This was my first ride in the Ouray/Silverton area.... It is an easy ride up to the Yankee Boy Basin. The scenery is gorgeous but for some great pictures and commentary look here narrowgauge.org/4x4/html/yankee.html


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Garmin Track Log Yankee Boy Basin

Shelf road leading to
Yankee Boy Basin

This was on my second day of riding in the area and I was not ready for what was in store at the top of Imogene pass. It was rated on other web sites as easy, but this Florida flatlander found the last mile to be quite steep and intimidating. After a few tries and turning yellow I went back down with my tail between my legs. However not to go home after failing I went back up the next day from the other side (Telluride). That is my next slide below.... I call it the Imogene Ophir Dual Sport Loop. The trail on that side was steep too, but a little smother and with another days courage built up I made it by pure will if nothing else. This mountain is gorgeous and I'm sure the pictures do not do it justice. I really enjoyed my time here and wish to go back soon. More pictures and commentary here at this great Colorado web site www.narrowgauge.org/4x4/html/imogene.html


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Garmin Track Log Imogene Pass

 

Mine on a spur of Imogene


Little over 1/2 Way up


Going


Still Going

Wow, what a great dual  sport ride.... South out of Ouray on the million dollar highway. Just before (north of) Ophir Pass it is the shelf road from hell, (not on a bike but in an RV wow) but I was on the good side (up against the mountain). I drove this road going the other way pulling my Airstream  and about had the big one. It just doesn't pay to put us Florida boys on these kind of roads. Across Ophir Pass and up Hwy 145 into Telluride. Then up Tom Boy Rd to the top. Finally made it, what a great feeling.
 
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Garmin Track Log Imogene Ophir Dual Sport Loop

South on 550 out of Ouray


Ophir Pass


Finally Made it to the top

This is a scenic 4x4 Jeep trail loop that is about 80 miles all total. 80%  of it is very easy, however the western entrance through Engineer Pass is steep and rocky for the first few miles (Advanced) and Corkscrew Pass is a bit steep leaving (Advanced) There is also some very steep parts west of Animas forks up around and past California Pass. I was coming up Engineer Pass in the morning and I passed to German guys trying to come down on two big Harleys (they were scared to death.... I don't blame them, I cant think of a worse vehicle to try and navigate Engineer pass. I would rather do it in Grandmas Oldsmobile)... Wow I guess those Germans have a habit of biting off more than they can chew huh?

More great pics and commentary here www.narrowgauge.org/4x4/html/corkscrw.html


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Garmin Track Log Alpine loop

Mine Ruins on Engineer Pass


More Ruins


Top of the world


Old Tramway for Mining

Garmin Trip Log Alpine Loop 2

Imogene looking across at Corkscrew


Friends on the trail at Corkscrew


ATV Heaven