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Snow Wheeling the passes in Colorado

Discussion in 'Off-Roading & Trails' started by fajitas21, Sep 18, 2020.

  1. Sep 18, 2020 at 5:06 PM
    #1
    fajitas21

    fajitas21 [OP] New Member

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    Lee
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    The first September snow in 20 years lined up with my first trip to Colorado ever, and the passes weren't closed, so we got to see some snow capped mountains up close.

    Backstory: Bought 2016 Trail Premium, built it up, learned to wheel, sold it to a friend. Bought a 2020 ORP (Same thing), built it up and wasn't too stupid to get rid of it this time. The friend and I planned a trip, so in addition to my first time in Colorado, it was the first time for both the vehicle I dreamed about going in (ironically his now), and the one I built to finally do it. You'll see there are plenty of pictures with the vehicles, because getting them both there together, with us, was something sentimental.

    First, Engineer Pass:
    IMG_6054.jpg
    IMG_6072.jpg
    IMG_6058.jpg

    Then off to Imogene:
    IMG_6103.jpg
    IMG_6109.jpg
    IMG_6095.jpg
    IMG_6115.jpg
    IMG_5891.jpg

    We nerds:
    IMG_6127.jpg

    Now Black Bear. The snow had melted at this point. Sorry :(
    IMG_6145.jpg
    IMG_6146.jpg IMG_6163.jpg

    Great Sand Dunes National Park (spoiler...it's a big sand dune):
    _sand_IMG_5924.jpg
     

    Attached Files:

    Last edited: Sep 20, 2020
  2. Sep 18, 2020 at 5:09 PM
    #2
    fajitas21

    fajitas21 [OP] New Member

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    Additional random shots. The blue water in Lake Como is not modified to make it more blue, it looks like that when you're there. It's stunning.
    IMG_5970.jpg IMG_6077.jpg IMG_6153.jpg IMG_6064.jpg IMG_5908.jpg IMG_6082.jpg IMG_5991.jpg
     
  3. Sep 18, 2020 at 6:08 PM
    #3
    EKBeck20

    EKBeck20 New Member

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    Absolutely beautiful pictures!! Looks like you had a great time. Ironically, I live in Kansas and have never been to Colorado either. Now that I have my 4Runner Im hoping to go in the near future. Welcome & thanks for sharing your trip!
     
    fajitas21[OP] likes this.
  4. Sep 19, 2020 at 3:46 AM
    #4
    Spare Parts

    Spare Parts New Member

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    Coming from the east coast, it’s crazy beautiful out west. We made it out back in June, hope to go again next year.
     
  5. Sep 20, 2020 at 4:33 PM
    #5
    teamred100

    teamred100 New Member

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    Just got done doing shrine pass, boras pass, Weston pass, and alpine loop (cinnamon first then engineer). A little snow on engineer and views of snow from all. Camped at mill creek in the runner, since they had bear boxes very nice. stock runner did great! Comment on cleaning...since this was my first off road with my runner and first time getting the entire interior covered in dust. Reading forums I vacuumed out with small brush attachment, then dry swiffer, then damp soapy towel and finally clean water towel; back like new.
     
    fajitas21[OP] likes this.
  6. Sep 20, 2020 at 5:57 PM
    #6
    MeefZah

    MeefZah ---

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    Looks like you walked around Animas Forks, too. Cool. What was your impression of taking a lightly lifted 5th gen down BB? I haven't done it in a truck.
     
  7. Sep 20, 2020 at 6:28 PM
    #7
    La Flama Blanca

    La Flama Blanca New Member

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    I am about to move to Colorado with my 2016 SR5 and will definately be hitting these passes. Have not heard of this area yet.
     
  8. Sep 20, 2020 at 6:38 PM
    #8
    4Runner fun

    4Runner fun Just the beginning...

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    Beautiful pictures! I just found the next destination in Colorado after this is over.
    You should have this printed & framed!
    Screenshot_20200920-203723_Chrome.jpg
    Looks like an awesome trip, congratulations.
    Ryan.
     
    EKBeck20 likes this.
  9. Sep 20, 2020 at 7:29 PM
    #9
    fajitas21

    fajitas21 [OP] New Member

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    Honestly not a problem. I have a moderate amount of wheeling experience (4 years), the main issue wasn't lift, as I never really hit the skids or sliders, it was just composure. That, and I'd recommend good tires, because the part of the steps they don't mention is that it's slightly off camber toward the edge, and when you slip a little, you stop breathing.

    However, I'd rate BB as in my top 5 of hardest trails, mainly because if you screw up you're likely screwed indeed. However, I've done harder, more technical trails.

    For the record, I'd say Imogene pass ain't no slouch either, I'd say it was more technical, and a bumped my front skid and rear diff once.

    Edit: A stock 4Runner would be fine, maybe a little skid love, but nothing bad. Just good tires!
     
    MeefZah[QUOTED] and 4Runner fun like this.
  10. Sep 20, 2020 at 7:43 PM
    #10
    fajitas21

    fajitas21 [OP] New Member

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    It's the Ouray / Telluride / Lake City area.
     
  11. Sep 20, 2020 at 8:20 PM
    #11
    glwood54

    glwood54 Stop making me buy stuff!

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    So I guess they got this area cleaned and opened up...earlier this year, a large portion of this overhang came down and this was closed for some time...if you look at the lighter colored stone above the 4R, you can see the section. It used to jut out further.
     
  12. Sep 20, 2020 at 8:26 PM
    #12
    fajitas21

    fajitas21 [OP] New Member

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    That is correct. However, due to some bridge failures, Tomboy is closed, so you can't access the Imogene summit from Telluride, and from Ouray, it's Ouray > Summit > Ouray.
     
  13. Sep 20, 2020 at 8:30 PM
    #13
    glwood54

    glwood54 Stop making me buy stuff!

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    Too bad for that. I've done Imogene from both sides many times, unfortunately not since getting my 4R. Yankee Boy Basin is at the end of this trail if you don't make the turn to Imogene. Nice spot also.
     
  14. Sep 20, 2020 at 9:36 PM
    #14
    fajitas21

    fajitas21 [OP] New Member

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    That and Governor Basin are on my next up list.
     
  15. Sep 21, 2020 at 7:21 AM
    #15
    glwood54

    glwood54 Stop making me buy stuff!

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    Governor Basin is amazing! I've only been there once, but it's definitely worth the trip. It's not always open, just depends on the snowpack from the previous winter.

    I'll see if I can dig up some photos.
     

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