POUGHKEEPSIE GULCH to Lake Como | The Hardest Jeep Badge of Honor Trail in the San Juans!

Our second Jeep Badge of Honor Trail found us at Poughkeepsie Gulch! We took Mineral Creek in from the Ouray area and connected to Poughkeepsie. We had a very scenic and somewhat sketchy ride in to Lake Como but the view of the lake was well worth it! We eventually took Hurricane Pass on out to our camp in Silverton.
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[@philgriswold2133]

Great video and a challenging trail. The wonder in your child's voice over the color of Como lake is exactly why I still offroad at 64. As grown ups, we are supposed to hold back our glee for some reason, but it doesn't mean we can't still feel like a child from time to time.

[@TrailExpedition]

Phil, I totally agree with you! Off-roading and exploring new places is definitely my happy place. I loved my daughter’s reaction to Lake Como so I had to include it.

[@surgicalinstrumentsexplained]

We’re going to need more Quinn Cam! Love her excitement. And she had a heck of a view through the windshield!

[@TrailExpedition]

Ha! I loved it as well! Had to leave that part in the video.

[@paulgreene9997]

Colorado has some really stunning natural beauty - no wonder its such a popular destination for so many people.

[@TrailExpedition]

Totally agree! I’d definitely go back!

[@deanford827]

Gotta love the Rocky Mountains. Beautiful!

[@TrailExpedition]

You’re not wrong! I loved this trip!

[@oxidize99]

Great video! Thanks for sharing!

[@TrailExpedition]

Absolutely! Thanks for watching and be sure to subscribe for more!

[@Smokingtrailsoffroadclub]

Such a beautiful place that's awesome 👌

[@TrailExpedition]

Honestly, the entire place is just stunning. I would definitely go again!

[@jodylowe8476]

Good job not feeling the pressure of having to do the wall. You are a long way out there with the family. You don't need any self made epics out there. Its called good judgement.

[@TrailExpedition]

Thanks! And honestly, we could have done it. However, didn’t want to wait in a long line with a bunch of people gawking 😆

[@AdventuresOfRogersAndHenderson]

Skids and sliders for the win! 7:15 Looks like a fun AND beautiful trail!

[@TrailExpedition]

After a winch, skids and sliders should be some of the first upgrades on the Gladiator. It’s so long, it definitely needs it!

[@AdventuresOfRogersAndHenderson]

@@TrailExpedition lol I did it backwards… I did the skids and sliders first, I figured as long as I was wheeling with someone with a winch, they could drag me on my sliders 😂

[@TrailExpedition]

Haha! Well they could go in any order but definitely top three upgrades.

[@josesosa-castro3183]

One of the coolest trail in the area. Lake Como worth the drive. I did exactly the same when I got to the wall, had the whole family and we still had to drive back to Texas, so it was nice at least made it to there lol .. cool video man!

[@TrailExpedition]

Thank you very much! That was definitely one of my favorite trails in the area.

[@michaelquillen2679]

Good video. No wonder the company I rent Jeeps from down there doesn't want their rigs on that trail...to many wannabes would tear up a rig real quick. I wouldn't even want my YJ project on that trail. 14:08 Camera? Where's your sense of adventure...nothing like coming over a rise and hoping the road will be there. Just kidding...nice feature to have. Love your girl's excitement at seeing Lake Como. Hurricane Pass, my wife and I were stuck there for an hour once waiting for workers to clear the road below us (rock slide). My wife walked up to the point and took many pictures during the wait. Just 50 more days and I'll be back in that neck of the woods (Ouray) to enjoy the fall colors! Enjoyed your video!

[@TrailExpedition]

Thank you very much for the kind words. It takes a lot of effort in editing these videos so it’s good to know they’re appreciated. We just got done with Holy Cross in Vail and it was way harder than Poughkeepsie. I’ll have that video out in a few weeks. Enjoy your trip!

[@JuanGonzalez-bf8eh]

Awesome video guys keep them coming please. Much love from Texas

[@TrailExpedition]

Trying my best to keep up the weekly content! Just released a series on the Kentucky adventure tour. Check it out!

[@joelee5717]

Just caught your Imogene vid also. Looking forward to the next couple episodes. Notifications on. Thanks! 🤘

[@TrailExpedition]

Thank you for the support 💪🏻 I’m working on the black bear video as we speak and we just ran Holy Cross yesterday. That was a crazy trail.

[@kolbergone]

That's on my list, going to try to do the whole Alpine Loop. Glad to hear they were open, may in a couple weekends, still getting my Jeep ready.

[@TrailExpedition]

You’re going to have a blast! We didn’t do the entire Alpine Loop but it was still a lot of fun! Several more videos coming out so be sure to subscribe!

[@vel230]

Like the line to climb Everest....

[@TrailExpedition]

Tell me about it 🤣

[@timo2233]

Looks like a great adventure

[@TrailExpedition]

It’s been my favorite trip to date! The San Juan mountains are breathtaking!

[@j4yp3r]

traction boards are some of the most ineffective things I've seen except in particular situations involving mud

[@TrailExpedition]

Sand is about the best thing they’re useful for. Mud and snow sometimes they work. They’re kind of a last resort for me.

[@timstroh216]

Hey guys great video!!! we just got home from there yesterday we had a lot of fun especially when we met you guys at Democrat Mine !!!!! looking forward to seeing more videos from you guys!!!!! stay safe!!!!!

[@TrailExpedition]

Hey Tim! It was nice to meet you all out there! Beautiful area! We have a lot more content coming out from this trip so stay tuned.

[@drepagaming]

That Bronco was clearly very inexperienced. Just giving it the gas, gunned it into the bottom of that obstacle and jammed his tire. Nice trail though!

[@TrailExpedition]

Yeah, definitely heavy on the skinny pedal. Not my style of wheeling. Slow and controlled is the way to go. One of my favorite trails for sure!

[@outlaw9232]

Very nicely done! I was there in mid July and Poughkeepsie Gulch wasn’t open yet. I’m glad to see it’s open and you got to run it. Great footage and editing.

[@TrailExpedition]

Thank you very much! Yeah we hit it at the end of July and it had recently opened. One of my favorite trails there!

[@outlaw9232]

@@TrailExpedition the wall on Poughkeepsie Gulch sure looks like it got chewed up a whole lot more since the last time I ran it. I love that area and all those trails. I hope you enjoyed Colorado during your visit out here. Great video.

[@TrailExpedition]

@outlaw9232 we enjoyed it immensely and will be back! We didn’t attempt the wall but probably would have if there wasn’t such an audience 😆

[@barelymadeit]

Great video yall!

[@TrailExpedition]

Thanks! A lot of work goes into them! We have a lot more videos coming out for this trip so stay tuned!

[@raymondmiller4981]

Traffic jams in the middle of nowhere suck. That's when it's time to make some peanut butter samiches, grab some beverages, and watch the carnage.

[@TrailExpedition]

Totally agreed. Looking back on it now I wish I would have attempted the wall. I probably would have if it wasn’t so crowded. Oh well, next time.

[@AdventuresOfRogersAndHenderson]

8:20 heyyyyo! Bronco sighting 🤙

[@TrailExpedition]

Yessir! He was pushing that rig hard!

[@AdventuresOfRogersAndHenderson]

@@TrailExpedition love to see it!

[@LetsGoBrandon_]

Amazing scenery tucked back in the CO mtns.. never get tired of seeing it from different people's adventures. Thought you had a 360 cam on a pole at first but it looks like an antenna(?)

[@TrailExpedition]

Yeah that was probably my cell phone signal booster that you noticed. Thanks for the comment!

[@raymondmiller4981]

Kudos for trying to help the Yota, agree with winching being the best option. In loose gravel you won't get momentum without a static strap. People that are hopelessly stuck and won't take good advice and want to do the most bizarre options (multiple hookups to pull backup) instead of the most direct (forward winch) are confusing and annoying.

[@TrailExpedition]

Forward winch is exactly what I would have done in that situation. Why the guy wanted to try a strap and back up (uphill for that matter) was beyond me. Wasn’t my vehicle so wasn’t my call. People are funny 😆

[@GrayMatterJeep]

@@TrailExpedition My vote would have winch him forward too. Way harder, if not impossible, to go backwards without Yota body damage (and possible human damage too). I do not envy you being in that situation... Hopefully they saw the light and winched him forward.

[@TrailExpedition]

@GrayMatterJeep my wife spotted his vehicle in downtown Ouray the following day damage free so he got out of that situation one way or another.

[@careypostin-qe7vf]

I noticed a book your wife had n her lap, is that something with trail info for the area? We area going there in October to run the trails for the first time and we are trying to have plenty of info and research. Great videos by the way.

[@TrailExpedition]

Thank you very much and yes that book is invaluable for trails in the area. I should have it listed in the video description.

[@Good-luck-Jonathan]

I have the same truck and I’m so excited. I already ordered my Artec skids. I just need to decide on the rock sliders and differential slider. I wonder how good the stock one is for the rock sliders? Anyhow, I would not have done that well either because my Jeep is not a rock basher smasher flipper, A family Jeep, and an adventure, Jeep. .

[@TrailExpedition]

Skid plates and upgraded rock sliders are a must for these trucks in my opinion. I quickly changed out the stock rubicon sliders for the JCR ones as the stock ones don’t protect the side of the jeep. Went with metal cloak for the skid plates but Artec is a good brand as well.

[@Good-luck-Jonathan]

@@TrailExpedition Those JCR look pretty good with the steps. Has the body been in issue? Mine has the plastic bumper and need to get the Mopar still because I like the OEM look as much as possible. I really want an Aluminum bumper if possible it needs to look not so industrial. Every where I can, I want to keep weight down. I'll be getting a Lithium 12v in the future also to save weigh and get more capacity. I'm going to order a hitch slider for sure but I see you don't have a diff guard? I wanted to get one and the lower arm slider. You never hit those??? BTW never been off road before lol. I'm a expert keyboard offroad. I have keyboard trail badges.

[@TrailExpedition]

@Good-luck-Jonathan all good bud as we all start somewhere. The JCR sliders are solid as I’ve come down with the entire weight of the jeep on them and it’s nice they double as a step. I never got diff covers or control arm covers, however, I’m not opposed to it. The hitch slider is a must as the departure angle on the Gladiator is not great. Got a new video coming out tomorrow where I put the armor to the test on the Potts Mountain Jeep Trail.

[@Good-luck-Jonathan]

Nice I'm ordering the JCR right now for the deals going on. I got the hitch slider from rock slide engineering as well. My fenders flair's are higher than yours ? I also have the stock 285 which I is 33"? I like the MPG with them but looks like I can't do some of those trails with them. I also have stock height but it feels high to me but seems like I'll need to do 2" lift as well to do the hard ones?

[@TrailExpedition]

@Good-luck-Jonathan I’m running a 2” AEV lift and 37s on mine for reference. You can do quite a bit in a stock Rubicon Gladiator.

[@JessDeeganIIPhD]

You could have made the wall!

[@TrailExpedition]

I know I probably could have and I would have done it without all the extra people there. Too much of a cluster to work my way through. Next time!

[@mikerobbins5049]

The Wall is kinda tough. We did it in a 2010 JKUR on 32’s. Haven’t tried it in the JL

[@TrailExpedition]

It doesn’t look hard on camera but definitely intimidating In actually seeing it. We passed on it but looking back should have tried it.

[@mikerobbins5049]

@@TrailExpedition. I’m in agreement with you... It’s a long way home and I don’t want to have to pay huge repair bills on top of vacation costs I did drive all the way home with the sway bar disconnected cause the darn thing broke on Medano Pass trail ....

[@TrailExpedition]

Right. We drove home with a little bit of bump steer because the drag link near the pitman arm was getting some play in it. Made it home ok but replaced it immediately.

[@hmlifewithdoublesj6178]

It's great video !! I clicked subscribe and like^_^ I'll come see you again~

[@TrailExpedition]

Thanks for the support!

[@elevationoffroad]

Awesome video!! What a view.. How far ahead did you book your campsite? Are you basecamping in the same location?

[@TrailExpedition]

We base camped at Sultan Campground which is first come first serve so we couldn’t book it. We lucked out and found one of the last spots. Anvil campground is just across the creek and Kendall campground is just down the road. All free and all first come first serve. We rolled the dice and found a great spot. Hope this helps!

[@elevationoffroad]

It does, we are planning for next summer and need to square away the camping

[@TrailExpedition]

There is so much BLM land there that it is pretty much a free for all. People camped everywhere for free.

[@ForeverJeep]

Bring me back a praire dog. What happened to roof tent?

[@TrailExpedition]

Sarah said their Marmots and they are pretty adorable. RTT wasn’t going to be convenient for all of us so opted for the Gazelle. Works out better for base camping.

[@sacjusticeforyou]

Curious Re: What air pressure were you running? Cool video. Love getting the kids out on the trail

[@TrailExpedition]

We were around 15 PSI. I go lower in my JKU because beadlocks. Thanks for the comment!

[@WarthogOverland]

😎👍 That was amazing, looks like the JT did awesome. Any EcoDiesel limp mode issues with the elevation?

[@TrailExpedition]

Thanks! And nope! Made sure my air filter was clean before I left. Just drop it in 4 low and it just chugs right along. I have burned through a lot of DEF on this trip though 😆

[@javtelle]

Nice. Thanks. I'm taking my JTRD up there in a couple weeks. Just the MOPAR 2" and 35", so be taking it easy.@@TrailExpedition

[@TrailExpedition]

@javtelle maybe look into a winch if you’re going to attempt the wall but your setup will work great otherwise.

[@jamespeters3907]

Great video!. We are planning a trip to that trail soon. We are in mostly stock JLUR. 2 inch spacer lift with 35" tires. We were wondering if we choose to go to the Wall. Once at the Wall if we are unsuccessful in climbing it up. Is there a bypass at Wall. Or do we have to turn back around back to main trail? Thank you in advance.

[@TrailExpedition]

If you decide not to do the wall then you have to go roughly 1/4 mile back to where the trail splits. The area leading up to the wall and the wall itself is the most challenging area.

[@jamespeters3907]

@TrailExpedition Oh ok. Thank you. We going to definitely try to get to it. And decide from there if we'll try it. We are driving in from Texas. So we will be by ourselves. But we would really like to at least try it. I heard there are winch points there? Not sure if that's accurate. Thanks

[@TrailExpedition]

@jamespeters3907 I believe winch points have been installed. We should have tried it but didn’t care for the crowd. We did Holy Cross a week later which was much harder.

[@jamespeters3907]

@TrailExpedition I understand. Yes I hear Holy Cross is on another level. Lol. We will like stay in the alpine loop area. Thanks again for info.

[@TrailExpedition]

@jamespeters3907 no problem and have fun!

[@rickb5575]

What tires you running?

[@TrailExpedition]

Falken Wildpeak AT in a 37/12.5/17

[@wishes2oo2]

Awesome vid! How long did this trail take to finish?

[@TrailExpedition]

If I remember correctly, I want to say around three hours or so. Would have been faster if we initially took the easier bypass and we’re not filming. It was a fun and scenic trail!

[@rebel62780]

What is your lift/ tire size? Planning a trip next year with a gladiator just wondering what you have. Great videos

[@TrailExpedition]

Hey there! I’m running a 2” AEV lift on 37/12.5/17 Falken Wildpeak ATs. Hope that helps!

[@rebel62780]

@@TrailExpedition thanks. I have the 37s but no lift. Guess that’s what I need to get before the head out there

[@TrailExpedition]

@rebel62780 if you do Poughkeepsie, I would not do the hard lines unless you have rock sliders. I wouldn’t attempt Holy Cross unless you have sliders, skid plates and a winch.

[@jeeperp3926]

Poughkeepsie gulch is anything but hard. I’m sick of flat landers overhyping these trails.

[@LackeysBeTrippin]

LOL calm down buddy.

[@TrailExpedition]

Compared to holy cross, it is not hard but it is the hardest badge trail in the San Juans. Also depends on how well your rig is built and driver experience.

[@amicxble9350]

I did this entire trail in 2WD with my 03” Tacoma on 37’s

[@TrailExpedition]

That’s impressive! Couple spots that I definitely used 4 low. Mostly getting up that hill that the other guy had to back down.