longhorn1
Ouch, that stings!
Vic, go to ETV8R's main post and scroll down to the link to his 2012 trip which was posted on Expedition Portal. jd
We've done the entire Alpine Loop with our Ram 2500 and a slide in Hawk with no problems except (at least in summer) the incessant buzzing of rented four-wheelers trying to do the loop in one day. (We took 2 1/2 days.) It is very pretty and the wildflowers in American Basin are great. However, there are many other great trails in the San Juans with almost total solitude. (Check out the South San Juans)longhorn1 said:"The Alpine Loop" - How hard is this trip and with our FWC Grandby? We stepped outside our element traveling one lane gravel roads up into the mountains and across some passes in Montana and had a blast. We used 4-wheel high a lot. I have never used 4-wheel low. I've never driven in 4-wheel low and don't have a clue what to do, other than common sense. Advice on the Alpine Loop would be much appreciated and whether the trip can be done completely in 4-wheel high or whether there are some places that 4-wheel low is required and how much? If we do it, it would be on our way to Great Sand Dune NM, so we would probably find some dispersed camping, since the loop takes 6+/- hours to complete.
This one?longhorn1 said:Vic, go to ETV8R's main post and scroll down to the link to his 2012 trip which was posted on Expedition Portal. jd
Finally, evidence that slide in can make it on the loop. Heading out in early July (mid week) with a Nissan frontier and slide in, and our cousin in a Jeep Cherokee. Will take advise of others and avoid some areas and passes. Heading out on a 5 week trip from Massachusetts and really don't want to bring the jacks to remove the camper for some places. After CO, heading farther west to YSNP, then to GNP.Durango1 said:We've done the entire Alpine Loop with our Ram 2500 and a slide in Hawk with no problems except (at least in summer) the incessant buzzing of rented four-wheelers trying to do the loop in one day. (We took 2 1/2 days.) It is very pretty and the wildflowers in American Basin are great. However, there are many other great trails in the San Juans with almost total solitude. (Check out the South San Juans)
And 4WD? Simple. When you can't go "slow enough" in 4WD high just go to 4WD low!
Cedar, Thanks. I ruled out Black Bear Pass and any marked in red in the 4-wheel trail book. I'm planning on the following trails:Cedar said:Hi longhorn1n,
I am a retired high altitude trail runner and familiar with the area between Ouray & Telluride.
Of course with your rig, AVOID Black Bear Pass at the top of Red Mountain Pass. Death trap to anything but a special jeep or ATV.
I recommend Cottonwood campground just up the Camp Bird road. Driving over the Imogene pass is extremely dicey too in a camper. But heading straight up Tom Boy Basin to Wright's Lake is doable most of the summer. Of course check to see when the high country is open. Maybe around the middle to end of June this year.
But the abundance of snow will make the wildflowers glorious this year! Best of luck.
I look forward to a trail report and pics on that collection. Sounds like fun!longhorn1 said:Cedar, Thanks. I ruled out Black Bear Pass and any marked in red in the 4-wheel trail book. I'm planning on the following trails:
Last Dollar Road, Ophir Pass & Alta Lake, Clear Lake & Bandora Mine, Corkscrew Gulch & Hurricane Pass, and Red Mountain Mining area. jd