Exploring Colorado's Hidden Mountain Paradise

[@coloradomallcrawlers]

CORE is based in Buena Vista and is the absolute best offroad trail organization in Colorado. They do a lot of work in maintaining as well as keeping trails open. I’m pretty sure they got Champion Mine reopened to vehicles and TrailsOffroad shows it. Also, there are over 500 trails in Colorado. I would encourage you to share details of your trips WHILE inspiring your community to help take care of the trails you show. That is what I’m doing, that is the only influence I want to have. I think it’s working too. I have been an offroader for 25 years… The thing is we have always lost trails. So I think it’s time to try something different. You have an audience that cares about the places you show them… let them help us take care of these trails. I’m also trying to push support for Trail organizations like CORE, Tread Lightly as they can use money or your time on trail maintenance days. I truly believe our audiences care about these trails as much as we do.

[@davidr.1517]

Wow, beautiful video!! Great job!!

[@BakerOverland]

“High school art class”. Facts man. Totally felt like that. Loved this video bro. Hope we get to collab again soon!

[@IndependenceOverland]

I’m looking forward to it buddy! 2025 is gonna be a fun one!

[@Live2dayWanderland]

awesome seeing all you guys together!

[@stevebratten6592]

MOORE reunion!

[@sethfields573]

Channel is so underrated. Some discovery channel shit for free is crazy!

[@IndependenceOverland]

I appreciate that, thank you 🙏

[@mechared3210]

nah this is better than Discovery Channel

[@jamesduncan2427]

Great video and good to see the FJ back

[@Brad1536]

This might be my favorite video of yours yet. This got me so excited for next summer to get out explore our amazing state.

[@dizi17]

This is truly one if your best trip videos ever

[@JohnAnderson87-i1d]

So the cabin at 4:47 is my family’s cabin you caught with the drone! Pretty cool! You can barely spot it but, you can see the long driveway to it! What a beautiful view! We have never seen it like that before! I am excited to see where you go here as I want to take my FJ around this area!

[@JSOK489]

What road is that? Looks like a good beginner trail to take!

[@TheRestored87Warrior]

My sister lives in Colorado, and my brother in law loves to do offroading. Hopefully, one day i can be able to do some overlanding and offroading. I just love to get outdoors. Whether it be fishing, dirtbikes/quads, or walking.

[@PetePoorman]

Thanks, Tyler, for the terrific reminder of what this area has to offer.

[@joshuawadsworth5050]

What an incredible cinematic journey, thank you and just saved a crazy loop in that area for my future travels, cheers!!!!

[@hp3309]

Great video. Your videos are always well edited, absolutely beautiful scenery, and reflective. There is alot of substance to your channel. Keep up the fantastic work!

[@Buck_ie]

Incredible video. This is what it’s all about right here. Thank you.

[@HealingTrailsOverland]

Great video!!!

[@MooreAdventures.]

Wow! What a spectacular video and excellent job as always! Colorado is one of my most desired places to visit and explore! Very inspiring and beautiful

[@kurtburkhardt5862]

Like to see collaberations and cool scenery. Not just bashing over rocks on 42"+ tires. Treading lightly and getting places you can't in a regular vehicle is the whole point. Moab is cool, we've been there, so much more to see even in Utah. Great job!

[@BenInBeta]

Another great trip, well shot and solid story telling too! Great job Tyler.

[@parny79]

Very nice. Makes me excited for summer again. Looking forward to seeing your Trailhunter adventures.

[@IndependenceOverland]

I’ve got more coming, just sprinkling in some Fj stuff for the OG viewers. During the this trip, I had JUST picked up the Trailhunter and it wasn’t ready to go just yet.

[@parny79]

I have an FJ and a Tacoma, love Colorado but live in Illinois, probably the worst state for off roading, so I get to live vicariously through your videos 😂. Have always loved the content!

[@OverlandGeneration]

Right on! Good to see the FJ

[@Bergo101]

Stunning drone shots. Well done and thanks for sharing! Always gets me excited to pack the car and head out ❤

[@AlwaysInNatur3]

Your videos are awesome man! I miss living out west. Keep em coming🙏

[@flyfisher530]

Great video Tyler with a great group of guys! I need to head out your way next year, such a beautiful state! 🙌

[@IndependenceOverland]

It’s worth the drive my friend! Just bring more warm clothes than they did 😆

[@bwmooney]

Another solid video. Sorry about the drone. Always appreciate your kind words about Arkansas, even if we don't know how to handle the altitude or the cold weather that well. As an Arkansas boy, we love our Ozarks and Ouachitas, but the Rockies are a different game. Met you at Overland of America and hope to cross paths again. Take care and keep up the great work!

[@stevebratten6592]

Watching tonight and “hey! A I recognize that Toyota! That’s Benji!!!”

[@Live2dayWanderland]

Been waiting to see your version on this trip, great stuff as usual my brother. That rabbit thing was wild lol great sequence there

[@HucklebearysAdventures]

This is a gorgeous video. Wow.

[@WildGooseExpeditions]

Some of the best context and story telling out there! Keep crushing it my dude 🤘🏻🤘🏻🤘🏻🤘🏻

[@IndependenceOverland]

Thanks man! 🙏

[@KentWood-OptimizeUTennis]

Absolutely love your content and especially your close-ups of the flora/fauna/fungi...we often miss the "trees for the forest"...

[@millie4039]

great video brother, enjoyed watching it! Makes me wanna head out and camp

[@willwilliams141]

Another great video, thanks for the motivation to get out and explore. : )

[@optimus163]

Magical video and bringing the Arkansas guys out here really special. The comaraderie is priceless. Good times with good people and your epilogue narration was spot on. As a longtime resident of Colorado it still captivates me when traveling up country. Her high altitude Valleys and Peaks cast a spell on you like no other place. Its why we keep coming back to the High Lonesome.

[@IndependenceOverland]

Thanks man, I hear you! It’s pretty incredible in the mountains!

[@craigharrington4731]

Absolutely Incredible trail and mind-blowing scenery Tyler I hope I get to see vistas like that when I get down to Colorado

[@IndependenceOverland]

Thanks Craig! Colorado is packed full of stuff like this. Your truck is going to be idea for this kind of thing!

[@limitedslipautomotive]

Beautiful trip brother!

[@boundless-trails]

The footage from a drone is breathtaking… 😮‍💨

[@jacobg5122]

The mine is privately owned by Gold Retrievers Inc, which makes me think they're planning on reopening it, or at least re-assaying the material. Either way it's interesting that someone even bothered, given how remote it is.

[@RDOverland]

Great video. Amazing location. I’m jealous you guys live within a reach of locations like that. 😊❤

[@mikewood7294]

Great video! Thank you.

[@incognitext8041]

Film work and scenery is amazing

[@IndependenceOverland]

I very much appreciate that. Lots of shots in this one were from the other fellas too! 🙏

[@TheOutdoorPursuit]

Your work is KZbin greatness! Wow!

[@IndependenceOverland]

I really appreciate that man! 🙏

[@BirdDogOffRoadAdventures]

Great video!

[@GATORADDAM]

Nice. We'll be in Colorado this summer. Be great to hook up and pick your brain on some cool trails... other than the San Juans.

[@advpilot2833]

If you go on the trail to the left after you get to the mine it climbs way up. You end over13000ft with awesome views of Independence Pass. Need to get those guys up there next time around!

[@IndependenceOverland]

Yeah I’ve been up there before, but it was covered in snow and I was the only guy with lockers. I didn’t want to get into a bind with them, especially since they were already getting short of breath by the cabin.

[@advpilot2833]

@@IndependenceOverland Oh man. Yeah you would not want to be up there with snow. Especially without lockers. Great video! That trail is a favorite for sure! Hit me up if you want to wheel sometime. I am in Colorado Springs.

[@newfoundoverland]

Excellent job capturing our adventure, you were a great host and could't have chosen a better route! Thank you! PS Thanks for reminding us to drink plenty of water, that elevation jump from 1k-13k was "in tents" ;) sorry ...

[@IndependenceOverland]

If only you listened to my warning to dress warmer than you might think you need! 😆. I actually forgot to cover that in the video. Arkansas boys freezing their asses off because its 50 out 🤣🤣

[@EaglesPursuit]

@@IndependenceOverlandno, I don’t freeze. Didn’t you see my sandals! Heck it’s 30degrees right now and I’m in a t-shirt 😅😅

[@newfoundoverland]

@@IndependenceOverland 😂 Facts! My logic was, it's 100 degrees at home. How bad could it actually get..I learned my lesson! Oh and ya don't need a zero breeze at 13k feet 😆

[@davesantimaw5413]

I’m surprised you didn’t take them around the Alpine Loop in/around Ouray and Silverton! There’s so many mines that you can touch/enter/photograph while meeting their other requirements.

[@123-olmngresx]

That area is crowded af and overated. Colorado has over 600 trails. Way better areas with less people unless you like seeing 100s of people on the trail then hit the san juans.

[@eb6205]

FYI, I was up there in late September. I expected the gate to be closed, but I had read that you can hike up to the mine. But the gate was open, and I was able to drive up to the mine. Amazing place.

[@IndependenceOverland]

Yeah the gate was locked up when we went, and we didn’t see any access to walk either if I am remember correctly. Or maybe the guys were already winded.

[@Bergo101]

Do you still like the alucab awning and will you put another on the new build?

[@Bikepro4x]

Concerned about altitude sickness then hands out whiskey 😂. For altitude beginners do not drink your first night out it’ll just exacerbate your altitude sickness. Night 2 you’re usually good. Also that Tin Cup whiskey is great and is named after a little mining town near Crested Butte.

[@angelomoret6861]

Great video! Did you take them all the way up to the top past the mine?

[@IndependenceOverland]

No, we started hitting snow and I was the only one with lockers. We were making our way up and I decided it wasn’t a good choice. I’ve been up there once before a long time ago, and it got pretty gnarly!

[@TannerWilliams-ci4dd]

Man that 2nd spot looks amazing I wish you said where it was I have a rough guess on where but I respect you for not saying it because people have caused many issues on the trails. If I figure out where this is I may make a trip up there. Thanks for sharing the states best spots with your friends.

[@EightyFiveHundred]

Nice. My old back yard. Why no BlackBear Pass?? It would’ve been epic for your friends. Spent much of the 90s and 00s wheeling my TJ and supercharged FZJ80 through CO and UT. Spent many a night sleeping in the back of my kitted FZJ80 and skinning up Ophir pass or Independence Pass and skiing down with our dogs. Jeep is long gone but still have my 80 with 250,000+ miles. Serious question, what do you do about your kitchen in bear country? When backpacking, we never left food in our rigs at the trail head, and at camp we always set up the kitchen downwind with food in canisters.

[@IndependenceOverland]

It was 4 extra hours each way for them, and they had limited time. And I honestly think while the San Juan’s are beautiful, there’s more to Colorado. If your first time out is to that area, it would be hard to compete with it on future trips. And for content, the San Juan’s have been beat to death with videos. As far as bears go, I just close everything up. The only time I had a problem with a bear was hunting in the back country once. But as far as truck camping goes, I’ve never had one bother me.

[@Hudson-M]

This is such an amazing video man I am getting the itch to get out but the snow is a little bit of an issue guess i will stick to skiing which is also my favorite. And thank you for mentioning how Utah has more then just Moab I mean the Wasatch where I live has trail not even my 4runner can get up.

[@IndependenceOverland]

Yeah and for Utah in general I just think there are a lot of places to explore. Some people like to just go do trails to say they did them, as I am more in the camp of going places to camp and see new things. Everyone is different, but some of my favorite Utah trips weren't in Moab.

[@ericleach2504]

What a trip! Surprised you didn’t take the Trailhunter!

[@IndependenceOverland]

I had just picked it up like 2 weeks earlier, so it wasn't camp ready. I wanted to though!

[@ericleach2504]

@ you’ve all but convinced me to get a Tacoma Trailhunter and hand my 80 Series off to my daughter!

[@rondre3]

Another good video. How are you liking the front sway bar disconnects for the FJ? Would you recommend?

[@Devastator123]

How was the pump and sleeping bags?

[@IndependenceOverland]

I assume you are talking about that air compressor? I was impressed with how fast it was compared to my single piston ARB compressor. As for sleeping bags, I use a HEST comforter. Not sure what the other guys use.

[@rebelpatriot_nc_9156]

Colorado is one of my bucket list states to visit. Great video! Who is the guy with the 3rd Gen 4runner?

[@AaronsMountainViews]

Another amazing video. Is that the new macro lens?

[@IndependenceOverland]

No actually, that’s my 100-400 Gmaster. It works decent as a macro lens, but it was right after this trip I acquired the real deal macro. Some cool shots will be in upcoming videos! 🙏

[@HeyBabyPod]

"It's the perfect place to fly a drone" [crash] The clip was perfect... I laughed and immediately felt the pain of your crashed drone and felt like a jerk for laughing. 🤣

[@Tread-719]

Thanks for not sharing locations, the trails are all there to enjoy if you want to go explore and find great spots. Great Video.

[@dREaDneck_Moto]

Is that a diamond 9.5" rear axle under the FJ?

[@ryansearlybronco]

The FJ ❤

[@415Jack]

How do you like the apex sway bar disconnect

[@mattfroeming640]

Another great video! Question...is a trail like the one buy the mine doable in a stock Tacoma Off-Road with KO2 tires?

[@IndependenceOverland]

I would want rock rails, but aside from that, yes. Absolutely.

[@PRodent]

What song do you use in the ending credits?

[@redbushell7243]

Oh heck yeah, good to see the FJ!

[@IndependenceOverland]

More are coming too, but I will probably alternate between the Tacoma and the Fj for these edits.

[@stanleyipkiss3806]

How do you have all of that weight on your back hatch? Won’t it destroy the hinges or make the door go out of alignment?

[@IndependenceOverland]

The Expedition One bumper carry’s the weight of it. It’s all on a massive spindle.

[@nichoth1]

On the the jaunt through the bottom edge of "South Park", you lucked out with the rain, as the trails there turn to sticky slick traction-less goo when soaked.

[@Cleophis1975]

Ah, Leadville. One of my favorite places on the planet to suffer.

[@NehemiasLabrador]

So from minute 16. Where exactly is he going through. I see twin lakes. Then independence pass. I’m looking on onX and trails offroad . I’d like to re do . Can anybody help

[@michaelhibbard5484]

Love the content but why didn’t you take the Trailhunter?

[@IndependenceOverland]

I had only owned it for about 2 weeks when these guys came out. I didn’t have it camp ready yet, nor the time to get it ready.

[@michaelhibbard5484]

@ I discovered your channel recently and really enjoying. Thanks for the content. Looking forward to more trailhunter videos!

[@steve9584]

Aspens are so cool. You can tell a tree is an Aspen by the way that it is.

[@IndependenceOverland]

Haha

[@RedRocket204]

Should have introduced them to some fine, local brews instead of that average stuff they were drinking. Especially considering a very fine brewery you drove past in Buena Vista.

[@MoviesSam]

Tyler - do you do this kind of guide service for anyone ? as a business? I'm just getting into overlanding and could benefit a service like this. I would be coming from Maryland.

[@IndependenceOverland]

Haha I KNEW someone was going to ask. No sir, I do not. My schedule is already so busy I just don’t have time to do that sort of thing, these guys just wanted to come film and it worked out that I had an open weekend.

[@lauramurray6690]

Air down hell half the roads in my hometown are chewed up more then that .

[@IndependenceOverland]

Well, none of us had been down the road before so its not like I knew what it was going to look like. But airing down still relieves some duties from the suspension, and makes for a more comfortable ride.

[@lifeisaboutthejourney]

Thank you for NOT sharing exact locations! The world of influencers needs more people like you. Too many precious places are being destroyed by the masses.

[@joreldavis4069]

Why no Trailhunter?

[@IndependenceOverland]

I had just bought it. No rack, no tent, no anything. And the Fj will continue to be used as well.

[@digitalperson108]

Tyler drops a vid….I click like, pour a scotch and enjoy! Always awesomeness.

[@IndependenceOverland]

Haha that is awesome man, thank you! 🍻

[@digitalperson108]

@ Not kidding either! Happy Holidays and New Year to you and Natalia.

[@jeremycox9194]

If only I had the money to outfit my FJ... I would never be home, doing things like this every weekend.

[@dpoverland7273]

I don’t agree with him, not sharing the locations. I don’t think he realizes that there’s a lot of people that would like to travel to these places from all over the country or world and have a limited amount of time to explore.

[@IndependenceOverland]

If they want to travel off pavement, the least they should do is try to learn how to work a map 🤷‍♂️

[@rustyshakleford7277]

That's exactly why you DONT share the locations, so that fragile ecosystems don't get overrun with god damn tourists

[@RedRocket204]

If you live here and are one who explores the backcountry, you would definitely appreciate the locations not being shared.

[@richardplunk3910]

Great video but we can do without the music 🤦

[@IndependenceOverland]

Go find another channel. Bye ✌🏻

[@dizi17]

Tried to like, unlike and then like again a few times. Hope that helps