**Delete this thread**San Juan trip advice?

[73TAWM]

Last year my mom had a panic attack while we were atop Engineer Pass and demanded we take her back down, while we were passing through to Moab. So we are going back the fourth week in October 2025 to hit all the trails in the San Juan range that we missed. Just looking for advice on spots to hit while in the area. We are traveling from Missouri and plan on sleeping in Colorado Springs the first night. I'm not sure yet if we are getting an Air B&B in the area (Durango?) and venturing out each day to return to Air B&B each night or if we should stay a night or two in different areas. We stayed in Silverton last year at a bed and breakfast and thought if anyone knew of some sweet spots, we might go that route instead.

Also, if anyone will be in the area from 10/19 to 10/24 we would enjoy the company on the trails.

Sponsored

 

[BDinTX]

I'm a big fan of staying in Lake City. Get there early enough to enjoy some of the shops and learn about the Cannibal of Colorado: The Mystery of Alfred Packer
Take half the Alpine Loop and stay in Ouray for a few days to enjoy some of the trails in that area.

I don't know that the passes will be open at the end of October though. I think they're already getting snow.

 

[shane h.]

You are going to probably be too late in the year to get any high passes done. They are already getting and holding snow. Good luck.

We always stay in Silverton, but we usually stay for a week or more. If you are okay with moving around, and either Engineer or Cinnamon is open, stay in Lake City a day or two (hit Bristol Head Trail if it is still open) then move over to Silverton for a day or two.

 

[GATORB8]

If you really want to see some interesting scenery, visit Orvis Hot Springs up by Ridgway.

 

[Ratbert]

If, for some unknown reason, you must go to Colorado Springs, then make sure you visit Garden of the Gods. It's gorgeous.

The views from Yankee Boy Basin and trails in that area are awesome. Silver Basin is somewhat of a hidden gem.

Any chance of delaying the trip until next year after the trails start to reopen? I'm thinking a lot of them might be closed by the end of October.

p.s. When attempting to pronounce Ouray leave the O off.

 

[73TAWM]

Wow, had no idea the trails would be getting snow already! We were hoping to see leaves changing but the wife works for the school and normally can't get away this time of year. We usually go in or around July/August but last year Black Bear was closed and so was Ophir Pass. The second had snow so I figured it would be clear in October. We came down out of Gunnison and went in at Lake City but had no time to look around, just hit the turn and went up.
As far as Colorado Springs goes, we've been there done that and are only using it for sleep. No intentions of hanging around there. I wanted to stay further south, like Pueblo but I was concerned with theft and break ins since I still have the soft top on. This reality that the passes will be snowed over is a real bummer and could send us to the Smokies instead. Not what I prefer

 

[GATORB8]

Wow, had no idea the trails would be getting snow already! We were hoping to see leaves changing but the wife works for the school and normally can't get away this time of year. We usually go in or around July/August but last year Black Bear was closed and so was Ophir Pass. The second had snow so I figured it would be clear in October. We came down out of Gunnison and went in at Lake City but had no time to look around, just hit the turn and went up.
As far as Colorado Springs goes, we've been there done that and are only using it for sleep. No intentions of hanging around there. I wanted to stay further south, like Pueblo but I was concerned with theft and break ins since I still have the soft top on. This reality that the passes will be snowed over is a real bummer and could send us to the Smokies instead. Not what I prefer

I haven't tried it that late, so I checked the last couple years on TOR for Imogene and Engineer, both were typically officially closed by 11/1 and reviews in mid October typically noted safe through passage not possible and having to double back prior to reaching the passes.

 

[GATORB8]

Have you done Windrock? Heading towards the Smokies, it should be convenient off of I40 and is good for several days without rerunning a trail.

 

[73TAWM]

Have you done Windrock? Heading towards the Smokies, it should be convenient off of I40 and is good for several days without rerunning a trail.

No, the last time we went out that way we didn't own a Jeep. Decided to rent one in Gatlinburg but they closed the road down going into the mountain just as soon as we left the rental lot. So we haven't done any trails out that way.

 

[A Sober Animal]

You are going to probably be too late in the year to get any high passes done. They are already getting and holding snow. Good luck.

We just ran Ophir/Black Bear/Imogene last Thursday, and this is the view from the top at Imogene, and while the trails were clear, as you can see there is already snow sticking on the mountains. Agree it will likely be too late.

The views from Yankee Boy Basin and trails in that area are awesome. Silver Basin is somewhat of a hidden gem.

We ran up Silver Basin at the end of our trip in about 25 minutes and it was a BLAST! All of those back basins are gorgeous. +1 vote for them as well.

Finally, Durango is a bit of a trek to the alpine trails in the area. I'd consider staying somewhere closer, but if you camp (like we did), expect near freezing temps at night.

 

[73TAWM]

Glad I decided to post this, but now we have no clue where we're going. Only been to RMNP west of Denver, up to Estes Park and down to mount Evans. Then we've been across Engineer Pass into Silverton, up Hwy 550 and over to Telluride, then west to Utah. Any ideas if we can go anywhere not covered in snow? Would North or South make much difference if the elevation is the determining factor for snow?

 

[shane h.]

Moab isn't much further west and just as much, if not more, fun.

 

[Ratbert]

Then we've been across Engineer Pass into Silverton, up Hwy 550 and over to Telluride, then west to Utah.

Moab is the ultimate wheeling destination.

Head to the San Juans and if the snow hinders your wheeling then head to Moab. The San Juans are absolutely gorgeous, but in a completely different way than Moab.

 

[GATORB8]

Moab isn't much further west and just as much, if not more, fun.

That’s the ticket, I was there this same week in ‘22 and I remember the weather being great.

 

[jadmt]

looks like Black bear pass is closed for a while as a freaking KIA went over the edge going the wrong way...lol

Sponsored