Durango Fall 2026

Hummer Club Inc. - Club Event

Join the Hummer Club for Durango Fall 2026, a 3-day off-road adventure based out of Durango, Colorado: one of the most scenic and well-positioned off-road destinations in the American Southwest. The Hummer Club has been returning to Durango for over 20 years, and once you see the incredible scenery it has to offer, you will understand why.

The club stays in the town of Durango for the entire event which makes for a home base. From there, the group can either head north into the San Juan Mountains of Colorado, where high-altitude passes, dramatic canyon views, and historic ghost towns await, or south into New Mexico, where two shorter but highly technical and obstacle-heavy trails offer a completely different kind of challenge. Durango sits just 20 miles from the New Mexico border, so either direction is roughly a 60-to-90-minute drive to the trailhead.

The exact trails the group runs and the order in which they run them will be determined during the event itself. The event coordinator takes multiple factors into account including weather, current trail conditions, and group size to decide which trails best suit the group on any given day.

Drivers will meet each morning at 8:00 AM at the Walmart Parking Lot, Southwest corner, in Durango. This is the daily staging point before the group departs together to the trailhead. Arrive fueled, fed, and prepared to leave directly from the meeting.

View Meeting Location on Google Maps

Address: 1155 S Camino Del Rio, Durango, CO 81303

Trailheads for the New Mexico trails are approximately 1 hour away. Colorado trails in the Silverton / Ouray / Telluride area are 1 to 2 hours away. Arrive with enough fuel for a full day, do not plan on fueling up after the meeting.

This event draws from two distinct geographic areas, giving the group flexibility and variety across the three days.

New Mexico Trails - Near Aztec, NM

To the south of Durango, just across the New Mexico border about 20 miles away, are two challenging off-road trails near Aztec, NM. These are rated Difficult and are relatively short in distance, but are packed with obstacles and technical challenges. Both trails are excellent for showcasing the capability of Hummer and HMMWV vehicles, and the club has taken bone-stock Hummers of all types over these trails successfully. There will be plenty of opportunities to watch and record vehicles in action.

•       The Grim Reaper - A well-known and appropriately named difficult trail with serious obstacles

•       Secret Trail - No map available - it really is a secret. You will just have to come and find out

 

Colorado Trails - Silverton / Telluride / Ouray Area

To the north of Durango lies the legendary San Juan Mountains, home to some of the most scenic and celebrated off-road trails in the entire country. The club typically runs one high-mountain scenic trail in this area during the event, with trailheads 1 to 2 hours from Durango. Trail selection will be finalized at the event.

Candidate Colorado trails include the following. Click any trail name to view it on onX Offroad:

Which trails are run on which day will be determined at the event based on weather, current trail conditions, and group size. The event coordinator is highly experienced with all of these trail systems.

•       Morning: Meet at 8:00 AM sharp at the Walmart parking lot, southwest corner. Arrive fueled and ready to leave directly from the meeting

•       On the Trail: Expect a full day out. Lunch is eaten on the trail - there are no facilities or food vendors at any trailhead or on the trails. Bring your own lunch, snacks, and plenty of water

•       Return: New Mexico trail days typically return to Durango in the mid-afternoon. Colorado scenic trail days may return later depending on trail selection

•       Evening: Durango offers a wide variety of restaurants and dining options for every evening. One group club dinner is included in the registration fee - the specific evening will be determined based on the trail schedule

Registration fee includes the club group dinner on one evening during the event.

A group club dinner is included in the event registration fee and will be held on one evening during the event. The specific night will be determined based on the trail schedule for that week.

The group dinner is a great opportunity to relax with fellow members, share stories from the trail, and enjoy what Durango's restaurant scene has to offer. The exact location will be decided by the event coordinator closer to the event.

Keep a eye out for updates from the event coordinator regarding the group dinner details as the event approaches.

There is no single official club hotel for this event. Durango offers a wide variety of lodging options at all price points, from budget-friendly motels to full-service hotels right on the Animas River in the heart of downtown. Participants are encouraged to select accommodations that suit their needs and budget.

Below are several hotels near the official meeting point, sorted by distance:

September is a popular time in Durango as fall foliage begins to peak in the San Juans. Book lodging early to secure your preferred hotel and rate.

The Town of Durango

Durango is a vibrant mountain town with an excellent selection of restaurants, shops, breweries, and outdoor activities. Cell coverage is excellent throughout the city, and you will find fuel stations, grocery stores, auto parts stores, and vehicle services throughout town. The famous Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad departs from right in the heart of downtown. It is still a good idea to bring any specialty items or parts you may need because it’s not guaranteed that you will find them within the town.

Getting to the Trails

The New Mexico trailheads are approximately 1 hour south of Durango. The Colorado trailheads in the Silverton / Ouray / Telluride area are 1 to 2 hours north. The drives to and from the trails are part of the experience: the Million Dollar Highway (US 550) between Durango and Silverton is one of the most spectacular stretches of road in the country.

Because of the significant drive each day, it is important that your vehicle is in good mechanical condition and fully capable of reliable on-road highway travel, not just off-road trail use. Your Hummer needs to be road-ready as well as trail-ready.

On the Trails

•       There are no facilities, restrooms, or services at any trailhead or on any of the trails - plan accordingly

•       Bring a full lunch, extra snacks, and plenty of water for each trail day

•       Be prepared for long days - delays can and do happen on technical trails

•       Some trails are accessed directly off a highway or paved road - your vehicle must be street legal and highway capable

Altitude Awareness

Durango sits at approximately 6,500 feet, and the New Mexico trails run even lower at around 5,600 feet. The Colorado mountain trails are a different story, with some passes reaching above 13,000 feet. That is a significant elevation gain over a short distance, and it affects people differently.

If you are traveling from a lower elevation, try to arrive a day early if possible to give your body time to adjust. Symptoms of altitude sickness include headache, fatigue, nausea, and shortness of breath. Stay well hydrated, avoid alcohol the night before trail days, and do not ignore symptoms if you start feeling the effects on the trail.

Weather

September in the San Juans means highly variable weather. Mornings in Durango can be cool, and afternoons at elevation can turn cold and stormy with little warning. Morning frost is possible at the higher Colorado trailheads.

A few things to keep in mind for both altitude and weather:

• UV exposure is intense at high altitude. Bring a hat and sunscreen regardless of cloud cover
• September afternoons in the Colorado mountains bring frequent thunderstorms. A rain jacket is recommended
  
• Dress in layers. Temperatures and conditions can change dramatically as you gain elevation throughout the day

All participants are required to have a radio for communication during the event. The club uses FRS (Family Radio Service) frequencies as the primary communication standard.

•       FRS radios are the standard for this event

•       A limited number of loaner radios are available - contact the coordinator in advance if you need to borrow one

•       Handheld units are acceptable - a permanently installed radio is not required

•       If you arrive without a radio, notify the event coordinator immediately so arrangements can be made

•       In Durango: Cell service is excellent throughout the city

•       New Mexico trails: GPS coverage is excellent. Cell coverage is generally good in this area

•       Colorado trails: GPS coverage is good to very good. Cell service may be intermittent or unavailable in some remote mountain areas

Download offline maps for both the New Mexico and Colorado trail areas before leaving the hotel each morning. The group uses FRS radios for communication, which does not require cell service.

Maps are not required for this event. The event coordinator is highly experienced with all trail systems in both the Colorado and New Mexico areas and will be leading the group at all times. That said, having access to your own map is always useful for identifying points of interest, knowing what section of trail you are on, or navigating independently if you need to leave early.

Possible Navigation Apps

•       onX Offroad: Digital navigation option for these trails. Works similarly to Google Maps but purpose-built for off-road use. Available on iOS and Android. A subscription is required.

•       Trails Offroad: Another solid option for detailed off-road trail maps.

Trail leaders will guide the group at all times. Personal maps are supplemental and are not a substitute for staying with the group.

Durango has a growing EV charging infrastructure within the town. While most of the available chargers are Level 2 slow chargers (ChargePoint and Blink), there are also a few Level 3 DC fast chargers available for those who need quicker charging between trail days.

Level 3 DC Fast Chargers

•       Rivian Adventure Network - 40 Turner Dr, Durango, CO 81303  |  CCS  |  300 kW

•       ChargePoint Fast Charging Station - Located in Durango  |  CCS  |  200 kW

Hotels With On-Site EV Chargers

•       DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Durango - Tesla Destination Charger (NACS, Level 2, 13 kW) and Clipper Creek J1772 charger

•       SpringHill Suites by Marriott Durango - ChargePoint Station with 4x J1772 chargers at 7 kW each

EV charging needs on the trails themselves cannot be guaranteed, as trail selection is finalized at the event. It is strongly recommended that you start each trail day with a full charge. Managing your vehicle's charging requirements throughout the event is the responsibility of the individual owner.

The Hummer Club is pleased to have Mod Mafia on hand as the Official Mechanical Support Partner for this event. Based out of Magnolia, Texas, Mod Mafia is one of the most well-regarded Hummer H1 and HMMWV specialist shops in the country. Engineer-owned and operated, the shop brings a rare combination of formal engineering backgrounds and extensive real-world trail experience to everything they do. Mod Mafia has been an official club partner since 2020.

When Mod Mafia attends an event, they arrive with their own tools and spare parts and are available to assist members who experience a mechanical issue or vehicle-related problem during the event.

Labor for mechanical support at club events is provided free of charge to members. Any parts or materials used are subject to a cost determined by Mod Mafia.

If you want to get your truck serviced or inspected before the event, contact Mod Mafia at modmafia.com or call 1-844-416-2342.

Mod Mafia's attendance is based on availability and is not guaranteed at every club event. The Hummer Club Inc. makes no representations or warranties regarding the availability, scope, or outcome of any mechanical support services that may be offered.

Event staff will not be available before or after the official event dates. However, members are welcome to arrive early or stay after the event to explore everything the Durango area has to offer. Dave Breggin is happy to discuss local attractions, scenic self-guided trails, and recommendations for those who want to make the most of the area.

Durango and the surrounding Four Corners region offer extraordinary scenery and activities beyond the event itself. Whether you are bringing along guests who may not want to be on the trails all three days, or simply want to extend your trip, there is no shortage of things to see and do.

While self-guided trips in the scenic Colorado mountains are not technically part of the club event, members are welcome to explore on their own before, during, or after either in groups or independently.

The Durango area and surrounding Four Corners region are home to some of the most remarkable attractions in the American Southwest. Most require a entrance fee.

Distances are approximate from downtown Durango. Many of these attractions are best visited with a full day available. Plan ahead and book tickets in advance where applicable, especially for the Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad.

Food and Water

•       Pack a full lunch for each trail day - there are no food vendors or facilities on the trails or at the trailheads

•       Bring plenty of drinking water - staying hydrated is especially important at altitude

•       Bring extra snacks in case of delays on the trail - it does happen

Clothing

•       Dress in layers - conditions vary dramatically from Durango to the New Mexico trails to the high Colorado mountain passes

•       New Mexico trails: Warmer and more exposed, around 5,600 feet. Can be hot, can be cool, minimal shade

•       Colorado mountain trails: Can reach 13,000+ feet. Expect cold temperatures, wind, and the potential for rain or early snow in September

•       Bring a rain jacket - afternoon storms are common in the mountains

•       Bring a hat and sunscreen - UV exposure is significant at elevation

•       Wear or bring comfortable walking shoes or hiking boots

Vehicle Preparation

•       Arrive each morning with a full tank of fuel - do not plan on fuel stops during the trail day

•       Ensure your vehicle is in good mechanical condition before the event

•       Bring basic tools and spare parts as you see fit

•       Your vehicle must be street legal and capable of reliable highway travel to and from the trailheads

For questions about trail selection, early arrival coordination, lodging recommendations, local attractions, radio loaners, or anything else related to the event, reach out to Dave Breggin directly using the contact information above.