Tacking onto, and somewhat summarizing, what Greg said:
- Under
dry conditions Big Horn, Sublette, and Osier are all 2WD accessible. Perhaps not advisable in a low-slung passenger sedan, but more than doable in pretty much anything else.
- Road conditions out there change significantly with moisture, be mindful.
- I have not chased out of Antonito, nor tried to connect from Antonito through Whiplash to Big Horn. Can't speak to that section, but reading others' reports doesn't make me apprehensive about attempting it in a stock 4x4.
- I chased the 2015 MOW charter and their rate of progress allowed me to photograph a number of locations: Big Horn, MP301, MP301.5, Sublette, a hike down the cliffs above MP312 (got the eastbound but not the charter), and Osier. It was a rushed day after I departed the ROW near MP302 - dust was no longer a concern so I "made tracks", as it were, to stay ahead of the train.
Keep in mind that when you ask about vehicle requirements, a LOT of it comes down to your experience and capabilities driving off highway in the rocky mountains...and your experience in handling your own vehicle. Some of us have done it our entire life, and don't think much of roads that might challenge someone else. A few pointers:
- Have reasonable, not-bald tires.
Know where all four wheels are at any given time and where they are going to be next.
- Don't straddle larger rocks, put your tires on them.
- Don't directly drive through deep puddles.
- If you have 4WD and are inexperienced with it, keep it in 2WD until you get stuck. Then, and only then, use 4WD to get yourself unstuck.
- Unless you are winching and hi-jacking yourself up waterfalls and vehicle-sized boulders...a built, lifted 4x4 is unnecessary.
And when I speak of 4WD, I mean a true part-time system with transfer case with, I dunno,
some clearance. I can't speak to any of the newfangled electrowhatzit AWD tractomatic stuff you find on modern SUVs with minimal gearing and clearance.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 07/18/2020 01:56PM by rainbowroute.