Follow-up story!
My brother and I just made this trip and we had (as he called it) 'Chamber of Commerce Weather'. The nights were warm, days were sunny, zero precip. Trees were just starting to change. Literally couldn't have been nicer.
We drove to Creede and did the Bachelor Loop, and then camped overnight off Middle Creek Road in the national forest. Then on to Lake City and Cinnamon Pass. We then decided to drop into Ouray off Cinnamon Pass, and the 8 mile trip was so nasty (in a stock FJ62) that we changed our plans to return to Engineer Pass. I can't believe we avoided body damage, but the trailer hitch sure got a workout from the rocks.
After camping in Ouray, we did Black Bear pass, had lunch in Telluride turned around and came back on Imogene Pass until we could find good camping close to Ouray. Black Bear's approach road had a few hairy spots, but the switchbacks were the easy part. Imogene has killer views from on top. Met some great folks, and a few serious Jeep weenies - you know, 5 Jeeps each filming each other putting one tire up on a big rock, while blocking trail access and uploading Instagram videos?
How about 1940s Coleman-stove pan-fried cheeseburgers with fried green chilis and onions?
Had a total blast on this trip. Got 4.74 MPG coming down Black Bear. My FJ62 never missed a beat and got a lot of compliments. I have to admit that I underestimate it's vault-like construction and abilities.