So my family and I are going to Colorado (Telluride / Ouray) and with a little bit of convincing, MOAB at the end of July.
While I am very excited, there are some concerns which I have. Currently I have a stock Rubicon Ulimited, and while I believe I will be able to lift it and hopefully put 35" tires on it before I go I am not sure if that is realistic.

Essentially, I would like to know what trails are possible with a factory Rubicon unlimited that I can go on without worrying too much, or what should I do before going (larger rock sliders).
What trails will provide the most scenic views, or are something that must be done and cannot be missed. I know there are a lot of threads about the trails in both places, but I would like to know if they are possible with my current set up.
I know there is a MOAB section, and I am ordering the "Guide to MOAB, UT..." book.

 

You will be able to do all the trails in the Ouray area. Go up Yankee boy basin for sure. Other trails like corkscrew and Black Baar In a JKU some switch backs will have you doing a few K type turns but just watch your wheel placement and you'll be fine. Black Bear is very mental no room for errors but then most mtn trails don't have room for errors. Ophir pass is very easy and is One that people do with Black Bear pass and return to the east side. Imogene pass is another one People use with black bear pass. Mineral Creek just south of Ouray starts part of the Alpine loop and the lower section can be rough but I did it in a 99 blazer stock. Just fine good routes. A JKU stock would be fine with Maybe a few places to find the route. mineral creek turns into engineer pass. Cinnamon pass and Animas forks are all easy trails and part of the Alpine Loop. Off Cinnamon Pass go up to the American Basin. Awesome views Handies 14er is here. Pouhskeepie gulch is the hardest trail in the area but with a spotter a JKU stock would make it. The Wall is the obstacle here and a lot of people winch up it wet and mud can make it harder then it is. That would be the only area you might not want to go if you aren't with someone who knows it..
Last million dollar road - very easy - has awesome views. Basically with a stock JKU you will be fine in Ouray Check out trail damage.Com also

 

Never been to Ouray, but everything I've read says that stock JK is fine (that's what they rent there).

For Moab, you're getting the right book. Start with something fun like Fins & Things and add in some variety to figure out what kind of trails you prefer. Personally, I like the destinations like Top of the World (hard), Sevenmile Rim (medium), Tusher Tunnel (easy), or Gemni Bridges (easy). Again, a stock JK can do a LOT of trails in Moab.

Also, July is going to be f'n hot in Moab. Average high in July is 98F. Guess you're from DFW so you may be used to it. You may want to mix some trails in the LaSalle mountains (right there) to get a break from the heat. Check out the trail from Gateway, CO to Moab (Castleton Gateway Road). Never done it, but it's on my list.

Good luck and post up pics when you get back!

 

Thank you for the advice. I will definitely look into Castleton Gateway road.
There will be a lot of pictures from the trip, just going to one offroad park my passenger took over 500 photos. I don't think the temperature will be too much of a hassle. Given the altitude it will probably feel like the 113 that we get here (thank god for A/C).

 

We have driven our stock JKU all the way from Alabama and done;

Imogene Pass
Ophir Pass
Alpine Loop
Yankee Boy Basin
Poughkeepsie Gulch (except for The Wall, it started snowing)
Mineral Creek
Corkscrew Gulch
California Pass
Hurricane Pass
Picayune Gulch (spelling!)
Black Bear Pass

Go slow, have fun and you will do just fine. There are plenty of people running the trails and I have never met one that is not willing to give yo advice and a good spot.

 

I ran Imogene pass/Last dollar road one day and mineral creek to placer/picayune gulch then back through silverton to Corkscrew and back to 550 in a stock TJ on 31 with the sway bar connected. I just aired down the tires to smooth out the bumps. We then went to Moab and ran Potash Road/Shafer switchbacks and long canyon for some great scenery. I would recommend getting Charles Wells books Home - FunTreks Guidebooks for Jeep Trails, 4 Wheel Drive Trails, and back country roads and if you have a smart phone you can download all the trails to your android or apple phone. We are going back with a stock 4dr the last of July or first week of August of this year. One nice scenic trail is just outside of Silverton is called Clear Lake on county road 7.

The road up to Clear Lake


Schafer Switchbacks


One of the stops on Potash Road


Long Canyon

 

Did most of them in a stock 13 jku Sahara with the exception of plougupsie (sp?). You will be fine take it slow,have fun, enjoy!

Sent from my iPad using JK-Forum

 

Met up with a couple of guys when we arrived.
MOAB is a beautiful city, can't wait to do Top of the World later this evening.
Then off to Colorado tomorrow. Thank you everyone for the advice and trail recommendations

 

Most of the photos are on my other camera and not my phone.