1. Welcome to Tundras.com!

    You are currently viewing as a guest! To get full-access, you need to register for a FREE account.

    As a registered member, you’ll be able to:
    • Participate in all Tundra discussion topics
    • Transfer over your build thread from a different forum to this one
    • Communicate privately with other Tundra owners from around the world
    • Post your own photos in our Members Gallery
    • Access all special features of the site

Alpine Loop Passes in a Tundra?

Discussion in 'Trip Reports' started by UTTundra, Apr 18, 2018.

  1. Apr 18, 2018 at 9:07 AM
    #1
    UTTundra

    UTTundra [OP] New Member

    Joined:
    Aug 4, 2017
    Member:
    #8898
    Messages:
    665
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Lou
    Utah
    I'd like to hit some parts of the Alpine Loop this summer. I've driven into Yankee Boy Basin and American Basin, but haven't done any of the passes. Anyone have any suggestions on which ones to do and which ones to avoid in a Tundra? I know other full size trucks have done them, but I'll probably avoid Black Bear and Imogene. How are Cinnamon, Engineer, Hurricane, and Ophir? How about doing Black Bear up to the switchbacks then turning around?
     
    htw_hawaii likes this.
  2. Apr 18, 2018 at 9:16 AM
    #2
    Bailey

    Bailey Enjoy Every Sandwich

    Joined:
    Nov 14, 2017
    Member:
    #10974
    Messages:
    1,346
    Gender:
    Male
    CO
    Vehicle:
    2011 DCSB Limited 4x4 “Clifford”
    What dates are you going?

    Avoid the area July 18-22, 2018. FJ Summit is during that time and the trails will be a cluster for any full-size trucks.

    Most trails can be done in the tundra, but it gets interesting when passing or encountering oncoming traffic. There are many spots that are 1-1.5 cars wide. Engineer Pass is great but does have some rocky switch backs which make a multi-point turn a must.

    Don't forget to head up Imogene! You can drop into Telluride from Ouray or run it in reverse. The views are incredible.

    [​IMG]
     
    equin, htw_hawaii, JC303 and 7 others like this.
  3. Apr 18, 2018 at 9:16 AM
    #3
    smslavin

    smslavin Behind a lens...

    Joined:
    Jul 15, 2017
    Member:
    #8578
    Messages:
    7,208
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Sean
    Hudson Valley
    Vehicle:
    2016 Tundra CrewMax SR5
    Some stuff
    imogene will be doable although some spots, just like on ophir, will be a little tight if you need to pass. just watch out for the yahoos in the jeep rentals who think they own the place.

    when you say, going up black bear, you mean starting from down in telluride and driving up to the top of the falls? you shouldn't have a problem doing that. i've never been a fan of black bear.

    when are you going? i'm trying to get down to telluride for a few days in june. might still be too early for some of the higher passes but we'll see.
     
    UTTundra[QUOTED][OP] likes this.
  4. Apr 18, 2018 at 9:17 AM
    #4
    smslavin

    smslavin Behind a lens...

    Joined:
    Jul 15, 2017
    Member:
    #8578
    Messages:
    7,208
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Sean
    Hudson Valley
    Vehicle:
    2016 Tundra CrewMax SR5
    Some stuff
    this. cluster is an understatement...
     
    dcsleeper408 likes this.
  5. Apr 18, 2018 at 9:19 AM
    #5
    Bailey

    Bailey Enjoy Every Sandwich

    Joined:
    Nov 14, 2017
    Member:
    #10974
    Messages:
    1,346
    Gender:
    Male
    CO
    Vehicle:
    2011 DCSB Limited 4x4 “Clifford”
    FJ's everywhere + Rental Jeeps + Rental Golf Carts = Total Chaos... and not the good kind ;)

    I'll probably be out that way for FJ Summit but am going to plan accordingly :thumbsup:
     
  6. Apr 18, 2018 at 9:26 AM
    #6
    UTTundra

    UTTundra [OP] New Member

    Joined:
    Aug 4, 2017
    Member:
    #8898
    Messages:
    665
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Lou
    Utah
    Thanks for the heads up on the FJ Summit! I was thinking sometime in August. I've always wanted to do Imogene, but worried if there are any sketchy spots that might make my gf throw up. She'd probably kill me if I went down the switchbacks after Black Bear into Telluride. Is that your FJ?


    I thought the Black Bear switchbacks were only one way (down into Telluride). What don't you like about Black Bear? I was thinking maybe we could do Black Bear from the east (550), then turnaround before we got to the switchbacks into Telluride so my gf doesn't freak out.

    Anyone know what the camping situation is along some of these Alpine Loop roads...thinking more in wide open basin around 11000 feet? I know heading into Yankee Boy there wasn't many options for legal camping since a lot of it is still privately owned by mining companies.
     
  7. Apr 18, 2018 at 9:33 AM
    #7
    UTTundra

    UTTundra [OP] New Member

    Joined:
    Aug 4, 2017
    Member:
    #8898
    Messages:
    665
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Lou
    Utah
    I might try to do a backpacking trip in the area during peak wildflowers, then another road/car camping trip in August. Love the San Juans.
     
    Notachickmagnet and TXMiamiFan like this.
  8. Apr 18, 2018 at 9:40 AM
    #8
    Bailey

    Bailey Enjoy Every Sandwich

    Joined:
    Nov 14, 2017
    Member:
    #10974
    Messages:
    1,346
    Gender:
    Male
    CO
    Vehicle:
    2011 DCSB Limited 4x4 “Clifford”
    Imogene has some steep drop-offs which can make people nervous. It's a safe trail as long as you're paying attention and don't try to pass where you shouldn't. That is my old FJ :), sold it to get the Tundy.

    Engineer has some good camping at the higher elevations. Handful of remote sites on public land.
     
  9. Apr 18, 2018 at 11:56 AM
    #9
    smslavin

    smslavin Behind a lens...

    Joined:
    Jul 15, 2017
    Member:
    #8578
    Messages:
    7,208
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Sean
    Hudson Valley
    Vehicle:
    2016 Tundra CrewMax SR5
    Some stuff
    yes, the switchbacks are one way going to down. however, you can drive up to the power station from the telluride side. black bear has never been something that has interested me to drive. there's always a bunch of yahoos up there and with the amount of accidents, i'm really surprised they've kept it open.

    as bailey said, sections of imogene are a bit narrow but there are pull outs. ophir is the same. the main issue is the jeep rentals. they never understand that uphill always has the right of way. just take your time. if the giant F250 'safari' trucks can haul tourists up and down, a tundra isn't a problem.

    as for camping, there's a campground at the top of molas pass. i have a list of some potential backcountry stuff but i'll have to go dig it out.
     
    equin and UTTundra[QUOTED][OP] like this.
  10. Apr 18, 2018 at 12:20 PM
    #10
    UTTundra

    UTTundra [OP] New Member

    Joined:
    Aug 4, 2017
    Member:
    #8898
    Messages:
    665
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Lou
    Utah
    The last time I was heading up to Yankee Boy Basin, some asshole just parked their car in the middle of the road when they couldn't get up any further. No one could get by without putting a wheel right on the edge.

    I've done a couple backcountry trips around Sneffels and Blue Lakes. I'm thinking maybe a trip to Ice Lake.
     

Products Discussed in

To Top