Black Bear Pass information

[LT.]

Alright y'all. I am trying to organize a trip to Colorado and I am needing some information. First, is there a size limit of a vehicle attempting Black Bear Pass? What is the largest rig you have seen or heard about attempting Black Bear? Can a full size do it? How about if we have rear steer and or cutting brakes?

Thanks again in advance for any info you could give me.

LT.

 

[JL Rockies]

Be careful if you go in July because you might be there when the FJ deal is going on. In 2009 we were stuck on the switchbacks for an hour as swarms of noobs in FJ's clogged the pass.... just sayin'.

I know someone who did it in a full size truck and just alternated forward and backing down the switchbacks rather then making 16 pt turn each time.... like the FJ guys.... with alternating spotters... but I digress.

 

[Greg]

I don't think there's a size limitation, just apply some common sense. A full size what?

I've done it in a Toyota 4Runner and that thing felt big making those switchbacks. I wouldn't want to try it in a full size truck, especially a double cab anything. You're probably talking about your Ramcharger Beater, aren't you? I haven't seen it recently, but if it's long AND wide, it could be interesting in a few spots. Cutting brakes will be helpful, but I doubt you will want to try using them, mashing on the throttle to make a front dig, while perched on one of those switchbacks... looking at Telluride far below you.

 

[ttora4runner]

When I was there in 08 with the Rising Sun Landcruiser group a Tundra Access Cab passed us.

There's a video or two on youtube of a H1 going the down trail.

 

[ret32]

I did Black Bear Pass the summer of 2006. There was a Hummer H2 in the group in front of us, it didn't seem to have any issues.

We went the first weekend in August. The road had just opened for the summer the day we got there. That was an unusually late opening, but if you're going to go anytime in July, I would suggest you have alternate plans just in case.

 

[OldGeezer]

Last time I did it I there was a Suburban behind us. They passed us at the bottom of the waterfall steps while we were checking out the mine ruins. I was sure we'd catch him when he got hung up at the first switchback. Nope, never saw him again and don't have any idea how he got around those bends.
Don't the tours with those old open top full size Jeep trucks go through there too?

 

[LT.]

Thanks for all the info y'all. What started this whole idea is I was sitting on the couch watching some videos of past Ultimate Adventures. I got to thinking about taking some trips with some close friends and family members to places we had not yet wheeled. Kind of our own Adventure so we could see some of what this Great Nation has to offer.

I was going to take the Ramcharger but was not really too worried about my rig as I was for my brother Sprueitt. His T-Rex is anything but very nimble but, he can drive that land yacht like it is a vehicle half its size. I think we have decided on Holy Cross and 21 Road instead.

One of these days I want to do the Immogene, Engineer and Black Bear passes and connect Teluride, Silverton, and Ouray together without really having been on black top. It's an idea at this point that I really want to do.

LT.

 

[XJEEPER]

T-REX on Black Bear = No Buenos.

 

[Brosiph4x4]

T rex Would never make it... there is one switch back on the telluride side that is super tight turn on the passenger side. I took my xj with full size one tons and 39.5 iroks was no trouble at all, but that one turn i wont lie left a skid mark... No room for error... and once you are that far it is a one way trail you are not supposed to turn back...

 

[RockMonkey]

Black Bear and Poughkeepsie Gulch are the only two trails in the area that we declined to do in our stock 3500 quad cab a couple years ago. It did great on Engineer and Imogene, but I think it's too long for Black Bear and too low for Poughkeepsie.

If you fall down the hill, make sure someone is outside with a camera.