Imogene Pass

[mrfritz44]

We'll be on Colorado the 4th week on June this year and I've been watching video of Imogene Pass. Of course the camera knocks off a few degrees of incline so I'm looking for opinions on driving this route between Telluride and Ouray. Our vehicle will be a 4WD full size SUV, hopefully with nicely treaded tires. Last year we got lucky and found an Expedition with Hankook tires.

What are our chances of making through this area with such a vehicle?

 

[sourdough]

I’ve driven the trail once a couple years ago. It was rough on my ’04 Tundra with 33” BFG AT and FWC Hawk. What full size SUV are you driving, a rental?

 

[Durango1]

Before you come be aware they are closing many of the national forest completely to ALL traffic here is the super parched Southwest. The ranger literally locked the gate behind us as we exited the Santa Fe National Forest near Gallina, NM last Friday!

 

[mrfritz44]

Thanks for the heads up on closures.

I imagine we'll get a Ford Expedition given the propensity of them last time we rented.

 

[mrfritz44]

Forest fires!. ...yet another dimension in our intended trip up 550 and the nearby connecting dirt....watching the 416 Fire with anticipation and apprehension...

 

[Batman]

Currently the San Juan National Forest is under Stage 3 fire restrictions which means closed to entry. However, the Uncompahgre National Forest (north of Red Mountain and Lizard Head passes) is under Stage 2 restrictions. Stage 2 means, among other things, no open fires even in developed campgrounds.

 

[longhorn1]

Ophar Pass is another trail that connects back just south of Telluride. There is a nice trip up to a mountain lake over 11,000'. (name escapes me) just south of Telluride. Trail book list both together. Some of those passes are on sharp shale rock. Won't take much to slit the sidewall.

 

[Durango1]

Virtually all (and I do mean all) of SW Colorado is shut down due to huge fire danger. All 1,800,000 acres of San Juan National Forest, BLM land, state parks and lakes and of course our beloved durango-Silverton narrow gauge railroad. (I believe Mesa Verde National Park is still open.)

This is all a tremendous economic hit to the region.

 

[sourdough]

What a shame the N.F. had to be closed. But I approve the decision. Over population is killing our world. Most fires are started by man.

 

[Rdy2Roam]

Flying out to montrose Tue. Have reservations for two nights in Black Canyon campground and then was planning to explore that whole area down to Durango. Might have to come up with a plane B.

 

[Durango1]

They are finally opening Hwy. 550 between Durango and Silverton tomorrow. It still is beautiful country.

 

[mrfritz44]

Is the Million Dollar Highway section open? I believe it's between Silverton and Ouray...

 

[ski3pin]

Information on Colorado roads can be found here -

COTrips Road Conditions Map

 

[mrfritz44]

Information on Colorado roads can be found here -

COTrips Road Conditions Map

Perfect....thank you.