Ford Ranger Raptor in the San Juans - Imogene, Black Bear, and Ophir Pass

Why this Ford Ranger Raptor trip mattered

Sometimes the best adventures are last minute. My wife and I pointed our Ford Ranger Raptor at the San Juans and set out to prove what we say every day — we test our products in the wild, in real conditions, on real trails.

Ford Ranger Raptor on 35s – the confidence upgrade

The last run up here on stock tires wasn’t kind. Swapping to 35″ Nitto Terra Grappler G3 tires changed everything. Extra ground clearance kept the belly off rocks and made the Ford Ranger Raptor feel planted, capable, and fun. The Terra Grappler G3’s are the perfect balance of predictable on-road manners and off-road confidence.

Trail report – Imogene, Black Bear, and Ophir

We started with Imogene Pass, dropped into Black Bear Pass, and wrapped with Ophir Pass. Weather rolled through, surfaces changed, and the Ranger Raptor stayed composed from shelf roads to tight switchbacks.

Planning Your Drive

If you’re planning your own trip, here are some trusted resources for each pass. These guides include road conditions, difficulty ratings, and official route information:

For GPS tracks, you can download GPX files or follow live routes on OnX Offroad. It’s a great way to stay on course and see real-time trail info while you’re out there.

Gear we tested on the Ford Ranger Raptor

Bed RAILs + Bed Rail Nut Plate System – Minutes before departure we converted from open bed to full travel setup. BRAPs off, Ultralight Tonneau and Bed RAILs on in minutes.
Prototype Ultralight Tonneau Cover – Kept cargo dry through mountain rain without slowing access.
BASE Bed Floor Rails – Solid tie-down grid that made loading and rearranging easy.
Fridge Slide – Under-cover access to cold food and drinks without unloading the bed.
Milwaukee Packout Mounts – Locked-in tool and gear organization that didn’t rattle loose.
Starlink Mini Packout Mount – Streamed football on the trail. Quick to relocate into the bed for security in town.
Sleeper Keeper – Simple and dependable during rough sections to keep the Gazelle tent secure.
Ford Ranger Raptor Hitch Plug Tuck Kit – Clean and out of the way when crawling.
Sidekick Accessory Mount – iPad navigation right where it should be for confident route finding.
Ford Ranger A-Pillar Ditch Brackets – Extra light when weather and timing called for it.

Two people, one truck – plenty of confidence

It was just the two of us this time. No convoy. The combination of the Ford Ranger Raptor on 35s and our modular setup provided the confidence to explore without a safety net.

Unfortunately, with both of us having quite a bit of business stuff to attend to during this trip, we were not able to camp, so we snagged an Airbnb in Telluride which served as home base for the trip. With the rain and sleet that rolled in while we here, it was a welcomed refuge from the normal tent camping. The weather is quickly turning at the high mountain elevations.

Where we refueled in Ouray

Ouray Brewery for a burger after a long day and Corkscrew Tavern the next night for the Godzilla pizza and wings. Exactly what you want after high-altitude miles.

Final thoughts

This wasn’t just a weekend away. It was proof that our Ford Ranger Raptor products hold up when the weather turns and the trail gets real. We design for the mountains and we test in the mountains. More to come.