8/22/18 Jeff and Brad did Corkscrew Pass, Hurricane Pass, Poughkeepsie Gulch and lower Engineer Pass.

Kim and Courtney chickened out on us today so away Brad and I went. It rained off and on but it didn’t stop the Jeeps and Motorcycles today.

First trail was Corkscrew. It was muddy with many switchbacks and very steep incline. We made it with no problem but the motorcycles were having a hard time. Only seen one  wreck when he came in too tight on the switch back. They were doing the Colorado 500 charity run.

We then made it over Hurricane Pass. It was cold and raining at the top.

From Hurricane it was down to the famous Poughkeepsie Gulch. On the way to the wall you pass Lake Como. A beautiful clear lake that the pictures just don’t do it justice. The same goes for the wall pics. Two guys in front of us turned around and decided to go back the easy trail, what fun is that? Anyway we eased on to the wall in the rail and made it done without leaving and Jeep parts as some have done. We didn’t try to climb back up because with all the rain the rocks were very slick. We made it down the river bed to lower Engineer.

Engineer Pass is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 12,800 feet (3.901 m) above the sea level, located in the San Juan Mountains near Ouray, Colorado, in USA. It’s one of Colorado’s most scenic offroad drives. It’s mostly a first gear ride because the road is rough and rocky. It’s one of the highest mountain passes of Colorado.

The gravel road to the pass is called Engineer Pass Road or Ouray County Road 18. The road is difficult and it’s a nightmare in the wet or dark (or both). This trail, combined with Cinnamon Pass, constitutes the famous Alpine Loop. Some of the highlights of this trail are the many mines, ghost towns, waterfalls, fishing and incredible views. It is an exhilarating trip for drivers of all experience levels. There are many mines and points of historical interest along the route.
Located in Ouray County, the road to the top is recommended for high clearance four wheel drive short wheel base, and is really too narrow for a 4WD pickup truck. Most of the route is easy, but there are still a few narrow, steep places on the west side of the pass that will get your attention. The Russian born engineer Otto Mears famous for his construction of the Million Dollar Highway connecting Silverton to Ouray is also credited for building the road known as Engineer Pass. Completed after 1877 this toll road was a major route connecting Silverton, Animas Forks, Ouray and Lake City together.

It was another great day Jeeping in Colorado.