jtad wrote:
Hey Scott thanks for the advice brother.. Congrats on the retirement, I'm still on the job (Saginaw TX FD). Got a few more years to go but I can't wait. Like you said what we have done to this Jeep will do most of the things we want.. There could be a possibility of 35's later down the road, but for the most part we love the new Jeep. Booked a spot at the KOA in Ouray, seems to fit us better. We are ready to go.. Planning on Moab maybe Oct or Mar.
jtad,
You're most certainly welcome Sir. The FD was an outstanding career. Lots of good times and, some not so good. As with many Government Jobs, it can get a bit "political" if you know what I mean. But, when the day came, I never looked back. Been having a ball ever since.
Anyway, you'll have a great time in the Ouray region of Jeeping. As you'll see when you "walk" the town, (you can easily walk up one side and down the other in about 25-30 minutes). You can get off road maps in just about every store in the town. As far as eateries, there's lots up and down both sides of the street. Some have outdoor seating which, depending the weather, are quite nice to eat at primarily 'cause you can gaze at the outstanding scenery of the mountains and more while you eat.
One of the things you may or, may not notice is, your Jeep could seem to have a bit less power running around that area. The primary reason is, you're running around that town at, right close to 8,000 feet in elevation. Just about every trail, climbs seriously from that point. There's even some nice places to see in the town.
During certain times of the year, you will more than likely see deer in the front/side/rear of many of the residences there, eating tree leaves etc. They're not afraid of anything while in that town. The first and only time we stayed in town, in the RV park, we had bear come cruising through the camp ground at about 1:00 in the afternoon. He was so nonchalant about it that it seemed like he was just there for a Sunday cruise.
Anyway, good luck and have a great time.
Scott
jtad wrote:
Thanks for all the replies.. We have been jeeping for about 4 years now. Been in CJ 7, but just bought a new JKU.. I'm not an beginner nor an expert by no means but Red River NM every year, Big Bend twice a year for the last 5 years. Jeep has a 2 1/2 lift and 33's. If any one has any more suggestions throw them out.. Thanks again we are really looking forward to it. We are kind of bummed to be so close to Moab and are not going to have time to make it that far.. Maybe in March.
jtad,
Congrats on your new Jeep upgrade. The CJ-7 was a good Jeep in its day but, is SERIOUSLY OUTDATE in todays world of Jeeping, convenience, ride, comfort, personal traits, suspension, reliability, technology, MPG, and a zillion other things. What you've done to yours to enhance your off road worthiness is in all reality, just fine. You'll have great time in that Jeep.
To go any farther in enhancements and upgrades is, well, it all depends on what you want in the end. If you plan on conquering some of the toughest trails in Moab, New Mexico, some in California (hammers) Big Bear, and a zillion other places, then you'll need lots of upgrades. But, you'll loose good road manors when you do that.
In any case, you'll love the Ouray/Silverton area. Durango doesn't have as much to offer in terms of off roading and, that town gets seriously over crowded during the summer/travel season. I don't know if you've been on the 550, otherwise known as the "Million Dollar Highway" or not, (the one that leads through Ouray/Silverton down to Durango and, up to Montrose but, it's by far, one of the most scenic in the state of CO.
Some run and hide when you mention driving a motor home on it. It's quite safe. Fuel trucks and other 18-wheelers run on it every day as well as many, many RVs towing toads. The only thing that makes it primarily different is, THERE'S NO GAURD RAILS. I don't know why that makes a difference. No one that I know rubs up against them to keep themselves on track. IT'S A ROAD, PERIOD. Just drive it normally. You'll be just fine. Enjoy your trip.
Scott
jtad wrote:
Planning a trip this summer to the Ouray / Silverton area, was wondering if anyone could recommend a good place to stay. Will be in a 40' pusher with a Jeep, would like full hook ups. Thanks in advance, Joell and John.
jtad,
Well Sir,
The smartest thing for you to do would be to stay in the KOA, just about 5-6 miles north of Ouray. It's waaaaaaaaaay less conjested and a whole lot quieter than in town. It's very serene and has two sections for larger RVs, one in front and one around the back which, is the one all of us use because it's on grass and is more pleasant, and, is waaaaaaaay more negotiable than the in-town camping, especially if you're cruising around in a 40 footer toating a Jeep. Been to Ouray several times and have stayed in both. I'd stay in that KOA every time over the one in town. But, I'm the kind that don't like camping 2 feet from the other guy.
You're towing a Jeep but don't say what experience you have. In all reality, about 99.999% of the trails that lead out of Ouray and the Silverton area are non-complicated, non-obstacle trails. They are without a doubt, very scenic and, there's tons and tons of history in that entire area.
And as far as Black Bear pass, no sweat. Been on that trail several times. They (the Jeep tours based in Ouray) take fully loaded jeeps(as in several people) over that pass/trail every day when the pass is negotiable. It does have one section that has a pucker factor but, it's not all that bad. There are several hair pin u-turns that runs down the mountain side, into the town of Telluride.
If you plan it right, that is, enter the head of that trail at or near about 08:00 in the morning, you'll be at a very beautiful city park, right at the leading edge of Telluride for lunch. It's a neat place to eat and take in the sights before heading back to Ouray on the long pavement drive back.
Engineer pass is also a great one. You'll be above the tree line there, approximately 13,000 feet. There's many, many scenic trails in that entire area. If possible, do make sure you're with at least one other Jeep, if not more. Have fun.
Scott
