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11 Ouray Jeep Jamboree Tips & My Wife's Road to Off-Road Confidence

  • Writer: Muddy Ruttzz
    Muddy Ruttzz
  • Oct 27
  • 9 min read

The Road Trip: From Desert to Alpine Glory


We packed up our Jeep Gladiator EcoDiesel and made the long trek from sunny Southern New Mexico all the way up to the majestic San Juan Mountains of Colorado for the 38th Annual Ouray Jeep Jamboree. It was meant to be a simple gear test for our three years of Gladiator mods and those new Mickey Thompson 'Pizza Cutters,' but sometimes life throws you a delicious curveball.


Trailer with Jeep graphics, logos of Bestop, General Tire, and more. Features Jeeps in forest scenery. Text reads Jeep Jamboree USA.
The Jeep Jamboree Trailer has a awesome mural and the iconic Jeep Jamboree Logo

What unfolded was an unexpected, wonderful transformation for my wife. By the time we reached the dizzying heights of the Buffalo Boy Mine on day three, my retired school librarian was a bona fide, confident, and skilled off-road driver. I was simply the snack-handing, photo-taking passenger! She didn’t just meet the challenge; she blew right past it. It just goes to show you, the best view comes after the hardest climb.



Street in Ouray, Colorado with brick buildings, American flags, and a mountainous backdrop. Signs for Ouray Grocery and Market visible.
I passed through Ouray 35 years before this trip and as far as I could tell it looked about the same as it did then.

The views of Ouray—truly "The Switzerland of America"—and the surrounding mountains are something you have to see to believe. I’m talking about incredible glacial lakes, waterfalls, and peaks that feel like they're scraping the sky. It's a land where the phrase "stunning vistas" feels like an understatement.


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Getting Your Golden Ticket: Ouray Jeep Jamboree Tips For Securing a Spot


Getting a reservation for a sought-after event like Ouray is tough—it sells out faster than a free taco stand. Here's how we got our edge:


White Jeep Rubicon parked on gravel with "Jeep Adventure Academy" sticker. Text: "Tip #1 Attend A Jeep Adventure Academy."
We attended a Jeep Adventure Academy in Hollister Hills California several years prior to attending this Jeep Jamboree in Ouray. That was a turning point for my wife driving off-road. She learned a lot and lost her fear of being behind the wheel and driving over obstacles.

  • Tip #1: Attend a Jeep Adventure Academy.

    • Reason A: Learn the Ropes. If you're new to Jeeps, like my wife once was, this is where you learn the angles and the features of your rig. She went from determined passenger to taking the wheel over-landing in places like Death Valley.

    • Reason B: Priority List Advantage. That Academy trip gave us a spot on the Priority List, letting us choose a Jamboree before the general public. Ouray sells out in hours; you need every advantage you can get.



A white Jeep navigates a rocky off-road trail with a person guiding. Sunny day, grassy and hilly terrain, wooden fence in background.
The Jeep Adventure Academy instructors are extremely knowledgeable and professional. My wife is behind the wheel learning to wheel over rocks.


A person smiles next to a row of Jeeps on a dirt road in a forested valley under a clear blue sky. A logo reads "Muddy Rutzzz Outdoor Adventure."
After a full day of instruction using the Jeeps features and climbing over obstacles my wife became very comfortable behind the wheel. So comfortable in fact she does most all the driving on our Overlanding trips.

Day One: Jeep Prep and Trail Selection


Day one is all about getting oriented, evaluated, and choosing your path to glory.


Jeeps parked in a mountain town for "Day 1 Ouray Jeep Jamboree." Rocky cliffs and pine trees form the scenic backdrop under a clear blue sky.
Day one you line up and your Jeep is evaluated to make sure it meets the criteria for for vehicles that is laid out in the Jamboree Itinerary.

Tip #2: Line up early! With 126 Jeeps at Ouray, the lines for the drive-through evaluation get long fast. The early bird catches the worm, and getting in line early is a great way to meet other enthusiasts and scope out the cool rigs!


Jeeps lined up on a sunny tree-lined street, people interacting by vehicles. A man leans on a green Jeep Wrangler. Bright, vibrant day.
Jeeps as far as the eye can see! With over 125 Jeeps attending the Ouray event the staging area filled and Jeeps had to line up in the road. Ouray is very patient with its town being taken over.

Tip #3: Be Honest About Your Rig and Skills. Before you even sign up, do an honest self-assessment. How built is your rig (lift, tires, etc.)? How much off-road experience does the driver have? Trails are rated 1-10 (Rubicon being a 10). You don't have to conquer Mount Everest on your first try!


After the evaluation you head over to the Ouray Community Center and choose the trails you want to drive. The guides for each trail are there and they can tell you exactly what to expect.



Day Two: Yankee Boy & Governors Basin – Confidence Takes Hold


Day two is when the rubber meets the rough trail. Grab your breakfast, pack your sack lunch, and get ready for one of the most beautiful drives on Earth!


Tip #4: Get to breakfast and staging area early. You want a relaxed start, not a frantic one. Getting to the staging area ahead of the 8:45 AM departure ensures you can park and get ready without a fuss.


Jeeps parked with people chatting in a mountain setting. Trailers display off-road product ads. Evergreen trees and red cliffs in the background.
Our well outfitted 2022 Gladiator Ecodiesel at the staging area in Ouray. The Guide will be first in line and have a sign with the name of the trail he's running behind his rig. As Jeeps line up the sign is moved behind the next Jeep.

Tip #5: Choose your spot in the lineup wisely. Any spot is fine, but be mindful of the rig in front of you. If they have a massive lift, their lines over obstacles might not work for your Jeep. Don't be afraid to choose your own path.


People gather by off-road vehicles in a forest clearing. Yellow autumn trees surround them. A sign reads "Amphitheater Campground."
On the way to the Yankee Boy/Governor's Basin Trails. Stopped for a drivers meeting and air down before starting the steep climbing. One of the guides brought up the rear in his very cool old Willys Jeep.

Tip #6: Have a decent Air Down tool and your own compressor. Airing down your tires gives you a softer ride and far better traction. Trust me, you'll want to get the air back in quickly when the trip is done!


Two off-road vehicles on a rocky forest trail. Tall trees line the path. Logo: Muddy Rutzzz Outdoor Adventure. Bright, rugged atmosphere.
We headed up and when it started getting steep and rocky the guide called out on the radio to shift into 4WD Low.

Tip #7: For long, tough climbs, use 4WD Low. It makes clearing obstacles easier and saves wear and tear on your transmission. It's all about using the right tool for the job.


SUVs navigate a rocky dirt trail on a hilly landscape with yellow and green shrubs. Pine trees and cloudy blue sky in the background.
Trails are rated 1-10 with the Rubicon being a 10. We would encounter trail difficulty as hard as a 6. That can be challenging.

I Tried Coaching My Wife From The Passenger Seat But She Shut That Down Real Quick!


As we climbed up the treacherous Yankee Boy and Governor’s Basin trails, I saw my wife’s confidence take flight. She negotiated steep climbs, tight switchbacks, and awesome descents with pure focus. When a few folks at our lunch stop commented on what a good driver she was, it was the best feeling. She wasn't just driving—she was thriving!


Tip #8: Stay laser-focused on the trail. A stitch in time saves nine, and on these narrow, high-altitude trails, one lapse in concentration could mean a serious problem. Keep your eyes on the path ahead.

Tip #9: Uphill has the right of way. When two vehicles meet on a narrow trail, the one going uphill has the right of way. It’s a matter of courtesy and safety.


Rugged mountain landscape with layered rock formations, sparse vegetation, and cloudy sky. A logo reads “Outdoor Adventure Muddy Rutzzz.”
Many times you find yourself right on the edge with 1000s of feet of drop. The driver has to keep their eyes on the trail. Every year many people have bad accidents rolling down a hillside on these trails in Colorado.

A Great Look At Our New Mickey Thompson 255/85/17 Baja Boss "Pizza Cutter" Tires

We drove up to the top of Yankee Boy Road where we had to put about 10 Jeeps in a tiny rocky off camber area that was like being porcupine at a balloon party. I was amazed how my wife maneuvered the Gladiator. Our first trip on the Mickey Thompsons aired down to 20 psi. They did great and looked good doing it. Narrow tires are the way to go! Check out my video on the Pizza Cutters here: Pizza Cutters: Why Narrow Tires Are Best For Overlanding (35x10x17 Baja Boss)


A rugged off-road vehicle on rocky terrain, front view. Brown and gray landscape with a logo reading "Outdoor Adventure Muddy Ruttzz" visible.
I was looking forward to testing out these new Mickey Thompson Baja Boss A/T Pizza Cutters on this trip. My wife becoming a real honest to goodness off-road driver gal became the focus of this trip. Parking on this rocky ledge gave me a good chance for a tire photo.

We drove down past a glacial lake that was really beautiful and back to Ouray to get ready for day 3 of the Jamboree and day 2 of the off-roading. Challenging but awesome day in the Jeep!


Serene mountain lake with turquoise water, surrounded by rocky terrain and grassy paths. Text: Muddy Ruttzzz Outdoor Adventure.
From what I can tell this is called Wrights Lake. We drove down on a spur road past it and it was a pretty awesome thing to see. According to the guide the moraine keeps inching down every year making the lake smaller.


Day Three: Stoney Pass & Buffalo Boy – The Final Test

Our last day of wheeling took us toward Silverton on the Stoney Pass/Buffalo Boy Run. The scenery was lush, with awesome colors everywhere.


Cars drive along a winding dirt road in a rocky, mountainous landscape. Vegetation is sparse, and the scene has a rugged, adventurous mood.
Long up hills lead to long down hills and overheated brakes. See tip #10 below

Tip #10: Use your transmission, not just your brakes, on long downhills. This saves your brakes from overheating. With our EcoDiesel, the engine compression did the job perfectly to control our descent.


Jeeps drive along a rocky road at Stony Pass, elevation 12,650 ft. A sign marks the Continental Divide under a cloudy sky.
Stony Pass is part of a trail system called the Alpine Loop. I would like to go back and try to drive the whole thing.

Things got real up on Stoney Pass (the Continental Divide!). I was helping the guide with a flat tire on a side-by-side when the group, to avoid delay, moved on to Buffalo Boy Mine with the tail gunner leading. Suddenly, my wife was driving the toughest section—rated a 6!—all by herself.


Man inspects ATV tire while another observes, with a dog nearby. Mountainous terrain and cloudy sky create a rugged outdoor setting.
There I am trying to help fix a flat for a total stranger and my wife is heading out in our Jeep with all the other members of the group besides the guide who stayed with me. Took me a few minutes to realize she was driving alone.

The trail up to Buffalo Boy was incredibly steep, narrow, and filled with super tight switchbacks and sheer drop-offs. When the guide and I finally made it to the mine, several Jeepers were quick to tell me how my wife had been "killing it." I couldn't have been prouder! That was the day she crossed the line from a cautious librarian to a confident, off-road adventurer.


Rustic wooden tram house under cloudy skies, labeled "Buffalo Boy Tram House." Mountains in the background, creating a historic, moody scene.
The group made it up here well ahead of the guide and me. We never did get that tire fixed on the side by side but driving alone gave my wife that final challenge of driving up to the mine by herself.

Person driving Jeep on rugged terrain, focused expression. Wearing cap and earrings. Dashboard visible. Greenery and rocks outside.
We have had a lot of adventures Overlanding in the Jeep but this Ouray Jamboree elevated my wifes off-road experience and I was lucky enough to witness it.

My Last Final And Most Important Tip!

Tip #11: Don't wait to find your own confidence on the trail. It all starts with getting out there. The confidence you gain is far more valuable than any gear test.



Conclusion: The Adventure Of A Lifetime


This trip was far more than a gear test; it was the day my wife became the off-road driver I knew she could be, amidst the absolute, stunning beauty of the Ouray Jeep Jamboree. If you're looking for an unforgettable adventure, surrounded by some of the most dramatic mountains in the world, I can't recommend the Jeep Jamboree experience enough. The trails are beautiful, the guides are expert, and the confidence you gain is priceless. On Muddy Ruttzz, the best is yet to come!



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This article is a companion piece to my video, "11 Ouray Jeep Jamboree Tips & My Wife's Journey to Off-Road Confidence." For a visual guide, be sure to check out the video on my Muddy Ruttzz YouTube Channel! You can also find more of my DIY and bike-related content on my blog at MuddyRuttzz.com.




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