Exploring the San Juan Mountains by JEEP! (Corkscrew Gulch, Animas Forks, & Yankee Boy Basin)

While we love our van, it can limit where we can explore due to its size and lack of 4x4. And while here in Colorado, one of the top things we wanted to do was go on some of the 4x4 trails in the San Juan Mountains. So we rented a JEEP!

We spent a very full day driving 4x4 trails all around the San Juan Mountains and had an absolute BLAST! We managed to squeeze in three spots, Corkscrew Gulch, Animas Forks, and some of Yankee Boy Basin, and each one was gorgeous and offered different scenery. It was definitely one of our favorite activities in a while!

⌚Timestamps
00:00 Introduction
02:15 Corkscrew Gulch
07:00 Animas Forks
14:40 Yankee Boy Basin

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👋🏼 About us
Hi y’all! We’re Adam, Kathryn, and Kona, an adventurous married couple (+ pup!) living on the road in our self-converted sprinter van! You can often find us driving all around the US and Canada, scoping out the best coffee shops, eating tacos and ice cream (we're a 5+ taco and 2+ scoop household), and enjoying nature.

We help travelers spend less time (and stress!) planning their trip and more time enjoying it! Our detailed travel guides, YouTube videos, and travel resources share the must-visit local eats, popular and off the beaten path sights, and tons of tips to make planning your next adventure a whole lot easier.

Note: We’ve linked a handful of items so you can see exactly which products we take with us. Full disclosure--if you click on these links and make a purchase, we get a small commission at no extra cost to you. We will only ever recommend products we truly love, actually use during our adventures, and think you can benefit from too!

[paulsavin]

I'm from NJ, relocated to Durango almost 15 years ago after visiting repeatedly! I drive, hike and ski these mountains and you're right, the scenery never gets old. Most of all I appreciate your enthusiasm and....awe (?!) of this area - I know exactly how you feel! Thanks for the great work.

[darlenestout]

Wow. Awesome. I love the adventures you guys take me on with you. I'm 65 and I can't get out alone so I really appreciate your videos. Loved the ghost town. Super cool 😎

[stephenheard]

Absolutely love your enthusiasm with driving the Jeep! I've owned Jeeps most of my adult life and I can tell you the excitement of owning a Jeep never goes away. Have been on those same Colorado trails numerous times. One of my favorite off-road areas in the country. Love your videos; keep up the great work.

[JasonPuckettNY]

That drone shot over all the mountains ... that was Lord of the Rings style. What an amazing place. You guys rock

[jdavis]

Did not see this video before. Now you're hooked! Once you've been in the high country, there's no turning back! Good job!

[mandys]

THIS was the Colorado content I've been waiting for! I miss Colorado and the mountains. Stunning! Thanks for sharing your adventures 😍

[stevevice]

My daughter and I were there in July/August '21 and did Engineer and Imogene Pass. It really was an adventure we will never forget. We have a 2000 4Runner with 225K miles on it, but it performed like a champ. That part of America is so unique and stunningly beautiful.

[michellerust]

Love! Headed to this area in early August and renting a Jeep ! So excited now!!!

[debrabalawajder]

I loved it! Been there and done that but I never get tired of looking at those Mountain Views! Corkscrew was the first Jeep trail in Ouray that we did. Looking up at those switchbacks looked worse than actually driving it. We rent a Jeep Rubicon out of Salt Lake City so since it’s a rental, they tell us to have fun but not to do the “crazy Jeep trails “ which we wouldn’t do anyway; we keep to the easy and moderate ones and those will give you a scare at times. Looking forward to your next video!

[WhenAdventureKnox]

Finding old newspapers is fascinating. When we bought our house, we found newspaper pages under some of the carpets. Articles that talked about the country of 'Rhodesia' and adverts for shares in an asbestos company 😲 I know you've been and gone from there now, but if you come across any more old newspapers on your travels, I'd love to know what was published in them! I was really surprised that you had to get the jeep washed after the rental, I would have thought they'd all get caked in mud and so the company would wash it at the end as part of the rental! Stunning scenery though and very cool getting to go to places you can't access without a 4 wheel drive. ❤️❤️

[mannyg]

I was once like you, but time caught up with me. I can still remember the stinging face from the cold and the numb fingers and toes while driving my '85 Blazer K-5 4wd truck down the washes and up the hills in California and Nevada in the fall. Thanks for sharing.

[turisteandoentexas]

Wow this place is wonderful! The “Switzerland of America” great name for those beautiful mountains

[allisonsherman]

Yessss!
I have been having Jeep dreams lately:)
Yes, to turn into a tiny home 👍

[SwiftyTravels]

Ive always wanted to rent a jeep- ESPECIALLY in the San Juans!! That looks AMAZING! I enjoyed the adventure with you two!!!😀😀😀

[CaliKim]

What an adventure! We, too, enjoy renting the Jeep Wrangler...good times. What a cool loop! Really really enjoyed this episode, and in true A/K fashion, we learned some, too!

[erniechastain]

The pure joy radiating from your faces when it seems you are pushing the limits of your comfort zone is just intoxicating. I had a bigger cheezy grin than the two of you. Having a Jeep is like peeing yourself, everyone else can see it but only you can feel the warmth it brings you....

[myrapasour]

So glad you splurged on the Jeep. We have always wondered if it would be worth the money to splurge on a jeep to explore some of the rough forest roads around the country. The answer is YES! You guys are always showing us new ways to travel and new adventures to explore.

[main]

You’ve just convinced us that we must do this all by Jeep. This video will be our go to guide. So helpful!

[coloradomallcrawlers]

Awesome video! It’s really interesting how a non-off-road channel shoots a Jeep video. I like how y’all did it!

[carlkey]

Brings back great memories….late summer in the basin has wildflowers beyond belief. Glad you all had a wonderful time.