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

[AdventureLab]

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?

Honestly, I would wait. Imogene itself isn't too bad, but if you want to do Engineer on the way down into Ouray, you're going to get some new belly scratches. I did it on the trip shown above and it was frustrating. Since then, the truck is on 35's with 3" in the front and 1.25" on the rear. I was planning Engineer on this past trip. I think it would be fine on 35's with proper line choices.

Sponsored

 

[AdventureLab]

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

It definitely was. Amazing time to be up there. Definitely keeps the heart rate going.

 

[AdventureLab]

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

We have a video that will release soon from this trip that will give some more angles as well. Love the Rogues!

 

[superj]

not having lived anywhere with snow, what happens if you get stuck and have to stay in place will a storm passes or someone shows up to help you? do you have a bunch of cold weather blankets and stuff to stay alive?

growing up in warm weather areas makes me really worried about freezing to death. seeing all these movies and shows where people get stuff in snow all alone and end up dying from lack of cold weather survival gear scares me.

when my son was stationed in colorado springs, we would go up into the mountains with his wrangler and one time it really started snowing badly. our tracks were getting covered and i thought we were done. luckily, we found a main dirt road and followed other tracks back to town but that just reinforced my fears of freezing to death.

where i live, the worry is running out of water if you get stuck or break down and cannot get in touch with someone but i know how to make it in hot weather

 

[AdventureLab]

not having lived anywhere with snow, what happens if you get stuck and have to stay in place will a storm passes or someone shows up to help you? do you have a bunch of cold weather blankets and stuff to stay alive?

growing up in warm weather areas makes me really worried about freezing to death. seeing all these movies and shows where people get stuff in snow all alone and end up dying from lack of cold weather survival gear scares me.

when my son was stationed in colorado springs, we would go up into the mountains with his wrangler and one time it really started snowing badly. our tracks were getting covered and i thought we were done. luckily, we found a main dirt road and followed other tracks back to town but that just reinforced my fears of freezing to death.

where i live, the worry is running out of water if you get stuck or break down and cannot get in touch with someone but i know how to make it in hot weather

I have a cabin up in the mountains at about 9000'. I'm in the snow almost every weekend during the winter. Being originally from Alabama, I have definitely made my share of snow mistakes, but that's the best way to learn. It just takes experience in the conditions and experience putting the truck into tough spots.

Don't get me wrong, anything could happen, but I was prepared for that. I put some of that preparation in the original post.

 

[AdventureLab]

The offset on the Ryno's is perfect!!! I'll make an official post about these when I get the video finished up.

 

[superj]

Don't get me wrong, anything could happen, but I was prepared for that. I put some of that preparation in the original post.

your right, sorry. i read that and still didn't think about it. i would definitely have to have tht kind of stuff with me to feel comfortable.

 

[AdventureLab]

your right, sorry. i read that and still didn't think about it. i would definitely have to have tht kind of stuff with me to feel comfortable.

Feeling comfortable is overrated.

I heard Danica Patrick say one time, to be a good race car driver you have to constantly push the edge until that edge feels comfortable. Then, the edge moves and the cycle continues. I don't want to necessarily equate this to racing, but the principle still holds. There's so much of this country out there to explore, but we may have to push our comfort zone slightly to get there. It's worth the effort!

 

[pablo94sc]

Honestly, I would wait. Imogene itself isn't too bad, but if you want to do Engineer on the way down into Ouray, you're going to get some new belly scratches. I did it on the trip shown above and it was frustrating. Since then, the truck is on 35's with 3" in the front and 1.25" on the rear. I was planning Engineer on this past trip. I think it would be fine on 35's with proper line choices.

That's the kind of trail info I like to read. Thank you.

 

[pablo94sc]

not having lived anywhere with snow, what happens if you get stuck and have to stay in place will a storm passes or someone shows up to help you? do you have a bunch of cold weather blankets and stuff to stay alive?

growing up in warm weather areas makes me really worried about freezing to death. seeing all these movies and shows where people get stuff in snow all alone and end up dying from lack of cold weather survival gear scares me.

when my son was stationed in colorado springs, we would go up into the mountains with his wrangler and one time it really started snowing badly. our tracks were getting covered and i thought we were done. luckily, we found a main dirt road and followed other tracks back to town but that just reinforced my fears of freezing to death.

where i live, the worry is running out of water if you get stuck or break down and cannot get in touch with someone but i know how to make it in hot weather

In the winter, no matter the vehicle, I always carry a few things for safety: a cheap, 20*F sleeping bag, mylar emergency blanket, and a fleece throw; an extra fleece jacket, gloves, and beanie; a shovel, flashlight/headlamp, jumper cables, a gallon or two of water and some snacks; and I never let the tank get below 1/4. Oh, a lighter and a couple packs of hand warmers in the glove box are a good idea as well.

 

[superj]

In the winter, no matter the vehicle, I always carry a few things for safety: a cheap, 20*F sleeping bag, mylar emergency blanket, and a fleece throw; an extra fleece jacket, gloves, and beanie; a shovel, flashlight/headlamp, jumper cables, a gallon or two of water and some snacks; and I never let the tank get below 1/4. Oh, a lighter and a couple packs of hand warmers in the glove box are a good idea as well.

that is what would make we feel better driving somewhere that could get snowed in, for sure.

i remember the first time my son had to drive up to colorado springs from corpus christi. it was right after christmas and i made sure he had a big blanket and water in case something happened because he had to go over raton pass. he said it was so cold his alternator kept quitting so his lights would dim and then it would come back and the lights would get bright again. and he said all the cars and trucks were following his tire tracks because he had all the lights and wide tires. he said they did 30 mph from raton pass through pueblo and up to colorado springs. he said he was so scared the snow would get even worse and they would be stuck. the only time he had been in cold weather prior to that was basic training and ait at fort benning georgia and the one day of snow we had here in corpus christi one year.

 

[Donnie B]

I'm looking for VBRO recommendations in Lake City. Living at the base of Pikes Peak gives me a great barometer of conditions elsewhere in the high Rocky Mountains. I know we are getting close to prime-time vacationers which means if one is going to get reservations....now is the time. Anybody got any suggestions and points of contact?

Sponsored