This is what I can imagine some think of 550. Had to laugh.

Busskipper wrote:

MPond wrote:

Busskipper wrote:

MPond wrote:
I've done every trail in and around Ouray, except Black Bear. It's on my list for next time!

Matt,

That's the Great thing about the San Juan's - every time you think you've seen or done it all you discover there is just so much more to see and do.(Not a road or area of Colorado that is not just that way)

In the early 70's we stopped in the mining town of Dunton, and I think the family that owned it died off and sold it to a Billionaire, and it changed for ever, but the drives, and trails through the NF and to the Base of Lizard head are just unforgettable, we try to drive through when ever in the area, In the old days you could stop and get a Beer and soak in the Hot Springs- Now it gated and private, but still wild and Beautiful.

When you take the Trail at Black Bear be sure to have a dash cam - love to hear how quiet your crew will be!

Always enjoy your trip post, will save the Pic of the Bike Lane on 550 and use often.

Bill

Lizard Head is on our list to get over to at some point as well, but haven't done much research on that area yet.

Are there still good trails over that way, or are they all closed down and private now?

Matt,

I'm not really the one to look to for that, (4runnerguy is the expert) I, more often than not, will look for the more scenic drives and stumble into the crazy ones. Washboard gravel is good enough for me or a trail that just gets you up to the tops for the view and the feeling you get being there. I also enjoy running into the occasional Beaver Dam in the middle of nowhere, my son, who now lives in Colorado, will run across these often as they will still hike in an tent camp - even with the 4 girls - they have some pretty crazy stories before the girls were born, hence when he came back to work in Baltimore (UA) he only lasted 2 years before he move back to Colorado (It's a long commute now).

http://bushducks.com/tripreps/passopen.htm

http://www.narrowgauge.org/4x4/html/4X4.html

http://www.pbase.com/sparker1/root%26view=tree

These would be my go to links, compliments of Ken and Stan, as to areas to head out to....... You with the Winch and the Lift kit need to find the challenges, but my MDX is not that crazy.

So to address the question - "Good" is subjective, and we have gone "Off Road" (Gravel double track) and just enjoyed the ability to be alone in such a Beautiful area, but I would suggest a PM to Ken to discuss the actual "type" road that you might enjoy.

With any luck, I'll trade the smooth ride - MDX - for maybe a Grand Cherokee - lifted and with a winch so as to be able to follow you some day, funny how after spending 30 years building highways and subdivisions, all I really want to do is get away and find those places that are out of the way and quiet. That is what I find in the San Juan National Forest.

Keep up the good work with the kid's - because of sports and work we had few trips after they reached 10 - and like I'm sure you know, "TIME FLY's"

Bill

Go to Traildamage.com. Your one stop Colorado trail guide.

Busskipper wrote:
Matt,

I'm not really the one to look to for that, (4runnerguy is the expert) I, more often than not, will look for the more scenic drives and stumble into the crazy ones. Washboard gravel is good enough for me or a trail that just gets you up to the tops for the view and the feeling you get being there. I also enjoy running into the occasional Beaver Dam in the middle of nowhere, my son, who now lives in Colorado, will run across these often as they will still hike in an tent camp - even with the 4 girls - they have some pretty crazy stories before the girls were born, hence when he came back to work in Baltimore (UA) he only lasted 2 years before he move back to Colorado (It's a long commute now).

http://bushducks.com/tripreps/passopen.htm

http://www.narrowgauge.org/4x4/html/4X4.html

http://www.pbase.com/sparker1/root%26view=tree

These would be my go to links, compliments of Ken and Stan, as to areas to head out to....... You with the Winch and the Lift kit need to find the challenges, but my MDX is not that crazy.

So to address the question - "Good" is subjective, and we have gone "Off Road" (Gravel double track) and just enjoyed the ability to be alone in such a Beautiful area, but I would suggest a PM to Ken to discuss the actual "type" road that you might enjoy.

With any luck, I'll trade the smooth ride - MDX - for maybe a Grand Cherokee - lifted and with a winch so as to be able to follow you some day, funny how after spending 30 years building highways and subdivisions, all I really want to do is get away and find those places that are out of the way and quiet. That is what I find in the San Juan National Forest.

Keep up the good work with the kid's - because of sports and work we had few trips after they reached 10 - and like I'm sure you know, "TIME FLY's"

Bill

Thanks Bill. I'll reach out to this group when the time gets closer. Maybe by then you'll have that Grand Cherokee, and we can meet up for some trail rides!

My son just hit 10, but we're doing our best to keep him (and his little sister) engaged in these trips.

MPond wrote:

Busskipper wrote:

MPond wrote:
I've done every trail in and around Ouray, except Black Bear. It's on my list for next time!

Matt,

That's the Great thing about the San Juan's - every time you think you've seen or done it all you discover there is just so much more to see and do.(Not a road or area of Colorado that is not just that way)

In the early 70's we stopped in the mining town of Dunton, and I think the family that owned it died off and sold it to a Billionaire, and it changed for ever, but the drives, and trails through the NF and to the Base of Lizard head are just unforgettable, we try to drive through when ever in the area, In the old days you could stop and get a Beer and soak in the Hot Springs- Now it gated and private, but still wild and Beautiful.

When you take the Trail at Black Bear be sure to have a dash cam - love to hear how quiet your crew will be!

Always enjoy your trip post, will save the Pic of the Bike Lane on 550 and use often.

Bill

Lizard Head is on our list to get over to at some point as well, but haven't done much research on that area yet.

Are there still good trails over that way, or are they all closed down and private now?

Matt,

I'm not really the one to look to for that, (4runnerguy is the expert) I, more often than not, will look for the more scenic drives and stumble into the crazy ones. Washboard gravel is good enough for me or a trail that just gets you up to the tops for the view and the feeling you get being there. I also enjoy running into the occasional Beaver Dam in the middle of nowhere, my son, who now lives in Colorado, will run across these often as they will still hike in an tent camp - even with the 4 girls - they have some pretty crazy stories before the girls were born, hence when he came back to work in Baltimore (UA) he only lasted 2 years before he move back to Colorado (It's a long commute now).

http://bushducks.com/tripreps/passopen.htm

http://www.narrowgauge.org/4x4/html/4X4.html

http://www.pbase.com/sparker1/root%26view=tree

These would be my go to links, compliments of Ken and Stan, as to areas to head out to....... You with the Winch and the Lift kit need to find the challenges, but my MDX is not that crazy.

So to address the question - "Good" is subjective, and we have gone "Off Road" (Gravel double track) and just enjoyed the ability to be alone in such a Beautiful area, but I would suggest a PM to Ken to discuss the actual "type" road that you might enjoy.

With any luck, I'll trade the smooth ride - MDX - for maybe a Grand Cherokee - lifted and with a winch so as to be able to follow you some day, funny how after spending 30 years building highways and subdivisions, all I really want to do is get away and find those places that are out of the way and quiet. That is what I find in the San Juan National Forest.

Keep up the good work with the kid's - because of sports and work we had few trips after they reached 10 - and like I'm sure you know, "TIME FLY's"

Bill

Busskipper wrote:

MPond wrote:
I've done every trail in and around Ouray, except Black Bear. It's on my list for next time!

Matt,

That's the Great thing about the San Juan's - every time you think you've seen or done it all you discover there is just so much more to see and do.(Not a road or area of Colorado that is not just that way)

In the early 70's we stopped in the mining town of Dunton, and I think the family that owned it died off and sold it to a Billionaire, and it changed for ever, but the drives, and trails through the NF and to the Base of Lizard head are just unforgettable, we try to drive through when ever in the area, In the old days you could stop and get a Beer and soak in the Hot Springs- Now it gated and private, but still wild and Beautiful.

When you take the Trail at Black Bear be sure to have a dash cam - love to hear how quiet your crew will be!

Always enjoy your trip post, will save the Pic of the Bike Lane on 550 and use often.

Bill

Lizard Head is on our list to get over to at some point as well, but haven't done much research on that area yet.

Are there still good trails over that way, or are they all closed down and private now?

4runnerguy wrote:
Did Black Bear Pass some years back when there was an inch or so of slushy wet snow on it. But we didn't run into the snow until we were already over the top and just above Ingram Falls on the shale slopes dipping into the ravine. Scary as I need. Apparently we made it down!

Ken,

No BRAKES on that run just first gear.

The good thing was, I'm guessing there was not a line behind you.

Did Black Bear Pass some years back when there was an inch or so of slushy wet snow on it. But we didn't run into the snow until we were already over the top and just above Ingram Falls on the shale slopes dipping into the ravine. Scary as I need. Apparently we made it down!

MPond wrote:
I've done every trail in and around Ouray, except Black Bear. It's on my list for next time!

Matt,

That's the Great thing about the San Juan's - every time you think you've seen or done it all you discover there is just so much more to see and do.(Not a road or area of Colorado that is not just that way)

In the early 70's we stopped in the mining town of Dunton, and I think the family that owned it died off and sold it to a Billionaire, and it changed for ever, but the drives, and trails through the NF and to the Base of Lizard head are just unforgettable, we try to drive through when ever in the area, In the old days you could stop and get a Beer and soak in the Hot Springs- Now it gated and private, but still wild and Beautiful.

When you take the Trail at Black Bear be sure to have a dash cam - love to hear how quiet your crew will be!

Always enjoy your trip post, will save the Pic of the Bike Lane on 550 and use often.

Bill

I've done every trail in and around Ouray, except Black Bear. It's on my list for next time!

I suspect this is what Hwy 550 looked like in its earliest stages. At least that's what I imagined while watching the video. I recalled pulling our 5th wheel along 550 (Durango to Ridgway) and saw those steep mountainsides thinking how glad I was we had a nice smooth road surface.

Oh what fun...want to be to that fantastic area once again! The trail isn't bad at all it's the turns where you have to be careful - some take some backing up slightly to get the correct angle.

You'll notice on CWMcCall's video that they began their trip in the fantastic town of Silverton and they traveled on the famous Hwy 550 (Red Mountain/Million Dollar Highway) to get to Black Bear.

If you're ever in Telluride you can drive a normal vehicle to the bottom of Black Bear and watch them come down.