Yankee Boy Basin- Ouray Colorado -July 2018

[@Racer0ne0ne]

Awesome. I'm planning to hike to the summit of Sneffels and would like to drive my '15 Silverado to the Yankee Boy trailhead. By the looks of this I'm more confident its doable.

[@donm8011]

These roads change every year but yes, it's definitely doable. Thanks for watching.

[@Racer0ne0ne]

@@donm8011 Thank you, I'm all in now :)

[@samsquamptch]

Just recently went out to Yankee Boy, stopped at the halfway point and the 1.2 mile trail to the top of Sneffels. Wish I had a little bit more of a rugged vehicle, I have a 2014 stock tacoma 4x4. Just didn't want to sacrifice hardware to get to the top of the trail. Had a blast doing that first half though!

[@donm8011]

Sounds like a great time. I agree, better safe than a huge tow bill on top of repairs.

[@allenchickering1804]

Could a stock 4-runner off road premium make it? Has the stock suspension with nitro ridge grappler tires.

[@donm8011]

I always say try it. You can always turn around if you want. As you can see from the types of rigs on the trail that day there were a few stock ones as well. Good luck and enjoy the views.

[@stephensfarms7165]

I have made this trip many times, always a great trip. Thanks 🙏👍👍

[@baylorpeak7135]

Nice video! So we are coming in mid-July to Ouray as first-time offroaders in a stock 2020 Gladiator. It looks like from your video, that you guys were alone and did not have any support vehicle or traveled in a group which is what we would also like to do. I have been warned though that you should always travel with another vehicle and wanted your thoughts based on the trails in this video, please?

[@donm8011]

Tough question. Of course there is safety in numbers, if you break down or need help of some kind. We choose to go alone simply because we like going at our own pace. We stop a lot for pics etc. I carry a portable air compressor and tire plugs in case of a simple flat. I would have a hard time changing a hundred pound tire at my age. That being said there's usually lots of traffic on the trails around Ouray and Telluride so your never really alone and offroad folks are pretty helpful. Yankee Boy would be a good trail to get comfortable with your new rig, Its not difficult but trails change with the seasons, snow rain etc. As you can see in the video there's all kinds of rigs from stock to whatever. You'll do fine on this trail. Take your time and watch your lines.I hope you record your trip and post it. Love seeing others experiences.If you haven't seen the first half of this trail here's a link I did a couple years earlier. We made it to where this video starts. It was getting dark and didn't want to wait for the truck to move. kzbin.info/www/bejne/jYPEeH6ZnM-Zjac

[@AceGoodheart]

I'm new to off-roading. For a trail like this would you disconnect your front sway bars? What tire pressure would you use? What 4-wheel drive setting would you use, 4 high or 4 low?

[@donm8011]

A lot of off- road questions tend to be vehicle or tire specific. For example If your running bead lock wheels then you can run at a lower psi, say 5-10. I run non bead lock so 15 is the lowest for me. I can only speak for my Jeep but having the sway bar disconnected makes for a better ride, but since it's electric it only disconnects in 4 low. This trail is not difficult but I use 4 low because of the sway bar. I find vehicle clearance an important factor as well. It's a good beginner trail as is Ophir Pass in the Ouray, Telluride area. KZbin is a great resource for off road info. Enjoy your ride.

[@AceGoodheart]

@@donm8011 Thanks for the reply. I use non beads. I love the look of my wheels too much to switch to beads lol. Of course the trails are gonna scratch them up, but it'll be worth it. Yeah, right now my Jeep is pretty much stock except for the 3.5" lift and 35 inch tires, and spare tire carrier (Mall Crawler). I'm still on Dana 30 Axels and 3.21 gears. It really needs a regear but I'm gonna hold off till I get the new front and rear 44 axels. Gonna go with 4.88 gears among many other upgrades with my axels.

[@donm8011]

@@AceGoodheart Sounds like your on your way to a solid build. I put 5:13 gears in mine should we decide on 37s down the road. As it stands it goes really well. I don't do severe rock crawling so it's just fine. Good luck.

[@joewilkerson3444]

Very, very good ride. Thank God no speed up to make you drunk or crazy music. Now some music sort of matches the trail, but it's nice to just sit back and watch the video sometimes. I have a Hero black 5 and so far have used it only one time and that was 2017 in Chalk Creek Canyon in the Fall. The scenery was fantastic and that is worth the trip there. The trail itself was awesome and even though it had a few "bad" spots they did not look so bad to discourage one. Again, thanks for the ride; one of the best I've had in a while.

[@donm8011]

Thanks for your comment and for the Chalk Creek Canyon suggestion and thanks for watching.

[@esdinopol8900]

Do you think a 2wd ford ranger 2 inch lift and all terrain tires can come up there?

[@donm8011]

That's always a tough question. Road conditions change with rain, snow etc.. I always say try it. You can always turn around. You can see the variety of rigs on the video. The steep hills with loose rock is difficult without 4wd. You should be able to get quite aways if not all the way. Good luck.

[@TNGUYEN415]

At the end of your video, Did you stop at the blue lake trailhead point??

[@donm8011]

We did and took pictures. I should have included some in the video.

[@doncalderalo5278]

Absolutely breathtaking vistas, Don. WOW! This ride had moved to the top of my list for next summer. Any camping spots in the area? Thanks for sharing.

[@donm8011]

Well my idea of camping is a motel room with a kitchenette but I do recall a couple of campgrounds along the way. These areas are so popular I would think a call to the local Forest Service Office could be of some help as far as availability goes. I know for rooms in Ouray its best to reserve early. This area is amazing.

[@doncalderalo5278]

Don Miller Gotta agree with you, Don. Haha, the older I get, the more a hotel room is more appealing than a tent.