CHD Report post Posted June 1, 2006 Spent some time in my Rubicon last fall in the most scenic part of the Rockies, IMO. Ouray is pretty lonesome in the late fall. Black Bear Road "You don't have to be crazy to drive this road but it helps" sung by CW McCall (Convoy) in the 1970's. That's him on the right. The sign is long gone.........but the song remains. The beginnings of Black Bear Road in early September. A little way into Black Bear Road, looking due west. Looking west. Looking west down the one-way Black Bear Road @ Telluride (To-heck-U-Ride). A better view of Telluride. The INFAMOUS, nasty, small-vehicle-only switchback down the one-way Black Bear Road (I said DOWN one-way) and the baddest, ugliest switchback in the USA. Not too bad in my Jeep, but a BEEEEEEECH in a larger vehicle. Bridal Veil Falls Powerhouse looking back uphill going down Black Bear Road. The Black Bear Road that I just drove down. The Power House is in the center. This road is.....down hill only. A "View from the Top" @ Engineer Pass. Looking SE from Engineer Pass @ 13,000+ feet. Looking west from the famous Engineer Pass. Looking south at the magnificent San Juans from Engineer Pass. Looking due west at the famous Mt. Sneffels and Sneffels Range (in the far distance) from Engineer Pass. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
CHD Report post Posted June 1, 2006 Stoney Pass SE of Silverton looking SE toward the Rio Grand Pyramid @ 13,500+ feet. This is the headwaters of the Rio Grande in Colorado...........for you New Mexico boys. The Pyramid is the 3rd peak in the background from the left in this pic. Doesn't look like the highest but it is. Been thinkin' about climbing it for 20 years. Think its about time? My faithful, never-has-let-me-down traveling partner.........my Rubicon. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Dodger2 Report post Posted June 1, 2006 CHD, Beautiful pictures. I have worked a baseball camp for the last 4 years in Telluride. It is some beautiful country. I always had a hard time keeping focused working the camp while at city park. Its one of those places that you have to see for yourself to get a real appreciation for it. Thanks for the pics! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Red Rabbit Report post Posted June 1, 2006 Thanks for the pics. They strike an urge. Most of those jeep trails between Lake City, Silverton and Ouray are passible in a 4WD pick-em-up, although I did not try the Black Bear trail as I heeded the warnings. Fantastic country to spend lotsa time in whether behind the wheel or atop the sole. RR Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
CHD Report post Posted June 2, 2006 Doug and Dodger2, Glad you guys enjoyed the post. I was hoping that someone on this forum would recognize that country. I surely enjoyed that trip. Since its unlikely that I'll draw any tags this year (I went all-or-nothing in all states.......again), I will prolly return to the San Juans for a week this fall for some more of the same. Gotta get there before mid-September as it can be snowed in that early. Prolly just motel it as I go, whether I end up in Lake City, Silverton, Ouray, Ridgeway or Creede. Just play it by ear with no set agenda. Whatever I feel like doin' that day. The scenery is TERRIFIC. The hot springs pool in Ouray attracts the NUMEROUS mountain biker gals. Most are tan and firm and in terrific shape, even the middle-aged ones. Orvis Hot Springs in Ridgeway allows nude bathing.......plus whiskey drinking..........and them girls look even better without their tights on. The bars in Ouray are a terrific pick-up spot that time of year, and the Lake City/Gunnison women are hot for out-of-town men. The Silverton women like to get their last rays of sunlight on their naked tan bodies before winter. Oh, and by the way, the mountains and aspens are scenic, too. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
25-06 Report post Posted June 2, 2006 Doug and Dodger2, Glad you guys enjoyed the post. I was hoping that someone on this forum would recognize that country. I surely enjoyed that trip. Since its unlikely that I'll draw any tags this year (I went all-or-nothing in all states.......again), I will prolly return to the San Juans for a week this fall for some more of the same. Gotta get there before mid-September as it can be snowed in that early. Prolly just motel it as I go, whether I end up in Lake City, Silverton, Ouray, Ridgeway or Creede. Just play it by ear with no set agenda. Whatever I feel like doin' that day. The scenery is TERRIFIC. The hot springs pool in Ouray attracts the NUMEROUS mountain biker gals. Most are tan and firm and in terrific shape, even the middle-aged ones. Orvis Hot Springs in Ridgeway allows nude bathing.......plus whiskey drinking..........and them girls look even better without their tights on. The bars in Ouray are a terrific pick-up spot that time of year, and the Lake City/Gunnison women are hot for out-of-town men. The Silverton women like to get their last rays of sunlight on their naked tan bodies before winter. Oh, and by the way, the mountains and aspens are scenic, too. Good luck and have fun Too bad you will most likely be doin it alone.... Just like always Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
stanley Report post Posted June 2, 2006 Nice pics Chris. I passed through Durango/Silverton/Ouray about 10 years ago while on my way to Grand Lake and fell in love with the Durango area. It wasn't until last summer that I made it back with the kids for some camping, fishing, and exploring (at a spot that RR suggested... Thanks Doug! ). We didn't do near the adventuring that it took to get these pics, but had a great time none the less. We'll be back there sometime in the near future. God's country for sure. S. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Diamondbackaz Report post Posted June 2, 2006 1988, Mile high all for fun week, Did Imogene, Engineer, Ophir, Black bear, Stony pass, Schofeld pass, holy cross trail, mount blanca and a few others. 1972 Blazer Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Dodger2 Report post Posted June 2, 2006 CHD, The last time I was up in Telluride, there was a jeep that rolled off that road up to Bridal Vail falls. Unfortunately, both people were killed in the accident. That is one serious road. The night life in Telluride isn't bad either, but it is a little on the weird side... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
CHD Report post Posted June 4, 2006 CHD, The last time I was up in Telluride, there was a jeep that rolled off that road up to Bridal Vail falls. Unfortunately, both people were killed in the accident. That is one serious road. The night life in Telluride isn't bad either, but it is a little on the weird side... Yeah, that wreck happened on Black Bear in '04. It was a older couple from Kansas......in a tan Rubicon just like mine. I had that in my mind when I went down the road. Dunno if they had a mechanical problem or weren't paying attention, but it rolled almost 1000'. A guy on the road downhill ahead of them saw the jeep roll by behind him in his rearview mirror. The jeep rental places in Silverton and Ouray won't let renters do Black Bear. Its not that its difficult, but it can be terrifying for a flatlander tourist. And you can't back out after you're into it.............. Diamondback, I had my pic incorrectly labeled Stormy Pass when it is indeed Stoney Pass between Silverton and Rio Grande reservoir. Schofield Pass has a hair-raising section as well. Many years ago, a suburban full of 7 people rolled off and all were killed there. Here's a few more. This is from the top of Imogene Pass @13,500'+ looking north toward Camp Bird. A little further down Imogene. From Imogene looking southwest toward Telluride. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
