Telluride to Ouray

[OldBob]

I could have sworn that there is a dirt road between the two, but I cannot find anything on the map.  Anyone?  Anyone?

Thanks.

Bob

[OldBob]

http://www.treknow.com/colorado/backroads/southwest/imogene_pass.htm

There is a road, sort of.  It goes through Imogene Pass.  Significantly, the link references Imogene Pass Trail, not Imogene Pass Road.  I might try this on a fully loaded R1200GS, without knobbies.  

Stop me before I hurt myself.  

Bob

[blakebird]

I've done Imogene from Telluride to Ouray....on a plated XR628. We had a few KTM 950's and an R1150GS with us - the carb'd 950's had trouble with the elevation and didn't make it over, the R1150GS smacked a rock on a valve cover....sprung a leak and turned back. When I got to the top I ran across some folks on KLR's and a V Strom.

An experienced, skilled rider could make it over, and enjoy it. There are challenging places, but it's tough to describe something as easy or tough without knowing one's comfort level.
There are steep dropoffs, steep climbs with loose scree, a number of water crossings on the Ouray side.

That day started in Lake City with a climb over Cinammon Pass, down to Silverton - up over Ophir Pass, then Imogene to Ouray - and up the technical portion of Engineer Pass to Animas Forks over actual Engineer Pass back down to Lake City.
Fun day, long day.

Let us know how you liked it  

[birdrunner]

I've done Imogene from Telluride to Ouray....on a plated XR628. We had a few KTM 950's and an R1150GS with us - the carb'd 950's had trouble with the elevation and didn't make it over, the R1150GS smacked a rock on a valve cover....sprung a leak and turned back. When I got to the top I ran across some folks on KLR's and a V Strom.

An experienced, skilled rider could make it over, and enjoy it. There are challenging places, but it's tough to describe something as easy or tough without knowing one's comfort level.
There are steep dropoffs, steep climbs with loose scree, a number of water crossings on the Ouray side.

That day started in Lake City with a climb over Cinammon Pass, down to Silverton - up over Ophir Pass, then Imogene to Ouray - and up the technical portion of Engineer Pass to Animas Forks over actual Engineer Pass back down to Lake City.
Fun day, long day.

Let us know how you liked it  

An experiernce member of Advrider suggests any mountain pass riding in Colorado finish before mid afternoon as there are usually thunderstorms (most days) and it is not real safe to be above the tree line during one of these  

Somewhere on the Adv site is a very cool thread on riding the Colorado passes.

[blakebird]

An experiernce member of Advrider suggests any mountain pass riding in Colorado finish before mid afternoon as there are usually thunderstorms (most days) and it is not real safe to be above the tree line during one of these  

Somewhere on the Adv site is a very cool thread on riding the Colorado passes.

That's Geek's thread - he's a Canuck transplant who has traveled around Colorado quite a bit since moving here a few years ago.
Most of us Coloradoans on Advrider are experienced in the high country - we spend a lot of time up there.

Always a good idea to keep your eye on the weather, it moves in fast and can catch you off guard. During summer, afternoon thunderstorms are a given - so it's a good idea to be below treeline by 2pm, though sometimes by noon you're looking for save haven.

The top of Imogene when we got up there...


then within minutes ...and on the way down to Ouray the weather moved in





After Ouray, I went up the more rugged section of Engineer, and by the time I was up top you could see the storm moving to my north - while I was in sunshine.

[OldBob]

Didn't even try it.

I took the GS on a "trail" without the weight of luggage, tools, and other gear.  Not a good time.

However, on pavement, the GS gives me a big shit-eating grin; particularly when all extraneous weight has been removed.

Bob

[1KPerDay]

cool pics.