I'm headed to Ouray in a couple weeks for the first time. My 2012 JK Unlimited Sport a 2 1/2" lift, 4.56 gears on stock Dana axles & ive got Pro-Comp MT2 Extreme 35" tires. I've been through rivers & gravel in the Ozarks, some trails in Moab Utah and in 2 feet of snow in the Pacific NW. The stock "brake lock differentials" have served me well. Can I run the trails out of Ouray without lockers? Thanks!

 

Well, I don't know that many of the passes will be open yet.

Be sure to check conditions before going on any of them.

https://soajeep.com/trail-maps-condi...il-conditions/

This site gives good descriptions of each of the trails.

Ouray Trail Map, Ouray Co Map | Ouray Mountain Adventures

 

I did Ouray in my Jeep that's almost exactly like yours! 2012 JKU Sport S, 2.5" lift, 4.56 gears and 35" tires. We did everything except for Black Bear Pass, and that was because my wife wouldn't let me take her and the kid over it (I made the mistake of showing some videos people made of Black Bear).

People drive the trails in Ouray with far less capable vehicles than this, I saw regular trucks and even saw some SUVs. You will have a blast.

 

I forgot, we also skipped Poughkeepsie Gulch because I was alone (no other Jeeps) and had been told to avoid it if I didn't have a winch to help myself up.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mV0y0Cmfybo

 

Thanks for the link to Trail conditions. Won't arrvive until June 1st so I expect more trails should be open by then.

 

And thanks Erok for the encouragement. I figured I could make it but I always do a lot of research for an area that's new to me. I'll be there by myself so I hope to locate someone to piggy back with.

 

No problem. It's helpful to remember most of the famous trails were once mule-cart trails for moving silver down from the mountain. They are treacherous mostly due to the height and the weather conditions, but still mostly resemble driveable trails.

 

Y, you won't need lockers out in Ouray......it's not THAT kind of off roading. They let non-jeep folks rent JKs up there and they only things they say you can't run are Black Bear and Imogene in those jeeps if I recall. That should tell you something about the terrain. It's more just beautiful than rugged.

The weather was mentioned above, and you checked those links. On June 1st, don't expect much change. There should be a LOT of snow left. They shoot to have the passes open by 4th of July weekend. I've been up there in late June (21st type range) and a good handful of the passes were open, and a handful had just been plowed to the top from one direction but you couldn't continue. Couldn't get more than .25 mile up Black Bear before snow drifts halted you, and Imogene had JUST recently been plowed up to the top from the Ouray side. If you can change your plans, I'd shoot for later. If not, make the best of it as it's still beautiful. It doesn't take much snow to halt you......the great equalizer.

 

Cinnamon Pass is usually the first pass to open in the area. Lake City plows from their side and Silverton plows from their side. Their goal is to get it open by Memorial day weekend. It does not happen some years. I have done Cinnamon, Engineer, Imogene and Black Bear without lockers.

 

LOL! I screwed myself showing my wife those videos too. So no wife or dog going there!