Black Bear Pass... too much hype?

[Basscat]

Not trying to scare folks or blow a things out of proportion. Hwy 550 and the San Juan jeep trails are gorgeous! You just can't drive these and lose focus. No room for texting and screwing around. Drift just a foot or two and it's over, jeep trail or hwy.


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[Judesign]

You'll love it! Once you squeeze through to Hell's Kitchen and get to the camp sites the hikes (about 5 or 6 trails between 1.5 and 6 miles) are in the land that time forgot! It's crazy cool back there?


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Awesome. Thanks for the advice [emoji482]


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[Jheapr]

Do not omit Imogene if in that area. This whole area is my personal favorite of the whole state.

100% agree


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[JeepJeep75]

I'll be the first to admit I'm far too terrified of heights to do this trail. I have trouble being on the second rung of a ladder. I get that it's iconic, and it's important but I couldn't trust myself to not freeze on the trail.

They do have guided tours you can take. The tours do all the trails up there in standard 4wd pickups with coveted beds for multi-row seating. At least go see the breath-taking scenery. [emoji102]


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[rlew0083]

The trip down my break pedal went to the floor on the second hairpin scared the $%^& out of me! Other than that, piece a case. Have run it 4 or 5 times. Go slow and pay attention and you will be fine.

 

[rlew0083]

Couple of videos I shot

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JFq9muCDkXo&t=7s

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bqb36oShHDc

 

[Sudz]

I drove my '95 ZJ out from PA last Aug (2016) and did the Rubicon. I hit Moab, Black Bear Pass & Imogene Pass on the drive back east.
My mileage total for the round trip was 6127 miles. I did it over a two week period.

Black Bear Pass is a cake walk if you're experienced and not spooked by heights. Easy Peasy. Did Imogene in the pouring rain on the return ride to Ouray from Telluride. IMO, Black Bear Pass is over-hyped.

me turning at the end of a switchback on BB pass without a spotter and taking a picture at the same time :crazyeyes:

running Imogene, look closely and you can see the Black Bear switchbacks in the distance

just off the summit of Imogene

 

[PROJKUR]

Awesome pics!


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[Overland_stormtrooper]

I drove my '95 ZJ out from PA last Aug (2016) and did the Rubicon. I hit Moab, Black Bear Pass & Imogene Pass on the drive back east.
My mileage total for the round trip was 6127 miles. I did it over a two week period.

Black Bear Pass is a cake walk if you're experienced and not spooked by heights. Easy Peasy. Did Imogene in the pouring rain on the return ride to Ouray from Telluride. IMO, Black Bear Pass is over-hyped.

me turning at the end of a switchback on BB pass without a spotter and taking a picture at the same time :crazyeyes:

running Imogene, look closely and you can see the Black Bear switchbacks in the distance

just off the summit of Imogene

nice shots indeed .... there on my list don't know yet I I will make it this year or next but I will make it for sure ....

 

[Sudz]

Awesome pics!

Thanks.

nice shots indeed .... there on my list don't know yet I will make it this year or next but I will make it for sure ....

def worth the trip. As far as the towns go, imo - Telluride seemed over priced and had a touristy feel to it, Ouray on the other hand, had a down-to-earth mountain town vibe going on. We overnighted in a cabin at the KOA Ouray. The couple who run the place actually moved out from Jackson, NJ years ago. Jackson is a mere 38 miles from where I live. Small world.

Downtown Main Street Ouray looking towards the Ouray Brewery.

Downtown Main Street Telluride looking towards Black Bear Pass.

btw, I almost didn't make it off the Rubicon

 

[Jack diddly]

Awesome pics. This is definitely on my bucket list.

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[Basscat]

Thanks.


def worth the trip. As far as the towns go, imo - Telluride seemed over priced and had a touristy feel to it, Ouray on the other hand, had a down-to-earth mountain town vibe going on. We overnighted in a cabin at the KOA Ouray. The couple who run the place actually moved out from Jackson, NJ years ago. Jackson is a mere 38 miles from where I live. Small world.

Downtown Main Street Ouray looking towards the Ouray Brewery.

Downtown Main Street Telluride looking towards Black Bear Pass.

btw, I almost didn't make it off the Rubicon

You definitely nailed the difference between Telluride and Ouray.


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[Judesign]

Great shots. Thanks for sharing those.


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[Sherman Tanks And Napalm]

Thanks for The great pictures Great story


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[JeepJeep75]

Absolutely agree with the differences stated about Ouray and Telluride. Wife and I are looking forward to tent camping at the KOA in Ouray this year. We've vacationed in that town many years and it's always a pleasure to come back to.


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[catahoula]

I drove my '95 ZJ out from PA last Aug (2016) and did the Rubicon. I hit Moab, Black Bear Pass & Imogene Pass on the drive back east.
My mileage total for the round trip was 6127 miles. I did it over a two week period.

Black Bear Pass is a cake walk if you're experienced and not spooked by heights. Easy Peasy. Did Imogene in the pouring rain on the return ride to Ouray from Telluride. IMO, Black Bear Pass is over-hyped.

me turning at the end of a switchback on BB pass without a spotter and taking a picture at the same time :crazyeyes:

running Imogene, look closely and you can see the Black Bear switchbacks in the distance

just off the summit of Imogene

Sweet pics Sudz!

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[notnalc68]

Absolutely agree with the differences stated about Ouray and Telluride.


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I agree with that, too.


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[shipjim]

We will be there in a few days (the 14th). Pretty sure black bear will be closed still but hopefully still plenty for us to see. Sucks that engineers pass was open until a rock slide closed it 'until further notice'. Owell. We can only get vacation at certain times so we had to jump on it.


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You can take Cinnamon Pass to/from Lake City. Both go to the same places.

It's worth running for the views. It is one of the most picturesque trails in that area. Mineral Creek/Poughkeepsie Gulch, and Yankee Boy Basin, are next in order of beautiful scenery, IMO.



On the way to Yankee Boy...

View attachment 262477


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jj

 

[Judesign]

You can take Cinnamon Pass to/from Lake City. Both go to the same places.



jj

Was glad to see it's open and apparently engineers and ophir are open now too. Just got done with a long 12 hours from San Antonio to Santa Fe and we will be heading out towards ouray early tomorrow. Looking forward to finally seeing it.


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[Brute]

Thanks.


def worth the trip. As far as the towns go, imo - Telluride seemed over priced and had a touristy feel to it, Ouray on the other hand, had a down-to-earth mountain town vibe going on. We overnighted in a cabin at the KOA Ouray. The couple who run the place actually moved out from Jackson, NJ years ago. Jackson is a mere 38 miles from where I live. Small world.

Downtown Main Street Ouray looking towards the Ouray Brewery.

Downtown Main Street Telluride looking towards Black Bear Pass.

btw, I almost didn't make it off the Rubicon

I actually lived in Jackson NJ for four years when I was a kid & my dad worked for the DOD at Fort Dix...


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