Posted by Scott Bideau on August 4, 2013 at 6:28 PM
I'll be down there for a 5-day weekend in a few days. Curious what mountain passes are easy enough for a Honda Pilot 4WD (without a full size spare) to traverse. I'm thinking everything but Brown Bear Pass, but recommendations for the most scenic are appreciated. Can't wait to pick up my Tundra in a few weeks so I can hit everything!
Oh and any general recommendations on summer photo spots near the area are also appreciated. Probably camping at Alta Lakes near Telluride (which I know is quite photogenic itself).
Posted by Karl Buiter on August 5, 2013 at 12:54 AM
I've traveled many of those passes many times. I dont know how capable a Honda Pilot 4WD is - I would recommend that it has 4-Lo; Manual or Quasi-Manual (Tiptronic) to lock into 1st or 2nd; a solid transfer case; and a full size spare - especially for the more ambitious trails where safety is paramount.
Our offroad group usually brought newbies up Corkscrew Pass (off the 550 near Ironton) first. It has some good elements of switchback climb, shelfy roads, and some rest locations culminating in a spot atop the Red Mountains. From there, its down then back up to Hurricane, then California, then into Animas Forks. Other than mud in the early parts, this should give you a good idea of the area. Beyond Animas Forks, Cinamon pass is rocky up the switchbacks, and may have some muddy short climbs, but is generally no worse - and it will take you to American Basin which does have a very rocky entry route.
Mineral Creek (further north in the bend between Ouray and Ironton) has a challenging short climb after the switchbacks before you get to the modest shelf. From there, its mostly good going with some rough offcamber sections especially after the Poughkeepsie turnoff. But once you are on top it gets you into a mining area Mineral Point, and then the upper areas of Animas Creek. You could go left up to Engineers but that is definitely shelfy and make sure you have the torque for the climb. Poughkeepsie has an obstacle that the Honda, let alone most 4WD's outside of Jeeps wont make without a winch.
Animas Forks down to Silverton is easy. The sideroutes such as Sunshine (reasonable); or to Buffalo Boy Tram (challenging at the top) vary.
Yankee Boy is generally easy up to the flowers / falls. After that, the road drops into some rocky streams and then up serious talus. Governors Basin, a side trail, leads to a beautiful upper area but has a tricky off-camber shelf section that we now avoid.
Imogene is probably best not done without buddies. On various years there have been treacherous spots and unless you have serious 4x4 skills, I would not do in a Honda, and certainly not solo. The shelf on the Telluride side also requires serious 4-Low 1st Gear driving, and then some nerves for the traffic passes past Tomboy.
And yes, avoid Black Bear. The only thing good about the Honda there is its short wheelbase, but I have no idea of its turning radius. The top part is loose off-camber shale that requires good control, followed by some very thrilling shelf and multi-point turns.
For reference, my own experience comes from Vegas Valley Four Wheelers (where I am an officer); and ClubTouareg, where I drive a 4x4 Fulltime Touareg with Air Lift Suspension, Lockers and 32-in BFG AT KO's. Against other trails, the ones around the San Juans are definitely challenging, but its not Moab, Big Bear, or most anything trailable in the Vegas region.
Just dont drive through any snow! And be very aware that mornings are best; by 3 pm you may have storms; and I have been involved in at least one debris flow up there.
Your Pilot can likely do several of the roads/passes in the San Juans but not having a full-sized spare is a serious concern for me. That talus can wreak havoc on even the all-terrain and mud-terrain tires, which have much thicker sidewalls, and your Pilot likely has an all-season tire that will be susceptible to punctures.
Yankee Boy Basin and Corkscrew Pass are both good options. Last Dollar Road is an easy but scenic dirt road. Alta Lakes is easy. There's also a route that starts out paved and turns into good, graded dirt that passes an old hot spring resort outside Telluride but I can't think of the name right now. I would definitely avoid Governor Basin, Imogene Pass, Ophir Pass (not b/c it's technical but there's a ton of talus on this route) and Black Bear Pass, to name a few.
On a side note, congrats on the Tundra! I'm keenly interested in the 2014 and beyond Tundra. If they drop a diesel in it at some point I probably won't be able to call the closest dealer fast enough!
Posted by Scott Bideau on August 5, 2013 at 10:18 AM
Thanks everyone, and Karl - I remember your ride...I "rode" in it in Vegas, remember? :)
Good news, I found a full size wheel and already have an extra tire, so I can plug that gap. Oh and even though this is my wife's vehicle, the tires are medium grade off road, not soccer mom "highway tires."
Thanks for all the great info on what can be expected.
Posted by Karl Buiter on August 5, 2013 at 3:16 PM
+1 on finding Full-Size Spare. If you get on a trail, you want to be sure you can get out.
For a laugh / trail preview - checkout Top Gear US - "Continental Divide" episode where the boys take older mini-vans up into the San Juans. There is some loose trail editing/splicing - but San Juan veterans can figure out the shot locations. The episode is on iTunes or unofficially on YouTube.
Posted by Scott Bideau on August 5, 2013 at 4:11 PM
Those videos are awesome, thanks for sharing. Reminds me of a time at the age of 16 when I got my mom's mini van stuck on a bad road. Had to line up hard cover wallpaper sample books she had in the back to make a trail out. Took several hours, but the memory is worth it!
Discussion
5 repliesOh and any general recommendations on summer photo spots near the area are also appreciated. Probably camping at Alta Lakes near Telluride (which I know is quite photogenic itself).
Our offroad group usually brought newbies up Corkscrew Pass (off the 550 near Ironton) first. It has some good elements of switchback climb, shelfy roads, and some rest locations culminating in a spot atop the Red Mountains. From there, its down then back up to Hurricane, then California, then into Animas Forks. Other than mud in the early parts, this should give you a good idea of the area. Beyond Animas Forks, Cinamon pass is rocky up the switchbacks, and may have some muddy short climbs, but is generally no worse - and it will take you to American Basin which does have a very rocky entry route.
Mineral Creek (further north in the bend between Ouray and Ironton) has a challenging short climb after the switchbacks before you get to the modest shelf. From there, its mostly good going with some rough offcamber sections especially after the Poughkeepsie turnoff. But once you are on top it gets you into a mining area Mineral Point, and then the upper areas of Animas Creek. You could go left up to Engineers but that is definitely shelfy and make sure you have the torque for the climb. Poughkeepsie has an obstacle that the Honda, let alone most 4WD's outside of Jeeps wont make without a winch.
Animas Forks down to Silverton is easy. The sideroutes such as Sunshine (reasonable); or to Buffalo Boy Tram (challenging at the top) vary.
Yankee Boy is generally easy up to the flowers / falls. After that, the road drops into some rocky streams and then up serious talus. Governors Basin, a side trail, leads to a beautiful upper area but has a tricky off-camber shelf section that we now avoid.
Imogene is probably best not done without buddies. On various years there have been treacherous spots and unless you have serious 4x4 skills, I would not do in a Honda, and certainly not solo. The shelf on the Telluride side also requires serious 4-Low 1st Gear driving, and then some nerves for the traffic passes past Tomboy.
And yes, avoid Black Bear. The only thing good about the Honda there is its short wheelbase, but I have no idea of its turning radius. The top part is loose off-camber shale that requires good control, followed by some very thrilling shelf and multi-point turns.
For reference, my own experience comes from Vegas Valley Four Wheelers (where I am an officer); and ClubTouareg, where I drive a 4x4 Fulltime Touareg with Air Lift Suspension, Lockers and 32-in BFG AT KO's. Against other trails, the ones around the San Juans are definitely challenging, but its not Moab, Big Bear, or most anything trailable in the Vegas region.
Just dont drive through any snow! And be very aware that mornings are best; by 3 pm you may have storms; and I have been involved in at least one debris flow up there.
Yankee Boy Basin and Corkscrew Pass are both good options. Last Dollar Road is an easy but scenic dirt road. Alta Lakes is easy. There's also a route that starts out paved and turns into good, graded dirt that passes an old hot spring resort outside Telluride but I can't think of the name right now. I would definitely avoid Governor Basin, Imogene Pass, Ophir Pass (not b/c it's technical but there's a ton of talus on this route) and Black Bear Pass, to name a few.
On a side note, congrats on the Tundra! I'm keenly interested in the 2014 and beyond Tundra. If they drop a diesel in it at some point I probably won't be able to call the closest dealer fast enough!
Good news, I found a full size wheel and already have an extra tire, so I can plug that gap. Oh and even though this is my wife's vehicle, the tires are medium grade off road, not soccer mom "highway tires."
Thanks for all the great info on what can be expected.
For a laugh / trail preview - checkout Top Gear US - "Continental Divide" episode where the boys take older mini-vans up into the San Juans. There is some loose trail editing/splicing - but San Juan veterans can figure out the shot locations. The episode is on iTunes or unofficially on YouTube.