Conquering Black Bear Pass - Tips for Your First Time

Рет қаралды 36,529

Күн бұрын

Black Bear Pass is considered one of the most dangerous roads in Colorado and is recommended for expert drivers only with high clearance 4WD vehicles. Join us as we take our brand new 4Runner TRD Pro (named Great White) and FJ Cruiser on this world famous "Badge of Honor" jeep trail! Although not overly technical, it gets the heart rate pumping as you're inches from going over 1000+ foot vertical drop and many sections are seriously off camber, which significantly increases the risk of rollover. Although we've been driving challenging trails around Moab, Utah for years, this definitely got the heart rate pumping! The psychological fear factor is real and the video footage just doesn't do it justice. It is way steeper/more scary in real life than in the footage. In this video, we also offer a couple tips that might be helpful if this is your first time tackling Black Bear Pass. This was the first time our sons had done something extremely challenging like this but with good spotting, slow rock crawling, and careful wheel placement, it's totally doable! It's definitely one of the most beautiful 4WD places on earth.
00:00 Introduction
01:34 Heading to Colorado
03:10 Trailhead and ride to the top
06:45 Descent into madness
09:26 Things get dicey
12:16 The Steps - steep and off camber
14:48 Switchbacks galore
16:48 Setting up camp

Пікірлер: 77

@gullf1sk Жыл бұрын

Standing in front of the car going downhill on a loose surface like that is Darwin Award nomination material

@xpadventure Жыл бұрын

Yes it can be! It's hard to judge distance on the camera but we're always aware of the terrain and are on full alert. I was in Moab 4 years ago when someone got crushed in Mickey's Hot Tub when a Jeep slipped forward and they were standing in front and got pinned. It probably happens far too often.

@gullf1sk Жыл бұрын

@@xpadventure Scary stuff! Good you're keeping safe.

@utahboy17 Жыл бұрын

That little off camber spot on Black bear is one spot I try to square up to as much as possible. It looks worse than it is. I want both my front tires dropping down at the same time so I don't flip.

@TrailTape Жыл бұрын

How else should they be spotting? I agree they could have given a little more distance, but you can't be 100 yds away, either.

@jerryclleung Жыл бұрын

Thank you for such a great video and like I’ve said in one of the comments, I can wait to tackle this road when I get a little more experience driving these terrains. And I agree with you, I’ve watched all the possible videos over the years and everyone says, Yes take the left side on the steps! 👍

@xpadventure Жыл бұрын

Thanks Jerry! If you take it really slow and have someone to spot you in some of the sections, you should be just fine. On busy days, there should be lots of people on the trail ahead of you that would be more than happy to guide you on the steps. 👍🏼

@howiebentley7445 Жыл бұрын

'Been over black Bear. VERY good camera work. Everyone watching, be sure to stay far enough away from the rock wall at the steps. It's counter-intuitive but there IS room on the cliff side. Thanks for the show; 'see you on the trail!

@xpadventure Жыл бұрын

You're right! My son got too close to the rock wall side but there was plenty of room on the cliff side - I was worried he was going to scrape. Thanks for watching.

@jerryclleung Жыл бұрын

Thank you for the advice!! I plan to do this trail when I get a little more experience in driving there types of terrain!!!

@JanetGraniteJeep Жыл бұрын

Enioyed your video! We loved that trail and would definitely do it again. The scenery was awesome!

@xpadventure Жыл бұрын

Thanks Janet! I'm chomping at the bit to get back there again as well.

@evalencia2811 Жыл бұрын

Great video y’all! Keep up the good work!

@xpadventure Жыл бұрын

Thanks for the support!

@SkandaTejasw Жыл бұрын

Love the way your filming captured how steep that 'steps' section was. Most videos fail to portray steep gradients but yours did that very well.

@xpadventure Жыл бұрын

Glad you enjoyed it! The camera angles never do it justice but that one's a doozy for sure.

@fpartidafpartida Жыл бұрын

Agreed.

@tallll70 Жыл бұрын

Thanks for nice 4k black Bear Pass details

@xpadventure Жыл бұрын

Thanks for watching!

@macphestozoo3885 Жыл бұрын

Great video!! Brought back a lot of memories when I was there with my family 4yrs ago. I’ve been trying to get back every year but the kids are so busy with summer sports it’s been impossible. Black bear was definitely a blast. Have you done devils punch bowl in Colorado ? Another beautiful drive!!! Thanks for the video!!

@xpadventure Жыл бұрын

I haven't done Devil's Punchbowl so thanks for the tip. I sure love that place and want to go back again next summer if we can. We did Poughkeepsie Gulch and Engineer Pass (videos coming soon).

@chuacoupleonthego Жыл бұрын

Nice video and taking a good perspective of the trails. Cheers

@xpadventure Жыл бұрын

Thanks 👍

@donbrloks3959 Жыл бұрын

40+ years ago I did Black Bear, Durango,Silverton,Ouray ,Telluride on a Husky 390. An experience I’ll never forget. Camera doesn’t really show how steep it can get.

@rhllnm Жыл бұрын

Moto guys the real heros.

@xpadventure Жыл бұрын

Wow! I own a 2019 Husky 701 and I tried to imagine myself going down the steps in that thing. Talk about scary! The video doesn't show how steep but I bet you were sliding down that section, white knuckling the whole way to the first switchback. The irrational side of my brain is half tempted to try it one of these days.

@xpadventure Жыл бұрын

Amen!

@kypercarjoe153 Жыл бұрын

Nice work guys.

@xpadventure Жыл бұрын

Thanks!

@LexusGX460-OFF-ROAD Жыл бұрын

Fantastic video and skills. I consider these trails "thrill" or "adrenaline" trails because of the shelf road/cliff drop-offs. To some it's worth it to others it's not worth it... Great video ❤️

@xpadventure Жыл бұрын

Thank you and couldn't agree more!

@onthebeatz Жыл бұрын

Nice vid! I hit this in my FJ in August and there was only one sketchy part of the trail before the steps began to the switchbacks... It was 11:09 in your video... the video makes it look not too bad! But it's more than a foot and no matter what the approach is a little off like you said in the vid it's pretty nerve racking haha

@xpadventure Жыл бұрын

Totally agree Dave! We were sweating bullets but going to the left is the way to go.

@jeffmontgomery3686 Жыл бұрын

Nicely done on the video and the driver’s skill set education. That taco soup looked great…..could you share your recipe? All the best to you guys!

@xpadventure Жыл бұрын

Thanks for watching! The taco soup is super easy. Just brown some hamburger, onions, garlic (optional), and salt. Depending on how much you want to make, you can throw in 1 to many cans of the following: Kidney beans, Pinto beans, Black beans, corn, crushed tomatoes or tomato sauce. We season it with taco seasoning (1-3 teaspoons depending on how big your batch is) or you could add cumin and chili powder if you don't have taco seasoning. Sometimes I'll throw in a couple dashes of hot sauce like Cholula or something. It's pretty forgiving but just keep seasoning it until you like the taste. Just add sour cream, cheese, and chips into your bowl at the end.

@chrischrisman4931 Жыл бұрын

Who makes the modular kitchen unit you guys are using at 17:11 in the video? That looks really handy!

@stevenpeterson7234 Жыл бұрын

Awesome video, gorgeous views of the mountains, nice skills!! Do you wanna try black bear pass in my Power Wagon?

@xpadventure Жыл бұрын

I love Power Wagons! My first full-size truck was a 2004 Dodge Ram (quad cab Hemi). Since I pull a large RV as well, my dream truck is a Ram 2500 Prospector AEV. Someday...

@swvermaas Жыл бұрын

Great video! I want to take my 4Runner there. Can you tell me what that camp kitchen is with the sink? That looks great!

@xpadventure Жыл бұрын

Hey Steve - it's called the Grub Hub Camp Kitchen. We bought it in 2016 but I believe they still make them. They're great!

@michaelpartin2684 Жыл бұрын

Great video! Me and my boys are heading out that way in July 23 for a couple weeks. You mention its a "jeep badge" trail. How do you get that badge? Do you have to submit for it? Is it something local that you buy after completing the trail?

@xpadventure Жыл бұрын

You will love it! It’s one of my favorite places. I believe Jeep will just mail you the badge to put on your Jeep when you’ve completed the trail. Here are the details: www.jeep.com/badge-of-honor.html

@bradpeel Жыл бұрын

@XPLORADVENTURE Hey guys great video. What sliders are on the 4Runner?

@xpadventure Жыл бұрын

Thanks! Those are the Westcott Designs sliders: westcottdesigns.net/product/toyota-4runner-5th-gen-sliders-2/. I love them!

@GATORADDAM 9 ай бұрын

Nice

@xpadventure 9 ай бұрын

Thanks for watching!

@matthewferrier9675 Жыл бұрын

Really enjoying your videos. I also have a '22 4Runner TRD Pro- can you tell me what kind of lift you are using that accomodates the 33" tires? Thank you!

@xpadventure Жыл бұрын

Hi Matt! Thanks for watching. It's just a simple 2.5 inch lift with the Bilstein 5160/6112 combo shocks and also heavier springs. I'll let you in on a little secret. It's actually a TRD Off Road Premium but I knew I'd be replacing the rack and doing some mods anyway so we decided to save a little by putting on the TRD Pro grille, skid plate, badging, rims. If you wanted to go super cheap and fit 33's, you could probably just do this: www.roughcountry.com/toyota-suspension-lift-kit-764c.html?gclid=CjwKCAiA_6yfBhBNEiwAkmXy5xw-IlbxtwT8twkjhphWHc4V7hYe1qm_XbrkAGUAhPT-fpmSqgqOgBoCgmwQAvD_BwE#211=621&|&||c||fit_first_764RED-a However, if it were my TRD Pro, I'd probably go with this: westcottdesigns.net/product/2021-4runner-fox-trd-pro-lift-kit/ That should be all you need to fit 33's and it should fit with your existing suspension, which is already nice.

@matthewferrier9675 Жыл бұрын

@@xpadventure Ahhh. Got it, thank you!

@fredferd965 Ай бұрын

Hot Tips - get industrial strength air bags, get your will filled out, buy a parachute, contact the Darwin Awards people and let them know you're coming....contact the priests of four separate religions and have them pray over you, call your shrink and see if he can talk you out of it, and finally learn the versus of the old paratrooper song, "Blood on the Risers." It goes, "He Ain't Gonna Jump No More, gorry, gorry, what a hell of a way to die"....yes, that song. You think I'm kidding? I'm not.

@xpadventure Ай бұрын

That was the best! Thanks for making me laugh. And you're right, you have to have have a few screws loose to go on this type of trail! Smart to have a will before going on this trail for sure! And there are way too many people that push the envelope on these types of trails. We didn't have to navigate snow, slick rocks, or anything else so conditions were perfect and even then it was horrifying in parts.

@fredferd965 Ай бұрын

@@xpadventure You're welcome! I should mention that I personally had trouble navigating the escalator in the old J.C. Penny's store in Reno, so I definitely wouldn't try this thing, but If I had to, it would be on foot. That escalator, I kept tripping and going sideways. Once, I absent mindedly went up the down escalator, causing people to get tossed around. It was a mess.

@ryanbrockman7162 Жыл бұрын

I just bought a white trd off road and I'm curious what modifications I need to do before I attempt a trail like this? From the video, it doesn't look like you have a lift or bigger tires. Thank you in advance and I enjoy your content!

@LexusGX460-OFF-ROAD Жыл бұрын

skill before mods. Stock 4runner 4x4 will do just fine here ✌️

@xpadventure Жыл бұрын

Black Bear Pass can be driven in a stock 4Runner if you pick your lines carefully. There is one rock in particular you could get high centered on if approached incorrectly but just stack up rocks underneath the tires if you need to. I have a 2.5 inch lift and 33’s but you’d be amazed a t what a stock 4Runner or Jeep can do, especially your TRD Off-road!

@LexusGX460-OFF-ROAD Жыл бұрын

@@xpadventure excellent points, thank you 🙏 🤲 ❤️

@calvinvesco9883 Жыл бұрын

I did it in a stock sr5 with BFG KO2 tires sized 275/70/17. No problems at all scraped the bottom slightly a few times but sustained no damage

@LexusGX460-OFF-ROAD Жыл бұрын

@Calvin Vesco excellent 👌 👏 is the drop-off scary or overhyped??

@senthil1122 6 ай бұрын

❤

@rfcdgaf 7 ай бұрын

Looks easy AF on video lol. It always does. 3:30 get a deflator that removes the core, those automatic ones suck, and take forever

@xpadventure 7 ай бұрын

Yes, videos never do it justice, that’s for sure. Great suggestion on the deflator!

@mocheeks709 4 ай бұрын

I did it in a Honda Ridgeline

@xpadventure 4 ай бұрын

That’s impressive!

@mocheeks709 4 ай бұрын

@@xpadventure with 3-inch hrg lift kit and aftermarket skid plates

@JoeTaco83 Жыл бұрын

As long as you’re in a 4Runner everything will be fine.

@xpadventure Жыл бұрын

Amen, Jose!

@Drewster327 Жыл бұрын

That scenery is amazing but this trail is a big nope for me

@xpadventure Жыл бұрын

It’s pretty intense! Half of my family thought we were nutso. I guess maybe we are a little bit. 😁

@younghsu7570 Жыл бұрын

I would not do this for fun. Sooner or later, accidents will visit you.

@xpadventure Жыл бұрын

Thanks, sometimes it’s pretty scary and there have been a lot of people who have made simple mistakes or been unlucky and not made it. I guess that’s the nature of adventure!

@MstaEd Жыл бұрын

When people pretend know how to go off-road.. .. but its mostly the a modern 50k truck keeping them alive.

@xpadventure Жыл бұрын

You wouldn't believe how easy these new vehicles systems make it over crazy terrain! Although it was my son's first time, I've owned and been driving multiple 4WD vehicles the past 20 years (1997 Toyota Landcruiser, 2008 Jeep Rubicon, 1999 Toyota Landcruiser, 2013 Ford Raptor, and now the 2022 4Runner). Each vehicle gets a bit easier than the last. I've done almost every trail in Moab (minus Pritchett Canyon) but got banged up pretty bad and almost didn't make it out of Cliff Hanger about 10 years back - it was a hairy situation. Stay tuned soon for some Poison Spider and Hell's Revenge, which we did in the 4Runner in October.

@LexusGX460-OFF-ROAD Жыл бұрын

next time he'll bring his Model T so he can be a real offroader 😆

@quick906 Жыл бұрын

Why is there so little down travel and atriculation on those suspensions? Is this a Toyota thing, or is it a side effect of a lift limiting it?

@xpadventure Жыл бұрын

Good question! Part of it is the actual suspension (I could get better articulation with King or Icon shocks for example) and part of it is because Toyota has independent front and rear suspension which have less articulation than a solid axle like Jeep has. I had a Jeep for years that my family outgrew (space wise) and I definitely miss the articulation in certain cases but overall I like the long distance travel comfort and road manners of the 4Runner. So it's definitely a trade-off. Since I'm doing more overlanding these days than serious rock crawling, it was a trade-off I was fine accepting. However, we've got some good Moab videos coming on Hell's Revenge and Poison Spider and so the Toyota still does a great job - just not build for some of the extreme stuff like you can do in a modified Jeep.