Stony pass CO with 4x4 sprinter?

[Kgorman]

What do y’all think? Too tricky to go from Silverton, CO to Creede, CO over Stony pass with 4x4 Sprinter w/Toyo MT’s and upgraded suspension (Van Compass). Anyone with experience?

Is there a better pass/option like Engineer or Cinnamon?

thx!

 

[Kgorman]

Oh forgot to mention it’s a long wheelbase 170” Sprinter :)

 

[Neal A. Tew]

You can do it as I've done it multiple times in a stock full-size Chevy. However, it's called Stony for a reason and there are a couple sections that are rough and rocky. It's also quite long (about 40 miles in total).

How much off-road experience do you have in the van?

Cinnamon is probably the easiest of the 3. If you haven't already, read about each one at Trailsoffroad.com

 

[Kgorman]

Thanks for the reply! Yeah I have Lots of time Offroad in 4-low in various conditions.

 

[jeepers29]

You can do it as I've done it multiple times in a stock full-size Chevy. However, it's called Stony for a reason and there are a couple sections that are rough and rocky. It's also quite long (about 40 miles in total).

How much off-road experience do you have in the van?

Cinnamon is probably the easiest of the 3. If you haven't already, read about each one at Trailsoffroad.com

why do you think cinnamon is easier than engineer from Animas to Lake City? The reason I ask, is we will be going from Creede to Ouray via that route, pulling a M416 and was thinking Engineer. Trying to avoid a lot of switchbacks. I have not been on either trail in several years. Thanks, Joel

 

[Neal A. Tew]

You can do it as I've done it multiple times in a stock full-size Chevy. However, it's called Stony for a reason and there are a couple sections that are rough and rocky. It's also quite long (about 40 miles in total).

How much off-road experience do you have in the van?

Cinnamon is probably the easiest of the 3. If you haven't already, read about each one at Trailsoffroad.com

why do you think cinnamon is easier than engineer from Animas to Lake City? The reason I ask, is we will be going from Creede to Ouray via that route, pulling a M416 and was thinking Engineer. Trying to avoid a lot of switchbacks. I have not been on either trail in several years. Thanks, Joel

Trailsoffroad.com lists Stony and Engineer with a difficulty rating of 4 and Cinnamon a 3. I think there's the possibility of switchback challenges on any of them.

I did an electrical mod on my truck so that have 2-LO and it makes a HUGE difference on the switchbacks.

I think I mentioned to you before I dragged a little military trailer over Stony, but probably wouldn't want to again simply because of how rough the trail is and not switchback issues.

 

[Neal A. Tew]

Thanks for the reply! Yeah I have Lots of time Offroad in 4-low in various conditions.

Is this a modded out camper van or just a cargo or passenger van?

While I think you can do it in the van, I suspect it might wear you out. In hindsight I fear you might regret it.

If you do, camp at least one night on the trail to break it up. There's a lot of camping on the east side of the pass, but very little on the west side. Which direction are you traveling?

 

[Kgorman]

Is this a modded out camper van or just a cargo or passenger van?

While I think you can do it in the van, I suspect it might wear you out. In hindsight I fear you might regret it.

If you do, camp at least one night on the trail to break it up. There's a lot of camping on the east side of the pass, but very little on the west side. Which direction are you traveling?

Camper setup. I was thinking of starting in Silverton and yes hit those camp sites. I wanted to get out through lake city so we can hit owl pass to Ouray

 

[jeepers29]

Trailsoffroad.com lists Stony and Engineer with a difficulty rating of 4 and Cinnamon a 3. I think there's the possibility of switchback challenges on any of them.

I did an electrical mod on my truck so that have 2-LO and it makes a HUGE difference on the switchbacks.

I think I mentioned to you before I dragged a little military trailer over Stony, but probably wouldn't want to again simply because of how rough the trail is and not switchback issues.

Thanks Neal. Yes, You did reply about Stony pass and your trailer previously. I wanted your views on engineer vs cinnamon. I appreciate your time and info. Joel

 

[Neal A. Tew]

Is this a modded out camper van or just a cargo or passenger van?

While I think you can do it in the van, I suspect it might wear you out. In hindsight I fear you might regret it.

If you do, camp at least one night on the trail to break it up. There's a lot of camping on the east side of the pass, but very little on the west side. Which direction are you traveling?

Camper setup. I was thinking of starting in Silverton and yes hit those camp sites. I wanted to get out through lake city so we can hit owl pass to Ouray

Where are you coming from?

 

[Kgorman]

Where are you coming from?

You mean which way am I driving the trail or where do I live? Was thinking of driving the trail from Silverton side. Live in Austin, TX.

 

[Neal A. Tew]

You mean which way am I driving the trail or where do I live? Was thinking of driving the trail from Silverton side. Live in Austin, TX.

It gets down to business pretty fast on that end. If you're keeping a schedule, give yourself enough time to backtrack if you find it too rough for your liking. Be careful at the Pole Creek crossing if it's been raining. It can be deep at times, but that's usually during spring runoff. It wasn't much a few weeks ago when we crossed it.

What size tires on the van? What other 4wd roads might you run beforehand that might help us determine if it's a good option? I don't mean these to be nosy, but to help me determine if you might have a good time or regret the decision.

 

[Kgorman]

I really appreciate the discussion! We are on 33.5” tires. It will go through 24” of water if it’s not too fast. We did that at the top of FR 585 above mineral campground. Went all the way up easy.

I just saw an Instagram post of a earthroamer on Ophir so now I feel like a dork for asking.

 

[Neal A. Tew]

I really appreciate the discussion! We are on 33.5” tires. It will go through 24” of water if it’s not too fast. We did that at the top of FR 585 above mineral campground. Went all the way up easy.

I just saw an Instagram post of a earthroamer on Ophir so now I feel like a dork for asking.

I passed a Subaru on Ophir recently. It's not that hard and it's short.

The thing that's going to get you about Stony is that it's long. I actually did it all in 2WD with a locker. The difficulty is not in finding traction, but in getting tired of the bumpiness. It's not rocky enough to be a challenge, but just rocky enough to make you go very slow for long stretches. It's going to try to toss everything out of your cupboards and scramble all your eggs.

 

[Kgorman]

Great advice folks, thanks for the tips!!

 

[Neal A. Tew]

What's your dates? I'm eager to hear how it turns out...

 

[JPM78130]

Stony is pretty rough on the west side of the divide, I banged up my skids pretty good on it. It''s definitely easier going from Silverton towards Creede but it's really nice at the top. I was there last week and Pole Creek wasn't a problem at all.
I probably wouldn't pull a trailer on Cinnamon Pass from Lake City towards Silverton. I think the last switchback on the actual pass, on the Silverton side may get a little sketchy, depending on your clearance as it's pretty tight with about a 2' camber. I'm fairly certain that you can hop off of Cinnamon around American Basin and not go over the Pass, which get's you about 75 of the way along Cinnamon. Just watch out for the side by sides. They're EVERYWHERE along Cinnamon pass.

Oh and remember, that whole area is under a burn ban right now. Check with the different fire districts to see what allowed and what's not. Right now the whole area bans any kind of open flame.

 

[Kgorman]

What's your dates? I'm eager to hear how it turns out...

At this point not quite sure.. hoping I can still get out there in July, but the world is *insane* right now..

 

[Neal A. Tew]

At this point not quite sure.. hoping I can still get out there in July, but the world is *insane* right now..

Were you able to get this in?

 

[Kgorman]

Were you able to get this in?

We got close! But the night before the crossing our daughter got altitude sickness. We had to descend down to Purgatory area where we camped for a few days. It wasn't meant to be, but daughter was ok and that's all that mattered. Maybe next year.