Ridgeline on Engineer Pass in Colorado

In July 2009, we took Engineer Pass from Ouray to Lake City Colorado with our Honda Ridgeline. We made it (with minor damage to the trailer hitch wiring harness), but it wasn't nearly as easy as it was with a Jeep.

Category:

Autos & Vehicles

Tags:

• Honda
• Ridgeline
• Engineer
• Pass
• Alpine
• Loop

[LerdoBurgerPimp]

I have a 09 honda pilot, I think RL has same drive system VTM and locking rear diff.

Pilot has shorter wheelbase, Goodyear wranglers and not as much overhang after the rear axle. Should I try this trail?

[zimster16201]

If the Ridgeline can make it, a Pilot with the same AWD system and a shorter wheel base should be capable of doing it too. The real question is your level of experience. Despite how the videos might look, there are places on the trail where the rocks could cause damage to the underside of your vehicle if you make a mistake, and without skid plates or a low range to crawl over them, there's less room for mistakes. Neither the RL or Pilot is really made for off-roading like this. (cont'd)

[zimster16201]

If you don't have much off-road experience and can afford to spend $150 for a Jeep rental in Ouray, I'd say do that. If you want to try out your Pilot, at least start with the easier trails in the area - Yankee Boy Basin, Cinnamon Pass, etc. and see how you feel before stepping up to Engineer Pass. Of course this is just my opinion - some think their grandma could do it in a Civic, somebody commented that they got stuck on the rocks with a Jeep Liberty. It's really all about your skill level.

[darlintamie]

OK,,now I see..you said you came from Ouray to Lake City...The first part of that is NOT Engineer Pass. The pass starts outside of Silverton. You were on Mineral Creek road until you got to Animas Forks then it turned into Engineer or Cinnamon Pass. A few years ago, we took my dad's Jeep Cherokee over this road from Engineer TO Ouray...was some big rocks but no prob gettin over them..sure didn't need spotter

[zimster16201]

Engineer Pass starts 4 miles south of Ouray off of 550 (ouraymountainadventures-dot-c­om/OMA_maps.htm). I think it's California Gulch that goes from Silverton to Animas Forks. If you regularly do Black Bear Pass in a Mazda Miata, or have a Jeep with a lift kit, lockers, and 35" tires, Engineer Pass may not be too exciting for you. If you're new to off-roading and have a stock 4WD without low range or skid plates, there's enough there to make it interesting.

[Katiouchkate]

I was on this trail 2 weeks ago with a Jeep Liberty but I had no one to guide me and I was driving with an 8 y.o. kid on board... Looking back it's a fun memory but it wasn't that fun when I got stuck on rocks twice ;-))

[zimster16201]

Ouch - stuck on rocks twice - hopefully no damage to the Jeep. Definitely helps to have a spotter so that you can get one wheel on the high spots. I busted the wiring harness connector when I drug my tail end - not enough angle on one of the gullies. Easily replaced though. Similar feelings here - great experience to look back on, but I don't think I'd do it again in the Ridgeline - really missed not having a low range to crawl over the rocks.

[alexlam24]

btw the Ford F150 is made in mexico. Ridgeline is made in Alabama

[Driven2012]

Thats a beautiful truck,I would love to have one some day.Lets not forget it was made in America too!!

[kestiefreehawk]

That is a nice truck, I used to drive a 1976 Scout half ton and it looks like the best bet to replace it. I miss offroading so bad and that truck looks good ;)

[LerdoBurgerPimp]

@zimster16201 Thanks we did rent a jeep and had a blast. 

[foneman708]

Those are two of them. I loved Imogene! The other harder trails I've done are in the Taylor Park area West of Buena Vista. Charles Wells has some awsome trail books you could buy. It rates all the trails. I use it.

[bptryp]

@foneman708 What are some of the harder trails? I'm headed that way soon. I planned on Black Bear and Imogene

[foneman708]

I took my stock 02 Liberty on the Alpine Loop(Engineer and Cinnamon) back in 02. I've since done other harder trails in the state of Co.(with other, more capable Jeeps). These are the two easiest trails to do. There are only a couple of spots that cold even be considered mild.

[bk5593]

@powerstrokesmasher u do realize the Ridgeline was made in America right. Right in Alabama. Besides your so called "American" trucks are generally made in other countries with parts from all around the world. Japanese cars are almost more american then american cars. Not to mention they last longer

[xmodrock]

i can do this in my moms explorer.. not to mention my f250

[trykkestar]

Hmm offroading in a white truck??? Haha cool video though!