Imogene Pass CO ???

Toad

Well-Known Member
Location
Millville(logan)
I think this looks like alot of fun. The trail does not seem to difficult. Is it doable in a stock jeep? When does this trail usually get open in the spring time. I was thinking either a spring or maybe a fall moab trip and do this trail also. Can it be done in a day?
 

Greg

I run a tight ship... wreck
Admin
A stock Jeep will do fine, just bring a spare tire! :p

It's plenty of fun, but it doesn't usually open up until mid-July. The trail tops out at over 13,000 feet elevation, so there's plenty of snow up there in the Spring and the road crews work hard to get it opened, even by July. I think it's the highest summit of the 4x4 trails in the San Juans. It's easily done in a day, there's not much to it, but it's a good deal of white-knuckle driving towards the top. There are a couple switchbacks that may require 3 point turns if you're in anything longer than a Wrangler.

Summer time is a great time to spend a long weekend in the San Juans, you could hit up Imogene, Black Bear, Engineer Pass, etc.

Have you seen these? Might give you a better idea of what's involved-

http://www.rockymountainextreme.com/showthread.php?t=77706

http://www.rockymountainextreme.com/showthread.php?t=65959
 

ttora4runner

Well-Known Member
Black Bear Pass is funner.:D

Then again watching someone backdown that last switchback before the top on Imogene coming up from Telluride side can be pretty entertaining as well.
 
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Swoop69

Registered User
Location
Riverton, Utah
We did Black Bear and Ophir this past July. Imogene was on our to do list, but my 40 year old Jeepster was really struggling at that altitude. That and the weather turned on us. The trails were pretty easy, aside from the altitude. Monerose has the more technical/crawling stuff. Some guys from our group did Engineer pass and said it was more difficult, but I wasnt there to say. One guy rolled on Engineer, but I was told it was from stupidity, not difficulty...This was one of our favorite trips ever!

Gorgeous country to explore. We stayed in Silverton for 5 days. If you go you MUST visit Animas Fork. it is a ghost town just a few miles from Silverton. There were several wooden homes still in tact, and remains of a few really cool mills.

Here is Black Bear Pass

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And Animas Fork.

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Swoop69

Registered User
Location
Riverton, Utah
It that house on the cliff still ocupied?

yep. At least durring the summer months. I guess they could snowmobile into it in the winter, but those roads are so narrow, that with much snow it would be pretty.... puckery? is that even a word?

I was told that at one time it was a hydro-electric generator for the mining and mills in the area. I guess now they also do wedding pics up there too...

It was literally right on the edge of a huge cliff. imagine opening your bedroom window, and looking straight down 1000 feet!
 

RockMonkey

Suddenly Enthusiastic
I did Imogene last year in a stock Ram 3500 quad cab. A stock Wrangler will have no problem. It's one of my favorite roads in the country. Absolutely awesome and beautiful.

On another note...

How the crap can you roll on Engineer Pass? I've rolled Jeeps just about everywhere they can be rolled, but never on Engineer Pass! Really?
 

Swoop69

Registered User
Location
Riverton, Utah
On another note...

How the crap can you roll on Engineer Pass? I've rolled Jeeps just about everywhere they can be rolled, but never on Engineer Pass! Really?

I could be mistaken on the trail. It might have been cinnamon pass. It happened on a day that I didnt go with the group, and was told that it was an easy section, just blatant driver error.

I cant wait to go back
 
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