Looks like they've improved the road somewhat. In the early 1970s, I drove over the pass from the Lake City side. Locals said, "Oh yeah, you should be able to make it" (I was driving a VW beetle). It wasn't too bad going uphill, though the engine was lugging from the thin air near the summit. About 500 feet down the other side, though, it became apparent what a mistake I'd made. The "road" was barely wider than the car and so heavily rutted that the car seemed in danger of tipping over if I drove on the uphill side of the ruts. I wouldn't dare try crossing the downhill side of the ruts, as there was a drop of maybe 1,000 feet to a meadow below where you could just make out the white dots of grazing sheep. At this moment, my cats, who'd been hiding under the seat, decided to come out and start crawling around my feet among the clutch, gas pedal and brake. Did make it to the meadow alive and undamaged, but there was a lot more bad road after that. Should have gone south to Silverton; went west instead. It took almost 8 hours, total, to get over to 550. Spectacular scenery, though.
conuropsis I've heard from old timers that the roads were much better decades ago. But Ouray County deliberately leaves the roads the way they are because Jeep owners love the challenge.
U made it with the vw bug? That's some serious driving , We came in through lake city ,took us bout 3 hours , there's no way we would've done it coming from Silverton though...
This is not normally a hiking route because of the frequent vehicular usage. And I'm not a hiker, so it's hard to say. There's a serious elevation gain of about 4000 feet or more, though the road is not the steepest around. Be sure to take plenty of water--the climate is dry and the humidity is low. I did it in about 45 minutes at 8 to 12 mph, so it sounds like something a well-conditioned hiker could do a round trip in a day. (I'd suggest renting a Jeep instead!)
It's not that much quicker in a Jeep. We live in Minturn and drove down there for the weekend a week ago and took our Jeep TJ. We're on 31" tires and it was still fairly technical for us. I think it took us around 1:45 to summit from Ouray. Not too bad. Fun trail. Cinnamon Pass was slightly easier. Cool video, man! Thanks! :D
I've got avon distanzia tires on my dr650. I've done quite a bit of off roading with them. Would you suggest switching to a different tire for this route or going for it with the street oriented tires?
natewebb I looked up the dr650 on the web - looks like a capable bike. I also looked up the Avon Distanzia tires, which look very street-oriented. The Engineer Pass Road (Ouray County Road 18) is rough, rocky, and steep. There are sections with lots of loose pebbles and rocks. Personally, I'd feel more comfortable with a more aggressive tread pattern designed for true dual sport, tending toward the rocky trail.
ok thanks. I just didn't want to go through the trouble of switching tires if there wasn't anything difficult. I have some sahara 3 tires in the garage, I'll plan on taking those instead. they are not super knobby but they are better than the distanzias for dirt. Is Memorial day too early in the season to go? I'm thinking about heading out there (I live about 5 hours away)
Late May. Usually the Ouray Roads and Bridges Department tries to have the high-country roads open by Memorial Day. In 2012 the high country opened up quite early.
Wow yo are the best rider i have ever seen! to do the whole thing in 4 minutes is nothing short of amazing. #rockstar
Looks like they've improved the road somewhat. In the early 1970s, I drove over the pass from the Lake City side. Locals said, "Oh yeah, you should be able to make it" (I was driving a VW beetle). It wasn't too bad going uphill, though the engine was lugging from the thin air near the summit. About 500 feet down the other side, though, it became apparent what a mistake I'd made. The "road" was barely wider than the car and so heavily rutted that the car seemed in danger of tipping over if I drove on the uphill side of the ruts. I wouldn't dare try crossing the downhill side of the ruts, as there was a drop of maybe 1,000 feet to a meadow below where you could just make out the white dots of grazing sheep. At this moment, my cats, who'd been hiding under the seat, decided to come out and start crawling around my feet among the clutch, gas pedal and brake. Did make it to the meadow alive and undamaged, but there was a lot more bad road after that. Should have gone south to Silverton; went west instead. It took almost 8 hours, total, to get over to 550. Spectacular scenery, though.
conuropsis I've heard from old timers that the roads were much better decades ago. But Ouray County deliberately leaves the roads the way they are because Jeep owners love the challenge.
U made it with the vw bug? That's some serious driving , We came in through lake city ,took us bout 3 hours , there's no way we would've done it coming from Silverton though...
Great video! I’m riding it this coming Saturday!
This is not normally a hiking route because of the frequent vehicular usage. And I'm not a hiker, so it's hard to say. There's a serious elevation gain of about 4000 feet or more, though the road is not the steepest around. Be sure to take plenty of water--the climate is dry and the humidity is low. I did it in about 45 minutes at 8 to 12 mph, so it sounds like something a well-conditioned hiker could do a round trip in a day. (I'd suggest renting a Jeep instead!)
...did it in a completely stock Suzuki Samurai quite a few years ago...
It's not that much quicker in a Jeep. We live in Minturn and drove down there for the weekend a week ago and took our Jeep TJ. We're on 31" tires and it was still fairly technical for us. I think it took us around 1:45 to summit from Ouray. Not too bad. Fun trail. Cinnamon Pass was slightly easier.
Cool video, man! Thanks! :D
That was awesome! What time of year was this? I am going there July 2nd.
+Ride AMAP (As Much As Possible) Late spring. The road should be open by July 2nd, if weather patterns don't deviate too much from normal.
Awesome. Thanks man. I'm going to hit it on my scrambler
I came down that way June 19th 2023 with WR450. Bottom section is WAY more nasty now.
Followed a link from Randy's This is True newsletter. Do you have a sense of how long a hike that would be?
I've got avon distanzia tires on my dr650. I've done quite a bit of off roading with them. Would you suggest switching to a different tire for this route or going for it with the street oriented tires?
natewebb I looked up the dr650 on the web - looks like a capable bike. I also looked up the Avon Distanzia tires, which look very street-oriented. The Engineer Pass Road (Ouray County Road 18) is rough, rocky, and steep. There are sections with lots of loose pebbles and rocks. Personally, I'd feel more comfortable with a more aggressive tread pattern designed for true dual sport, tending toward the rocky trail.
ok thanks. I just didn't want to go through the trouble of switching tires if there wasn't anything difficult. I have some sahara 3 tires in the garage, I'll plan on taking those instead. they are not super knobby but they are better than the distanzias for dirt.
Is Memorial day too early in the season to go? I'm thinking about heading out there (I live about 5 hours away)
Can this be done in stock Nissan pro 4x?
Yes, if it's a short wheelbase 4WD. Take it slow.
Hi David - are the same guy who posts ham radio vids? -Ray from Durango, W5AQZ
Yep, that's me.
Hey David, cool video. What time of year is this?
Late May. Usually the Ouray Roads and Bridges Department tries to have the high-country roads open by Memorial Day. In 2012 the high country opened up quite early.
David Casler thanks, planning on a trip there this summer, really looking forward to it.
Not as good as you hoped.