Alpine Loop 7/3/24

Planning to run Alpine Loop the day before the 4th. Hit me up if you’re interested in joining.

Pic because the San Juan’s are fucking epic.

 

Wow, what a landscape.

 

planned route and camp area/s?

 

And $300-500 in gas

 

Can’t put a price on memories!

I did a 4,750 mile round trip for Spring Break - worth every penny.

 

I think I'm too much of a homebody for a trip like that - about a week away from home is my limit. I'll be driving down to the beach tomorrow about 4.5 hrs - a perfect day drive imo.

 

We are staying at a cabin in Dolores. I’ll leave early and drive to Silverton - plan to run county road 2 up to Animas Forks then to Engineer Pass trail over to Lake City then come back Cinnamon Pass.

If someone has a suggestion to take a different route I’m listening - book seems to indicate Engineer a little tougher than Cinnamon so wanted to make sure we did that in good light in case there are any delays.

 

I’ll probably take Ophir to Silverton since it’s faster than taking the highway.

 

6 days out - bump for anyone that wants to tag along.

 

80 miles of dirt. These kids are some badass adventurers.

 

That lake looks awesome. I'll be up in Dolores dirtbiking in a couple weeks, I should take a day off to go do that.

 

Feel free to hit me up if you’d like any trail info. There are at least 5 ways to get there…

 

It was cold - but first time I can say I’ve been in water that had icebergs floating in it. Only got in to my knees - pretty much instant numb.

 

I had to reply to this pic since if there was any way to join you I would! I also own a ‘73 FJ40 which is
currently in pieces because life gets in the way of projects. It will receive a 13BT diesel and a few other
upgrades. Thanks for that map, btw. I fly to Grand Junction regularly for airplane maintenance and have looked for a ‘route’ to do on down time.
Pfffft to naysayers because of fuel prices, it costs what it costs. I’ll be heading to Yukon in Sept for
6-8000 km drive @ $2/ litre.
Thanks for the pics! Curious, tow a travel trailer or hotel it? Tent camp?

Would you pm me a link to the GAIA waypoints? I’d like to load that up and make some plans. You’re in Conroe? I get there occasionally

 

My home is in Oro Valley, AZ. Up here - we get a very low key cabin near the Priest Gulch Campground between Dolores and Rico. Anywhere around Ophir, Silverton, Ouray, Telluride would be great to explore these trails. I always cut across Ophir to get to the 550 from where we are at. I’ll send you the maps.

 

Got em! You picked the best time of the year to go, alpine flowers at their best. Definitely going to get to this soon.
Thanks again. J

 

I sent you a PM with some questions! Awesome pics Btw

 

just did my trip through the loop + extras. i'll make a post in the CO section when i get a minute