I grew up going to Lake City for vacation every year to visit my grandparents. I remember we crossed paths with another car on engineer’s one time and it was so close, both cars had to tuck in the side mirror to squeak by each other. Thanks for posting!
You're the best driver and photographer! You really have a feel for the scenery and pitfalls of the 4WD roads. Thanks so much for your efforts and for sharing with everyone!! And I love the silence (and wind!).
Excellent quality video. I love the soundtrack, the sound of tires on the road makes it feel more real. And true speed instead of time lapse is really great. Thanks for posting.
Very nice. Great quality video. Shows the road, scenery, aspens in early fall, aspen covered mountains. Colorado is beautiful. At 17:00 a nice big meadow with aspen covered mountain. I subscribed. Thanks for sharing.
Thanks for sharing... We did it several years back. I really enjoyed refreshing my memories of the trip. Wish we could get back out West and do it again. We are missing our Colorado/Utah fall trips.
Thank you for posting. I hope to drive this tomorrow. I've heard that the east side of the pass is the easier part. Your video confirms that and gives me the courage to drive the road.
I'd like to get back here someday. I recall when I was like 8 my father had us and my mother and sister up on engineers pass. And I recall it being scary as hell. I remember that I felt a little better sitting in the front seat, but not much lol. I fell in love with this place then...I hope to make it back there someday. Thanks for the video, good for the soul. Edit! lol....I'm sorry but I REMEMBER ALL THIS, I've been thinking about these same turns, same buildings, same ways all my life. Wow...unreal....I'm gonna make it back to stay. That's the goal. I'll make it.... at some point. I can't believe I remember this all this clearly. God did that, only God can do that. I apologize for continuing to edit this but I"m a little euphoric right now lol. I use to read scripture like this ...... Psalm 37:4 "Delight yourself also in the LORD, And He shall give you the desires of your heart." So for a very long time I thought that mean that the Lord would give me my hearts desire. But that's not what it means. It means that God will place the desires in your heart. He will give them, and He will make them, and from Him they take shape. He doesn't give you want you want, he "GIVES you the desires of your heart". Those "approved by the Lord". Anyways...great video, I don't know if you find it odd it effected someone so deeply but it did. Appreciate it!
OMG I can feel the energy vortex and such peace and serenity. Yahweh blessed Colorado!!! Great footage thank you so very much... 💚🏞️ I hope to visit CO one day if not live there I have never been there..I yearn to be there..
@@donm8011 Your welcome thank you for the video footage it all the more makes me want to live there WOW just WOW! CO is like another planet lol ....💚🏞️😍
So I did Cinnamon Pass from Silverton to get to the trailhead for Handies a couple months ago. Had a midsize SUV and it seemed to take forever because of the road conditions. Is it my imagination that Engineer Pass is a bit more tame or is it just the vehicle Don has in this video that makes it look easy?
Having a lifted Rubicon on 35s certainly helps the experience. The road from Lake City to Engineer Pass is not bad except for the last mile or two but still doable in stock rigs in good weather. In my experience the road from Silverton is an easier route but these roads change with the seasons so it's different every year. Thanks for watching.
Great video!! We're climbing Handies via Grizzly Gulch trail beginning of Aug. We'll be in a Subaru Crosstrek. I'm assuming we'll be ok if it's dry?? Also, I'm terrified of heights...hopefully I'll be ok!!
Sounds like a great time. Of course the roads change with the seasons, and depending on which route you take to get there may pose some issues with your Crosstrek, mostly clearances but you never know unless you try. Handies is a 14er so congrats on that. Hopefully the amazing sights you see will overcome your fear of heights. Thanks for your comment and thanks for watching.
@@michellelo2272 Shelf roads get interesting when you meet someone. The rig coming up hill has the right of way so pay attention to wide spots along the way in case you have to back up. And sometimes its easier for the other vehicle to do so. Don't stress, the experience you gain will go along way. You'll have a great time.
Appreciate this so much. Thank you! Only constructive comment would be that it would've been so nice if you could've inserted some photos of the overlooks and passes while we viewers "waited at the car", lol.
I agree. There are a few photos on part 1&2 but they blend into the video so they don't stand out like they should. Thanks for your comment and thanks for watching.
Just for piece of mind a 4x4 of some sort would be better. I rented jeeps in Ouray for many years before buying my own. Most trails are 90% doable but it's that 10% that gets you if your not prepared. Thanks for your comment and thanks for watching.
@@donm8011 Any recommendations for dispersed overland camping along the Loop? Preferably something no higher than a 4-5/10 on difficulty for a couple off-road newbies :-)
@@J2415J I don't recall any camping along this particular route but if you go to this website www.fs.usda.gov/main/sanjuan/home it should help with camping areas, permits, etc. I don't camp anymore so its a motel or hotel in Lake City or Ouray for us.
Both from what we saw. A lot of public and private land. There are for sale signs along the way as well. Thanks for your comment and thanks for watching.
@@donm8011 Love your style of vids. Going to watch all of them! I hope to take my family to some of these spots in a few years. I've been up to Steamboat Springs and down to Colorado Springs - had no idea about this section of Colorado!
@@donm8011 thanks! I’m taking a trip out to Colorado with rough plans and a truck full of camping stuff. I came up with this idea today and I will leave Florida on Friday
Nice video with no blaring music!! Please keep all the parts in it you missed the first part of Capital City ..That's why I watched it and it was missing.. If you edit over lap it. Thanks
It's always hard what parts to leave in and which to cut out. Either way someone's not going to be happy. Hopefully you'll get a chance to see it for yourself some day. Thanks for watching.
@@donm8011 Don't leave any of it out. I love it all. That's why I watch these, as if I were behind the wheel myself, not being able to get to places like this. My car doesn't teleport when I drive, so I'd love it if what I watch also doesn't teleport. Keep it all. I'm in it for the long haul. I hate to miss any of the beauty. If someone wants a 5-minute drive covering 100 miles, there are plenty of those. I look for those videos that are also in it for the long haul. If people don't want to stick around for the long haul, they can do their own teleporting via clicking forward on the time line. But thanks for what you do and for sharing it. Videos like this make me miss Utah's Wasatch and Uinta mountain ranges all the more.
I used 4 high in a couple spots but not really needed. If the roads are dry, it's not bad. Extra clearance always helps. I saw several trucks along the way. Enjoy the ride and thanks for watching.
@chris younts The several times I've gone this direction, haven't used 4wd past Engineer Pass because its downhill. Coming from Ouray definitely requires 4wd at times because of hill climbs and loose rock. My Rubicon is geared low so that helps. Of course everyone's experience will be vary due to conditions. This year a lot of trails were hammered by deep snow and avalanches.
@chris younts We have a similar history in these mountains as I first did these trails in a lifted Bronco in the seventies and remember some years being amazed that I could even get all the way. Thankfully modern technology and automatic transmissions make these rides fairly painless now which is good but the trails will always change with the seasons and keeps me coming back for more.
Yes there are several companies in Ouray Colorado that tour this area from June to October depending on weather. Just sit back and take pictures. Or you can rent Jeeps and go on your own. Either way an experience you won't forget. Thanks for watching.
We did this in a GMC crew cab four-wheel-drive and it was basically impossible, we missed our truck up. Do not attempt this in a regular vehicle. We have 33 inch tires and a 2-1/2” leveling kit on the front. It kicked our asses. Make sure you have a jeep or preferably a Razor type vehicle. We went through literal f-ing hell. Don’t want to do it like us. We got dents and messed up runningboards not counting the fear factor that f-Ed our heads up.
Aw man that sucks. I have seen many stock rigs on these trails over the years including pickups and a van on this trip. I rented Jeeps in Ouray for many years before buying my own. It was a great learning experience while leaving my own car in one piece. Your not alone. Many trails have kicked me and my Jeeps butt as well.
Hi Don, we are getting that much closer to our Ouray trip this year. What is the best time of year to do the mtn passes near there? We were thinking mid/late July. While there we were going to do Imogene, Black Bear, Ophir, Yankee Boy Basin, and the Cinnamon/Engineer Loop. Should I add or remove anything from this list? Thanks!
Wow what a great trip. As far as time of year, it all depends on winter snow fall and road conditions. One July trip over Imogene there was 10 feet of snow along the road and our last trip there in July there was no snow. I check the San Juan Forest Service website for road and pass conditions. They usually start updating in June or you can call them. I wouldn't remove anything. Maybe add Animas Fork to Silverton which is an old mining town like Ouray, or if you have time run these trails in opposite directions for a different perspective except for Yankee Boy which is out and back and Black Bear which is one way after the pass. Study the maps, there's a lot of side trails in the Alpine Loop-Animas Fork area as well. Not sure how the virus affects all this if your camping or staying in a motel. It's always best to reserve as early as possible as this area is extremely popular. Hope this helps.
@@donm8011 that was very helpful! I will try to touch base with the San Juan forest folks to get an idea of snowpack this year, and we can push our trip back a month if needed. Can't wait!!
❤️ 😍 💖 thanks for posting!
Thanks for your comment and thanks for watching these cool places.
I grew up going to Lake City for vacation every year to visit my grandparents. I remember we crossed paths with another car on engineer’s one time and it was so close, both cars had to tuck in the side mirror to squeak by each other. Thanks for posting!
You're welcome. What a great place to vacation.
You're the best driver and photographer! You really have a feel for the scenery and pitfalls of the 4WD roads. Thanks so much for your efforts and for sharing with everyone!! And I love the silence (and wind!).
Thanks for the kind words and thanks for watching.
I vividly remember doing this in 1996 in a '93 1/2 ton Suburban, bare bones stock. What an adventure that was! Thanks for letting me relive this ride!
Your welcome. That must have been quite a ride in a Suburban. Thanks for your comment and thanks for watching. Happy Holidays.
At a loss for words how beautiful this is
Yes, it is pretty special. Thanks for watching.
@@donm8011 thanks for sharing
Excellent quality video. I love the soundtrack, the sound of tires on the road makes it feel more real. And true speed instead of time lapse is really great. Thanks for posting.
Your welcome. Thanks for your comment and thanks for watching.
Agree. Thanks for not dubbing with a bunch of random music. Great video and audio.
we done this last year and loved it. we done it on our rzr now i am building an overland jeep with a roof top tent and gear to camp.
Sounds like fun times ahead. Thanks for watching.
Wonderful video! No narration or music just the sounds of the road. I'll have to try this next summer if I can! THANKS!!
I know you'll enjoy it. Thanks for your comment and thanks for watching.
Wow, so much easier than the rugged Ouray to Engineer Pass side.
Very nice. Great quality video. Shows the road, scenery, aspens in early fall, aspen covered mountains. Colorado is beautiful. At 17:00 a nice big meadow with aspen covered mountain. I subscribed. Thanks for sharing.
Thanks for your comment and thanks for watching.
When I was a kid my grandparents would take us on these it would scare the hell out of us 😂. Miss it so much. Thanks for posting these
Your welcome. Glad this brought back good memories.
Awesome video!!!What a beautiful day for a ride!!!
Thanks. It was an awesome day.
Thanks for sharing... We did it several years back. I really enjoyed refreshing my memories of the trip. Wish we could get back out West and do it again. We are missing our Colorado/Utah fall trips.
Your welcome. Glad you could take a ride down memory lane.
Thank you for posting. I hope to drive this tomorrow. I've heard that the east side of the pass is the easier part. Your video confirms that and gives me the courage to drive the road.
Your welcome. You'll do just fine. Enjoy the ride and take lots of pictures. Thanks for watching.
Great photography. Thanks been on that road many times. Great views. 👍
Thanks for your comment. One of our favorite rides as well.
Love to take part in such a nice scenic drive.
Thanks for your comment and thanks for watching.
I'd like to get back here someday. I recall when I was like 8 my father had us and my mother and sister up on engineers pass. And I recall it being scary as hell. I remember that I felt a little better sitting in the front seat, but not much lol. I fell in love with this place then...I hope to make it back there someday. Thanks for the video, good for the soul.
Edit! lol....I'm sorry but I REMEMBER ALL THIS, I've been thinking about these same turns, same buildings, same ways all my life. Wow...unreal....I'm gonna make it back to stay. That's the goal. I'll make it.... at some point. I can't believe I remember this all this clearly. God did that, only God can do that.
I apologize for continuing to edit this but I"m a little euphoric right now lol. I use to read scripture like this ......
Psalm 37:4
"Delight yourself also in the LORD, And He shall give you the desires of your heart."
So for a very long time I thought that mean that the Lord would give me my hearts desire. But that's not what it means. It means that God will place the desires in your heart. He will give them, and He will make them, and from Him they take shape. He doesn't give you want you want, he "GIVES you the desires of your heart". Those "approved by the Lord". Anyways...great video, I don't know if you find it odd it effected someone so deeply but it did.
Appreciate it!
I'm glad you were able to relive your memories of this trip. I hope you make it back as well. Thanks for your comment and thanks for watching.
Seems nice and easy beautiful ❤️
Yep it never gets old. Even on snowy or rainy days. Thanks for watching.
Beautiful country & video! Thanks!
You're welcome. One of my favorite rides. Thanks for watching.
OMG I can feel the energy vortex and such peace and serenity. Yahweh blessed Colorado!!! Great footage thank you so very much... 💚🏞️ I hope to visit CO one day if not live there I have never been there..I yearn to be there..
I hope you get to visit this area as well. One of my favorite places. Thanks for your comment and thanks for watching.
@@donm8011 Your welcome thank you for the video footage it all the more makes me want to live there WOW just WOW! CO is like another planet lol ....💚🏞️😍
So I did Cinnamon Pass from Silverton to get to the trailhead for Handies a couple months ago. Had a midsize SUV and it seemed to take forever because of the road conditions. Is it my imagination that Engineer Pass is a bit more tame or is it just the vehicle Don has in this video that makes it look easy?
Having a lifted Rubicon on 35s certainly helps the experience. The road from Lake City to Engineer Pass is not bad except for the last mile or two but still doable in stock rigs in good weather. In my experience the road from Silverton is an easier route but these roads change with the seasons so it's different every year. Thanks for watching.
Great video. Love the soundtrack too! No, I mean it!
Thanks for your comment and thanks for watching.
The house in this video has an Airbnb listing that is a bucket list thing for us. Hopefully we will get to stay there on one of our trips.
Did not know that. What a great place to stay. Thanks for the info.
Great video!! We're climbing Handies via Grizzly Gulch trail beginning of Aug. We'll be in a Subaru Crosstrek. I'm assuming we'll be ok if it's dry?? Also, I'm terrified of heights...hopefully I'll be ok!!
Sounds like a great time. Of course the roads change with the seasons, and depending on which route you take to get there may pose some issues with your Crosstrek, mostly clearances but you never know unless you try. Handies is a 14er so congrats on that. Hopefully the amazing sights you see will overcome your fear of heights. Thanks for your comment and thanks for watching.
Thanks!
I’ve hiked 14er’s no problem... it’s that shelf road that has me freaked out 😳
@@michellelo2272 Shelf roads get interesting when you meet someone. The rig coming up hill has the right of way so pay attention to wide spots along the way in case you have to back up. And sometimes its easier for the other vehicle to do so. Don't stress, the experience you gain will go along way. You'll have a great time.
Thank you for the info and encouragement!!
Appreciate this so much. Thank you! Only constructive comment would be that it would've been so nice if you could've inserted some photos of the overlooks and passes while we viewers "waited at the car", lol.
I agree. There are a few photos on part 1&2 but they blend into the video so they don't stand out like they should. Thanks for your comment and thanks for watching.
Hey Don, Great video.
Do you think I need a 4x4 to make this trip?
I will be driving a truck but is not 4x4. Thanks
Just for piece of mind a 4x4 of some sort would be better. I rented jeeps in Ouray for many years before buying my own. Most trails are 90% doable but it's that 10% that gets you if your not prepared. Thanks for your comment and thanks for watching.
Nice
9:47 -- Honda S2000, the ultimate overlander
Good one lol.
For those who have driven this... is it a good idea to air down?
Yes, it helps going over rocks and smooths out the ride. I air down to 15 psi on non bead lock 35 inch tires.
@@donm8011 Any recommendations for dispersed overland camping along the Loop? Preferably something no higher than a 4-5/10 on difficulty for a couple off-road newbies :-)
@@J2415J I don't recall any camping along this particular route but if you go to this website www.fs.usda.gov/main/sanjuan/home it should help with camping areas, permits, etc. I don't camp anymore so its a motel or hotel in Lake City or Ouray for us.
What are the camping rules on this route?
There is no camping on this route. There is an air bnb at the 28:14 mark in the video but that's it for this area.
So pretty. Do people live off those side roads, or was that for hiking?
Both from what we saw. A lot of public and private land. There are for sale signs along the way as well. Thanks for your comment and thanks for watching.
@@donm8011 Love your style of vids. Going to watch all of them! I hope to take my family to some of these spots in a few years. I've been up to Steamboat Springs and down to Colorado Springs - had no idea about this section of Colorado!
@@The_TH-cam_Critic I know you'll have a great time. That area of Colorado is amazing, on or off road.
could you drive this with a stock vehicle ? toyota tacoma 2021 4x4
Please tell me
You shouldn't have any issues. You'll see stock trucks at 35:11. Watch your lines and enjoy the ride. Thanks for watching.
@@donm8011 thanks! I’m taking a trip out to Colorado with rough plans and a truck full of camping stuff. I came up with this idea today and I will leave Florida on Friday
Nice video with no blaring music!! Please keep all the parts in it you missed the first part of Capital City ..That's why I watched it and it was missing.. If you edit over lap it. Thanks
It's always hard what parts to leave in and which to cut out. Either way someone's not going to be happy. Hopefully you'll get a chance to see it for yourself some day. Thanks for watching.
@@donm8011 Don't leave any of it out. I love it all. That's why I watch these, as if I were behind the wheel myself, not being able to get to places like this. My car doesn't teleport when I drive, so I'd love it if what I watch also doesn't teleport. Keep it all. I'm in it for the long haul. I hate to miss any of the beauty. If someone wants a 5-minute drive covering 100 miles, there are plenty of those. I look for those videos that are also in it for the long haul. If people don't want to stick around for the long haul, they can do their own teleporting via clicking forward on the time line. But thanks for what you do and for sharing it. Videos like this make me miss Utah's Wasatch and Uinta mountain ranges all the more.
@@criscoleman Thanks for your feedback and thanks for watching.
What kind of vehicle were you driving for this video ?
2012 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon.
Do you need four wheel drive or a Polaris on this road? It looks pretty good to me for just a pickup. I assume September before any weather moves in.
I used 4 high in a couple spots but not really needed. If the roads are dry, it's not bad. Extra clearance always helps. I saw several trucks along the way. Enjoy the ride and thanks for watching.
@chris younts The several times I've gone this direction, haven't used 4wd past Engineer Pass because its downhill. Coming from Ouray definitely requires 4wd at times because of hill climbs and loose rock. My Rubicon is geared low so that helps. Of course everyone's experience will be vary due to conditions. This year a lot of trails were hammered by deep snow and avalanches.
@chris younts We have a similar history in these mountains as I first did these trails in a lifted Bronco in the seventies and remember some years being amazed that I could even get all the way. Thankfully modern technology and automatic transmissions make these rides fairly painless now which is good but the trails will always change with the seasons and keeps me coming back for more.
Great ride ! Thanks 😊
Your welcome. Thanks for watching.
This is beautiful! Are there any options to take this ride as a paying passenger?
Yes there are several companies in Ouray Colorado that tour this area from June to October depending on weather. Just sit back and take pictures. Or you can rent Jeeps and go on your own. Either way an experience you won't forget. Thanks for watching.
@@donm8011 sounds great!
Got a ravine right out my back door. It's just not as big and perty!
We did this in a GMC crew cab four-wheel-drive and it was basically impossible, we missed our truck up. Do not attempt this in a regular vehicle. We have 33 inch tires and a 2-1/2” leveling kit on the front. It kicked our asses. Make sure you have a jeep or preferably a Razor type vehicle. We went through literal f-ing hell. Don’t want to do it like us. We got dents and messed up runningboards not counting the fear factor that f-Ed our heads up.
Aw man that sucks. I have seen many stock rigs on these trails over the years including pickups and a van on this trip. I rented Jeeps in Ouray for many years before buying my own. It was a great learning experience while leaving my own car in one piece. Your not alone. Many trails have kicked me and my Jeeps butt as well.
Love Your Videos. What kind of camera are you using?
I use a Gopro Hero 6 black for video and a Canon T6i for still shots. Thanks for watching.
Thanks. Do you mount it on a gimble.
No I use a magnetic Gopro mount and the built in stabilization feature of the Gopro Hero 6 black. It does the job very well.
Hi Don, we are getting that much closer to our Ouray trip this year. What is the best time of year to do the mtn passes near there? We were thinking mid/late July. While there we were going to do Imogene, Black Bear, Ophir, Yankee Boy Basin, and the Cinnamon/Engineer Loop. Should I add or remove anything from this list? Thanks!
Wow what a great trip. As far as time of year, it all depends on winter snow fall and road conditions. One July trip over Imogene there was 10 feet of snow along the road and our last trip there in July there was no snow. I check the San Juan Forest Service website for road and pass conditions. They usually start updating in June or you can call them. I wouldn't remove anything. Maybe add Animas Fork to Silverton which is an old mining town like Ouray, or if you have time run these trails in opposite directions for a different perspective except for Yankee Boy which is out and back and Black Bear which is one way after the pass. Study the maps, there's a lot of side trails in the Alpine Loop-Animas Fork area as well. Not sure how the virus affects all this if your camping or staying in a motel. It's always best to reserve as early as possible as this area is extremely popular. Hope this helps.
@@donm8011 that was very helpful! I will try to touch base with the San Juan forest folks to get an idea of snowpack this year, and we can push our trip back a month if needed. Can't wait!!
Great video!
Thanks for your comment. Yes, it's an awesome place to visit. Thanks for watching.
Great Video ... I Subscribed & Gave you a LIKE
Thanks for your comment and thanks for watching.
When someone shows up at your door living up there, it's either on accident because of an accident OR if it's on purpose, it's serious!
Great!
Thanks for your comment and thanks for watching.
Nice! Nice video! Thanks for the ride.
You're welcome. Stay tuned for parts 2 and 3.
I was going to ask if anybody bikes this but 32:46 answered that
Indeed. Always amazed and impressed to see bikes on these trails. I get wore out just bouncing around in the Jeep all day lol. More power to them.
Can you just stop your car and go hunting out there?
A quick google search will probably get you the info you need. I haven't been around that area during hunting season.
Ll