We're planning on 8 days in August in SW CO the area from Black Canyon of the Gunnison NP through Ouray down to Silverton. We like to hunt for ghost towns and abandoned mines and so far I'm thinking of exploring on the Alpine Loop trail (Engineer & Cinnamon pass), the Black Bear, and Imogene Pass trails.

I've just purchased the Wells books for CO, UT and AZ and will give those a thorough read. But there's here's one trail in particular I'm interested in learning more about - the Black Bear between the Million Dollar Hwy (RT 550) and Telluride. What I've read so far varies from quite manageable to it's very likely I'll roll my Defender off the shelf 1,000 feet down the mountain. Has anyone done this trail in a Defender? Any trails/sights I should do in addition to what I've planned?

 

We’ve done all of those for over 25 years, including Black Bear. We even did Black Bear in a Hummer H2 with no issues. You’ll be fine in a Defender. After Black Bear, we take Ophir back over as we stay in the Durango/Bayfield area. The Silverton Tourist Center has plenty of off-road info if you can get by there early.

Of all of those, Black Bear can be the most unpredictable from a closure standpoint. Heavy downpours can close it due to washouts or stability concerns. Check the San Miguel County Road Conditions web page before you head out.

We’ll be there late August - mid-October. Enjoy!

 

Thanks for the info. Appreciate the insights.

 

I plan on going to the national rally in Ouray in late July, and doing some of those trails.
We have https://funtreks.com/product/guide-t...s-4th-edition/ and have been slowly tackling the routes in the book.
If you are looking for old mines there is Bachelor Loop out of Creede (https://www.creede.com/bachelor-loop) that you could do in a 2-wd!