I got a question for those of you from Colorado. I'm planning a trip around the last week of July to Colorado. I want to drive the Alpine Loop (near Ouray) for one day (great for photos!). Is that something I can do with the Element? I heard the Engineer Pass is kind of tough.

Also, any other trails or passes around Ouray/Telluride that's doable in an Element?

Thanks a lot.

(By the way, I know my limits and I'm not going to drive the Element on the Black Bear Pass. http://www.flashoffroad.com/photography/BlancaBkBear/blackBearBlanca.htm)

pengshi,

I've done that trail before in a Jeep. You could do most of the trail in your E, but closer to the top, I would want real 4 wheel drive, we ran into a snowmass at the top and it was late June. You can start in Ouray and take it all the way over to Telluride. Its a awsome ride. Check the local Park Dept for all the trail maps you need. Its very helpful.

I've been to the area twice. In 1988 it was in a 4x4 S10 pickup. I drove from Silverton to Animas Forks. I got up to the top of Engineering Pass (or nearly so), intending to go on to Lake City, but there was snow on the north side (mid October), so I turned back, and to the branch down to Ouray.

This past fall I passed through the area, intending to drive that route and more. Telluride was packed with a Blues and Brews festival. I intended to drive up the lower 2way part of Blackbear Pass, but decided one of the lower switchbacks was too rough to try, and I was anxious to find a camping place. I drove up to Alta Lakes above Telluride without problem (11,000 ft), and spent a rainy night camped there. The next day was even rainier - all day - so I decided not try the backroads. Instead I made the paved loup around to Ouray, over Red Mtn Pass to Silverton, and then to Durango and Cortez.

Prior to that trip I read up quite a bit. Roads that appeared to passable in an Element included
Ophir Pass (Ophir to 550)
Engineer - Animas - Silverton (I'm not sure about the Engineer leg to Lake City)
Cinnamon (Animas to Lake City)
I'm not sure about Imogene, from Telluride to Ouray.
Blackbear is definately out, though it might be possible to drive from Red Mtn hwy to Blackbear Pass area.
All of this does depend on weather, and whether there is any snow on the road. Some of these are part of the Alpine Loop.

One approach is - go to the area, pick up some local jeep roads guides, ask about road conditions, and then try some of the more promissing ones. Feel free to turn around if the way looks doubtful. The Element is great for turning around. My guess is that ground clearanace will be the main limitation. If you want to try something beyond your ability in the Element, you can always rent a Jeep, or take one of the Jeep road tours.

Some threads that I contributed to on the other list include:
pictures from lasf fall's trip, including one from the 88 trip:
http://www.hondaelement.org/showthread.php?s=&threadid=5850&highlight=animas

http://www.hondaelement.org/showthread.php?s=&threadid=5318&highlight=animas

http://www.hondaelement.org/showthread.php?s=&threadid=5432&highlight=animas

Some of the best pictures of these roads are at (featuring Basil, an old Land Rover):
http://www.eunos.com/keith/index.html

http://www.renegades.us/trailreports/ouray200309/index.html
http://www.4x4now.com/a4f98b.htm
paulj

Thanks for all the useful information! I will be staying in Gunnison the previous night. My plan is to drive down to Lake City in the morning and drive the Alpine Loop to Ouray. We reserved a Jeep for the second day to do the Yankee Boy basin and Imogene Pass. I'm so excited, I hope it doesn't rain. We will probably also drive to the bottom of Black Bear Pass and watch other crazy Jeep people suffer ;)

I just ordered a Nikon D70s. I'll be very trigger happy.:)

if you haven't seen this part of the country before, you're going to be in awe! It is sooo cool! Getting the Jeep will make it even better. Don't forget the maps , they help out a lot. Not to many people to ask directions out there.

I've been there before, but I was only 9, so I don't remember much.

I'm sure I'll enjoy the Jeep. In fact, Wrangler was considered before I bought the Element. I got the Element because I live in Michigan and it's all flat, and there's no reason to get a Jeep just for 2 days of the year. ;)

I already ordered the maps. Thanks for the advise.

My gut sense is that if you are allowing yourself one day to drive from Gunnisson to Ouray via Lake City, taking the Cinnamon Pass leg of the Alpine loop is your best bet. I believe it is a bit easier than Engineer Pass. Much of it is on a south facing slope, so will be clear of snow earlier, and probably dryer. Once you reach Animas Forks you have two choices. If things went well, and you still have plenty of time, you could head north, and then drop down to Ouray. If you have had enough of the rougher roads, or are tight on time, you could turn south to Silverton, and take the paved highway north to Ouray. Going by way of Silverton will be longer, but in the long run faster.

Once you are in Lake City, ask around, and make your final decision there.

My plans last fall, were to camp near Lake City, and get in one or more hikes in the Cinnamon Pass area. BLM has a number of trail descriptions for this area (though the BLM web site is off line). Since the weather kept me out of the area, that is still on my agenda.

Another good road description source is:
http://www.narrowgauge.org/4x4/html/4X4.html

paulj

Yes, That was exactly my plan. Thanks.

I chickened out, I didn't want to damage my E, so I bypassed Alpine Loop. But I did rent a Jeep and drove over Ophir Pass, Imogene Pass, and part of Alpine Loop (the hard part outside Ouray). Still, I got lots of good photos of my E. You can check out some of the pictures I took here:
http://www.elementownersclub.com/forums/showthread.php?t=16584