Snow Wheeling the passes in Colorado

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:




Then off to Imogene:






We nerds:


Now Black Bear. The snow had melted at this point. Sorry



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

 

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.

 

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!

 

Coming from the east coast, it’s crazy beautiful out west. We made it out back in June, hope to go again next year.

 

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.

 

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.

 

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.

 

Beautiful pictures! I just found the next destination in Colorado after this is over.
You should have this printed & framed!

Looks like an awesome trip, congratulations.
Ryan.

 

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!

 

It's the Ouray / Telluride / Lake City area.

 

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.

 

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.

 

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.

 

That and Governor Basin are on my next up list.

 

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.