Alpine Loop, Ouray, Silverton Laketown, CO - Pirate4x4.Com : 4x4 and Off-Road Forum

Brettster · 05-05-2008, 12:33 PM

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.

colonelmustard · 05-05-2008, 01:46 PM

This trail is a looooooooooooong way from colorado, bro.

FuzzyZ_83toy · 05-05-2008, 06:37 PM

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!

Captain Crunch · 05-05-2008, 08:57 PM

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

4Mogger · 05-05-2008, 09:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Captain Crunch

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.

4Mogger · 05-05-2008, 09:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brettster

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.

camo · 05-06-2008, 12:33 PM

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

Filthy McChevy · 05-06-2008, 02:05 PM

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

4Mogger · 05-06-2008, 03:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Filthy McChevy

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

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

Filthy McChevy · 05-06-2008, 08:15 PM

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

turbosniper1 · 05-06-2008, 10:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 4Mogger

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....

how can I put it.... the sun doesn't shine there!

! Have a good trip, be safe, enjoy everything our mountains have to offer!

4Mogger · 05-07-2008, 05:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by turbosniper1

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....

how can I put it.... the sun doesn't shine there!

! 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.

05-05-2008, 12:33 PM	#1 (permalink)
Brettster Registered User Join Date: May 2008 Member # 113512 Posts: 1	Alpine Loop, Ouray, Silverton Laketown, CO 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.

05-05-2008, 01:46 PM	#2 (permalink)
colonelmustard Registered User Join Date: Sep 2006 Member # 78813 Location: san rafael Posts: 484	This trail is a looooooooooooong way from colorado, bro. __________________ MCCARTHY MOTORSPORTS 415

05-05-2008, 08:57 PM	#4 (permalink)
Captain Crunch Wheeler Join Date: Feb 2003 Member # 17369 Location: Denver Posts: 247	They rent jeeps in Ouray and maybe in Lake City. Bring a shovel! Massive snow this year. __________________ Single Seat Buggy LS1 Atlas HP 60's 39" Krawlers

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05-05-2008, 06:37 PM	#3 (permalink)
FuzzyZ_83toy Registered User Join Date: Apr 2004 Member # 29877 Location: Vacaville Ca Posts: 145	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!

05-06-2008, 12:33 PM	#7 (permalink)
camo No comment Join Date: Mar 2000 Member # 4 Location: Rubicon Posts: 27,084 Blog Entries: 1	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

05-06-2008, 02:05 PM	#8 (permalink)
Filthy McChevy Registered User Join Date: Jan 2008 Member # 106663 Location: South Park CO Posts: 1,547	Those roads get opened by heavy equipment well before June anyway.

05-06-2008, 08:15 PM	#10 (permalink)
Filthy McChevy Registered User Join Date: Jan 2008 Member # 106663 Location: South Park CO Posts: 1,547	We have to wait til late July at the earliest for some trails to open up here.