Alright, flame away folks. I may be a newbie here, but I was doing the powerlines and backcountry in the Catskills in upstate NY back in the mid 80s.

Here is my question, a buddy and I are planning to do the Alpine Loop in June, and we want to rent a vehicle. I am hoping beyond hope anyone can point us to a reputable, honest outfit that has good equipment and will do us right. We are thinking of starting out in Durango, but could start in any of the towns along the Loop. We are also open to suggestions on other trails in the area.

Thanks for any feeback, tips for our trip, etc.

This trail is a looooooooooooong way from colorado, bro.

Yep fordyce is a few states away from the loop lol. But ive done the loop a few times and dont think ya have to worry about an outfit that has good equipment. Almost any stock 4x4 jeep, truck, suv can make that trail. may be a few snow patchs in june but wont be challenging. That is one hell of a senic and historic trail though and worth the trip for light wheeling!

They rent jeeps in Ouray and maybe in Lake City. Bring a shovel! Massive snow this year.

They rent jeeps in Ouray and maybe in Lake City. Bring a shovel! Massive snow this year.

Most everything should be open by July. June would be optimistic.

Thanks for any feeback, tips for our trip, etc.

Just one. Stay on the fawking trail! If it is not the original trail, do not be a dumbass and assume that you can drive there. Oh and the Orvis Hot Springs in Ridgway is a must do. Get dinner and drinks at the True Grit and then head over. Try to time it for a moonless night and you will never in your life see more stars than at Orvis.

you can rent Jeeps out of lake city.

the loop is more of a dirt road then a wheeling trail. I wouldn't take a honda over it but equipment is also a bit of a stretch. a stock jeep will suit you fine.

fyi.. family owns a house in Lake City.. great place to spend summers. as a matter of fact I have a 1950 willis we keep there just to put around in. wanna rent it :flipoff2:

Those roads get opened by heavy equipment well before June anyway.

Those roads *sometimes* get opened by heavy equipment well before June anyway.

Yes. But heavy snowpack can keep some trails closed well into June.

We have to wait til late July at the earliest for some trails to open up here. :homer:

Just one. Stay on the fawking trail! If it is not the original trail, do not be a dumbass and assume that you can drive there. Oh and the Orvis Hot Springs in Ridgway is a must do. Get dinner and drinks at the True Grit and then head over. Try to time it for a moonless night and you will never in your life see more stars than at Orvis.

Second that.... on all parts... Definitely stay on the trail! If you are lucky enough to have the snow melted off the roads, stay off the tundra.. it can literally take years to grow that back if it gets disturbed! That is not a joke like this soil in the desert.. this stuff is fragile, when I say years, I mean 10-100+ years!!!
Orvis.... stars come out in more than one manner there... as in.... :laughing:how can I put it.... the sun doesn't shine there!:eek:! Have a good trip, be safe, enjoy everything our mountains have to offer!

Second that.... on all parts... Definitely stay on the trail! If you are lucky enough to have the snow melted off the roads, stay off the tundra.. it can literally take years to grow that back if it gets disturbed! That is not a joke like this soil in the desert.. this stuff is fragile, when I say years, I mean 10-100+ years!!!
Orvis.... stars come out in more than one manner there... as in.... :laughing:how can I put it.... the sun doesn't shine there!:eek:! Have a good trip, be safe, enjoy everything our mountains have to offer!

And there is the other advantage to a moonless night! You want it to be dark for lots of reasons.:flipoff2: