The Scariest Trail I Have Ever Been On!
Overheated Bronco on top of Imogene Pass!
I do not mind being on the edge, or on shelf road, for a time. But for today, I did mind it. Not only that, my fear was in overload and I honestly did not think we would make it out of there alive. I did not know it would be that difficult. Off-roading is a challenging sport, full of adrenaline pumping stories or even tragedies of vehicles rolling off a mountain. I knew the stakes were high, but not this high.
Autumn colors as we ascend toward the top of Imogene Pass, Colorado.
Crystal clear skies for miles, blue as blue, melting into the landscape below as we prepared for our next off-roading adventure: Imogene Pass. Saying I was excited was not enough because I have been wanting to do this trail for a long time. We watched countless videos about this trail, feeling encouraged that we can do it. Well, videos are one thing but actually being on the trail yourself is another.
Driving through the bustling and delightful town of Telluride (a must see), we found the trail easily enough west of town and we went up right away. There was no teaser of an easy start, but just going straight up. As the town of Telluride got smaller and smaller, we went up further and further, I was eager to keep going and prepare for enchanting landscape to photograph, showing my friends on social media the wow factor of this incredible journey.
How did people live in these houses so close to the edge of the mountain?
Slowly we crept up, viewing some old buildings along the way. I sometimes think to myself, how did people of long ago go to these high places and even put buildings there with a limited means of travel and tools?
The shelf road was narrow and seemed to get narrower as we progressed. When you are in a full-size vehicle (not a side by side or a jeep), the edge has a way of getting cozy with you!
I had to get out and walk near here, just feeling too uncomfortable.
Still rising toward an elevation of 13,114 feet, I started to feel uncomfortable. When it comes to off-roading, someone is on the edge, whether it is the driver or passenger but not usually for a long time. We would turn a corner and I secretly hoped that I would not be on the edge anymore. Maybe we would drive into a forest of trees, hugging the side of the mountain, protecting the visitors along the way.
Corner after corner we turned; was there an end point where I would no longer be on the edge, as I felt a little edgy myself? Our tires barely stayed on the shelf road as we were too close for comfort.
I had to get out.
And walk for a while.
I was emotional and I showed it.
I have never felt so frightened before, and we have been on many trails. The videos we watched on YouTube were not foretelling the truth. They only showed a glimpse of the “easy” part, which I was hoping to come to soon. But you had to go through hell first to get to it. At least it felt like hell.
Remnants of Tomboy, a town that once thrived with mining.
But there was an end, an end not of the story, but of the worst part of the trail. It came in the form of an old, abandoned town, Tomboy. I actually walked over there from the point of getting out of the Bronco, to clear my troubling head and anxious heart.
My first question was, how did these people get up to this townsite? We are talking about history, with less means of transportation and modern equipment to upkeep the trail. I sometimes think people were daring to live in such a place as this. A place so high up that you may feel like you can reach the sky, the clouds, the sun.
Old town Tomboy, Imogene Pass, Colorado.
Empty buildings scattered around, a resemblance of a mining area, of lives lived and lives lost. Perhaps kids played as moms were busy tending to their homes, anxiously waiting for their husbands to come home each night. A store provided the basic needs of the residents; a school to educate young, thriving minds and a stable to house needy residents: horses or mules, and of course a post office to indicate a town was born.
I glanced up and realized we were not done yet. Only a little more to go. So, it was time.
A short drive up a steep hill. I felt like saying, “I think I can. I think I can,” from the mouth of Thomas the Train. Our Bronco had a hard time going up as we almost overheated. We took our time going up, watching for other vehicles coming down. But, we finally…
13,114 feet above sea level! We made it!
MADE IT!
The top is flat, and not as wide as I thought it was. A line of jeeps was next to us as the Bronco had to cool down before we descended. I took many photos as I have never been that high on a mountain before. The views were amazing and I was grateful we made it without rolling down the mountain.
Getting ready to descend from the top of Imogene Pass, Colorado.
Alas, or should I say, “Hooray!” as it was time to go, the Bronco was ready and I was eager to leave. We continued on our journey toward Ouray. Yes, this side of the trail was much better and could fit our full-size Bronco quite easily. We should have gone up this way in the first place! And came back the same way, I told myself since that time.
Finally see green landscape again as we are heading down!
The barren landscape gave way to trees once again. We did have to climb some large rocks, but nothing too hard if you have a locker. I was so happy to be off the narrow trail and be on a trail that was wide enough for a full-size vehicle.
Down, down, down we went, carefully and precisely, as I was ready to go into Ouray. Driving the Imogene Pass made us hungry, surprising myself as fear usually takes away any hunger pains.
And before I knew it, there was Ouray, the Switzerland capital of America. It is a cute, small town that is also a must see, but you do not have to drive a dirt trail to arrive. Highway 550 will take you, even with it lacking in guard rails.
The best food ever: mushroom and Swiss cheese on a burger! With yummy fries to top it off!
I was so ecstatic to be done with the trail I wanted to kiss the ground! Who wants to have dirt on their lips? But we did enjoy our time in Ouray, relaxed, ate a delicious mushroom burger (Maggie’s Kitchen anyone?)
Feeling shaky, but relieved we made it to the top!
So, the million-dollar question is: am I glad we went on Imogene Pass? That could be answered in a myriad way, depending on my feelings and thoughts of that dangerous trail. But I can say that we did accomplish it, did not fall off the mountain (or I would not be here writing about it), and made it safely home again.
Would I do it again? Would you do this type of trail?
*By the way, this is for the SUMMER only. It is closed in the winter, as snow can get quite high and the price of ice is to steep to place yourself and your vehicle in harms way. Please check with the tourism offices of either Telluride or Ouray for road conditions and weather.