[Thilak29]

i did not read a word in this thread(lazy). But am certain pictures seldom spoke louder.
Wish..
Mahindra,are you seeing this?

[Gujarati]

All these pictures are from one of the longest trails Imogene Pass. This is also the trail where a falling rock killed a friend of ours couple years before this trip.

[Gujarati]

Some more pictures of Imogene pass:









Next day some from our group decided to tackle the Colorado's most dangerous Black Bear Pass. Most of the group bailed but I decided i was going to try to overcome my fear and do it.
It was also one of the most beautiful pass. If you guys want more info let me know or Google "Black Bear Pass".

I would like to claim that no other Indian other than me has done this pass/trail in a Jeep or any other vehicle. I would love to meet another Indian if there is one who has done this trail cause I know we would be the best friends. (Not saying others cannot do it, just saying no one else has done it yet, I am sure that is not a true statement, but I guess it is true unless someone proves me otherwise)

There are tons of videos on YouTube on Black Bear Pass.

[R-Six]

Pardon my ignorance, but in one of the above pics, I see a jeep where the number plate said Texas 4WD-FUN. Is it something different than a number plate?

Best,
R-Six

[Gujarati]

Originally Posted by R-Six

Pardon my ignorance, but in one of the above pics, I see a jeep where the number plate said Texas 4WD-FUN. Is it something different than a number plate?

Best,
R-Six

In US you can have personalized plates. You have to pay extra for that. The state name will always appear on the plates.

[Blur]

Guj, I don't what it is, but I just wasn't finding any of the trails you did to be that challenging. Maybe it's the Jeep that is colouring my perception

So when you said Black Bear Pass - the most dangerous pass in the Colorado Rockies - I was expecting quite a bit. But then after looking at the initial fotos I was thinking what's all the fuss about. Till I came to the last three. Then I was just...GULP

[mohit]

An amazing story accompanied by beautiful beautiful pictures! what I really need is a hats off smily!

[Gujarati]

Originally Posted by Blur

Guj, I don't what it is, but I just wasn't finding any of the trails you did to be that challenging. Maybe it's the Jeep that is colouring my perception

So when you said Black Bear Pass - the most dangerous pass in the Colorado Rockies - I was expecting quite a bit. But then after looking at the initial fotos I was thinking what's all the fuss about. Till I came to the last three. Then I was just...GULP

There are few things going on here. First I am a terrible photographer, second even for a seasoned photographer it is very difficult to capture the inclines and declines and the depths. Trails are generally speaking not very hard but there is just no room for error.
Also knowing that someone from our club died on these trails just couple years ago in a freak accident, it makes it more scary. It is the height and loose trails that makes it really pucker factor.

Black Bear Pass up to the point of reaching the so called STEPS is fine. It is the STEPS and the switchbacks after the STEPS make it a difficult trail. Like I said google Black Bear Pass and you will get more info.

I will add more pictures of this trail tonight when I go home.

[Gujarati]

Here are remainder of the Black Bear Pass pictures. There is also a far away view of the dreaded switchbacks.

[supertinu]

Very nice thread Guj. Its got ingredients to form multiple threads covering intro, tech stuff, travelogues . Last bit is almost a Leh travelogue. Nice to see desis doing more than the usual bits in US , having myself lived there several years.

[db0009]

Rightly said Gujrati, indeed some of the curves are quite dangerous. Some of your pictures reminds me one of the serials on History channel featuring deadliest roads and some american truckers put to test on them . I liked the section where they were in India and used to freak out with the conditions and the driving patterns. But for sure your trip is worth the effort you have put into .

[Blur]

Guj, the new set of pics really puts things into perspective. Now I can see what you meant by "absolutely no room for error".

A request. Can we rename the Black Bear Pass as 'The Grizzly'. It can hurt you bad if you are not careful!

[Gujarati]

Originally Posted by supertinu

Very nice thread Guj. Its got ingredients to form multiple threads covering intro, tech stuff, travelogues . Last bit is almost a Leh travelogue. Nice to see desis doing more than the usual bits in US , having myself lived there several years.

Thank you Supertinu, yes I thought about doing separate threads but than I thought the story will not flow well together as I sure will forget something. I do not have mental capacity to follow up on several threads at the same time. Moreover as we progress you will see how my decisions of modifying the Jeep were influenced by some outings/trips. Trips like this one and other excursion show you what is working and what is not working and you modify the Jeep accordingly until it is completely dialed in up to your satisfaction.

Originally Posted by db0009

Rightly said Gujrati, indeed some of the curves are quite dangerous. Some of your pictures reminds me one of the serials on History channel featuring deadliest roads and some american truckers put to test on them . I liked the section where they were in India and used to freak out with the conditions and the driving patterns. But for sure your trip is worth the effort you have put into .

The show that you are referring to is Ice Road Truckers. I have watched that show especially that season because it was in India.

Originally Posted by Blur

Guj, the new set of pics really puts things into perspective. Now I can see what you meant by "absolutely no room for error".

A request. Can we rename the Black Bear Pass as 'The Grizzly'. It can hurt you bad if you are not careful!

That is funny, unfortunately I do not have much clout to get the name changed for the Black Bear Pass. Most people would not like the name change as that pass has over 100 year old history.

[ssh1979]

Wowie!!! Thanks for your efforts in sharing these with us (less fortunate) folks!!!

Wondering if you got a chance to be on the Lion's Back?

[Gujarati]

Originally Posted by ssh1979

Wowie!!! Thanks for your efforts in sharing these with us (less fortunate) folks!!!

Wondering if you got a chance to be on the Lion's Back?

Thank you glad you like the thread.

Lion's Back is in MOAB Utah and has been closed since 2007. That is the year I bought my Jeep. Thank god the trail is closed and I have no pressure to take my Jeep on it Have you seen this trail it is scary.
Moreover I have not been to MOAB yet, I will be going to MOAB this year in September.

Here's a pic and a video.

Driving down the Lion's Back, Moab, Utah - YouTube

Another one from the inside of the Jeep shot by someone in 2006.

Driving down the Lion's Back, Moab, Utah - YouTube