July 27, 2022 OURAY Trip, planning and plotting thread

[Chargingstar]

Everyone got into camp and off the mountain before the afternoon thunderstorm hit. Mudslide on 550 right as we were getting back into Ridgway

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[Painkillerspe]

Thanks for the post Docmike. Is there a bypass to the wall or do you have to do it or turn around? As for the rest of the trail, any real issues or just take your time as long as you're not afraid of heights?

I'm following along with your adventure as I'll be out there a couple weeks later and appreciate the experience your group has. Thanks

Bypass was no better had to turn around and go back to the spur junction.

 

[aqcjeepGlad]

Bypass was no better had to turn around and go back to the spur junction.

Thanks for the update!!!!!

 

[Frank...]

Going through the tunnel on Imogene yesterday, that’s Doc Mike in front of me.

 

[Offroadnewbie]

Made it back safe and sound. Was a lot of fun. Will try and post a Google drive folder here with the videos and photos I have

 

[molevich]

Thank you for everyone that came out. Specially thank you to @DocMike for putting this together! It was a blast to spend time with amazing people and enjoy what this country has to offer. Even rain didn’t spoil the fun. I am kind of glad we didn’t do engineer and black bear after seeing that Imogene was closed up after the rain came through as we were leaving. Mineral creek is slick rock and with rain it would be danger for putting dings on the gladiators. Hope to wheel with everyone soon.

 

[molevich]

@Wylie E let us know when you would like to come back for the Black Bear. I will definitely take a weekend off and come back to finish up black bear. might even put two together and hit Medano Pass by sand dunes on the way out for some great overlanding.

Safe travels!

 

[DocMike]

Good trip. Amazing people. Crappy weather.
Our view from camp was amazing. @molevich snagged a great spot
Ophir went without incident....few motorcycles dumped and hug people up... You can see some photos of @Frank on climb on Ophir. Once you are in that chute you are in it. He picked lines like a pro. Imogene was interesting. I got to pose on a rock during a pass....Heavy traffic...ran across 20+ Land Cruisers and had to negotiate a complicated pass....Then the thunderstorms hit....Run to the summit was rain turning to heavy snow. Decent to Ouray was rock and mudslides. Trail was shut down for a bit with us on it. Made it back to camp. Thursday was even heavier storms. We looked at Engineer and the loop, but with storms all day opted to head home. Black Bear was also not an option due to the weather.

 

[DocMike]

I'm in on that too

@Wylie E let us know when you would like to come back for the Black Bear. I will definitely take a weekend off and come back to finish up black bear. might even put two together and hit Medano Pass by sand dunes on the way out for some great overlanding.

Safe travels!

 

[DocMike]

@Frank and his lady took this pic of me on Imogene give a good context for the trail

 

[aqcjeepGlad]

Thanks for the update guys. Wish I could have gone earlier with you. Wish you had a little better weather. Safe travels back home everyone.

 

[Frank...]

That’s was a fantastic trip, well worth driving out from the east coast for. I’m grateful that I was able to find a great group of people for my first off-roading adventure. Special thanks to DocMike for putting this together. Also Molevich & Venya best looking couple on the trip!

 

[DocMike]

Can't play with the weather. Rock and mud slides are not worth the risk. On the plus side, the top of Imogene can get a bit technical and I do not think a single JT struggled in the snow on these rocky sections. I will say that with an overlanding set up, I was less worried about the passes being closed. I had a great tent and lots of food and water.
We had a great group from all over and got some very good experience, especially for the new people. @Frank drove his JT from sea level to 13,114 feet on a narrow shelf road in a thunderstorm and snowstorm while negotiating oncoming traffic on a trail and some technical rocky sections and off camber sections....then drove it all the way back. That's some real Jeep stuff.

Thanks for the update guys. Wish I could have gone earlier with you. Wish you had a little better weather. Safe travels back home everyone.

 

[Wylie E]

@Wylie E let us know when you would like to come back for the Black Bear. I will definitely take a weekend off and come back to finish up black bear. might even put two together and hit Medano Pass by sand dunes on the way out for some great overlanding.

Safe travels!

Will do!

 

[molevich]

Cleaning the gear out. This mud is everywhere

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