Black Bear Pass In The News...

[TamTam]

I was on Imogene this morning and heard over the radio a number of vehicles were making their way down Black Bear Pass.

BBP was on my to do list, but I can’t see ignoring the closure notices just because I made the drive. There is plenty to do and see in the area that ignoring closure notices seems incredibly short sighted.

The incidents documented in The Drive article will eventually lead to a permanent closure of the trail.

Thank you for not attempting BBP and respecting the closed status. I hope you had a great time on Imogene!

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[Lionel Hutz]

Thank you for not attempting BBP and respecting the closed status. I hope you had a great time on Imogene!

Imogene was amazing. I had a great time on it and learned so much in just my short time of being on the trail.

 

[TwelveGaugeSage]

Imogene was amazing. I had a great time on it and learned so much in just my short time of being on the trail.

Agreed. It's not a very technical trail, but it is a very enjoyable and scenic one. Easily my second favorite in Colorado.

 

[cosmokenney]

They aren't ass clowns. They are elitists who don't think the rules apply to them.

 

[JWAustinVTX]

We will be there over Labor Day Weekend... Hoping to see it open by then. Apparently the backside is open so you can run most of it.

We'll be there over Labor Day too. Kinda glad I don't have to make the decision to try Black Bear or not

 

[JeepinJason33]

Don’t count on it being open on the Telluride side. I’ve been reading that they may not open it up this year at all. And yes, I live here in Colorado. When you say the “backside” you’re referring to the Ouray side just for reference. Enjoy your vacation.

We'll be there over Labor Day too. Kinda glad I don't have to make the decision to try Black Bear or not

We are still holding out hope that due to recent press, the forest service might clear the rest of the road to make it safe for travel.

 

[JWAustinVTX]

We are still holding out hope that due to recent press, the forest service might clear the rest of the road to make it safe for travel.

Cool - Please post if you find out it's open.

 

[Dkretden]

I live in CA, and every time I go to Texas I notice the drivers there are always significantly more courteous and responsible than where I live! Like, when I put on my blinker to change lanes, they don't speed up and close the gap so I can't, like they do here in CA

I live in colorado.

there are 3 drivers that I look out for (in this order):
1)Texas
2) california
3) colorado

 

[Knight Offroad]

I'm local to these trails. All these trails and Moab are day trip trails for me. Yes, I know I'm lucky and feel that way every time I'm out wheeling. I completely understand why people want to come here. This is a case of a few making the rest look bad because most people are just having fun and aren't any trouble at all. Yeah, it sure does seem like the ones causing the most problems have Texas plates on them but I see plenty of Colorado and Utah plates doing dumb stuff, too.

I know the Sheriff of San Miguel County and he doesn't mince words. He's the longest serving sheriff in Colorado and maybe one of the current longest serving in the entire United States. When he isn't having to deal with rogue off-roaders he's having to rescue people who get themselves in trouble in the backcountry or with bears breaking into houses. Luckily this year he isn't having to deal with wild fires. I don't think he has a problem with any of it, he just has a small department that can easily get stretched too thin. Plus, the folks in Telluride are extremely (insanely) wealthy and not fans of the off-road crowd that sweeps into town taking up the limited parking and causing general chaos. No, these folks don't care about your meager tourists dollars.

Again, I understand why everyone wants to come here. It's paradise. But when you do, just obey a few simple rules and you'll go home with great photos and memories and not subjects of long internet posts.

• Stay the trail. It's just that simple. If it's closed, it's closed. Come back next year. Don't make illegal bypasses if you can't do the obstacle. You bit off more than you could chew. Turn around.
• Know you and your vehicle's limits. Maybe do some maintenance on it and tighten a bolt or two before you take that trip. My buddies and I love interrupting our wheeling to spend hours helping out someone who was clearly limping a vehicle along because they were too cheap to get it repaired in advance.
• Research the trails you want to do so you aren't surprised when you get here.
• Leave no trace. Pick up your trash (and any you see on the trail) and carry it out with you. That includes your nasty toilet paper you love leaving behind bushes and rocks. If that grosses you out, you aren't meant for the outdoors.
• Be courteous and respectful of everyone you encounter on the trail whether they are hikers, bikers or on horseback. These trails belong to everyone.

 

[kcleelu]

I live here in the San Juans, and now every red 4Runner I see makes me think of this BBP situation...
BTW, did you see how he tied-off, waiting for assistance?

 

[MrMischief]

Be courteous and respectful of everyone you encounter on the trail whether they are hikers, bikers or on horseback. These trails belong to everyone.

Even Texans? Come on....

 

[Powelligator]

Yeah, those two rocks are really going to prevent a 4,500 pound vehicle from sliding off the edge. Anyone know the rest of the story? How did the ass clowns get off the trail? Did they back up or continue down the switchbacks? And yes, I know it's unfair, but each time I see a red FourRunner I think of the immortal words of the County Sheriff.

 

[C.Sco]

I live here in the San Juans, and now every red 4Runner I see makes me think of this BBP situation...
BTW, did you see how he tied-off, waiting for assistance?

That should be fine, as long as he followed the proper procedure:

1. Wiggle the strap a little with your hand
2. Say out loud, "Yep, that's not going anywhere"

 

[Sublime]

Yeah, those two rocks are really going to prevent a 4,500 pound vehicle from sliding off the edge. Anyone know the rest of the story? How did the ass clowns get off the trail? Did they back up or continue down the switchbacks? And yes, I know it's unfair, but each time I see a red FourRunner I think of the immortal words of the County Sheriff.

The pass is SO dangerous they brought up a wrecker.

 

[Blade1668]

I have property and a few businesses in Texas. There are dummies in all states including Colorado. Texan's get a bad rap up here. I will have to say it is mostly because of the way they drive! I am in Texas nearly every other week and nearly get killed each time on the freeway. The sheer amount of drivers that cut people off, wait until the last minute to merge, weave in and out of traffic at high speed is worse than any place else I have been in the country and that is saying a lot!

I'll agree with you on that, nothing like crossing state line into Texas the county road speeds jump up to 70 then drop down to 35-45 zones and all around. To have Ass Clown start tailgating because I wasn't driving 90.

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