Colorado Wheeling Trip

[Shake N Bake]

We are heading on a wheeling trip out to Moab, and we decided we will spend a few days in Colorado wheeling on the way back home. Any suggestions? Trail reports? I have been looking at the Ouray, Sliverton area, Imogene Pass, etc. Maybe go to the top of Black Bear and go back down the way we came up (as bad as I want to run Black Bear, I don't think this big girl can fit on the switchbacks to Telluride, if I am wrong tell me). We just want to drive some new areas and see some amazing views. Truck is on 37s and just added Thuren springs (1.5"F-1/2"R so I should be able to handle most trails I am talking about. Give me some ideas.......

 

[Wobly]

I posted this in the Power Wagons of Colorado FB page...
Ophir-Easy. No problem in a Power Wagon
Black bear- The switchbacks are the problem. The video of the dude doing in a PW is enough to stop me.
Yankee boy basin- Easy. I did it in the rain.
Governor basin- Moderate because of the switchbacks and narrow shelf road.
Sydney basin- Don't know about this one.
Imogene- Currently only open to the top from the Ouray side and lots of fun in the PW!
Argentine- Don't know about this one.
Engineer- Done it a few times. Sliders recommended for Lower Engineer/Mineral Creek, but still easy in the PW.
CRYSTAL RIVER MILL- Don't know about this one.
Wheeler lake- Heard it's fun.
Grizzly lake-Don't know.

I will add that I did Stony Pass last week in the PW and it was NOT one of my preferred trails. It got REALLY narrow on the shelf road coming from Silverton. Then, it was very rocky and bumpy. I would have preferred to do other trails to enjoy the trip rather than fight it. I would also add that California Gulch, Hurricane Pass and Corkscrew Gulch are all do-able in the PW. The switchbacks on Corkscrew can get tight, but be patient and it's fine.

There are people in the PWoC group that have run Black Bear Pass in their Power Wagons. Personally, I like to enjoy my trips through the mountains and not be completely stressed out because of the switchbacks. Running the Alpine Loop from Ouray to Lake City should be a bucket list item for all Power Wagon owners to enjoy what their trucks can do. Just air down and take your time.

 

[Etoimos]

I've not taken my PW to Ouray yet, but I've been out there in both of my Jeeps (a JKUR and Gladiator) and I would probably agree with the list that Wobly posted based on my past experiences. I don't think there is a trail in the Ouray area that the PW could not do, it would just depend on how much try hard you had in you at the time. I will say that my favorite system of trails out there is the Corkscrew-Hurricane-California drive. The views are amazing and trails are easy but fun...

 

[elephantrider]

tons of spots between durango and purgatory. beautiful area!

 

[Jacob]

Great pics. Those alpine trails are too scary for me! Especially in a big truck.

 

[Shake N Bake]

Thanks for all the info!! Excited to get back to Moab, this time in the PW. We picked up FunTreks guides for Colorado, a lot of good info in there as well. We want the views and not the stress of a technical trail, at least not on this trip. This will be a long trip covering 6-7k miles so the PW needs to get us back home.

 

[Etoimos]

There is nothing technical about the Corkscrew-Hurricane-California system I posted about above. All of the tourist outfits drive their converted 2500 and 3500 trucks up there. The bonus is that Animus Forks is at the end of that with an easy drive down to Silverton for shopping and the old west mountain town feel.

 

[Wobly]

There is nothing technical about the Corkscrew-Hurricane-California system I posted about above. All of the tourist outfits drive their converted 2500 and 3500 trucks up there. The bonus is that Animus Forks is at the end of that with an easy drive down to Silverton for shopping and the old west mountain town feel.

He speaks truth! There are a lot of trails like that around the area, too. Most of them, actually. I recommend the trailsoffroad.com site for good advice on what the trails are suitable for. We use Cinnamon Pass as the "quick cutthrough" to go from Lake City to Silverton. Those tour drivers drive a standard 3500 4x4 with seats mounted in the back and make it look like it's nothing. They are extremely skilled! Although I enjoy taking the PW on the trails, I have been tempted to rent a Jeep or SxS to see the difference between riding in comfort with all my stuff or what a short wheelbase can do.

 

[Grey65]

I've done all the trails in the Ouray/Silverton/Telluride area in either my 2020 Ram 2500 SB 4x4 (6.4L) or in my 2022 Ram 2500 SB 4x4 (6.7L) with the exception of Black Bear and Poughkeepsie Gulch. Some of the trails are tight in certain areas but all are doable in a 4x4 3/4 ton truck if you are used to 4 wheeling.

 

[LateToTheParty]

I've done all the trails in the Ouray/Silverton/Telluride area in either my 2020 Ram 2500 4x4 (6.4L) or in my 2022 Ram 2500 4x4 (6.7L) with the exception of Black Bear and Poughkeepsie Gulch. Some of the trails are tight in certain areas but all are doable in a 4x4 3/4 ton truck if you are used to 4 wheeling.

I'd agree with that for the most part, but would qualify to say with a short bed.

I've taken my CCLB on a few that I probably shouldn't have (57 point turns) but a few I wouldn't even think of trying, as the breakover is just too much.

 

[jsalbre]

I can’t speak for most of those trails, but we ran our stock 2500 Limited CCSB over Imogene with 1500# of stuff in the bed (we were full-time living in our Airstream, so the truck was my “garage”), so it’s definitely doable in a PW. There’s one switchback that was a little tight, but nothing a 10 point turn couldn’t handle. You’ll be way more comfortable in the PW with the swaybar disconnect than we were on completely stock suspension (and stock 20” wheels) at the time.

 

[Grey65]

I'd agree with that for the most part, but would qualify to say with a short bed.

I've taken my CCLB on a few that I probably shouldn't have (57 point turns) but a few I wouldn't even think of trying, as the breakover is just too much.

Yes with a SB, I amended my post.

 

[tonybkjr]

I've not taken my PW to Ouray yet, but I've been out there in both of my Jeeps (a JKUR and Gladiator) and I would probably agree with the list that Wobly posted based on my past experiences. I don't think there is a trail in the Ouray area that the PW could not do, it would just depend on how much try hard you had in you at the time. I will say that my favorite system of trails out there is the Corkscrew-Hurricane-California drive. The views are amazing and trails are easy but fun...

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Any trails you'd recommend for a stock 2024 2500 Big Horn? Is Animas Forks okay with highway tires as long as I'm in 4wd? Haven't been on many trails up there.

 

[Deleted member 47449]

Locally in the Book Cliffs of CO our Baxter Pass and JQS Trail are doable with our Ram HD's and Power Wagon.

 

[Deleted member 47449]

Any trails you'd recommend for a stock 2024 2500 Big Horn? Is Animas Forks okay with highway tires as long as I'm in 4wd? Haven't been on many trails up there.

I run nothing except 3 ply sidewall tires living on the Western Slope. Our 2024 Ram 3500 tires were traded in for 3 ply with 3PMSF immediately after purchased. Too many rocks here. Matter of fact some roads are entirely rocks and just more rocks, especially around Creede. It's was no fun to change our 2016 PW OEM sidewall sliced flat 2 ply Duratracs, twice.

 

[SolidAxleorBust]

Not sure when the trip is. But a note, Black Bear is one way down only. A PW is not optimal for it, but I have done it. I have a group starting there 9/12, mostly Monteros and doing loop that ends at Mt Antero. I have a place up there if you need any info. All the trails in the San Juans are relatively easy. My HD terrains are 12 ply. Duratracs are Sponge Ply. Was hoping to make it home with out flat tires on the 2026 I just ordered, but for 985.00 in shipping from Mark Dodge its hardly worth the risk. Just getting it delivered and get to the tire shop asap before they pop this time.

 

[Wanderlust073]

All the trails in the San Juans are relatively easy.

@tonybkjr this is ridiculous nonsense. Continue to do your research and know your own limits to avoid ending up on the news.

 

[tonybkjr]

@tonybkjr this is ridiculous nonsense. Continue to do your research and know your own limits to avoid ending up on the news.

That's what I'm trying to do. I've done various trails up there in my 4runner but won't have it with me on this trip. I've been told my multiple people from the area my truck would be fine heading to Animas Forks, but I've never been on that trail so I'm totally unaware of what to expect. I've been told it's mostly just a dirt road, so that's why I'm asking for advice. I'm not going to chance it without sufficient information, so that's what I'm trying to get now.

 

[Wanderlust073]

That's what I'm trying to do. I've done various trails up there in my 4runner but won't have it with me on this trip. I've been told my multiple people from the area my truck would be fine heading to Animas Forks, but I've never been on that trail so I'm totally unaware of what to expect. I've been told it's mostly just a dirt road, so that's why I'm asking for advice. I'm not going to chance it without sufficient information, so that's what I'm trying to get now.

Look at funtreks.com if you haven’t already. Can select difficulty and vehicle type and there are user reviews for most trails.

 

[SolidAxleorBust]

Animas Forks is just small bouncy rocks, even a Subaru could get there with some effort and maybe over heating due to no low range. My Dad did it long ago in a van, and other then 3 flat tires he made it There just are not hard trails up there. Switch backs can be a little un nerving in a full size rig, depending upon your tolerance for drop offs. If you just stayed away from Black Bear, Poughkeepsie and Lower Engineers you will have no trouble at all. ( Lower Engineers from 550 to the junction with the main loop) The rest of engineers is no problem. I have done them all in either the PW or Nissan Titan. While I prefer a smaller rig, its no biggie. Clear Lake is another super easy trail with tight spots that is worth it.