Black Bear Pass, CO – Bronco Territory?

Love Black Bear! I've been over it a few times and was hoping to do it 2 weeks ago with my Bronco Nation buddies but we ran out of time and ran Ophir Pass instead. The steps would probably be a good place for the sway bar disconnect. Trail Turn Assist may be bit helpful on the tightest switchbacks. Unfortunately my '69 doesn't have that feature :).

I've watched several videos on BBP. One of the videos I watched, they became stranded because the rain washed rocks on the trail and it was impossible for them to get through. The trail had to be cleared with an excavator so they could get out. It's one of the places I was looking at going next year.

This is the video. They had an INSANE trip!

I've done it several times both in my Early Bronco and a Jeep Rubicon. It would be easily doable in a new Bronco especially the 2-door. The 4-door will just require more point turns on a few of the switchbacks. The forward facing camera will help a lot!! As @tzuercher said, the sway bar disconnect will help on the Steps - one spot is a bit off-camber and can be tricky. Black Bear Pass is a very cool trail!

BTW, Google "Youtube German Lady on Black Bear Pass". It's a hoot! (Bill and Elfie Tower video)

My goodness, quite the A-team in the replies here.

gibsBRonCO

BTW, Google "Youtube German Lady on Black Bear Pass". It's a hoot! (Bill and Elfie Tower video)

I’m planning on doing it, but won’t tell my wife what we are doing. She would say NO WAY if she watched any videos on it or knew about it.

SlashRacer

I’m planning on doing it, but won’t tell my wife what we are doing. She would say NO WAY if she watched any videos on it or knew about it.

I bet your wife would like one of these.

tzuercher

Love Black Bear! I've been over it a few times and was hoping to do it 2 weeks ago with my Bronco Nation buddies but we ran out of time and ran Ophir Pass instead. The steps would probably be a good place for the sway bar disconnect. Trail Turn Assist may be bit helpful on the tightest switchbacks. Unfortunately my '69 doesn't have that feature :).

@BuzzyBud I was riding with Todd on that trip, and we were disappointed we were not able to do it, but Ophir was pretty spectacular too.

Never been to CO but the wife and I plan on taking a road trip there in the new Bronco. I’d love to check this trail out. Looks amazing

SlashRacer

I’m planning on doing it, but won’t tell my wife what we are doing. She would say NO WAY if she watched any videos on it or knew about it.

Lol, that was amazing! She did great compared to what my wife would do.
Amazing scenery!

Holy crap! Sometimes people get too complacent and forget about how dangerous it can be out there.
Here's some info and the video below.
https://www.thedrive.com/news/37023...e-after-falling-off-colorados-black-bear-pass

Deano Bronc

Holy crap! Sometimes people get too complacent and forget about how dangerous it can be out there.
Here's some info and the video below.
https://www.thedrive.com/news/37023...e-after-falling-off-colorados-black-bear-pass

If I want my wife to go to Black Bear Pass with me, I’ll make sure she doesn’t see this video.

Deano Bronc

Holy crap! Sometimes people get too complacent and forget about how dangerous it can be out there.
Here's some info and the video below.
https://www.thedrive.com/news/37023...e-after-falling-off-colorados-black-bear-pass

“One such accident occurred over the weekend on Oct. 10. A woman and two dogs were in the red Jeep Wrangler pictured below, waiting for the driver to return from helping another car when it slid off the trail, ejecting her while rolling several times. While the vehicle was almost completely destroyed the female passenger survived, albeit with serious injuries.”

Not sure how the truck slid off edge if the driver wasn’t in it.:unsure: Vehicle not in park? Someone knock it out of park? Manual transmission and pop out of gear? How come he didn’t set the EMERGENCY break when he got out?

This is an eye opener and something that could have happened to anyone. Honestly, I don’t I would have set it if I would have gotten out. Going forward, I will ALWAYS SET THE EMERGENCY BRAKE if I am in a situation like that and get out of the vehicle. I’ve seen many vehicles at boat ramps that were put in park, only to roll back in the water.

SlashRacer

“One such accident occurred over the weekend on Oct. 10. A woman and two dogs were in the red Jeep Wrangler pictured below, waiting for the driver to return from helping another car when it slid off the trail, ejecting her while rolling several times. While the vehicle was almost completely destroyed the female passenger survived, albeit with serious injuries.”

Not sure how the truck slid off edge if the driver wasn’t in it.:unsure: Vehicle not in park? Someone knock it out of park? Manual transmission and pop out of gear? How come he didn’t set the EMERGENCY break when he got out?

This is an eye opener and something that could have happened to anyone. Honestly, I don’t I would have set it if I would have gotten out. Going forward, I will ALWAYS SET THE EMERGENCY BRAKE if I am in a situation like that and get out of the vehicle. I’ve seen many vehicles at boat ramps that were put in park, only to roll back in the water.

Did a little searching and came across this on 6G.

@David after watching the video and reading about the incident, do you think it’s possible to have a safety section added to the forum? We have a lot of first timers who have never owned a 4x4.

Full size pickups, broncos and blazers have been traveling Black Bear Pass for decades. Jeeps and early broncos, and FJs just fit on the trail better, and take less maneuvering at the switchbacks.

This guy here does nice overland video adventures.

SlashRacer

@David after watching the video and reading about the incident, do you think it’s possible to have a safety section added to the forum? We have a lot of first timers who have never owned a 4x4.

Good suggestion. We will discuss this with the moderator team!