[Sean K.]

Any word on Poughkeepsie Gulch? I know it doesn't get plowed, but I wonder how much snow melt has occurred at this point....I may still make a trip in August....but with the price of diesel, I'll probably have to save the pennies to go up to Moab in October instead.

Sean

 

[Sean K.]

May I make a suggestion for the future?

Considering I have a pretty good amount of experience in that area, can I suggest if you guys continue to go to Ouray for Summit that you push the date back to August?

Usually, by the first or second week in August, the trails are as devoid of snow as they are going to get.

It just makes more sense if you want to run the higher mountain passes in the area without having to worry as much about plowing.

Granted, there are some years that some passes NEVER open....this may be one of those years, but generally speaking: August is a better time of year.

2 cents,
Sean

 

[Sean K.]

Ya, but last year, Imogene and Blackbear only got plowed about a week (IIRC) before Summit which was cutting it sorta close.

I understand about other events in the area, but perhaps they are more crowded for a reason....i.e. more trails are open....more trails that the area is known for. It's kinda like going to Paris and not getting to see the Eiffel (sp?) Tower, IMHO.

It's not just Blackbear. It's Imogene which gives access to Yankee Boy Basin. It's also trails like Poughkeepsie....the only one in the area that a passenger car can't very easily make.

Granted, it's totally your call.....I was just trying to make a helpful suggestion.

Sean

 

[Sean K.]

This is a good point, but you also take into account a lot of people attending will have there families with them and if we wait until August most of those kids will be back in School.

I know if it was moved back to August next year, there is a good chance we will not be able to attend.

So this is the question. If it's in July we take the risk of 1 or 2 trials not being open or have it in August and the attendance is cut in half.

As I recall...I always started school in mid-August, not beginning....but I'm sure it varies by district.

Sean

 

[Sean K.]

The first week in August has worked well for ALL-4-Fun over the years, but even then a few trails are not open every year. The turn out has allways been good usually liminting the event to 350 vehicles. If moving the Summit to the same week one should cordinate the location as not to use the same one and over load the town. Any way just some thoughts.

But All-4-Fun doesn't always hold their event in Telluride/Ouray. They split their event depending on year between Ouray and Crusty Butt (as well as other locations in the state).

I've been there almost every year since I was 14 from late July to mid-August. In late July, I've followed the plow on Imogene or Blackbear on several occassions. It just depends on the year and the amount of snowfall.

Look guys, everyone seems a little overly defensive about changing the date. Forget I ever said anything about it. Kay? Didn't mean to start a ****storm.

Sean

 

[Sean K.]

I think that's what I forget too often on this site. Summit is about meeting people...it's more of a social aspect for many than a wheeling destination.

When I go on vacation, I go to wheel. Not being able to hit trails like Blackbear, Imogene, or Poughkeepsie keep me from wanting to go at all. I've done them all many times, but it's always fun to see if you can actually make some of the 3 point turns on Blackbear in one shot without going off the cliff (at the expense of terrifying my wife ) or hitting the big wall on Poughkeepsie when everyone else is slamming into that tree....or just watching people get stuck on the winch hill or in the mud bogs in the middle of Poughkeepsie. Then there's the scenery of all 3.

Different strokes for different folks I suppose.

I'll really commit blasphemy and say you should change the name from Summit....and move the whole event to somewhere much more suitable and more fun to play in.....MOAB!!!! Though that suggestion would really screw with the kiddies school schedules :lol: since the best time of year to be there to run trails is late Sept-late Nov or late April to early June.

Sean

 

[Sean K.]

Ouray Colorado :: Jeep Road Conditions

Bushducks - Jeep Trail and Backroads Trip Reports<BR>Colorado Jeep Trails and Passes - Opening Dates