Attempt - Alpine Loop outside of Silverton, CO - Too early? [American Adventure Lab]

[AdventureLab]

So I heard Friday night that the Alpine Loop was officially "open" and like a child, I decided to hit it Saturday morning in the Ranger Raptor. This would be the earliest in the year I was able to cross Cinnamon and Engineer pass.

The forecast looked decent for later in the day, but it snowed ALL night Thursday. By the time I got to the trailhead Friday morning, everything was white and getting whiter. Still, I figured we'd give it a shot – worst case we'd turn around and call it a shakedown run for some new gear.

Made it maybe 3/4 up Cinnamon before reality hit. The passes were getting sketchy fast, especially up near the peak where the snow was really piling up. Turned out they actually closed the passes that same day due to conditions. So close!

But honestly? Kind of glad we went early. This year especially, that snow's going to be gone in a few weeks and the mountains won't look this good again until next winter. Plus it was a perfect test run for our setup.

We've been putting miles on some new Ranger gear – the bed attachment system and bedside LED brackets both performed solid in the snow and cold. The Vertical Spare Tire Mount we're working on also handled the rough stuff without any issues.

Ended up camping in fresh powder, which beats a hotel room any day. The rear seat delete made it easy to stay organized with all our cold weather gear.

We'll definitely be back once conditions settle. The Alpine Loop is worth the wait, but man, timing is everything on these high-altitude routes.

Anyone else try to hit mountain passes way too early this season? Or am I the only one who gets impatient when I see that "open" status?

Read the full blog post - https://americanadventurelab.com/ne...r-too-early-for-colorados-epic-4wd-adventure/

Also noteworthy - this is the first time we have shown off the new Raceline Rogue wheels. They really set the stance on this truck and handle the 35" Nitto Terra Grapplers with ease.

[Disclaimer] Before anyone freaks out about me doing this alone, know that I have been over these passes countless times. and I am extremely comfortable with this truck is deep snow or almost any condition. I was prepared with two forms of satellite comms and was stocked with a jug of fuel for the diesel heater, a cooler full of food to last several days. If I had others with me, I definitely would have pushed past that point, but it wasn't worth a rescue and putting others in danger. That's why I turned around when I did.

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[superj]

we don't have mountains here (we don't even have hills or snow). i would love to be doing what you are doing though. the flat plains land get old really fast. if it wasn't for being stuck here because of a job though, yayyy

oh well, at least i have the ocean at the end of the street. not nearly as fun as mountains though, for sure.

 

[John E Davies]

Interesting story, thank you. I am glad you mentioned the satellite comms, but people need to understand that even in the wide open spaces, they can be less than 100% reliable in truly bad weather conditions (and completely inoperative sometimes).

Did you have another adult driver along in the truck? There should always be somebody who can help in a true emergency, for example a busted leg.

Do you have four sets of heavy tire chains?

Do you carry snowshoes?

How about Search and Rescue insurance?

I personally do not trust my new Ford enough to attempt this solo. Have you ever had yours shut down in the back country?

Thanks for any additional comments.

John Davies
Spokane WA USA

 

[AdventureLab]

Interesting story, thank you. I am glad you mentioned the satellite comms, but people need to understand that even in the wide open spaces, they can be less than 100% reliable in truly bad weather conditions (and completely inoperative sometimes). Did you have another adult along in the truck? There should always be somebody who can help in a true emergency, for example a busted leg. Do you have four sets of heavy tire chains?

I personally do not trust my new Ford enough to attempt this solo.

Thanks for any additional comments.

John Davies
Spokane WA USA

Nope. Solo. That's why I turned around when it got sketchy. Prior to the photos you see here it was clear roads, which is why they were opened. It was just near the peak that the snow piled up.

You'll just have to go with me next time. Seriously, though, I would love to put a ride together with a bunch of RR's to run the mountain passes this year.

 

[superj]

my buddy aaron would go. he lives near there but he has a full size raptor. he loves going on those off road trips. he is doing that raptors in the rockies deal, or just did it? i am not sure if it happened recently or is coming up really soon

 

[yoopercharged]

I'm sure you've answered this a hundred times, but what's the suspension setup on your truck? The Racelines and Nittos look great on there!

 

[John E Davies]

LOL , I have read too many of the C. J. Box “Joe Pickett” novels to be comfortable alone on top of any 10,000 foot pass in early Spring. In one story, his pickup got high centered in a snow field for 18 months…. and it was pretty much destroyed by the time he finally recovered it. (He held the record in the Wyoming Game and Fish Department for lost or wrecked trucks.)

I spent three hours digging out my LC200 from such a snow bank, one time is enough for me… Plus I hate the cold. I suspect that most RR owners have much bigger balls than me

John Davies
Spokane WA USA

 

[AdventureLab]

my buddy aaron would go. he lives near there but he has a full size raptor. he loves going on those off road trips. he is doing that raptors in the rockies deal, or just did it? i am not sure if it happened recently or is coming up really soon

That's coming up in May. We'll be there with the Ranger Raptor and our F-150 Raptor. Should be good!

 

[AdventureLab]

I'm sure you've answered this a hundred times, but what's the suspension setup on your truck? The Racelines and Nittos look great on there!

Thanks! It has a 3" collar in the front and 1.25" in the rear. I'm not a huge fan of the coil spacers, but we had to get this thing up above some of the rocks. I'm hoping we get some good mid-travel kits out soon.

 

[Donnie B]

Deb and I have been chomping at the bit to get our drive on the Alpine loop too. But as a CO native, I know that patience must be respected. Thank you for sharing your journey and please continue to do so. Until then, we will be driving vicariously through folks with more courage than we have. Be safe and as always.....rubber side down.

 

[AdventureLab]

LOL , I have read too many of the C. J. Box “Joe Pickett” novels to be comfortable alone on top of any 10,000 foot pass in early Spring. In one story, his pickup got high centered in a snow field for 18 months…. and it was pretty much destroyed by the time he finally recovered it. (He held the record in the Wyoming Game and Fish Department for lost or wrecked trucks.)

I spent three hours digging out my LC200 from such a snow bank, one time is enough for me… Plus I hate the cold. I suspect that most RR owners have much bigger balls than me

John Davies
Spokane WA USA

Last spring.

 

[pablo94sc]

I tried Imogene, from Telluride, the first week of June, 2024, and the pass was closed. I'm hoping to try again this year around the same time, but hesitant since I'm have an additional 300lbs in/over the bed on a stock suspension. Doable, or wait until I get some lift?

 

[Dr. TJG DVM]

Interesting story, thank you. I am glad you mentioned the satellite comms, but people need to understand that even in the wide open spaces, they can be less than 100% reliable in truly bad weather conditions (and completely inoperative sometimes).

Did you have another adult driver along in the truck? There should always be somebody who can help in a true emergency, for example a busted leg.

Do you have four sets of heavy tire chains?

Do you carry snowshoes?

How about Search and Rescue insurance?

I personally do not trust my new Ford enough to attempt this solo. Have you ever had yours shut down in the back country?

Thanks for any additional comments.

John Davies
Spokane WA USA

Thanks dad

 

[Dr. TJG DVM]

Thanks for sharing the story and pics. Sounds like a good time even if you had to turn back

 

[yoopercharged]

Do you have more pictures of those Racelines? Trying to decide between these and Method 703s. Not sure what color I want yet.

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