Vacation out to Colorado for 'wheeling/ flyfishing

Chuckman

Chuckman

Well-Known Member
Joined
Oct 9, 2005
Location
Huntersville
Flying out to Ouray/Telluride/Vail/Rocky Mountain Natl park next friday for 10 days. Renting '08 Rubicons and hitting the trails. Any suggestions as what to ride / fly fish?
 
I grew up in Ouray, wheeled the whole area for as long as I can remember. I vote you go for Black bear road. The sign used to (don't know if it still does) say "You don't have to be crazy to drive this road, but it helps." That's about a half to 3/4 day trip, Engineer pass from Ouray to Lake city over animas forks to Silverton, over Red mountain back to Ouray is a whole day trip. Last time I did it, it took 8 hours and the odometer read 98 miles. Be sure to take a camera, the scenery is second to none. Imogene pass to Telluride is cool too. All the Jeep rentals will have a map of all the roads. Stop at the Timberline Deli for a bag lunch. They open at eleven AM so order it the night before (they're open late) and pick up at 10 or so before you leave. (They'll be inside cleaning in the AM so you can pick up early). Just ask, they'll be sure to accomodate. The Bon Ton is a good Italian place for dinner, (a bit upscale price wise). And the Buen Tiempo is great mexican food. There's a great short hike up to Cascade falls just up the side street from the Deli. You can walk right up to the base of the falls. Again, bring the camera. About 35 miles up the road outside of Montrose is the Black Canyon of the Gunnison. deeper than the Grand canyon, but not as wide. No wheeling at the Black canyon, but a great view. Watch out for slow moving RVs on the trip to Montrose.

I wish I was going too, just no vacation time yet from the new job. Have a blast, and take a camera...
 
Can we do Black bear and not worry about getting hung up? We're little spooked about breaking the #1 wheeling rule of not going alone. The easy places, OK fine; but we keep reading that BB can get you hungup.
This will just add to the list of places wheeled. Its a favorite thing for me to do on vacation- snag a rental and go play. We've done the black sand beaches and lava fields of Hawaii, the swamps of Fl, the passes in British Columbia, and all over the South. Even beat up a snowmobile in New England. This will take care of the Rockies. Still gotta hit some sanddunes and some real redrock.
 
Far as I know you can. It's been a few years since I was there, but I did it in a stock Tacoma and my buddy did it in a stock cherokee. Odds are, there will be people up there should you get into any trouble. Actually, the trails can get a bit congested.
 
You'll be fine on Black Bear. I rode it last year in a stock Nissan Pathfinder. The switchbacks coming down to Bridal Veil Falls are a little tricky but should be no problem for you. I also recommend the Engineer Pass/Animas Fork loop (Engineer Pass is a MUST!) I also liked Ophir Pass over into Ophir then up to Telluride via Lost Dollar Road. We saw the most wildlife on Lost Dolalr and coming out of Animas Fork. Wish I could go back this year. Larry Smith was supposed to leave today for 2 weekes out there so maybe you'll run into him. PM me if you want/need his cell number.
 
Oh yea, I forgot to mention that!:flipoff2:
 
Keep the info coming guys. Are there any small mountain streams that I could fly fish for a 'butt break' while were out there? I am not taking my waders, so I will have to fish streams or river edges. Info on this?
 
Plenty of streams all over up there, just not too sure if there's fish in them...Most of Ouray County is in the Uncompaghre Natl. forest, so you can fish just about anywhere the river borders the highway. On the north side of Ouray, (Behind the bottled water plant,) they've put in a bike/walking path along the river that would give you easy access. Just ask the shopkeep where you get your license where the best places are. I know most of the t-shirt shops sell them, Cabin Fever shop for sure does. Where you staying?
 
Ok, this may not hold up in court, but here goes. We're leaving for the airport now. So, If I dont come back (or I do in a box)- DylanW gets the CJ7- AND its full of gas!!
 
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