Planning my first trip out west this year looking for some opinions

[JeepFreak13]

Hey guys and girls,

Finally getting to do a big trip out west this year for the first time with my jeep and some friends. We are heading out of Pittsburgh this September for a week long trip. We are spending most of our time in Ouray, CO but are also looking to take a trip to Moab. These are both places on my bucket list. While in Colorado we will be doing Black Bear Pass. Just wondering what other trails you guys recommend trying out also. Also since we will only be in Moab for 1 day what is big hitters to look and try out while there. Some of the jeeps going won't be modified at all so nothing to crazy but like good known ones to try out.

Thanks everyone for the help and opinions.

Happy Jeepend

[TheDirtman]

I would extend the Moab trip, if you are going that far for a trip you will feel you cheated yourself as Moab is just huge and a stock JK can run Most of trails. There are some good books on the trails of Moab and would be worth buying.

[JeepFreak13]

I would extend the Moab trip, if you are going that far for a trip you will feel you cheated yourself as Moab is just huge and a stock JK can run Most of trails. There are some good books on the trails of Moab and would be worth buying.

Thanks Dirtman, trust me I'm trying to get them to do Moab longer but they want to do Colorado longer. I was being nice about the whole unmodified rig. Its that some of the guys going are nervous about it and stuff. I may try and stay in Moab longer if i can. I was looking at trail books to buy. There are just so many trying to research which one to buy so i can make a plan if possible. Thanks for the advice i appreciate it. One good thing is i just picked up a trailer to haul my jeep out so im excited about that haha

[TheDirtman]

Check out the guides put out by Charles A. Wells He has several books for trails out West

[JeepFreak13]

Check out the guides put out by Charles A. Wells He has several books for trails out West

Ok awesome. Thanks man

[longlegs]

The book we used was Colorado Trails - southwest region, Peter Massey. It’ll even tell you where bathrooms and overlooks are. Day one- From the highway south of Ouray, go in Engineer, stop at the old mining village (Animas). Then hit California & Corkscrew Very easy. Day 2-You can take Black bear to Telluride, have a pizza at Brown dog, then back on Imogene. Ophir is almost a 2wd route except the very top. I wouldn’t spend more than 2 days there. From the point you get off the highway to go south to Ouray, you could be in Moab in the same amount of time.

[longlegs]

Oh and it’s a solid two day drive for me out of central IL

[JeepFreak13]

The book we used was Colorado Trails - southwest region, Peter Massey. It’ll even tell you where bathrooms and overlooks are. Day one- From the highway south of Ouray, go in Engineer, stop at the old mining village (Animas). Then hit California & Corkscrew Very easy. Day 2-You can take Black bear to Telluride, have a pizza at Brown dog, then back on Imogene. Ophir is almost a 2wd route except the very top. I wouldn’t spend more than 2 days there. From the point you get off the highway to go south to Ouray, you could be in Moab in the same amount of time.

I just bought a trail guide book for Colorado and for Moab going to start making some plans. I cant wait for this trip.

Oh and it’s a solid two day drive for me out of central IL

Yeah we are leaving Thursday night after work to drive all night and most of the day Friday. Stop and catch some sleep then wake up and hopefully finish the drive up

[longlegs]

You might have snow up on the passes in September. Idk when that starts becoming a problem.

[JeepFreak13]

You might have snow up on the passes in September. Idk when that starts becoming a problem.

Ok sounds good. Is it a bad idea to do the passes if they are covered in snow? Also do you know what kind of temperatures i could be expecting at middle of September to the end of the month in Colorado?