Alpine Loop - Colorado Camping

[OffroadTreks]

Early planning stages, and since some don’t use FB, thought I would post here as well.

Planning to do a shorter weekend run up the Alpine Loop, Imogean Pass and over night camping. Possibly other trails. Late June or Mid July.

No way in a million years will it be around the 4th or Memorial Day.

About 5 of us that might be there.

Details will follow as we hammer it out.

[KevinABQ]

I'm interested. Not sure I can as I'm on-call in June, but might be able to trade with someone.

[FordyceCreekTrail]

I always go on the 4th. The 4th is a blast. Just cannot camp in the Valley near Silverton obviously. We are planning to camp off Stony Pass this year, maybe just camp on the trail. The parade is fun and we always take a massive amount of Moriarty Ordinance with us.

[FordyceCreekTrail]

Will plan for the 4th again next year. End of summer of 2019 will build a private play ground and camp site 2 miles outside of town. Once I have it ready I will let everyone know. Will be really close for camping but no zoo. Don't think I can get my permits and a week of road building done by the 4th.

[OffroadTreks]

Two miles outside of what town?

[FordyceCreekTrail]

Silverton, 2 Miles up 550 towards Durango on East side, above the Animas. Dayton Load.

[DamageWagon]

Silverton, 2 Miles up 550 towards Durango on East side, above the Animas. Dayton Load.

I fawn for that area. I love driving 550. Animas is a sweet spot. If a stranger in a Power Wagon had a few cases of beer would you give him a tour of the prospect?

[FordyceCreekTrail]

You bet. Will keep you guys updated. I plan to set up a nice group spot over looking Silverton on the other end of the property.

[1pieceatatime]

Watching with interest - I'd really like to run these trails next year, and meet some fellow PW families. Not sure that timing will work out from us coming over from MI - but mid-July is a possibility maybe. I think wifey is already going to be in South Dakota for a couple of weeks in late June or early July digging up mammoths, so perhaps timing will be serendipitous.

[Onlyone]

I’m interested too. 4th of July is busy, but a blast. We used to come down Imogene every year and watch the fireworks in Telluride. Black bear was always hit and miss. Usually still closed. I’m curious how the PW will do on these easy, but tight trails.

[FordyceCreekTrail]

I will be their for the 4th for sure 3-7. But I will be there at other times planning, and eventually building a road. Black Bear should be scary but doable. Poughkipsee is the only really difficult trail. Most are fine for PW. Old Mule to Mine trails can get scary. However, that being said, because of the articulation you can maintain stability and get by by driving part way up the up hill side of the trail.

[Onlyone]

I will be their for the 4th for sure 3-7. But I will be there at other times planning, and eventually building a road. Black Bear should be scary but doable. Poughkipsee is the only really difficult trail. Most are fine for PW. Old Mule to Mine trails can get scary. However, that being said, because of the articulation you can maintain stability and get by by driving part way up the up hill side of the trail.

I’ve been on Poughkeepsie with both my Sport JK and my Rubicon JK. The worst part is it’s almost always wet, somewhere. I had to winch both times. But then again I’ve watched some people just drive right up it. Both times I tried hugging that left side of the obstacle. In a two door it’s the most stable part. It’s really a steep approach. Last time we were there we watched a brand new Raptor bust an axle going up the left side. Seems to me a PW would do well due to the long wheelbase.

[FordyceCreekTrail]

I cannot wait to try it in a PW, it was open last year when I was around but the freaking Dura Trash tires kept going flat and we went home early after I used up all the tire plugs at the gas station. I was so pissed. Then again, I will live there some day so maybe it does not matter

[OffroadTreks]

We did not get to Poughkeepsie when we were there.

But since we're talking about it, lets all rewatch this video, ohhhh it's so funny.

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[Onlyone]

Lol. Awesome. There will be scraping on the PW. And the right side like he’s going up will be the best option for the length but it will a lot easier than that. Haha

[OffroadTreks]

That whole thing looks easy as crap. I've gone up harder obstacles. Tiny girl tires, huge ranch hand and side steps didn't help him the least.

[Onlyone]

That whole thing looks easy as crap. I've gone up harder obstacles. Tiny girl tires, huge ranch hand and side steps didn't help him the least.

It’s not really tough but it’s much steeper than it looks. You've been up Hells Gate. It’s about as steep as that just wet and muddy usually. I would put the two in the same rating. The only real problem with the trail is the wet rocks. It’s definitely fun. Ive run every trail on the loop, several times over. I’m kinda excited to run it in the PW.

[FordyceCreekTrail]

Way harder then Hells Gate. Its the slipperiness, steepness and altitude. That no Power Wagon. And post this video every time someone jumps on the forums and wants to add a cattle guard to the front.

[TommyG]

We did not get to Poughkeepsie when we were there.

But since we're talking about it, lets all rewatch this video, ohhhh it's so funny.

HAHAHAHA...a classic. Just because you can doesn't mean you should.

[OffroadTreks]

Way harder then Hells Gate. Its the slipperiness, steepness and altitude. That no Power Wagon. And post this video every time someone jumps on the forums and wants to add a cattle guard to the front.

Me and David discovered why it's called "Slick Rock" this October. We did the gate after the rain and after a bunch of others put sand all over it. Almost had an incident. I'll never do that wet again. I started having slippage, and then he had a worse time and it slipped off his line. We ended up putting a strap on him and got him out without incident. But we were done for the day after that.

[KevinABQ]

I though slick rock was what it was called when people took horse drawn wagons with iron rims onto it.

[FordyceCreekTrail]

Absolutely, steel on slick rock...is well, slick. It was a major PIA having to jam things in spokes or use block and pulley or cable to lower wagons. Hole-N-The-Rock trail can give you the best examples of this. Generally slick rock is not a problem for tired vehicles, even allowing absurd vertical climbs that would be physically impossible on any other terrain. I have never had a problem with rain. But any significant amount of snow, and particularly ice is simply horrific. I have turned around on trails because of it, or had full throttle hail Mary sessions to keep from falling off a cliff. Hells Revenge being an easy trail really is not much of an issue, except those few tilt spots like tip over challenge. But something like Moab Rim, Cliff Hanger or Metal Masher should be avoided at all costs. I have done trails such as Poison and Spike in the Snow with out issue. Really any side hill action should be avoided.

[EasyDoesIt]

I wont make this July trip but we are planning an August run. What trails are you guys running and what campsites are you staying?

Trails we are thinking Poughkeepsie Gulch and Corkscrew/Hurricane/California Gulch.

Camping at Ridgeway State Park and/or blm if we can find legal land.

[OffroadTreks]

I wont make this July trip but we are planning an August run. What trails are you guys running and what campsites are you staying?

Trails we are thinking Poughkeepsie Gulch and Corkscrew/Hurricane/California Gulch.

Camping at Ridgeway State Park and/or blm if we can find legal land.

My mind is all PWIM the next two weeks, but when we get home, I'm going to start planning some stuff. I made a deal with work and added some more vacation time, which I am going to take advantage!



I would love to tackle Poughkeepsie. I'd just love to spend a little more time in the area in general. Really enjoyed the brief stint last year. And looking forward to spending about as much time there as we do in Moab.

[FordyceCreekTrail]

Ok, I am closing on the rest of the mining claims in the area, I bought them all! Going to sell off 7 of the 8 for home sites after developing roads, building sites, and plans with county. Picked our site. This land is hidden, but right off the highway with mines, old building, giant waterfalls, the best views in the US and more. After August 8th if anyone wants a private camp area 2 miles to town shoot me a PM. There are 2 entrances, a bit nasty lower one with pin striping, and an upper one. Lots of mines, but I need to re-open the main tunnel.