Discovering the Hidden Beauty of Tincup Pass
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- Опубліковано 5 лют 2025
- Tincup Pass is an easy-moderate OHV trail that runs 13 miles from St Elmo to Tincup just outside of Buena Vista Colorado. The trail climbs up to 11,000' above sea level, making it only accessible from around April to October. There are lots of primitive camping sites available, although camping at high altitudes may not be a good idea for people from lower altitudes.
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#offroad #overloverlanding #4x4 #4x4offroad #adventure #travel #jeep #jeeplife #jeepwrangler #jeeps #jeeplifestyle #moab #utah #colorado - Авто та транспорт
As a local who owns property in St. Elmo please keep in mind that this is a 4 wheel drive trail and absolutely has to be treated as one. DO NOT take cars that aren't made for rock crawling. The rocks are far bigger than they look and they will damage your car
I have a 4 Runner with a 3 inch lift. Is that ok?
Well, I did that drive out of St. Elmo up to the pass in my stock FJC with no problems. And I was towing a popup camper.@@thekidcomn5938
@@thekidcomn5938 I did it in a STOCK YUGO
Did tin cup pass from Elmo to tin cup in a stock Lexus GX460 (basically a 4 runner) 2 years ago. Found the skid plate a few times, but other wise we had Zero issues.
Just ran across this video. Brings back fond memories. As a child, our summer vacations (1950s) were often trips to the mountains and exploring narrow gauge roadbed (my dad was a NG train nut). We had a 1943 Ford army jeep (4-banger flat head) and spent a lot of time on roads like this. When it got too rough, we'd hike from there. Most memorable trip was to the west portal of the Alpine Tunnel on the old DSP&P roadbed. Thunderstorms everywhere (scary lightning). In the late 1970s when first married and on a budget, my wife and I continued the tradition in a 1973 Toyota Land Cruiser (with our dog Ruff). We probably drove most of the old passes in Colo over a period of about 10 years. Only difference from your video...we rarely encountered other jeepers. Maybe 1 or 2 a day, often no one. We'd camp in Forest Service campgrounds (free at the time) and were usually all by ourselves. We could drink water from the streams without worrying about germs. It was a terrific life. These videos are terrific and very nostalgic for us. Thank you.
I remember those days 👍😉
Thank you for reminding people to drink water. I feel like I am a broken record when my friends and family come to visit.
We own the Little Jessie mine. On the way to Hancock. My great grandfather was the postmaster there.
So do you allow folks to look around and metal Detect the tailings???
I've done that trail twice, one time going each direction. It is not a difficult trail but overall it is rougher/bumpier than average. The towns of Tin Cup and St. Elmo are interesting to visit. I think the trails south of St. Elmo are more interesting although Mirror Lake is very beautiful.
Made this trail a few years ago absolutely loved it
Awesome video, and some amazing driving.
We rode up there last summer on ATV's. The only Off road vehicles I saw that day were either Jeeps or Toyotas. I made the same comment in my video on my channel about the smell in the trees...It smelled like Christmas to me. The mosquitoes were terrible at that lake. Hope to get back up there this summer. I would never take my truck up to Tincup, and Carnage would tear up your Jeep. I liked your video.
Great video! This was the first one I found and watched, in your library. I will plan to watch the rest of them!!! Thanks, keep sharing, stay safe!!!
Back in the 90s we used to do Tincup Pass on occasion in our Ford Explorer - the 4 liter model with a two speed transfer case. I agree that low range and ground clearance is a must for this route, since the rocks are large and some of the rock steps are (were?) steep. Low range allows you to adjust your traction easier than just trying to 'run at it' when there's a significant obstacle. We had a beautiful spot right at the pass that we camped at several times and really enjoyed it, but that was before ATVs and UTVs became the norm and now, apparently, the road has sort of become a racetrack for out of staters camping down at Taylor Park. We avoid the area until late in the season, now.
Hah! Some years back I tried going up that rocky road with my stock 4runner, no airing down (no way to air back up) and holy crap, it was rough and bouncy - I had no idea what I was getting into, and a few minutes in, I just backed it back down and went the long way around.
Thanks for the video sir! Did Tincup pass with my dad in his stock F150 many years ago, it was rough. Just got done with a 2017 Colorado overland build and we're going to test it out on Tincup Pass and camp for a couple of nights.
I just did this in a f350 4 door long bed, no issues whatsoever, rocky as heck in spots but well worth it
Super cool video, It was like I was there with you. Great Drone footage.
At the end of your video you were at the trading post in Taylor park. Been there many times.
I remember riding by St. Elmo back in 2014. I wish I had done more research on Tin Cup pass.
I was in Tincup last weekend and asked a local if I could make it to St. Elmo in my 2022 stock AWD Ford Transit. He said something like ".uck no!". I have only 6 1/2" clearance and now I believe him. If I lift it to 8" I may make it with a lot of work. Maybe next year. The AWD in the new Transit is amazing in the Mud & Ruts Mode. Steep climbs with lots of broken rock and ledges near Moab are no problem. I drive intermediate rated 4x4 trails there. I also drove to the west side of Alpine Tunnel near Pitkin with no problem. However, I would love to have a photo of my Transit on Tincup pass!
Awesome pass , done it twice .
21:26 that part was over 2 feet deep in water last time I went over the trail!
We did part of it (90 min in, turned back to St Elmo) in a 4x4 small pickup and it was HELL. Your video scrubs out the actual roadway big time. It’s 7-10” granite rocks the whole way, except when it’s washout dips and peaks that would wake the dead. Seatbelt literally injured my chest.
Its not a road for a small pickup, it's an off-highway trail, not a graded gravel road. You should have larger tires that you can air down properly for a more comfortable ride. If your seatbelt injured you, then you were going through it way too fast. A small pickup has very little weight and will bounce around hard on a rocky trail.
I've been on this pass twice, years ago. Both times in September. The first time was after it had snowed. As I remember the trail was very rocky on the St. Elmo side. I didn't notice huge problems except slipping on the snowy rocks and the snow had filled in the spaces. I had an Explorer and this was the first time I'd done any 4x4 with it. The second time there was no snow and the trail was so rocky. At that time the trail was rated moderate. Now FunTreks rates it difficult mostly because of erosion. I really want to go again in my Jeep Trailhawk, skid plates, high clearance, exceptional tires. I feel I could do it, over the years I've learned how to navigate rocks.
you prolly dont care at all but does any of you know of a method to log back into an instagram account..?
I stupidly lost the login password. I would love any tricks you can give me
@Yehuda Damari Instablaster :)
@Cody Jasper thanks for your reply. I found the site through google and Im in the hacking process now.
Seems to take a while so I will get back to you later with my results.
@Cody Jasper It worked and I finally got access to my account again. I'm so happy:D
Thank you so much, you saved my ass!
@Yehuda Damari No problem :)
They definitely made this a lot easier by grooming the are near the 11:55 mark. I was rather disappointed. I was up there while they were doing it and they took the fun out of the trail.
Just go down the other side. Its still rough!
I ran this quite a few years ago and Mirror Lake was higher and we drove that road through water over 2 feet
Hell I took my 1999 Superduty 7.3L Turbo over Tin cup. No Problem. I’ve driven this pass several time in the last 30 years. Great views.
thank you for this... now i know i can make it in my truck....
Awesome
Thanks for sharing the trail. Nice drive I can take the wife on!
16:31 The main trail is on the right side? and the rougher trail is on the left side? Thanks
The old trail (harder) is to the right. ALTHOUGH....This can actually change each year from erosion and washouts, but generally, the new trail is a little easier and less chance of pinstripes.
Fun Pass
Great videos! Thank you!
Been watching them in anticipation of getting back to Colorado.
Probably a dumb question, but do you think a 2wd Ford E350 van would make that? I've driven over Ophir Pass, as well as quite a few rough forest roads, and I know that the camera doesn't really give a true view of things, but Tincup doesn't look any worse, other than the little offshoot you took to go around people.
I run 265/75-16 AT tires and the van has quite a bit of clearance, and this would only be attempted in good weather, like you had.
Been over tincup a few times in f150. Only used 4 wheel to slow down going down to save brakes
@@andrewhoran7088 Thanks for the insight! 👍
Yes if you go slow. You can definitely make it. Been there four times in a two wheel drive F150.
What were these old road used for? To get mining camps or what?
Here is some info: advtours.com/tincup-pass-info/
Is the decent at about 2/3 of the way through the video on the east side of the pass?
It’s been almost two years so I really don’t remember
I've been 4 wheeling for years, but I've never aired down my tires. What is the safest low pressure point you can go to without bead locks? I'm going next month, just want to check out the difference
We do not have beadlocks and we will go down to 10-12 without worrying about it. Below 10 starts getting a little worrisome still.
@@TrailTraveler Thank you! I appreciate the info!
I was reading once that 22 lbs should be okay but some are going much lower.
Do you think a stock tacoma TRD Off-road could manage this trail okay?
Sure, but you really are going to want to air down for it, so you will need a compressor to air up
Could you give an estimate on the time frame to do the entire pass? Thank you, I really enjoyed your video
2-3 hours depending on your rig
What were the estimated tire size on those stock Jeep’s? I have an XJ on 32s.. I should be ok right?
You would be fine
How long does it take to get to tincup
2-3 hours depending on your vehicle
The trail looks mild compared to when I did it two years ago on my motorcycle.
This video was shot two years ago.
you "aired down" for tin cup? my friend drove his Subaru up there.
Hell yeah and I would air down my Subaru too. It is an EXTREMELY rocky trail and I prefer my kidneys being in the same place they started. Airing down wasn’t about traction, it’s about comfort.
@@TrailTraveler I just did this trail this past weekend. I was in 2 low the whole time. Like you said, traction isn't the issue, peeing blood is. My brother rented a jeep, I was in my 40. He didn't want to drop pressure and I basically made him do it.
@@KBrogger Dear Lord, maybe should have just made him suffer. We just re-ran it a few weeks ago, I aired down to like 12psi, no need to go through the pain!!
@@TrailTraveler I'd be a terrible brother if I did that. LOL. Plus my two nephews and sister in law would have to have suffered as well.
First time I've heard the term airing down. Do you need to do this in an AWD SUV? Oh, I won't be driving this... is airing down just for rocky roads?
Any time we are on rough roads or trails, we let air out of the tires to improve comfort, put less strain on the vehicle, or to improve traction. We even do it in our Subaru if the conditions warrant it.
You definitely had an easier time than we did on this one 🤣
So the route you took is not Switzerland trail based on your maps. Just posting so others understand and do their own research. Glad you made it out ok!
No, this has nothing to do with Switzerland Trail, not sure what you are referring to.
So why did you AIR DOWN??
Because I like my internal organs to be usable at the end of the trail. Tincup is a brutally rough, rocky trail.
Nobody camps in September because it gets super cold at night!
I do lmao
If stock vehicles can do it, they aren’t called “obstacles”. They are called rocks.
Stopped watching when the terrible music came on 😂
I apologize for your taste in music....seriously though, this is why Kateryna picks all of the music now.
😂
mute button@@markaycock9835