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In 1988, I attended my first organized fourwheeling event, the 1st Annual Maine Mountains Jeep Jamboree in Bethel, Maine. I had just purchased a stock 1988
Wrangler and outfitted it with a winch and some BFG Mud Terrain tires before the event. It rained every minute of the two day event and I loved it. I learned the value of a spotter on though obstacles, how to safely recover a stuck vehicle and how things like disconnecting the sway bar improve performance. The thrill of making it through massive amounts of mud and rocks was what attracted me; but it was what I learned and the people I met that hooked me on the jamboree experience. Now, 17 years later and hundreds of organized fourwheeling events to look back on, the Jeep Jamborees still excite me.

This year I was able to travel to Colorado and attend the 18th Annual Ouray Jeep Jamboree known for its spectacular vistas and visits to famous mining towns. Ouray, Colorado is located in the southwest portion of the state and is nestled between the Uncompahgre Mountains 8,000 feet above sea level. It
is not a yuppie ski town where you pay $4 for a cup of coffee. It is a town where you can meet people from all over the country mingling with the local residents enjoying the hot springs, hiking mountain trails or fourwheeling the many passes that connect ghost towns once inhabited by courageous miners. Once a year, Ouray plays host to one of 34 Jeep Jamborees organized by Jeep Jamboree USA out of Georgetown, California.

Day One

Day one at a Jeep Jamboree begins Thursday afternoon with registration and trail sign-up. Anticipation is always high during registration and this year was no different than any other. As I made my way through the stations, many of the jamboree staff greeted me warmly and more remembered my face than the name as we have sporadically crossed paths at different jamborees across the country. Then it happens?Dave! I hear a familiar voice scream and I turn to see jeeping buddies that I may not have seen for a year or two and we exchange warmer greetings than I do with my next door neighbors. The room becomes crowded with registrants signing up for trail groups and collecting T-shirts and other souvenirs. Old and new acquaintances scatter across Ouray to enjoy dinner at one of the many nice and reasonably priced restaurants. The jeepers this year ranged from about 7 years old to 80 years old. Their occupations covered a wide spectrum from mechanic, pilot, truck driver, military service member, real estate broker, doctor, engineer and many others. Each came seeking the thrill of exploration and camaraderie.

Day Two

Day two begins with a hearty breakfast that you will need to begin the adventure. Experienced (I didn?t say old, although I have seen him around?a lot) event organizers brief all drivers on trail etiquette, Tread Lightly, safety and techniques to help you drive through difficult sections. By 8:30 we have picked up our lunches and make our way to various group marshalling areas where departures are carefully choreographed to prevent traffic jams along the trails. I was assigned to the blue group led by a couple in a vintage Willys pick-up. The driver celebrated his 70th birthday along the trail and had the right personality to be a trail boss.

Jamboree organizers carefully select trail bosses who are experts on the trail and local area and who have the patience and communication skills to work with inexperienced, experienced or those who think they are experienced drivers. Soon our convoy moved out and exchanged names and where we were from over CB radios on our way to the Engineer Pass trail entrance. Once in the dirt, we stopped, aired down our tires (for better traction and ride comfort), locked hubs and dropped into low range.

The fun started immediately as the trail resembled a dry stream bed more than a road. Stock vehicles picked their way carefully around large boulders while modified and Rubicon badged Jeeps locked axles and advanced along the difficult lines. Old mines dotted the otherwise untouched landscape and made for interesting conversation as we looked on in awe at the evidence of those early miners? determination. We crossed over Engineer Pass topping 12,000 feet above sea level and began our descent. The blue group stopped for lunch at a ghost town named Animas Forks.

Founded in 1875, Animas Forks was summer home to over 450 residents and continued mining operations until 1920. Many of the buildings remain and can be explored with a bit of caution and a healthy dose of respect for preserving the heritage. The trail from Animas Forks back to the main highway was easy with a few tight switchbacks. All jamboree participants made it back to Ouray on day one in time for a fantastic meal. One participant was having problems with his Jeeps? four wheel drive system and elected to rent a Jeep from one of the many rental companies in Ouray to complete the event.

Day Three

Day three began much the same with a hearty breakfast and a box lunch for the trail. The blue group convoyed just south of Ouray and turned right toward Box Canyon then followed the trail paralleling the creek toward our ultimate destination?Imogene Pass. Imogene Pass at 13,114 is one of the highest passes in Colorado.

 

As our convoy of 16 Jeeps crawled our way to the top, marathon runners were sharing the trail enjoying the beautiful weather and scenery. They sure were not enjoying the lack of oxygen at that altitude just as one of the carbureted Jeeps in another group was not. If your Jeep is carburetor equipped, it is necessary to properly tune it for high altitude operations. Even properly tuned carburetors are challenged on the inclines. Descending from Imogene Pass is not technically difficult; however, drivers with a fear of heights need to keep their eyes forward on the road and leave the sight seeing to the passengers. A moment of in attention could be disastrous. From this trail, we could see the infamous Black Bear Road in the background.

 

Black Bear Road is considered one of the most difficult trails in Colorado due to extremely tight switchbacks and narrow pathway. After a lunch, we continued our descent into Telluride, Colorado. The origin of the name Telluride is often disputed, but many believe it came from early miners who formed the word from the phrase ?To hell you ride? due to the difficulty reaching the location. Incorporated in 1878, Telluride was famous for its high grade gold and silver. Today, it is a trendy ski paradise with interesting shops and restaurants. Some of our group opted to stay and explore the town while others followed our trail leader down Last Dollar Road to Rigway, Colorado.

Last Dollar Road is a two wheel drive dirt road though some spectacular country. Many movie stars own homes along this road and we even stopped at a location where the film True Grit starring John Wayne was filmed.

Arriving back in Ouray, we cleaned up and enjoyed another great meal followed by the ever popular door prize drawing. Sponsors provided prizes such as a set of Goodyear tires, Ramsey winch, ARB air compressor, 4WD Hardware and MOPAR gift certificates, SIRUS XM radio and many others. I did not win anything, but those who did were really excited. Well, maybe next time for me. The evening was fileld with trail riding stories from this jamboree and many others and carried over to a local German Bier Garten that was kind enough to stay open late so we could enjoy the company a little longer.

Day 4

Day four is Sunday and the group gathers for the last time to enjoy breakfast before hitting the road back home. Or?as some of us decided attend a local church
and hit the trails for a little after jamboree exploring. This is what makes the jamborees so special. Meeting fellow jeepers year after year, getting caught up on what they have been doing, what they have done to their Jeep and enjoying time on the trails.

 

For more information on Jeep Jamborees, go to www.jeepjamboreeusa.com or call (530)333-4777.