JKU Rolled On Black Bear (News Report)
 

Stumbled across this news report from yesterday. No one injured. Hope it's no one from this forum ...

Photo shows damaged Jeep hanging on cliffside on Black Bear Pass - 7NEWS Denver TheDenverChannel.com

Well no one was hurt, and the damage looks cosmetic enough, gotta watch your wheel base on those switch backs, that terrain looks like it falls apart at random.

Very lucky, there was a couple from the jeep club that I belong rolled there jeep on black bear and was not as fortunate.

Local facebook page had this to say.. They have a photo of the spot on there as well.

"They were in front of us Saturday, happened right after the falls. Driver got scared because rear tire started to slide on a little rock and he turned into the mountain and that's when it rolled. Both people were fine they hitched a ride into Telluride."

Was just there, great place to wheel but all the locals were like you're crazy of you do black bear. Ha I guess they were right.

Was in Silverton a couple weeks ago. Everyone there seemed to have a nasty story about that trail.

I rode that on a KLR650 and it made me nervous. We saw jeeps on it... Not me. No way.

Video from inside rolled Jeep ...

Black Bear Roll: http://youtu.be/PEtOhROyQuc

My view on this.. and very lucky no one was hurt.. But what was the driver doing?.. what was the passenger doing?.. how fast were they going?.. how many times has this driver taken trails.. Lastly and very important.. how is the insurance adjusters handling this.. I doubt rolling a jeep off road is in the fine print..

Got this info from Bestop Uk on the same date you posted it here.. https://plus.google.com/u/0/b/118188...ts/JTALruX9q4w

"Off road" in Colorado sometimes has a different distinction than elsewhere. Some of these are official roads--Blanca Peak, which makes Black Bear look mild, is an Alamosa County road. The "trails" are even maintained by snow removal crews. My only real question is why was he so far over?

Agreed.. Mark.. I didn't want anyone to view my comments as rude.. but one should know their limits.. and this is coming from someone with back problems and last year we took the new river gorge trail.. Lets put it this way.. while on our travels of a few weeks ago.. we entered a part of highway.. I want to say 550 CO.. Maybe the tunnel bridge will clue you in..

This was an extremely dangerous hard surface road for anyone to travel.. Yet, I thought we passed several of the "badge of Honor" trails along this route. Past this bridge.. lead to sheer drops with no guard rails.. yet motorhomes and trucks were on this road the whole time we drove it.. parts of the road simply gave away and slid down the cliff.. The tunnel image was the first and last image of this road.. because clearly one needed to stay focused and wife wasn't to pleased with these tight corners and drops.. With her fear of heights.. she was leaning over in my direction..

I hate to be a passenger on those kinds of roads. You can hear my friend, Ray, kid me sometimes on the videos where we're riding together. I'd freak out on Black Bear as a passenger.

As a safety concern.. I've been told to go with the flow.. meaning don't tense up just relax and follow through if it starts to roll.. this would be a great write or how to just in case.

Why did he continue to stay on the gas and why was he so far to the left? It's rock crawling! Lay off the skinny pedal. These trails get bad reputations from novice drivers! That rollover was 100% avoidable

Wow. Glad they are okay... I rolled my Jeep 3 times in an 'on-street' accident where another driver ran a red light and t-boned me, The rollbar held up well but the windshield caved in. Good thing no one was on the passenger side in my Jeep.

Ah yes Hwy 550 aka Million Dollar Highway, locals have 3 reason they it called "Million Dollar Highway":

1) It cost the guy a million to build it.
2) Made a million dollars, since it was a toll road back in the day.
3) Or the locals favorite, they hear from tourist "I wouldn't take a million dollars to drive that highway again!!!

My grandfather spoke of that road when I was a kid and hated it, I drove it 2 years ago I saw why.


Glad to see they were ok, but major drivers error.

Did black bear Ouray to Telluride in Aug. First real off-roading in Ouray the previous 3 days. Slow,easy,and careful in 4 low and i never really felt in danger. Unfortunate, but glad no one was hurt, you can always get another Jeep.

Sent from my iPad using JK-Forum

Quoted for truth.

Just watching that short video clip proved that driver had no business whatsoever on this trail.

Instead, he should buy a Prius and keep it on pavement.

Wow...

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I drove Black Bear last year in my XJ. Incredible trail, still does not describe it. You just need to pay attention, which is hard because of the views. Nothing technical, just need to stay calm and have good equipment. There is 1 switchback that made me nervous, but I would drive that trail again.

Obviously he got too far left..... But to those who have run this trail... Was he going too fast? Kinda looks like it in the video.... Glad no one was hurt.

Probably. And definitely not paying attention. This is not a technical/crawling trail at all, but it is one you must respect. On the tightest switchback, you need to make a 3 point turn. I triple checked I was in the right gear before I moved. I think one person died there, because they thought they were in reverse and drove off the cliff.

Sad :(
I saw that 3 point turn on a utube video.... Parts of that trail sure does look scary and narrow. And I've done some scary ones in Moab like High Dive, White Knuckle Hill, Potato Salad Hill etc

I grew up near Ouray and have been traveling these passes since I was a young kid. I first went over Black Bear pass in a 2wheel drive chevy pickup with my dad. I have since made countless trips in everything from a Subaru to modified jeeps. While this mountain deserves respect it is also a nice Sunday drive with family. This is not a rock crawler only trail, the old timers built this road for teams and wagons. Just be aware of your mountain driving experience and your skills.Ttake it easy. Beautiful scenery from up there for sure.

I hate you. ;-) Wish we had Sunday drives like that in OK.

Mark,

If you're ever out our way, I expect a head's up.

K

After watching that, I don't even want that idiot on pavement. Obviously had no clue where his vehicle actually was on the trail.

I did Big Bear on my first Jeep trip to CO, and as others have mentioned, it is not technical at all, just a long downhill with some switchbacks.

That video from inside the Jeep is insane. It's almost like the guy totally intended to flip the Jeep? That is not the hard part at all, coming down towards the forced 3 point turn there is the off -camber step down that will maker you pucker up, that, from the of camber to the 3 point is the hairy section. Everything else is just a pleasure so long as your head is screwed on right.

That is crazy. Very lucky. Someone asked about insurance. I checked with my agent from Country Companies. I'm covered off road as long as I'm not getting paid or in a competition.

AmeriPrise Insurance won't cover any off road
 

Hope they had good insurance
Getting quotes here in Utah the AmeriPrise (Costco) agent said if I drove "one inch offroad it is not covered"

What does that mean? In Colorado, many of the " trails" we drive are official county roads, numbered and maintained (such as snow plowing to open passes).

http://www.fourwheeler.com/events/08...do-trail-ride/

And here. Skip to 3:25 ...

Colorado Campaign, July 2013, Part 1: http://youtu.be/yFjr3hSzEu4

Exactly
moved to the next company after that comment.
nice YouTube video.