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Imogene Advice

Curunir

Rock Stacker
Joined
Oct 7, 2020
Messages
29
Location
Pine, CO
'elo

I'm looking for a good solo run and am considering Imogene in the next few weeks (looks like the bridge has been repaired from what I've read). I have not driven it before but from various pics and videos it doesn't look like it should be any issue for a stock but want to check with people here familiar with the trail.

I have a stock 08 Tundra CrewMax 4x4, BFG K02 275/65 (great shape). Many trail reports discuss stock SUV runs.

I have an intro thread with some of my driving background so don't want to repeat here but to summarize I used to drive rock, mud, slope, etc back in NH but in a smaller vehicle. I will be solo though so no spotter of my own if that makes much of a difference. I have often spotted for other solo drivers on a trail and imagine that happens here regularly as well if needed?

I'd love to have some back-and-forth here with some people familiar with the trail before I commit. I always appreciate advice and first-hand info!

And where are some recommendations for a decent but affordable place to stay down there? It's a 5-6 hour drive so I figure go down mid-day, stay the night, start the trail about dawn and come home that night.

Also, where do you usually turn for current conditions (snow?) on trails like this. I'm watching #imogenpass on twitter but is there something better I should be plugged into?

advTHANKSance!
-Lawrence
 

OHUZJ100

Locked
Joined
Jul 11, 2019
Messages
284
You don't have to go alone! Post up the run you're are thinking about in the events section, surely someone else wants to tag along.
 

Curunir

Rock Stacker
Joined
Oct 7, 2020
Messages
29
Location
Pine, CO
:) That's awesome and will post there when I have something set.

I do need to say though that it will probably be short notice. I'm a single dad of three (17, 15 and 12) and my schedule has gone kinda wacko last month and will probably stay more screwed up than it should be for another few weeks. So it may be, for example, a Thursday that I know the kids are covered and I can head down on a Sunday/Monday.

I'd want to do the run myself first before I take my kids along, but I am hoping it's a good one.
 

OHUZJ100

Locked
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Jul 11, 2019
Messages
284
Sweet! @Hulk or @Lars might be able to move this to event staging area. Your post is enough to get some people to go with you. and you can update later when you're ready to go wheeling with RS!
 

OHUZJ100

Locked
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Jul 11, 2019
Messages
284
Oh! Oh! Also check the trip reports page someone has got to have run it recently with some pics of what rigs they did it with and other route Info. Btw welcome to RS4x4
 

AlpineAccess

Hard Core 4+
Joined
Nov 19, 2019
Messages
1,253
Location
Loveland
I am sure you will have heard this before, but make sure to be very prepared for winter conditions. This time of year and it can go from 60 and sunny to socked-in in under an hour.

Imogene will be challenging in a full size, but should be ok. Should be a fun one to do!
 

Beach Boy

Cruise Moab Committee
Cruise Moab Committee
Joined
Jan 9, 2019
Messages
345
Location
Moab, Utah
Winter storm coming in this weekend.
 

Lars

RS Moderator
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Jan 8, 2009
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741
Location
Arvada
Sweet! @Hulk or @Lars might be able to move this to event staging area. Your post is enough to get some people to go with you. and you can update later when you're ready to go wheeling with RS!
#done
 

MountainGoat

Club Treasurer
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Cruise Moab Committee
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Jul 4, 2008
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3,053
Location
Evergreen, CO
I have run it a couple of times in a stock 100 Series on 285s. You shouldn’t have any trouble in a Tundra. Unless if it snows. :hill:
 

subzali

Hard Core 4+
Joined
Aug 22, 2005
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10,309
Location
Denver CO
Bushducks is a good website to reference.
 

Curunir

Rock Stacker
Joined
Oct 7, 2020
Messages
29
Location
Pine, CO
I have run it a couple of times in a stock 100 Series on 285s. You shouldn’t have any trouble in a Tundra. Unless if it snows. :hill:
Awesome! And yeah, I've gotten in bad situations playing in the snow before. Won't do that again unless it's specifically the reason I'm out.
 

Curunir

Rock Stacker
Joined
Oct 7, 2020
Messages
29
Location
Pine, CO
SO....Is there a suggested direction to go? Many trails are less technical or challenging if you come from one direction vs the other. Where would you pick up the trail if you want a run focused on fun and scenics ?
 

AlpineAccess

Hard Core 4+
Joined
Nov 19, 2019
Messages
1,253
Location
Loveland
I would go Ophir first from Telluride to Ouray, then back on Imogene, Ouray to Telluride direction. It's a fun route, and let's you cut your teeth on Ophir and gauge the weather.

But there are a lot of trails in the area and many ways to go about it, none wrong.
 

Curunir

Rock Stacker
Joined
Oct 7, 2020
Messages
29
Location
Pine, CO
UPDATE!


Since it looks like there was very little snow fall down there this weekend, and we have some warm(ish) sunny days coming, I'm going to head down right after I get done with my on-call rotation at work.

My plan is to leave Conifer area early Sunday morning, 25 October to be down there early enough in the day to do Ophir (thanks for all the advice on that thread).

I'll stay the night down there and start Imogene right after breakfast Monday morning since I need to be back up in Conifer later that night for munchkin hand-off.

I would love to meet any of you that has a chance for some time either Sunday or Monday (or both). I can share contact info if you're think you may come so we can coordinate.
 

Shuksan

Rising Sun Member
Joined
Nov 1, 2017
Messages
906
Location
Denver
I personally think it is more fun going ouray to telluride direction. It probably is one of the more technical trails in the area, but nothing crazy.
 

AlpineAccess

Hard Core 4+
Joined
Nov 19, 2019
Messages
1,253
Location
Loveland
I agree with @Shuksan as there are two areas on the Ouray side as you go up that will push you outside your comfort zone.

With all of the weight forward on the truck, and IFS putting you at a disadvantage when off camber downhill, you're better going up those sections.
 

Curunir

Rock Stacker
Joined
Oct 7, 2020
Messages
29
Location
Pine, CO
I personally think it is more fun going ouray to telluride direction. It probably is one of the more technical trails in the area, but nothing crazy.

I agree with @Shuksan as there are two areas on the Ouray side as you go up that will push you outside your comfort zone.

With all of the weight forward on the truck, and IFS putting you at a disadvantage when off camber downhill, you're better going up those sections.

I really appreciate those details.

When I do the Imogen run on the 27th I'll be sure to start on the Ouray end. I am going to be giving Gaia GPS and AllTrails each a test run (I have an older Garmin GPS I dug out of storage too...love backups), so am working to set up the maps.
 
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