Looking for recommendations for Jeep tours out of Ouray that you have really enjoyed. Not the company but actual routes.

We will have the Jeep from 5:30pm to 5:30 pm so we have some time one evening and all day the next day.

I haven't taken this road yet, so I didn't reply at first. Since it looks like no one else is posting, I'll jump in. The Alpine Loop is one of the favorite 4WD roads in this area. I think it takes a full day (maybe more?) to drive. It's worth checking into. It's invariably recommended it as a classic 4WD route. The road leaves just South of Ouray, right off of Hwy 550.

Imogene Pass and Black Bear are other famous 4WD roads, but they have reputations for being VERY difficult.

Here are some websites about the Alpine Loop. The one that says it takes 4 days is referring to bicyclists.

http://www.byways.org/travel/byway.html?CX_BYWAY=2105

http://www.1881.com/alpineloop.htm

http://www.co.blm.gov/gra/gra-al-mbike.htm

Thanks Travellyn. I was surprised no one had any recommendations. Maybe they are keeping it to themselves!!!

A good book to buy is Guide to Colorado Backroads & 4-Wheel Drive Trails by Charles A. Wells. It has good descriptions and decent maps (not detailed topo maps though) that may help in your planning. My husband and I drove from Silverton to Ouray last summer and had such a blast we'll be back. We rented from Switzerland of America and had a brand new Wrangler.

ouray to silverton via cinnamon pass. hairy but fun.

We rented Jeeps in Ouray at Switzerland of America and they recommended the Ophir Pass to Telluride and then Imogine Pass back to Ouray.

These are not to be taken lightly. You need to know a little about driving a 4WD and have nerves of steel. My husband enjoyed it but it was full time work for him and it took most of the day.

I would highly recommend the company we used. I'm sure others in the area are just as good but we were very satisfied with the Jeep and the employees.

Since we were able to pick up the Jeep the previous evening, they recommended we do Yankee Boy Basin. We found it to be just okay. It got more and more difficult and you are in the trees the whole time. We liked the routes with views much better.

There are quite a few campsites along this route, for those interested.