FJ Cruiser Forum Goes Wheeling

FJ Cruiser Summit provided an opportunity for enthusiasts to meet in person. Most of attendees initially could only recognize one another by their screen name (forum sign-in name).

Over 600 off-roading enthusiasts in nearly three hundred 4x4s moved their online chat from the internet to an outdoor event. Besides having a computer, the one thing these online buddies all have in common is owning a Toyota FJ Cruiser.
It wasn't long after Toyota's FJ Cruiser (FJC) went on sale in 2006, that FJC owners put together an internet forum (www.FJCruiserForums.com). The forum quickly became a place to share upgrade ideas, talk about vehicle problems and find people with similar interests. The Annual FJ Summit Event in Ouray, Colorado is the result of these like-minded enthusiasts working together as a team. Like most start-up events, somebody came up with the idea and in this case it was Jason Gottlieb. Seth Kovanic and Tim Terleski quickly volunteered to help Jason and the planning began.

The first night's dinner was provided by the attendees in a chili cook-off. This was a chance to show off your recipe for chili. There was some very good chili and then there was some very hot chili.

Although these three guys are the driving force behind the FJC Summit, they all said that without the help of other volunteers and sponsors this event could not have been successful, especially help from the town of Ouray.
The FJC Summit provided an opportunity for FJ Cruiser enthusiasts to meet in person; share vehicle upgrade ideas; talk about issues with the vehicle; but best of all, a chance to go wheeling with other FJCs in some of the most majestic country in America.
We caught up with the FJ Cruiser group in Ouray, a mostly restored, historic mining town with saloons, hotels, gift shops, a gas station and a hot mineral pool. From the north, the Uncompahgre River follows Highway 550 into Ouray. As you get close to town, cliffs line both sides of highway.

Over 600 off road enthusiasts in nearly 300 4x4s attended the event. And brought a lot of business into the town of Ouray for hotels, restaurants and gift shops.

After driving through Ouray, the highway seems to disappear into a rock face on the south end of town. It doesn't! Highway 550 snakes up the cliff on turns so tight that trucks stop on the road until there is no oncoming traffic - they cannot make the turns without using both sides of the narrow road. On this trip I turned off the highway in Ouray on the last street before Highway 550 and headed up the mountain. The participants at the 2nd Annual FJC Summit gathered at the Best Western Hotel at the base of the switchback for registration and events.
A large tent was set up on the grass at the hotel to provide shelter from the occasional summer rain showers. Most of the 640 participants rolled into town on Wednesday and found their way to the registration tent. Most had already pre-registered online and paid their fees.

The Power House sits atop the 400 foot Bridal Veil Falls. The hydro-electric generator is located in the basement while the living area consumes the other floors. The Power House was originally built to supply electricity to the Tom Boy Mine. The mine's General Manager used the upper floors as his residence.

The registration fee of $125 plus $25 per passenger (kids under 12 were free) included 3 dinners, 1 breakfast, a raffle ticket, a gift bag and daily guided trail rides. Between trail rides participants socialized at the tent area: sharing the daily adventures with other FJC drivers, watching a basic 4x4 seminar, taking a first aid class or sitting in on vendor presentations. The live entertainment, dinner and raffle (Saturday night) easily filled the rest of the day. Even with all the activities, most participants found time to do a little shopping in town.Most of forum members initially could only recognize one another by their screen name (forum sign-in name) or the FJC they drove (which are described on the forum). So to facilitate interaction between attendees, each participant was given a name tag which included their screen name and a window sticker to write in their screen name.

The San Juan Mountains in southwestern Colorado have been dubbed the Switzerland of America because of its steep mountains, rugged terrain and majestic views. If you have never been there, go; especially if you like exploring old mining camps in a 4x4, motorcycle, ATV or in a UTV.

Names like K9Crazy, Smokejumper, MissFJ, HillBillyFab, Katfish, Ducky, FullonNewbie and my favorite, DirtChick, were easily identified by the group.
Of the 10 trails scheduled during the event, Poughkeepsie Gulch and Black Bear Pass are the two most difficult trails. Both trails are scenic and require 4WD. During much of the year, the roads through the passes around Ouray are buried under snow, but the county had just finished clearing Black Bear Pass of rocks and snow with a tractor (their annual July ritual). Once we learned this, we couldn't resist riding along with one of the first groups through Black Bear Pass in 2008. Another attraction of Black Bear Pass is Ingram and Bridal Veil Falls. The trail passes both of these falls as it switchbacks down a steep mountainside on its way into Telluride, Colorado.

In addition to a few forum member's highly modified vehicles, several special use FJ Cruisers were on display at the event tent including the local Sheriff's 4x4, which is a FJ Cruiser complete with lights, sirens and radios.

The 431 foot drop on Bridal Veil Falls makes it the tallest waterfall in Colorado. I should mention that Black Bear Pass is designated a "one-way trail." (downhill only). If you want to go up the switchbacks from Telluride, you'll need to attend the Telluride Rotary Event; some years they have been able to get permission to travel in the reverse (uphill) direction.
Tim Scully and his new bride, Amanda, were our trail leaders. They met at an FJ event coordinated through the forum. Tim works with a Toyota Trail Team and Amanda was the moderator on the forum; and Amanda can hold her own in most equipment conversations. On Black Bear Pass, Tim drove Amanda's FJ equipped with a front high pinion straight axle, Bronco coil springs, Inch Worm Transfer case, 4.88 gears and 35" tall tires. Best of all she knows how to drive it too.

Black Bear Pass begins off Highway 550 between Ouray and Silverton. The dirt road is steep with several tight corners.

Our group of 8 FJCs reached Telluride in time for a leisurely lunch. The quickest way back to Ouray is through Ophir Pass, a fairly easy trail, but becomes a narrow dirt road near the actual pass. The scenery is outstanding. On this trip, our trail leader managed to get our group back to Ouray by 4 pm, allowing plenty of time to talk with the vendors and get ready for dinner. No break downs or overheating vehicles - wow, what a concept!
Today the mining towns of Silverton, Ouray, Lake City and Telluride are all connected by a paved road, which is not always the fastest way between towns. For example it takes about 2 hours to travel the 72 miles from Telluride to Silverton on pavement, but on a 24-mile dirt road through Ophir Pass it can take half that time (except in the winter).

The dirt road over Ophir Pass becomes narrow near the pass. Fortunately the oncoming traffic is easy to see.

The dirt roads and trails have attracted off-road enthusiasts into the area for years. In fact, the area is often referred to as the "Jeeping Capital of the World." But there is a new vehicle in town: the FJ Cruiser!
The 3rd Annual FJ Cruiser Summit is tentatively scheduled for July 15-19, 2009. For more information visit: www.fjcruiserforums.com or email Jason@fjsummit.org

 

 

 

On Black Bear Pass the road drops down at Ingram Falls and crosses the stream at the old mill site. Towers and cables from aerial tramways are still visible. Pieces of the old mill are scattered around the area.

About the author: Rick Russell has been traveling the backroads of the United States and Baja for over 30 years. His company, Sidekick Off Road, produces maps and videos from his adventures. You might have met Rick in Moab or on the trail driving his yellow 1956 CJ-6 or his newly built Jeep AJ-8 constructed from all aftermarket parts.

 

 

 

 

 

Although this FJC seems too close to the edge of the road, the driver is hugging the rocky wall on the driver's side. Black Bear Pass is narrow and has several 3-point turns on the switchback corners.

All 24 of Rick's videos are now available on DVD. Including #15 Silverton, Colorado showing Black Pass, Ophir Pass and more. You can read more about this video and others at www.sidekickoffroad.com. Rick Russell videos and Sidekick Off Road Maps can be found in 4 Wheel Parts Performance Centers.

 

 

 

 

The county had just finished clearing Black Bear Pass of rocks and snow with a tractor (their annual July ritual). We rode along with one of the first groups through Black Bear Pass in 2008.

The 2nd Annual FJ Summit raised enough money from the event to donate $1000 to the Ouray Police Department, $1000 to the Ouray Mountain Rescue, $1000 to the Ouray Fire Department and $1000 to Tread Lightly. Of course these donations were in addition to monies spent by the 640 people attending the event, renting hotel rooms, visiting gift shops, eating at restaurants and buying gasoline. Great job.