OURRAY???

USAFCOP · **Posted:** Mon May 01, 2006 10:51 pm

Well gang, we are all real busy and it is short notice now, but are we going to do Ourray run this year?
Or should we just start to plan for OURRAY 2007?
I was asked by several AZ and SO.Cal guys while at MOAB, and they said they would come up for it.

Any Inputs? Maybe one weekend this summer we could go and scope it out to help plan for a great event next year, that way more of us would have a better idea of the trails as well.

So what is on your minds?

Tokyojoe · **Posted:** Mon May 01, 2006 11:00 pm

1. Campgrounds (for campers) or tent camping areas?

2. A regular weekend (trails on Saturday and Sunday), holiday weekend (3-days either trails Friday-Sunday or on Saturday and Sunday w/ Friday travel day to Ouray or Friday to Saturday w/ Sunday travel home day), or 3 days (Friday-Sunday on any weekend).

KW AV8R · **Posted:** Tue May 02, 2006 2:16 pm

I have plans in place (though not set to a date) to go to Ouray this summer for the annual run. If that just consists of a few of us doing some scouting or a full up run, I'll still be there. I think we should go for a full run. This would give us a chance to ratify our by-laws and kick off our "official-ness" with a big run. I think we all know that the run won't be perfect but we need to start somewhere. Like I said though, I'll be there either way.

USAFCOP · **Posted:** Tue May 02, 2006 8:43 pm

When you go, please let us know. I will try to make it when you go. If we post it early enough, we may get some of the AZ and SO Cal guys to come too. Just need to pick a campground and dates. We can bill it as an "innaugural run" And use it to feel the place out and learn trails for next year.

Tokyojoe · **Posted:** Tue May 02, 2006 11:02 pm

Black Bear Pass sounds like it is more Pucker Pass than Moab's. Scary! On Trail.net it says it is a 2,000 ft sheer drop-off :shock:

and you are on the edge. :shock:

The book says a couple went off the edge and died back in 2004. UhhhH! *GULP* No thanks.

fish eye · **Posted:** Wed May 03, 2006 9:31 am

Some Useful Info-Click Here

Ted, there's a good amount of info listed for lodging.

KW AV8R · **Posted:** Wed May 03, 2006 10:13 am

I will not be doing Black Bear Pass as I have been forbidden to go on that trail even if Jen is not with me. She very rarely puts her foot down about wheeling so when she does (as with this trail), it's prudent for me to listen to her. :wink:

I like the idea of an inaugural run but as far as dates are concerned, I have no idea. I know we will want to plan around the DC request for participation in Denver near the end of July.

Redneck Ron · **Posted:** Thu May 04, 2006 5:53 pm

Black Bear is one way trail and it is down hill. Thou it is not hard but one big pucker factor--one mistake RIP!! The trail is hard on brakes because it is down hill. When I did it in my Old Liberty 2 years ago it seams it took 4.5 hours to do 13 miles. I have a link to some old pics somewhere. I will get it posted if I can find it. There was 4 of us

Myself from NM
Bill Tolle from Texas
Dallas city cop
A guy and his wife from Kentucky

Poughkeepsie is the trail to watch our for and the rest should be no problem in the Liberty.

later,
Ron

btolle · **Posted:** Thu May 04, 2006 7:13 pm

We have run a lot of the trails in that area including Black Bear Pass. Black Bear is not that difficult technically, but there is no room for error since you are near the edge on some 3 point turns. There are also some "steps" that are scary because of the loose rock. I saw the right rear wheel of a Liberty about a foot off the ground there.

I just confirmed my reservations today for 21 or 22 June to June 30. I will be at Silver Summit RV Park in Silverton but they are full up. I will have to drycamp on the 21 thru 23 since they can't get me into the RV park until the 24th. In other words, the town looks pretty busy during that time. There are several events during that period that take up a lot of space.

I would like to run the Engineer Pass/Cinammon Pass (commonly known as the Alpine Loop). Ran it last year with 1 other TJ and had a good time. Pretty bumpy in the beginning but not real difficult.

1 of the most scenic rides would be California Pass/Hurricane Pass/Picayne. It is an easy trail but the scenery is spectacular and there is an old mill on Picayne that has self guided tours so you can see how gold ore was processed. You may see this trail called "Picayune Gulch" bit it's proper name is Picayne Gulch. http://ouraycolorado.us/index.php?page=jeeping has some good trail information.

The only trail we have not tackled yet is Poughkeepsie Gulch and it is the highest rated trail in the area. From what I have heard it is not advisable without some good ground clearance and a winch.

Tokyojoe · **Posted:** Thu May 04, 2006 7:34 pm

I'm with ya Pete.I'll take your wife's advice too.

I think I'd rather be in Iraq than do Black Bear.

ks2002kj · **Posted:** Thu May 04, 2006 10:33 pm

We will be in Durango on the 14th and ride the train the next day. Then on Sunday 16th we will be trail camping until Thurs. 20th. After that we head to Glenwood Springs for a few days before heading back to Kansas City. Would love to meet up with anyone during that time. FYI Joe

Troysterr · **Posted:** Thu May 04, 2006 11:03 pm

I'd like to make the Ourray run if possible, especially if I can get in on the Jeep marketing guy meeting.

Eddo · **Joined:** Thu Jul 07, 2005 7:01 pm **Posts:** 1214

Seriously guys, I've done black bear twice and it is not big deal. Once in my KJ and onces in my friends stock tacoma. They talk it up WAY more than it is. Yes you are close to the edge at times, but it is no different than something like cliffhanger at moab. Actually it plenty wide really. If there was snow and ice then it would be a little disconcerting, but other wise it is fine. It is WAY over hyped. I've seen full size truck on it without any problems and stock KJs. Plus is probably the most senic trail out of the bunch, so it would be ashamed not to take it.

The switch backs that everyone talks about are really wide. Yes you may have to do a three point turn on two or three of them, but there is plenty of room. The few people that have gone off the side are almost always in-experieced drive fourwheeling for the first time when the trails are covered in snow and ice.

If they take 4x4 tours with fullsize pickups and 15 people packed into the back it can't be that bad.

Finally only one part of the trail is half way. So you can drive up to the summit of blackbear pass from ouray and look down (great view), then turn around and go back if you are not confortable. Only the switchbacks and maybe the steps are one way because of the tight squeeze. However, it is really not that tight. There where plenty more spots at moab when I went last year that you where closer to the edge.

Finally I was able to do Poughkeepsie Gulch without much of a problem. The most difficult trail in the area, but that is not saying much because most of the tails are really just gravel roads with some small 3-6" rock every once in a while. It is more than do-able. I banged my skids and bars just a few times, but if you have no advesion to doing that then you will be fine. Even the most difficult trail like Poughkeepsie Gulch is like a mild 3-3.5 at moab.

Redneck Ron · **Posted:** Fri May 05, 2006 6:33 pm

Here is probably the best link I know of that what will give you an idea of the area. http://www.narrowgauge.org/4x4/html/4X4.html

KW AV8R · **Posted:** Fri May 05, 2006 7:14 pm

Eddo, I would have no reservations doing it on my own but my wife is afraid of heights. Because of that, she doesn't like the idea of my doing any trail where there is a drop off and no trees to stop me/us from rolling to the bottom. When she says that she doesn't like the idea of my doing something, it's just better for me (ie: I get to sleep in the bed not on the couch) if I do what she suggests. :wink:

Eddo · **Joined:** Thu Jul 07, 2005 7:01 pm **Posts:** 1214

KW AV8R wrote:

Eddo, I would have no reservations doing it on my own but my wife is afraid of heights. Because of that, she doesn't like the idea of my doing any trail where there is a drop off and no trees to stop me/us from rolling to the bottom. When she says that she doesn't like the idea of my doing something, it's just better for me (ie: I get to sleep in the bed not on the couch) if I do what she suggests. :wink:

I hear you. Probably a good idea, but you can always sleep in your Jeep

Anyways just a heads up then alot of the roads you need to take to get around (regular state highways - US550) have sharp 1000ft+ drop offs with no shoulder or trees. Yes its paved you will be just fine, but it is quite a tight squeeze for those motor homes and fith wheel that come up and twist around on the road. Overall it has to be one of the most beautiful areas I have ever been. I have quite a few pictures from my trip last year if anyone wants to see.

Rock Lizard · **Posted:** Thu May 25, 2006 1:15 am

Any more thoughts on making a trip to Ouray? The wife is already saving up vacation time so we can take 3 or 5 days out there.

KW AV8R · **Posted:** Thu May 25, 2006 12:31 pm

I was just thinking the same. I have to put in for my leave here shortly so I'm gonna need to know the dates fairly soon. I'm guessing we'll hammer out the dates this weekend.

USAFCOP · **Posted:** Thu May 25, 2006 10:42 pm

Tomorrow, I will go in to work and print out my schedule for my new position. That way I will know when my breaks fall on weekends.

I was thinking we could try to decide a date at the meeting on Sunday.

btolle · **Posted:** Sun Jun 11, 2006 5:45 pm

Thought I would bring this thread to the top again and see what dates folks have decided on for a Ouray/Silverton run.

I am still having health problems but am determined to make the trip with my 14 year old grandson. We plan to arrive on Friday, July 21 or Saturday, July 22 depending on how well I do with my driving. It is a 1,300 mile trip for us and I am not sure how many miles a day I can cover without overdoing it.

We will be leaving the morning of Monday, July 31.

We will have the Rubicon and I would like to do a couple of easy trails (California, Hurricane, and Picayne) the first couple of days to see how well I fare with my hands and a newly developed hernia. Getting to be 60 is starting to cath up with me. If I had known I was going to live this long I would have taken better care of myself!

If all goes well I would like to do Engineer/Cinammon a day or 2 later.

If I

OURRAY???

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