Blindranger
Hard Core 4+
Governor on Saturday and Black Bear on Sunday gets my vote.
Annual Labor Day Ouray Run - September 5-7, 2015
- Thread starter Old40Dog
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Old40Dog
Rising Sun Member
I'm still waiting for official approval from my navigator on if we can come play or not. She's making suggestions of going somewhere with water. I told her that we might get an afternoon thunderstorm out in Ouray and we could put out some buckets to collect water but she didn't think that was a good solution
If we do go, I'm thinking we would do Governor Basin/Yankee Boy on Saturday and Black Bear Pass on Sunday. I'm not confident that I will have the sliders welded to the truck in time for the more challenging option on Saturday.
We're also thinking of if we can get out there early enough on Friday or stay over on Monday to do a shorter trail.
There's several Hot Springs in Ouray if you're looking for a place with water.
Old40Dog
Rising Sun Member
You're in Josh!
Trail Selcetions
Dave,
I would like to sign up for Poughkeepsie on Sat. and Black Bear on Sun. I had only mentioned the Gulches as I did it once this summer and thought it was gorgeous...but if no one wants to do it, just stick with Poughkeepsie to Corkscrew.
I was just tossing out the idea of after the wall on Poughkeepsie heading up to California and than into the Gulches instead of Corkscrew. Either way I am just happy to be down there and run any trail with the group.
Steven K.
Dave,
I would like to sign up for Poughkeepsie on Sat. and Black Bear on Sun. I had only mentioned the Gulches as I did it once this summer and thought it was gorgeous...but if no one wants to do it, just stick with Poughkeepsie to Corkscrew.
I was just tossing out the idea of after the wall on Poughkeepsie heading up to California and than into the Gulches instead of Corkscrew. Either way I am just happy to be down there and run any trail with the group.
Steven K.
Old40Dog
Rising Sun Member
DouglasVB
Rising Sun Member
Quick question on Black Bear... Will my stock 1988 4runner be okay going on that route with guidance from the group? The tires are getting a little low in the tread department but otherwise the rig is sound. I *should* have sliders installed by then although probably not the winch just yet.
Old40Dog
Rising Sun Member
Stock 4Runner should do fine. Sliders would likely only be needed on Poughkeepsie/Gulches run, other trails not likely needed. The rocks on Black Bear can be a problem for your sidewalls. I've cut a sidewall on this trail before. Hope that helps.
Fishy
Hard Core 4+
A good tire is one of the most important mods for the trails in the area. We have had someone lose a tire every year during 100s in the Hills (mostly Duratracs)
Hugging the wall on Black Bear is a surefire way to slice a sidewall. It's a good idea to have a matching spare. More important than sliders IMO.
Totally agree with Fishy. Tires are one of the most important things on your rig; think about traction (pavement, dirt, rocks, snow and ice). All trails in the San Juans can be run in a stock vehicle with good tires (other than Poughkeepsie). Put some $$ into tires before you put sliders on. Safety for you and your family comes first. The San Juans are a great way to spend time. Hope you make it.
Blindranger
Hard Core 4+
Anyone want my camping reservation for Amphitheater? Its for 
Us Durango folk are planning to run Poughkeepsie on Saturday 9/5. So far only two trucks committed but I'm sure that number will grow soon.
http://forum.ih8mud.com/threads/poughkeepsie-gultch-saturday-9-5-15.875156/
http://forum.ih8mud.com/threads/poughkeepsie-gultch-saturday-9-5-15.875156/
Corbet - so far for sat Poughkeepsie run its Josh and myself; a taco and a 100 series. It would be great having you Durango folks joining us!!! Looking forward to a great weekend with everyone.
Fishy
Hard Core 4+
Poughkeepsie now has a total bypass of The Wall too.
Oh wow....I have not hears about this yet. Where is the bypass? Is it to the far left of everything?
Fishy
Hard Core 4+
Instead of making the right to head towards the wall, you stay straight.
Old40Dog
Rising Sun Member
Corbet, It would be great if our guys could join in when you pass the Ironton area.
Do you know if it was NFS sponsored or the result of poor trail etiquette? Either way it's a bummer. More people on that trail now with an easier route and the future possibility of the only obstacle in the San Juans getting closed in the future.
We ran Black Bear yesterday solo. Two spots had muddy short cuts through the tundra and there is a broken down truck parked just below the pass on the west side with a note saying they will be back in 2 weeks to recover?
HoneyBadger
Rising Sun Member
The bypass is official. There are signs. They were up there making it with bulldozers not long ago. It has some very tight switchbacks on it. It's in very new condition, so if there's been a lot of rain, it will be very very muddy. But it comes back to the old trail right there by Lake Como.
DouglasVB
Rising Sun Member
I think we're going to pass on this year's Ouray outing and wait for next year when my 4runner will have better tires, the sliders will be installed, and I'll have more ground clearance. Instead we're probably going to go down to the sand dunes and check out some of the milder routes around there.
Fishy
Hard Core 4+
Many of the trails in Ouray are totally stock friendly. Most trails, in fact.
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