I was wondering if anyone knew where to look to see when the trails in the San Juan mountains open up this summer??? I know its probably not untill mid or late June. Here are the trails im interested in. Imogene Pass,Engineer Pass, and Ophir pass.
Thanks for any info

 

Mid June early July,

Here is a pic, from Darren's site, opening day June 17th, 2002
http://mycolorado.org/trails.html




Check this thread https://www.yotatech.com/forums/f15/trail-status-webpage-56012/

Jake.

 

I think it was Darren that gave me this LINK .
It is a bit early for info on '05, but click the link for the trail you want.

 

In general, I'm guessing late June this year. Last year was mid-June, but there is 50% more snow there this time around. Here's my report from my trip last June to see what you can expect.

That 2002 date, and corresponding picture for Imogene that Brian mentioned was in our huge drought year. It's usually the second to last to open (Black Bear). I would guess the first week in July for it this year, though I'm just throwing wild, educated guesses out.

Switzerland of America Jeep rental's site would be where to watch for updates. They put out accurate ones every Monday when the season begins and post the new openings.

 

My Guess is 4th of July weekend.

BTW, Darren, My Mt. is Bigger than Your Mt.

Jake.

 

Oh, okay! Now you're getting personal! Looks like you've got mine beat by 6,170'. But, at least I'm representing CO!

By the way, did you ever get down to Ouray this winter for any ice climbing? I didn't make it down, but really wanted to see all the snow.

 

Yea, Just once though. H and I spent 10 days there in Jan. One of my regular partners landed a job guiding on Danali, so he had to get things ready to go, so it cut the season a little short.

Lots-o-snow!!!! All passes were closed w/in an Hour or so of us getting checked into the motel. Kept things quite unstable all week. H and I were snowshoeing up past the Skylight and were missed by a small slide by about 40ft.

 

Thanks for all the info guys,I'm excited to run those trails. They look like a blast. Can you guys let me know what to expect as far as difficulty?? I think my rig can handle it okay, but any info on what to expect would be great since this will be my first time up there. Thanks

 

I've ran Imogene, Engineer and Cinnamon Pass in my 94 4runner when it had 31" BFG Muds, stock drivetrain...no locker...no problem. One of the steepest, longest hill climbs was very rocky and loose and halted me...3/4 way up...but I was able to start on a stand still and make it to the top...
You should have a great time...pick up some good maps and bring your fishing pole. Go fish Hansen Creek over near Lake City..

Brian

 

Neither one is "hard" I ran both in a stock Sami w/ street tires years ago. Black Bear has a lot of exposure, not any worse than other shelf roads, just more sustained. If your not used to driving shelf's try a few other classics in the area 1st so you get acclimated to the exposure.

 

Hey Stunna,

If you like to wheel in CO you should plan to join us at the CO4RJ '05 there will be a group of 3 or 4 of us heading up from NM.

The trails range from mild to wild, it's a great atmosphere with a great bunch of people.

 

I saw on 14erWorld a guy passed through there just before May 5. Cinnamon was open then! I never could've guessed, but here's his picture.

 

how do they even know where the road is to start blowing/pushing that much snow!!!

as I recall, when we were up there last Sept, my GPS was only locating me within 20' to 40' accuracy, and the switch backs were not quite that wide!

 

In the fall the put up very long bamboo poles, and mark trees with engineer tape so the drivers know where the road bed is. Also in the deep areas the road is cleared by front end loaders 1 scoop at a time. More digging tha plowing.

 

Does anyone think Jenny Creek is open yet?

If not, where we be a good place to wheel this weekend and camp?

 

Do every one on the Front Range a favor and stay away form Jenny Creek, at least until the spring run off has subsided.

The Sierra Club has Jenny Creek in its sights for PERMANENT closure. The SC is using the Clean Water Act to leverage the Forest Service to close the trail because of the water crossing.

The SC has posted their tree huggn' camera toten' woods gnomes along the trail. The pics' they have brought to the Boulder Ranger Dist. meetings have been impressive enough to make the rangers lean towards closure.

Please wait till after run off, as always Tread Lightly, and get involved in keeping this trail open!!

 

Well thats no good! Damn Hippies!!!!!! Thanks for the heads up

Where do you think would be the warmest and little to no snow... CO springs area, Fort Collins area, or somewhere else?

 

? bump

 

I'm thinking Slaughterhouse might be drying up. I was fishing up outside of Buffalo Creek/Pine Junction and there was no snow at all. I was going to scout Slaughterhouse that day, but the Camry high-centers too easy.

 

Some trails that are open... China Wall, Slaughterhouse Gulch, Old Chinamans Gulch -- there are some trip reports here...

http://www.colorado4x4.org/vbb/forumdisplay.php?f=19

John