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

[wibornz]

The San Juan Mountains are fun, but not difficult. You wheel the San Juan area for the views and the beauty. We were out there wheeling in September a few years ago and it was already snowing. So do not be surprised if there is snow n the higher elevations. I just spent 3 weeks in August out wheeling there and it is a great time, but October......late October will probably be hit or miss on many of the more popular trails.

While I like wheeling in Colorado, Moab is more fun and just a different kind of beauty. If I was in your shoes, I would watch some of the web sites that track the closures of the trails in the San Juan and have a back up plan to goto Moab.

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[embedded rock]

Here's a source I used for road conditions.

https://www.sanmiguelcountyco.gov/406/Road-Conditions

Not the Sam Juans, but good wheeling from the Buena Vista area. Passes could also be closed as well. Map recon towns of Pitkin and Tin Cup. Check Cumberland Pass and Taylor Reservoir. You'll see routes which are county roads.

 

[LSJKU]

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?

We're heading up to the Mesa mid-October to take in the colors and catch a few last trout. It was beautiful and pretty wide open last time we went in October. May or may not be snow, but it usually sticks a little later than the San Juans.

Coming off the Mesa, you can head south on 550 to Montrose and take the Rimrocker trail for like 140+ miles into Moab. It's a fun trail and can be done in a long day but you may want to camp a night or two. It's not difficult, especially the half of the trail in Colo, mostly National Park roads until the Utah border.

But beware, your Jeep will wan to continue straight thru Montrose on 550 to Ouray, the northern gateway to the San Juans. Nothing beats the San Juans this time of year, if open. And a couple nights in Ouray are highly recommended.

 

[LSJKU]

Stay in touch with current Colorado trail condition websites on your trip. Got started up Engineer Pass once in October and had to double back because of snow/ice at higher elevations while the trailhead off 550 was still open.

 

[Stevebg]

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.

Creede to Lake City leaves were at or very close to perfect 9/29. Freemons General Store planing to close 10/15. Many Creede are closing
Pagosa Springs to Durango still changing. Lower altitude. Trails around Silverton, Chama, Red River are wonderful. Not sure about leaves or businesses. 4th week of October is very iffy for leaves and many businesses will be closed. Suggest calling Jeep rental businesses and ask local conditions.

 

[mgroeger]

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

My buddy was just there... at base, green trees and warm... in middle trees turned and leaves falling... at top snow. Best time is July/August it's actually possible to still have passes closed in early June.

 

[thecritter]

We stayed here one year it was really cool spot. Takes a 4x4 to get in it's not far off Imogen.

https://haydenbackcountry.com/

 

[A Sober Animal]

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

Moab is the ultimate wheeling destination.

The San Juan Mountains are fun, but not difficult. You wheel the San Juan area for the views and the beauty.

As someone who just did both Moab + San Juan Mountains (Ophir/Black Bear/Imogene), just go to Moab. This was my first time and it is like nothing I've ever done - it's gorgeous and just so fun. Honestly, I don't want to go anywhere else now to wheel.

On our alpine day, where we did those aforementioned three trails, I thought was a joke and boring, compared to Moab.

 

[Ratbert]

As someone who just did both Moab + San Juan Mountains (Ophir/Black Bear/Imogene), just go to Moab. This was my first time and it is like nothing I've ever done - it's gorgeous and just so fun. Honestly, I don't want to go anywhere else now to wheel.

On our alpine day, where we did those aforementioned three trails, I thought was a joke and boring, compared to Moab.

You don't do Ouray for the challenge. You do it for the beauty, which is vastly different than the beauty of Moab.

 

[LSJKU]

You don't do Ouray for the challenge. You do it for the beauty, which is vastly different than the beauty of Moab.

That is exactly right!

I prefer Colorado mountain trails because there are so many less people. And it is absolutely, stunningly beautiful. Last couple times I have been to Moab, I had to fight the crowds as much as the trails. But Moab is still fun as well.

 

[73TAWM]

That is exactly right!

I prefer Colorado mountain trails because there are so many less people. And it is absolutely, stunningly beautiful. Last couple times I have been to Moab, I had to fight the crowds as much as the trails. But Moab is still fun as well.

We do prefer the beauty of Colorado over the trails of Moab. I'm still finding that red mud/sand.

Change of plans. The wife is a teacher and never gets off this time of year. We've always wanted to go east for the fall colors and they should be peak that time. Road trip to Tennessee, North Carolina, Virginia, West Virginia, and back home through Kentucky. Not much for trails, but the scenery and time away together should be worth it. San Juans will have to wait until next July/August, we just absolutely love the elevation out there. We'll do Moab again when we have someone to go with. Appreciate all the advice seriously.
If an admin wants to delete this thread, go for it. No sense in this turning into a Smokey Mountain thread with the wrong title

 

[Ratbert]

If an admin wants to delete this thread, go for it. No sense in this turning into a Smokey Mountain thread with the wrong title

People usually change the title to something like ***DELETE THIS THREAD***".

Then they run for cover.

 

[LSJKU]

We do prefer the beauty of Colorado over the trails of Moab. I'm still finding that red mud/sand.

Change of plans. The wife is a teacher and never gets off this time of year. We've always wanted to go east for the fall colors and they should be peak that time. Road trip to Tennessee, North Carolina, Virginia, West Virginia, and back home through Kentucky. Not much for trails, but the scenery and time away together should be worth it. San Juans will have to wait until next July/August, we just absolutely love the elevation out there. We'll do Moab again when we have someone to go with. Appreciate all the advice seriously.
If an admin wants to delete this thread, go for it. No sense in this turning into a Smokey Mountain thread with the wrong title

That will be an awesome trip! I hope you guys really enjoy it this time of year. The San Juans and Moab will be waiting for you in their full beauty next summer.

 

[mk7tristan]

Pikes Peak is must go as well in CO Springs!! Make sure to go early, it gets crazy busy as the day goes.

 

[73TAWM]

Pikes Peak is must go as well in CO Springs!! Make sure to go early, it gets crazy busy as the day goes.

Yea we did that our very first time out there without a jeep. Love those mountains, being able to look down onto other mountains. And the history of racing onthat mountain peak is incredible.

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