Questions about Ouray area

[Bighorn Tremor]

Just be careful with that, it uses your brakes so if you are driving down extremes like pikes peak or something you will cook your brakes.

I found that out on my F-150. Tried it, smelled the brakes, went back to relying on gearing.

I haven't been up Pikes Peak in 50 years. Probably time to go back and brave the tourists.

 

[LChomie]

I found that out on my F-150. Tried it, smelled the brakes, went back to relying on gearing.

I haven't been up Pikes Peak in 50 years. Probably time to go back and brave the tourists.

Summer crowds are limited by a new reservation requirement. That's good and bad I suppose. If you go in the summer make sure to get a reservation. Don't just show up and expect to drive to the summit like we did.

 

[Bighorn Tremor]

Summer crowds are limited by a new reservation requirement. That's good and bad I suppose. If you go in the summer make sure to get a reservation. Don't just show up and expect to drive to the summit like we did.

I had planned to take my wife for a stay at the Biltmore and do PP and Garden of the Gods, then drive west. Couldn't get a reservation at the Biltmore, during the week, in the off season, even two months in advance. Crazy. Ixnay on that trip.

We poked around Pagosa Springs, Mesa Verde, Cortez, Telluride, and Ridgway in the autumn instead. Need to go back.

 

[handy]

I appreciate everyone's insights here!

I also found this article with helpful info as well. I didn't consider altitude sickness that could happen to some.

How to Plan a Colorado Offroad Trip - Trails Offroad

A complete guide for families, couples, and adventure travelers. As lifelong Colorado residents who built Trails Offroad to explore Colorado ourselves, we wanted to share our experience with you so you can plan your trip with a real-world perspective.

www.trailsoffroad.com

 

[WookieBait]

I appreciate everyone's insights here!

I also found this article with helpful info as well. I didn't consider altitude sickness that could happen to some.

How to Plan a Colorado Offroad Trip - Trails Offroad

A complete guide for families, couples, and adventure travelers. As lifelong Colorado residents who built Trails Offroad to explore Colorado ourselves, we wanted to share our experience with you so you can plan your trip with a real-world perspective.

www.trailsoffroad.com

Just make sure you are drinking plenty of water and bring chapstick and you'll be fine. Also sunscreen if you are concerned as at higher elevation you can burn easier. I usually get a small headache if I'm not staying hydrated when I go above 10k ft or so.

 

[b407driver]

I have really been noticing the lack of engine braking. I’d been downshifting on mountain passes that are roads and highways. I was off road a bit yesterday and noticed how little I can use the gears in 4-H to walk the vehicle down a slope. I’ll try it in 4 Lo but these trails certainly don’t need it.

Engine braking in the LC250 is positively anemic, bordering on non-existent. You'd think they could program it to use the hybrid unit for (significant) braking, but it does not seem to work that way.

When off-road, I mainly use 4-low for engine braking, rarely need it to climb. First real outing, even in 4-low/1st gear I had to use the brakes... I wondered what would have happened if I had not, because for sure it would have hit redline. Yes, probably a good scenario for using DAC.

 

[D-Train]

If you really want to avoid the crowds... January. The trails are a tad wet.

This pic was taken above the Wiesbaden, they have a private cabin you can rent (on the right) or a larger house you can rent for groups (on the left). Also a plug for the 'The Outlaw" on main street...

 

[RideWithYanu]

Engine braking in the LC250 is positively anemic, bordering on non-existent. You'd think they could program it to use the hybrid unit for (significant) braking, but it does not seem to work that way.

When off-road, I mainly use 4-low for engine braking, rarely need it to climb. First real outing, even in 4-low/1st gear I had to use the brakes... I wondered what would have happened if I had not, because for sure it would have hit redline. Yes, probably a good scenario for using DAC.

Agree - I’ve said before one of my only material complaints with the truck is that first gear isn’t low enough.

 

[Blue Bear]

Hello everyone I'm playing a trip to the Ouray/Durango/Silverton areas in mid July. For those of you that have been there around this time of year I had a few questions:

1. How crowded are the trails. I know this is the busy time of year. I am looking at light to moderate trails like Engineer Pass. I mainly want scenic routes and explore old mining areas and nothing extremely technical.
2. How does the LC handle high elevation?
3. For easy trails do I even need to use 4Lo?
4. Do I need to worry about lack of gas stations in the area?

1. I've traveled the trails at the beginning of August and found that the trails are not crowded.
2. The LC is unaffected by the elevation. Recently had a rental hybrid Highlander which absolutely struggles at elevation by comparison. The LC is a dream to drive in the mountains.
3. Yes, you may need 4LO, particularly on the steeper grades. Some people have noted that the transmission temps go up - this is most likely occuring when you are using 4HI and creating a lot of heat in the transmission when you should be in 4LO. I spent a lot of time in 4LO on the trails, but switched to 4HI when I could drive faster on the flatter portions of the trail.
4. I had no issues getting gas. Ridgway, Ouray, Telluride, and SIlverton all have stations. Just make sure to fill up before leaving town.

We did Ophir Pass, Red Mountain, and Last Dollar Road plus some other places to get to hikes. Went up the Telluride side of Black Bear to the one way down section - personally no interest in doing Balck Bear even though the LC is more than capable.

 

[SadWheatFox]

If you really want to avoid the crowds... January. The trails are a tad wet.

This pic was taken above the Wiesbaden, they have a private cabin you can rent (on the right) or a larger house you can rent for groups (on the left). Also a plug for the 'The Outlaw" on main street...


View attachment 60658

We always stay at the Main Street. Nice folks, and walking distance to places to eat. When I was there this January, it was t-shirt weather in town and little to no ice climbing, even in the backcountry. February was similarly warm, but at least the ice was good. And +1 on the Wiesbaden. The vapor cave is magnificent.

 

[fftfk]

1. I've traveled the trails at the beginning of August and found that the trails are not crowded.
2. The LC is unaffected by the elevation. Recently had a rental hybrid Highlander which absolutely struggles at elevation by comparison. The LC is a dream to drive in the mountains.
3. Yes, you may need 4LO, particularly on the steeper grades. Some people have noted that the transmission temps go up - this is most likely occuring when you are using 4HI and creating a lot of heat in the transmission when you should be in 4LO. I spent a lot of time in 4LO on the trails, but switched to 4HI when I could drive faster on the flatter portions of the trail.
4. I had no issues getting gas. Ridgway, Ouray, Telluride, and SIlverton all have stations. Just make sure to fill up before leaving town.

We did Ophir Pass, Red Mountain, and Last Dollar Road plus some other places to get to hikes. Went up the Telluride side of Black Bear to the one way down section - personally no interest in doing Balck Bear even though the LC is more than capable.

On the black bear - you can do a loop up and then down from Black Bear to Telluride? I had no idea about that

 

[Blue Bear]

On the black bear - you can do a loop up and then down from Black Bear to Telluride? I had no idea about that

You can drive up from Telluride to the end of the one way section on Black Bear - it's near the top of Bridal Veil Falls.

Here's a pic on the way down into Telluride. It was taken at the end of the first switchback after the one way section ends.

 

[Altitude]

Just be careful with that, it uses your brakes so if you are driving down extremes like pikes peak or something you will cook your brakes.

+1.

I downshift obsessively when I drive in the mountains. I’ve lived in Colorado most of my life and learned to do it that way.

These days I commute between Castle Pines and Avon several times a month, which is two 11,000 foot highway passes in each direction. So if I rode my brakes by habit they would warp pretty quickly.

 

[handy]

Hey all... I got this email from All Trails. I didn't know I needed a permit?

"Before you get ready to hit the trails this season, you'll want to make sure you are covered for the 80+ Full-Size Trails that require a Colorado Off-Highway Vehicle (OHV) Permit.

If you previously acquired your permit, the tag must be renewed each year on March 31st."

 

[RideWithYanu]

Hey all... I got this email from All Trails. I didn't know I needed a permit?

"Before you get ready to hit the trails this season, you'll want to make sure you are covered for the 80+ Full-Size Trails that require a Colorado Off-Highway Vehicle (OHV) Permit.

If you previously acquired your permit, the tag must be renewed each year on March 31st."

Yes, you need an OHV permit whenever you will use OHV trails (or any Colorado public land recreation area). Check MVUMs and RTMPs to see if your intended routes are on the list or not, but easy rule of thumb is if it’s an OHV trail then an OHV permit is required.

 

[Blue Bear]

Hey all... I got this email from All Trails. I didn't know I needed a permit?

"Before you get ready to hit the trails this season, you'll want to make sure you are covered for the 80+ Full-Size Trails that require a Colorado Off-Highway Vehicle (OHV) Permit.

If you previously acquired your permit, the tag must be renewed each year on March 31st."

None of the trails I did in the San Juans required the OHV Permit. Here is a link to a list of trails requiring one (Red Cone is new to the list!)

 

[derek]

Just be aware of your transmission temperatures, mine climb quickly when I'm hilly areas. The engine also doesn't have much engine braking at all so you'll probably want to be in 4lo if going down steep hills.

I tried 4LO down Old Priest Grade outside Yosemite, and it still wasn't enough to keep it down enough and had to brake way more than I'd like to

 

[BMFS33]

I tried 4LO down Old Priest Grade outside Yosemite, and it still wasn't enough to keep it down enough and had to brake way more than I'd like to

Try using DAC. Much more control going downhill. Almost like cruise control for low speed downhill crawling.

 

[MSINAL]

Thanks everyone for all the great local info. We're planning on heading up there this year but aren't sure whether to tow a small camper on the easier trails and sleep in dispersed camping areas or leave the camper at rv sites. With the research I've done, my gut is telling me that towing the camper on the trails is going to cause more stress than it's worth, and maybe upset the locals. Does anyone tow a trailer in the ouray trails? We have a 1200lb tent on wheels that can handle dirt roads in poor condition, has high ground clearance.

 

[mrock]

I would leave the camper in the RV park and make the trails stress free.