

[traveler]

LoL no worries Gman... I'll loan ya my bear spray!

 

[gmanpaint]

Lol! Yes!!!!!

Thanks for the reminder traveler. I need to get another can for my son.

 

[Theoffroadexplorer]

Great idea TJ!

Can join the campfire group after dinners, and stumble to a bear proof bed from there. Lol

I think I might be the only one in a tent on this trip. Except maybe those that are boondocking?

Guess I'm that person in the group that runs slower then the rest. I'm cool with that tho, if it means my sacrifice keeps you all safe.

Do bears think tents are fast food, in a convenient wrapper? Hmmm...

Human Burrito.

 

[Theoffroadexplorer]

Well I have some repairs to make before this trip. I broke my front outer stub shaft, broke a shock mount, crawler case is leaking and I think rear end is leaking. Yay!!

 

[gmanpaint]

Well I have some repairs to make before this trip. I broke my front outer stub shaft, broke a shock mount, crawler case is leaking and I think rear end is leaking. Yay!!

Quit beating on the rig before our trip!!! Hope it's just the case seal, or the 1354 crawler half that is leaking. The rest is an easy fix, just a pain to do.

Upgrades are ongoing, but I might have an engine issue to deal with, plus a rear axle to change locker styles, in order to tow with. I understand the time crunch.

On a positive note, the Ouray area is opening back up, and they are almost done clearing the passes in most counties. Poughkepsie is still closed, and might not open this year at all.

With dining establishments only operating at a 50% capacity, the camp grill is going to get a good workout.

 

[traveler]

All in favor of camp grills. I'll have 2, a propane one and a charcoal one. Plus the stove in the camper of course. So if we were to all band together I'm sure we could get a great dinner going.

 

[gmanpaint]

All in favor of camp grills. I'll have 2, a propane one and a charcoal one. Plus the stove in the camper of course. So if we were to all band together I'm sure we could get a great dinner going.

Sounds good to me. I will have 2 as well, (propane grills/griddle).

We could do a Pot Luck dinner for all going, at the campground. One main, and one side dish should do it. Sweets are optional. Nom nom! (BYO Chairs)

I have to get a moose/elk burger from Ouray before we leave tho. Oh, and Ice cream at night if they stay open. lol

 

[gmanpaint]

The San Juans have a level 1 burn ban in effect currently. No campfires & even smoking restrictions allowed outside. Propane appliances are allowed, but not charcoal/wood fueled. I'm not sure about the Campgrounds tho. We need to call them in advance before we arrive, and ask about it, if the ban is still in effect.

They are currently dry as can be, and have had a bad beetle infestation in some areas. I believe all of July and into August is their wet season, and hoping they get a good soaking before our trip, and lift the ban. Snow melt is making for some great pictures of the falls, creeks, and lakes tho. It dropped to 29* the other night in Silverton! I think snow fell in some areas.

Looks like all the trails are opened up, except parts of Black bear, and Poughkeepsie is rumored to be open on or around July 18th. As long as people use the Stay the trail rules, it should stay open, unless politics say otherwise.

Any of you Maybe's ready to commit yet?


Short video showing the short obstacle climb section on Poughkeepsie



Long video showing a couple trails starting in Silverton, and ending in Ouray. Gives some nice directional views, and explanations while showing the trails as they go.

 

[donalds]

I need to stop going fast and start going slow this looks like fun

 

[crazyflights]

Sharing some thoughts:
I moved to Colorado because of my first trip with this forum years ago, led to the desire to have easier accesss- so beware it's amazing!!

KOA is very nice, but lots of free camping is not far out. Heading out of town on 550 toward Silverton and before top of Red Mountain pass, on left side is a ton of free primitive camping, I believe it started at the exit of California Gulch. ( something to consider) Creek runs through area so you have access to water. (or you could camp on top of a pass (maybe not approved, but will say roof top tent on top of engineer one night was amazing)

Maggies- best burgers

To my knowledge from recent visit a few weeks ago, you could not go in businesses without a mask. You could at Maggies still order at door abd sit outside.

Those that keep asking about trails, here is my review:
These are the most amazing, breathtaking, best views anywhere, death could happen from shear drop offs.

However, you can drive 90% of this in a stock 1st gen or 2nd gen explorer no problem. Pic good lines, have good tires, have low range and you're fine. I have driven black bear in 4 dr SAS explorer (scariest since tall), stock 02 Fx4 Ranger and stock Crew cab 2016 Superduty. Honestly a stock explorer with no lift would equal the least scariest.

Make sure to take time and go see waterfalls in town.


Hopefully will see the group on Monday, would love to have joined, but have motorcycle trip already planned starting at 4 corners, following the CO BDR loop that whole week, but will be in Ouray Sunday/Monday.


Additional notes: For any looking for more adventure. look up the TAT and Rim Rocker, from Ouray you can head toward Silverton, take Ophir Pass over and follow the TAT all the way to Moab, amazing, then you can follow Rim Rocker back to Montrose and Highway back down to Ouray. The first section of Rim Rocker from Moab, skip and follow the TAT back over La Sal Mountains and then connect back on Rim Rocker to Montrose. Again this would be a side journey have plenty to do in Ouray area. Trip I described would take 2 days)

 

[gmanpaint]

Thanks Brad! That was a cool trip for sure. 12 days of awesomeness. Can't wait to see you there, even if it is only Monday.

Masks are required in any public place, except while dining at your table. If anybody wants to go out for a cold one, the bars that serve food in Ouray, are open too. Personally, I do not plan on dining, or going anywhere but Ouray, for anything outside of the trail rides. We are spending one day (Monday) in Ouray seeing the local sights while there. The falls are on the list! I need this day to get acclimated before I hit the high elevations. Old age has kicked in, and well... yeah.

Some are remote camping in Ouray, but not sure where. If something happens, and we don't stay at a campground, I/we are geared for, and ready to find some primitive sites.

When the Rim Rocker trail opens up with the additional trail miles added (546 miles total), it will be on my bucket list to do. Supposed to be the 2nd longest trail in the country, and through CO & into UT. Can't get much better than............ Wait, it will have 19 miles of hardcore wheeling in it too.

 

[mrboyle]

I'll be there for a couple of the days. Monday and Tuesday are the most promising, but I will know more as we get closer. It's not like I have to travel, so I can be there anytime.

 

[gmanpaint]

I'll be there for a couple of the days. Monday and Tuesday are the most promising, but I will know more as we get closer. It's not like I have to travel, so I can be there anytime.

 

[mrboyle]

Also, anyone that wants to camp at my place is welcome. I'm about 30-40 minutes north of Ouray but I have plenty of room and as long as we don't go beyond the current level 1 fire ban I have a great fire pit for evening campfires.

 

[gmanpaint]

Well, it's official.... Poughkeepsie is open, and ready for us to tackle the "Wall".

Hope everybody is busy turning them wrenches, and getting your rigs ready for this. I know I have been, and will be up until the last minute. lol

 

[R.J.]

Hmmm. Put me as a maybe. I'll think about it. It would be the highlight of 2020 for sure.

 

[traveler]

My rigs as ready as it'll get given current time and funding. I took it through Box Canyon last Saturday with the Mesa4Wheelers, and it did just fine. It got a little warm, as Sandi was with me and I had promised to leave the AC on. We did have to shut it down a few times but it cooled quickly when I did. Nothing broke, it drove well. Might get an alignment before leaving.
Now I need to turn attention to the Camper. Clean it out, be sure Its not loaded with stuff I'm not gonna need, etc. I'm used to hauling needed clothes etc. but this time I'll have extra food, and drinks. Plus (and most important as far as weight goes) spare parts and tools.

 

[ntrpriz]

So. Black Bear scares me a bit. Never tried it. Heard bad things.
Got a 2019 Ford Ranger super crew 4x4 Lariat FX4. Level lift. BFG AT KO tires. It’s tuned and has Rock Rails. Talk me into or out of it please. I’ve done Imogene several times in an FJ Cruiser. Don’t want to decide to do it and get up there and decide it was a baaaaaad idea.

 

[gmanpaint]

So. Black Bear scares me a bit. Never tried it. Heard bad things.
Got a 2019 Ford Ranger super crew 4x4 Lariat FX4. Level lift. BFG AT KO tires. It’s tuned and has Rock Rails. Talk me into or out of it please. I’ve done Imogene several times in an FJ Cruiser. Don’t want to decide to do it and get up there and decide it was a baaaaaad idea.

Nothing to worry about, except your own skills. If you trust your rig and your ability, you will be just fine.

There is one section that an ifs rig in stock articulation configuration, needs a little extra attention. People have flopped over at this same spot, only because they chose the wrong line on a sudden drivers side drop, above the steps. Good news, is it's not located near a cliff edge lol! You will have all of us there to spot, and help in any situation as well.

No worries!