Alpine loop in a 99% stock Ranger Raptor. Awesome.

[1996-to-2025]

True. I'm hoping they see the interest from the other side and get it flowing.

It will be closed for all summer, they are repairing the road. Major washouts and erosion, especially in the Royer Gulch area. It might open in September.

"After staff surveyed the damage on Imogene Pass, it was discovered that a section of retaining wall was lost. This caused severe erosion along a section where the road is blasted into the cliff between the Twin Falls and Royer Gulch. Due to this failure, Imogene Pass will be closed until further notice, this includes Tomboy Road."

Sponsored

 

[1996-to-2025]

Black Bear, Ophir, and Imogene passes were all closed due to slides. County estimates at least Sept until open again.

Ophir Pass is open.

 

[AdventureLab]

Ophir Pass is open.

Definitely on the list for next week!

 

[BrrRaptor]

It’s fun in a two door, more interesting in a four door, even more interesting during tourist season where everyone has four doors.

When is tourist season generally?

 

[AdventureLab]

When is tourist season generally?

Now through the first big snow, which seems to come around late September.

 

[BrrRaptor]

Now through the first big snow, which seems to come around late September.

Well hell, that sounds like the whole season then.

 

[ClingleBerry]

Just got back from a camping trip in the San Juan mountains in CO. Truck did great. Learned what it actually needs, and what it actually can do stock.

The mods I have are the Ford performance tune, a vinyl tonneau cover, and body mounted rock rails for clearance. Truck averaged 19.5 mpg round trip from OK. driving speed limit (65-75) the entire way. Off road we aired down to 20 psi.

Around half of the passes and trails were still closed due to the amount of snow remaining at altitude, erosion, and land slides. We were able to run north out of Silverton to get to the Engineer pass trail to start the loop. We ran the Engineer pass/Cinnamon Pass loop clockwise.

The trip showed that the rear lower control arm mounts are the main thing that needs attention if you've already removed the factory steps. Especially true at stock ride height. The trailer plug under the tow bar also needs relocated up higher. The front edge of the muffler got a tiny bit of rash as well. None of it stopped the truck's progress. Bash plate also saw a bit of action a couple of times decending ledges.

But, how was it? One word, awesome. I went on this trip fully expecting to come home with a long list of mods to get done for next time. Lift, 35" tires, bumpers etc., but ended up with only a couple. I'll be adding skids for the rear control arm mounts, and moving the trailer plug up into the bumper. An underbelly skid that covers the transmission pan is on the list just for peace of mind.

But that's it. Ford really did pretty well with these trucks.

For the tires was 20psi used for the whole trail or did you adjust throughout?

 

[SlightNine]

Ran the whole time at 20 p.s.i.. It was an arbitrary guess I expected to adjust as we went. Worked well on all the surfaces we encountered including the couple of climbs that were wet due to snow melt.

 

[SlightNine]

Also, at 20 p.s.i. I didn't rash a wheel. Bonus.

 

[1996-to-2025]

fyi...Black Bear Pass opened today.

 

[ClingleBerry]

Just got back from a camping trip in the San Juan mountains in CO. Truck did great. Learned what it actually needs, and what it actually can do stock.

The mods I have are the Ford performance tune, a vinyl tonneau cover, and body mounted rock rails for clearance. Truck averaged 19.5 mpg round trip from OK. driving speed limit (65-75) the entire way. Off road we aired down to 20 psi.

Around half of the passes and trails were still closed due to the amount of snow remaining at altitude, erosion, and land slides. We were able to run north out of Silverton to get to the Engineer pass trail to start the loop. We ran the Engineer pass/Cinnamon Pass loop clockwise.

The trip showed that the rear lower control arm mounts are the main thing that needs attention if you've already removed the factory steps. Especially true at stock ride height. The trailer plug under the tow bar also needs relocated up higher. The front edge of the muffler got a tiny bit of rash as well. None of it stopped the truck's progress. Bash plate also saw a bit of action a couple of times decending ledges.

But, how was it? One word, awesome. I went on this trip fully expecting to come home with a long list of mods to get done for next time. Lift, 35" tires, bumpers etc., but ended up with only a couple. I'll be adding skids for the rear control arm mounts, and moving the trailer plug up into the bumper. An underbelly skid that covers the transmission pan is on the list just for peace of mind.

But that's it. Ford really did pretty well with these trucks.

My wife just did the Alpine loop in our RR. Glad I relocated the trailer harness as the bracket got smashed. Also glad I put on the full compliment of Rival skid plates and FMI skids. She had a great time despite the rain and some slippery conditions.

 

[AdventureLab]

Bummer about the hitch plug bracket. ???

 

[AdventureLab]

My wife just did the Alpine loop in our RR. Glad I relocated the trailer harness as the bracket got smashed. Also glad I put on the full compliment of Rival skid plates and FMI skids. She had a great time despite the rain and some slippery conditions.

Bummer about the hitch plug bracket. ???

Good looking truck!!!

 

[Crapblaster]

Went to the top of Mt. Antero last week. Not a place I would take a ranger. Tincup pass was open and could probably get through in a Ranger.

 

[KDub]

The guy that waves at us on the trail in a VW Syncro always inspires us to do more and reconsider airing down

One day it may happen to you and it’s like spotting Bigfoot.

Sponsored