It was a surreal experience to climb out of my 4Runner in downtown Ouray, climb 3 flights of stairs at the Ouray Brewery, and see my two old friends Don and Jake sitting down and having lunch with their daughters Sofia and Lily. I had not made one of these trips years ago because both of my kids were busy with college and jobs during their summer break. The last 2 years… I had the worst excuse.
Covid had knocked down the trip in 2020 and 21. In May 2022 my daughter, Summer, was diagnosed with medulloblastoma and proceeded into intensive treatment at St Jude in Memphis over the next year. She did everything asked of her and fought as hard as you can imagine. But in June of 2023, Summer passed away because of more tumor growth in her spine and brain.
In 2019, along with Summer, we all traveled as a group and tagged the pictures and stories with #3dads3daughters34Runners. It was a great time. The pinnacle, as odd as it may seem was a bear that decided it would stop by for a look around in our campsite outside of Ouray. Summer was face to face with the bear. Her yell started with a whimper until she got loud enough for Don to take action. He grabbed some pans and started banging on them while yelling “go bear!”. It worked. The bear never came back around, but we had a story that had lasted for years.
As you can imagine. The thought of getting back in the truck for a trip with the guys and their daughters gave rise to many emotions. Being with my friends and their daughters was not that big of a trick. Sitting for 18 hours in my truck alone to and from Ouray Colorado was the hard part. Wrestling with my own emotions.
I can assure you, as much as my mind battled with itself over the hours of driving. Relief was found as we relaxed around the campsite over 4 nights.
This trip to Ouray woke up some trail memories. It had been so long, that I found myself refreshing my memory as we made turns on the trails. “Oh, yeah, I remember this trail” came out of my mouth several times over the week.
We left the brewery and headed up the hill to a campsite that we have called home a few times over the years. I will disclose our haven to anyone who wants to talk face-to-face… But not I am now shouting this one from the rooftops!
Over the next few days, we found our 3 4Runners cruising the high mountain trails between Ouray, Telluride, Silverton, and Lake City. Some trails were easy… But some surprised me with the technical aspects. I have traveled all these trails multiple times, but I completely forgot how tough Alpine Loop is when heading out from Ouray.
This is why you have to get on the trails. As much as you might think you remember every turn at the off-road parks or nuances of a mountain pass… It slips away without a refresher.
Passes we ran: Imogene Pass, Cinnemon, Ophir, Engineer, and California Corkscrew.
Two of our trucks were nearly stock. Don has a 2016 4Runner Off-Road. I was driving a bone stock 2017 TRD Pro 4Runner on 265 Nitto tires, and Jake was driving his new 2024 Runner Trail Premium with a Bilstein 6100 Suspension lift, JBA Upper Control Arms, and Falken Wildpeak Tires. (All installed at Fort’s)
I did notice that my tailpipe got a little remodeled as I probably nudged it on a few obstacles while on the Alpine Loop.
In true Trail Team form, we did push out some meals from the campsite. Chorizo Breakfast tacos, Spam and Eggs, Chilli, and a final night Ramen dinner cooked by the daughters. OK… Ramens is not a trick. But when kids want to cook… You run with it and applaud the effort.
Our group of Dads made some plans to head to another area of the country next summer… But don’t worry. Trail Team has other folks who have never been to some of these peaks… And we are ready to lead a small expedition back to Ouray next year.
If you have any questions or want tips on what routes to travel while in the Southwest Corner of Colorado… Please feel free to stop by and see Eric in Service.
