2026 Trip Planning - Trans-Rockies Adventure Trail

[speeddev]

you know this one ends up in....Park City @speeddev

As if I needed more oomph in twisting my arm!

 

[speeddev]

Okay, what's the minimum mod list that one should have before trying this trip??

You already have the minimum should have! Now it is just the wants/nice to have. As far as the truck, it is amazing what @Godzilla/Tremornator has done with virtually a stock truck. He mostly covered it but I would add some basic recovery gear and reliable tire repair/inflation/deflation as nice to have. Along with the obvious ability to carry drinking water and maybe some robust comms.

 

[gsea]

Put me down as highly probably, at least for the CO portion, depending on final date.

I have some commitments already in place to work around earlier in the Summer, but should be good after the first week in July.

 

[r00ster]

I might be down for this trip. But I would also need to do some remote work.

 

[Optimus🤖]

I might be down for this trip. But I would also need to do some remote work.

You can always go off-roading remotely. I do it all the time .

 

[Godzilla/Tremornator]

throwin this out there

just think, sitting here watching youtube rim rocker trail vids.
rim rocker trail is from montrose, colorado to moab, utah.

I'd like to flip the script????


I'd like to plan starting with the big bend (Moab) meet-up instead, Sept 24 to Sept 26.

so, we'd all just show-up for the days in moab with the group. then, plan for after the meet-up we do the trek off-road to Colorado.

this would allow us to be fresher at the meet-up. hopefully this will allow others to join if they wanted. where they can bailout as their schedules require.

the rim rocker trail takes 3 days to montrose and there isn't anything in the videos I've seen that any stock tremor isn't capable of handling. then there is another few days to denver, for those able to continue.

 

[lwgrubbs]

As others have mentioned a stock Tremor with good tires, not stock Goodyears, can easily do all of this. The only section I question is Schofield Pass. I haven’t done it in a few years but I believe there’s still a huge boulder in the trail around Devils Pumchbowl that presents problems for larger trucks and I can’t imagine how a Super Duty could easily navigate that without serious mods.

Regarding sliders, it’s important to realize that Tremors have over 18” of clearance with the factory steps. Some of the frame, etc hangs lower but there’s a ton of clearance under these trucks. Break over angle kind of sucks but that’s what you get with such a big truck.

I live in western Colorado BTW and have done all of these trails at some point over the past 20 years.

 

[Godzilla/Tremornator]

schofield pass
commands respect but there isn't anything we're not going to be fine doing.

mirrors in but we'll be fine. nothing too difficult rock crawling wise just narrow on a shelf road.

a stretch of brush creep, narrows & pinstripes expected. I'll have a coating over my truck but it'll be easy peasy.

 

[Vecman]

How much of this could be done with, say, a 24 ft cargo trailer/camper conversion? If I can build wha I want before this trip, I’d be in. I’m over tent camping

 

[Godzilla/Tremornator]

id say a trailer would be a no go

even a really small overlander trailer, i think it'd still be a problem making tight spots and switchbacks.

tent on the ground I'm with ya 100%.

i go & want to go too many places a trailer can't.

roof top tent
best thing i ever did

 

[OmahaBravo]

i go & want to go too many places a trailer can't.

I learned this first hand in Arkansas pulling a rented offroad trailer.

 

[Vecman]

id say a trailer would be a no go

even a really small overlander trailer, i think it'd still be a problem making tight spots and switchbacks.

tent on the ground I'm with ya 100%.

i go & want to go too many places a trailer can't.

roof top tent
best thing i ever did

When I have the money, I’d love both setups. Trailer for the glamping, hunting/fishing trips, roof top for the trails like this. Someday…..

 

[Wildcat82]

Came across this while surfing the inner webs. Looks pretty promising. I would probably want a cot in the bed as water would likely creep in from tailgate area; perhaps some insulation padded tape could temporarily solve around the tailgate opening and bottom.

 

[Godzilla/Tremornator]

Came across this while surfing the inner webs. Looks pretty promising. I would probably want a cot in the bed as water would likely creep in from tailgate area; perhaps some insulation padded tape could temporarily solve around the tailgate opening and bottom.

close to a good idea, but your gear would be in the way

it needs a floor to for bedding above all your gear in the bed

that might even change my mind about bed covers

interesting concept

 

[Velvet Elvis]

The Trans-Rockies Adventure Trail might just be the most epic overland track that traverses the heart of the Colorado Rockies and into the canyonlands of Utah, and finally through the Wasatch Mountains. Connecting Denver with Salt Lake City, the 935 mile track features nearly 700 miles of dirt through some of the most iconic mountain tracks and passes through the Rockies. Along the way, expect to be blown away with spectacular alpine views, majestic peaks, alpine lakes and meadows, red rock canyons, and a series of high elevation jeep tracks and mountain passes.
Trip Length & Season

Adventure Rating: EPIC
TRIP LENGTH : 2 weeks, 935 miles (675 miles of dirt)

Season: Late June/early July to October, but highly variable. The track summits a number of high elevation mountain passes. During years of heavy snowfall, many of these passes may not open up until mid-summer. Passes may temporarily close during summer due to inclement weather. Prepare accordingly.

Route Details​

The Trans-Rockies Adventure Trail is the ultimate overland route through the heart of the Colorado Rockies, connecting Denver to Salt Lake City. Along the way you'll experience astounding alpine views that the the Rockies are famous for, rugged mountains and deep canyons, groomed gravel roads, technical jeep tracks, pristine alpine lakes and and red rock canyonlands. Given the demanding nature of some of the trails along this route, a high clearance 4x4 with rock sliders is recommend.



The Trans-Rockies Adventure Trail passes by 37 high elevation mountain peaks that are discovery points, including four 14ers, 13 13ers, and three peaks over 12,000'. See how many you can spot along the way! The track also includes sever high elevation passes, six of which are above 10,000', and 3 are over 12,000'. Given the high elevation of this track, it's best to check with the local ranger stations on the status of the various passes along the route, some of which can close temporarily during the summer when storms roll through. The track begins by climbing into the Front Range just west of Denver, and then passes through other well known ranges like the Sawatch Range, Elk Mountains, La Sal Mountains, Uncompahgre Plateau, and the Wasatch Range that borders Salt Lake City.



And while the track gets pretty darn remote on a number of stretches, you'll pass through a half dozen of so mountain and resort towns including Salida, Crested Butte, Paonia, Delta, Moab, and Park City, and even smaller mountain outposts like Tincup, Gothic, and Crystal.

And if living inhabitants aren't really your thing, there's a small handful of ghost towns and old mining camps worth checking out like St Elmo, Hancock, Woodstock, and Ashcroft. St Elmo is definitely the most well preserved of the four.



The most technical trails along the track are typically those that lead up and over the high mountain passes. The first of the passes along the main track is Cumberland Pass, which tops out at 12,171'. Cumberland Pass is a nice warm up, as it's rather mild for what's to come. Despite the wide graded dirt road, the alpine scenery and views are still rather impressive. Next up is Taylor pass, elevation 11,948'. Taylor pass is a moderately technical (technical rating 5) trail with more difficult options for those seeking out a challenge. While taking on Taylor Pass, expect a number or rocky sections with small to medium sized boulders that all but require 4x4s to slow down to a crawl. Not long after summiting Taylor Pass you'll encounter Pearl Pass (elev. 12,723). Pearl Pass has some of the best views along the track, but you'll need to earn them! Expect long sections of rocky trail that's also off camber in many sections. Things start to get slightly mellower when you start working your way up to Schofield Pass (elev. 10,705'). There are still a number of tight rocky sections that earn this trail a moderate rating. The additional passes along the track are either paved (McClure Pass), or the rated as easy (Geyser Pass in the La Sal Mountains), but still pack an impressive punch when it comes to scenery. Once you've traveled through the high elevation passes of the Colorado Rockies portion fo the track, the track connects with the RimRocker trail that works its way up and over the La Sal Mountains before dropping down into Moab. The scenery upon reaching Utah is decidedly different than the high alpine of the Colorado Rockies. The conifer give way to pinyon pine and other high desert flora. The towering and majestic rockies turn into a series of mesas, tabletop buttes, and red rock canyonlands. From Moab the track works it's way northwest, passing through the lesser known, but certainly not any less impressive San Rafael Swell. After the Swell, the track climbs into the Wasatch Mountains that border Salt Lake City's eastern border. The views along Skyline Drive are impressive all around-- take it in as you're nearing the end of the track. The track snakes its way through the Wasatch Range for over 200 miles, passing by Park City until ultimately reaching the tracks terminus at Salt Lake City.

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Dude. That literally goes right by my house. I'll come hang out for a couple days.

Let me know. Y'all bringing dirtbikes?

OHV trailheads make for great meet up points.

 

[Godzilla/Tremornator]

Dude. That literally goes right by my house. I'll come hang out for a couple days.

Let me know. Y'all bringing dirtbikes?

OHV trailheads make for great meet up points.

tremors traveling
as far as i know so far

never know with this group now though
planes, trains, jeeps, autos, bikes, go-carts, trikes. harleys & unicycles next.
no telling

 

[Godzilla/Tremornator]

just ran across this little tid-bit

The "TransRockies back road" from Denver to Salt Lake City generally refers to the challenging, multi-day, off-road Trans-Rockies Connector Trail (TRC), a ~950-mile route for bikepacking/overlanding that links the Western Wildlands Route (near SLC) to the Great Divide Mountain Bike Route (GDMBR) near Salida, CO, going through Moab, Crested Butte, and the Wasatch/Rockies, requiring significant planning and backcountry skills, unlike the scenic but paved I-70 route.
Key Details for the Trans-Rockies Connector Trail (TRC):
Type of Route: Primarily for bikepacking (mountain biking) and overlanding, with rough, remote sections.
Length: Around 947-935 miles, connecting Denver to Salt Lake City via other routes like the Western Wildlands Route and GDMBR.
Highlights: Mountain towns (Crested Butte, Tincup), Colorado Plateau red rock canyons, San Rafael Swell, Wasatch Mountains.
Difficulty: Ambitious, requires self-sufficiency, good equipment, and planning for water, food, and bear country.
Resources: Bikepacking Roots, Adventure Cycling Association, and detailed guides on sites like Apidura and Overland Trail Guides provide maps and tips.

gonna be another sweeeet!!!!!! one!!!!!!!

 

[Godzilla/Tremornator]

just bouncing this to get it on the radar for planning.

last window mentioned was last week of july ish.

headed west from denver/colorado springs/ pikes peak area ish.

anyone still interested?
what start & finish times fit into your schedules????

 

[TnTremor2026]

Is this open to anyone? If I can get the time off I’m tempted to road trip from TN and join in. I’ve talked about doing something like this for years but can never get anyone local to me to tag along.

 

[gmbpilot757]

I am 100% up for doing this, just won’t be able to this year as we already have things planned out over the summer.

If you all do it this year and want to again in 2027 let’s make it happen

TnTremor2026 , we could meet up