This is the view from the rental house looking towards Ouray.
Terry's place had 42 acres and some horses and a barn. This was one that wasn't out in the pasture.
I knew my wife was going to be a little nervous on our trip up Imogene so I decided to take the Last Dollar Road into Telluride. It's an easier trail to follow with a more rural appeal to it.
Here's one of the view's as we neared Telluride.
Had to get the Jeep in a few shots. Tom Cruise's place is real close to this area though it wasn't visable from the road.
One last shot before we get to Telluride.
We stopped for lunch in Telluride and then it was time for the feature event, the ride over Imogene back to Ouray. It starts out easy but get narrow and high as you go.
On the way up to Tomboy mine you can get a glimpse of Ingram Falls and the infamous "Black Bear Road."
Here's the tunnel on the way up to Tomboy and Imogene Pass. If you check out the "Uncovering its History" section of the Tour Jeep rebuild you'll see a picture of my Jeep going through it over 40 years ago. Gives me goosebumps!
Here's a better shot of the switchbacks up to Bridal Vail Falls on Black Bear Road.
OK, we made it to Tomboy mine with only 3 encounters of vehicles going in the other direction. Meeting vehicles on the stretch from Telluride to Tombot can be a little hair raising as the trail is so narrow and the drop off is so steep.
One must be careful and the mine ruins as there are many mine shafts that would spell trouble if you were to take the wrong step!
One last view before the accend to Imogene.
Part of the trail to Imogene from the Tomboy mine.
Definately above the tree line looking back towards Telluride.
You wonder what's at the top after a 4000' accent in a few short miles. Well, not much! It's quite windy up there too!
There's your proof in the pudding! The Tour Jeep did indeed ascend over the 13,000' mark off-road. Now it's time to drop 5500' to get back to Ouray.
This side of the pass had quite a bit of Alpine Tundra. Very beautiful area to drive through even though we were a bit early on the full bloom of all the wild flowers.
Locals told me that they had the most snow up there in the past 30 years. Even though it was the last days of July, there was still quite a lot of snow still around.
Give this area a few more days of sun and these blooms would explode in color.
We're back below the tree line and well on our way back to town.