This is 100% not necessary. There is not a trail in that area that needs a guide or a spotter. Well maybe the wall on Poughkeepsie Gulch but that would be it. Just get OnX download the area for offline mapping and go. I have wheeled all over the area and it is pretty easy wheeling. You wheel that area for the views, not for challenging trails. Most of the trails can be done in 2wd for the most part.
The rating system of Colorado vs Utah is completely different. A Black Bear Pass is rated a 6. It can be done in 2wd and has one off chamber spot that shows about 20 degrees to the driver side. I have had my Jeep at 37 degrees to the driver side. So it is not like it is even a challenge for a Jeep with the front swayer disconnected. Then there is one tight switchback, It is not even that tight. It just requires a 3 point turn. Like if you can stay in between the lines in a parking lot, you have the skill set to drive Black Bear Pass.
No problem. In fact it's a very common combination. The time is up to you and how much stopping you do.
Lots of people do just that.
Depends on the Jeep and the driver. A couple of folks I met out here recently showed a bit of interest on going to Ouray next summer, and I'm eager to drive out and do it, but I won't consider doing the steps and the first two switchbacks on Black Bear Pass without an experienced spotter; the consequences are just too great if a mistake is made. Ditto for the Wall on Poughkeepsie. I definitely don't need a guide, but I'd like to find someone who really knows how to spot and is super familiar with the trails. I'll happily run the rest of them solo or with other first-timers, but not Black Bear.
I went to BB Pass the day after it opened in July last year. To my surprise, I was completely alone on the trail, other than marmots. The only tracks on the trail were from the Cat that had cleared the trail the day before. It was very easy to maneuver, you just have to pay attention. The hype of this trail (just my opinion)is from people who are afraid of heights.
