Ouray Trip in Early September 2025

[Billyj7175]

I met up with some family to run some trails this past week in the San Juan's. We had great weather and some outstanding views. A little too early to see the trees turn, but not much traffic on the trails, which was really nice. The rigs in the group were my Gladiator, a 4dr JL, 2dr JL and a Samurai.
We split the week up both visiting and trailing, but managed to get these trails done:

Black Bear
Ophir
Poughkeepsie Gulch
Hurricane
Corkscrew
Last Dollar Road

Anyone on the fence about wheeling out there, just do it!

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[cabbage 13]

Love it! Used to live in Durango, now in FL but the wife and I were out in June and rented a Rubicon. We spent most of our time on Hermosa Creek Trail behind Purgatory because of the fly fishing opportunities with the Animas River silted up due to snow melt run off. Great place to wheel, saw some bears, caught some native cut throats and enjoyed the San Juan Mts. as we always do. I saw Hurricane pass on your list, did that one years ago, great memories, great trail!

 

[Tx Trail Runner]

Nice Trip, and photos!!
What was your groups lowest lift and tire size?
or what would you recommend for minimum lift and tire size (taking out Black Bear, seems the most technical).
TIA

 

[Billyj7175]

Nice Trip, and photos!!
What was your groups lowest lift and tire size?
or what would you recommend for minimum lift and tire size (taking out Black Bear, seems the most technical).
TIA

Thank You.
The Samurai has a spring-over lift and 31's. The 2Dr JL has a 1" lift and 35's. The 4Dr JL has a 2.5" lift and 37's. I'm on a 3.5" lift on 38's.
Actually Black Bear isn't the most technical per say, it's just you're right on the danger's edge. It has a couple of off camber spots before getting to the "steps", but even then you have gravity on your side.
It's hard to recommend a tire size and lift. People do these trails in stock form, so it all comes down to how much do you want to rub/scrape underneath.
Poughkeepsie Gulch was probably the most technical, and we all struggled in different spots. It was raining on and off, which made the rocks slick. We had to winch the Samurai up the "Wall", but he's only locked in the rear. He could almost make it, but we decided to pull line and not risk breaking anything. He did fine the rest of the trail.

 

[Tx Trail Runner]

I appreciate the reply and info. I love the photos!
I plan to make that trip next year with my Tx Trails Gladiator.
Currently, I'm pretty stock, just added a 2" spacer lift to the front.
I have been to all 3 Jeep badge trails in Texas, and did not have any problems.
I've been told those CO passes are older mining trails, and some are well kept (except Black Bear and the rock crossings). Sometimes it's about the skill of the driver and less about the build.

 

[Billyj7175]

I appreciate the reply and info. I love the photos!
I plan to make that trip next year with my Tx Trails Gladiator.
Currently, I'm pretty stock, just added a 2" spacer lift to the front.
I have been to all 3 Jeep badge trails in Texas, and did not have any problems.
I've been told those CO passes are older mining trails, and some are well kept (except Black Bear and the rock crossings). Sometimes it's about the skill of the driver and less about the build.

It's a great place to visit for sure. My two favorite spots are up on Governor Basin and Odom Point off Engineer Pass. Those views sill simply take your breath away. I tell people when they visit up there, if they never leave the pavement, they're only seeing 1/2 of Colorado.

My brother has been wheeling out there since the early 80's and he keeps saying how everything is a lot more rough than it was 10-15 years ago. With the popularity of the SXS's and a Jeep rental place every other block, it has really increased the traffic for sure. The busiest time to go is Jul-Aug, mainly because most kids are on summer break. The trails can get really congested during that time. If you go early, you run the risk of the trail's not being cleared from snow. Going later in the year seems to be the sweet spot. Whenever you go, be sure to book lodging early. It fills up pretty quick.

The Huckleberry Trail in Merus Adventure Park, up near Amarillo is supposed to be the next BOH trail. I don't know if you've been up that way yet, but it's a lot of fun.

 

[Tx Trail Runner]

My wife and I love Colorado and keep traveling around the state. I have a cousin on the western slope I need to visit next year. Thanks for the sweet spot! I'll make a note of that.
My buddy is currently passing thru Colorado on his way to Moab. He said Sept is one of the better time to go 4x4 out there. I just saw photos of snow at the top of RMNP. But, I'll take Mnt snow over 100 degree city heat any day.

Funny enough, my wife and I stayed overnight at MERUS on our way back home from Boulder in June. We stayed in the Ranch house and had the park to ourself on a Monday. Very cool views on the rim at sunrise/sunset. I did not hit the trails out there yet, but planning to go soon with other jeepers.

 

[fastfreddie]

Wow! Amazing scenery, thanks for sharing. Looks like a fun time.

 

[Fabtech Motorsports]

Love that Sammy!

 

[JTdiRtyD]

We are going through there mid October on our way to Utah and hoping Ophir will still be open. I've been up to the pass from the Silverton side, but haven't done the Ophir side. I wish we had time to do others in the area, but that just means we will have to go back another time.

 

[Billyj7175]

Love that Sammy!

Thank You! It's my son's, but has some good history. I bought it new in 1994. The SPOA lift, tires, bumper and 4.16:1 transfercase were all done in 1996. He and I wheeled it all over Southern California when he was just a kid. I gifted it to him in 2005. He's taken really good care and takes my grandson out pretty regularly.

 

[Billyj7175]

We are going through there mid October on our way to Utah and hoping Ophir will still be open. I've been up to the pass from the Silverton side, but haven't done the Ophir side. I wish we had time to do others in the area, but that just means we will have to go back another time.

Nice! For sure a person needs to spend a week or so there.
I don't know how your rig is set up, but just a heads up, the other side of Ophir is pretty chewed up for about the first half mile. After that it's easy going.
If the other trails are snowed in, Last Dollar Road out of Telluride is a lot lower elevation but very scenic.

 

[ALT2870]

We are going through there mid October on our way to Utah and hoping Ophir will still be open. I've been up to the pass from the Silverton side, but haven't done the Ophir side. I wish we had time to do others in the area, but that just means we will have to go back another time.

Ophir sits a little lower then other passes in the area, good chance you should make it. I recommend coming from the US550 side though, makes the Ophir side a little less taxing.

 

[JTdiRtyD]

Ophir sits a little lower then other passes in the area, good chance you should make it. I recommend coming from the US550 side though, makes the Ophir side a little less taxing.

So travel east to west? Thats what we plan to do, start Silverton side and finish Ophir side.

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