I'm planning a trip to shoot wildflowers in the San Juan mountains mid to late July. I will be flying from San Francisco to Grand Junction and driving to Ouray or Crested Buttte. I would like to rent a 4x4 jeep in Grand Junction. Google searching hasn't helped; I just keep getting all the usual car rental places that don't have Jeep 4x4s. Any body know of a place in Grand Junction that rents Jeeps?
One more question. It's easy to find a 4X4 mid sized SUV. Would this be adequate (enough clearance) for back roads, rather than a Jeep 4X4?
Its easy to rent a jeep wrangler in Ouray if you want to go that route though they rent by the day for a high amount. Otherwise, I don't know who has what in Grand Junction. But for most 90% of the 4WD trails around Ouray, a normal 4WD with 4LO is plenty. Charles Wells' CO 4WD book can keep you off the more serious ones like black bear. A narrower 4WD like a Jeep will make life easier than a full size.
Mel's right (..and he should know).
A 4WD (as opposed to AWD) SUV will work just fine for you. A Nissan XTerra or Toyota 4Runner are both good options.
I wouldn't go that far as I've only driven a fraction of the Ouray/Silverton road complex in my Rubicon, but they're maintained much better than many of the other forest roads around the state.
Most of the places you'll want to go like American Basin, Yankee Boy, South Mineral Creek and CR7 have very straightforward roads where you might not ever need more than 2WD and a little clearance. They certainly aren't as rough as the Sangres or Moab area 4WD roads.
Stony Pass and Clear Lake you'll start getting onto trails where you might want more control with 4LO due to the steep grades. Others like Imogene Pass might make you uncomfortable due to the exposure. Know your limits and realize that on many of these roads turning around is not a simple task.
Posted by Jim Casteel on June 16, 2010 at 11:45 AM
I would check at the airport in Grand Junction. Last I checked you could rent a Jeep for between $50-$100 per day which is way cheaper than any of the specialty rental places.
Posted by Arthur Lund on June 16, 2010 at 10:07 PM
I called Enterprise Rental at the airport. They have Jeeps.
Discussion
5 repliesOne more question. It's easy to find a 4X4 mid sized SUV. Would this be adequate (enough clearance) for back roads, rather than a Jeep 4X4?
Thanks!!
A 4WD (as opposed to AWD) SUV will work just fine for you. A Nissan XTerra or Toyota 4Runner are both good options.
Most of the places you'll want to go like American Basin, Yankee Boy, South Mineral Creek and CR7 have very straightforward roads where you might not ever need more than 2WD and a little clearance. They certainly aren't as rough as the Sangres or Moab area 4WD roads.
Stony Pass and Clear Lake you'll start getting onto trails where you might want more control with 4LO due to the steep grades. Others like Imogene Pass might make you uncomfortable due to the exposure. Know your limits and realize that on many of these roads turning around is not a simple task.
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