Ha!

Actually, the guy sounds real cool. He and his wife teach music at one of the Telluride schools. He has a silver 2002 TJ with dual ARB's, 33x12.50 BFG KM's and some other stuff. Since I'll be riding shotgun, you better believe I will take pictures like no tomorrow. And actually, the switchbacks are only half the equation. Not many people mention those steep steps about 100 yards long along Ingram Falls. I just didn't want to get in too deep by driving it the first time I'm there if I don't have to. I am very curious about it as well as I definitely want to learn to take my Runner down it someday.

 

Um, no reports from anyone yet? Did you guys do anything?!

Alan, you called it man! I wrenched on a Jeep this weekend! Ha! The first day, no less! Well, now being mechanically inept as I, it couldn't have been too big of a job. Okay, here it is. I drive down to Lake City and take the Rio Grande Reservoir Road up to Stony Pass. Near Pole Creek (the main stream crossing on that trail), a guy comes walking around a curve asking if I could maybe give him a hand with a flat. Got over to his stock TJ with RT/S's which were balding on the edges. I said "Nice Jeep. That's cute." Actually, no I didn't. It crossed my mind though. He said he couldn't get a lug nut off! Well, being the big muscle guy that I am ( ), I lumbered down and got that tough guy loose. It was on there good, but nothing a tough guy can't handle. Then, the way he was situated, his jack woudn't lift the tire off the ground, so I put mine under there which fit the bill. Okay, maybe not what you think of when you hear "wrenching," but nonetheless it was on a Jeep! Unbelievable. Don't run trails with RT/S's is the lesson learned for today.

I put up a preliminary trail report of Black Bear on CO4x4.

Alan, I took a number of pictures, but didn't a get couple I wish I would have along the steps. I didn't really want to stop as traffic behind was being held up as it was (read other report). I got a video of a TJ doing the first switchback which will help better than a still shot would, but it's still tough to translate what that means for a longer wheelbase vehicle. Keep in mind H1's and full size pickups and Suburban type vehicles have done it (no thank you).

As I recall there are only 4 tough sections on the trail. The first is prior to the steps that has a small rock ledge on the right half of the road (no picture). If you put your right tires on it, I think it would be quite off-camber toward the no good side. Surprisingly, we were able to fit going to the far left and close to the edge which is flat. I didn't think we were going to be able to do that when nearing this.

The 2nd are the steps themselves. Not near as steep as I thought they were going to be. There is one 30' section or so in particular that has kind of a rocky edge to it. Depending if you got to the right too far, it would be off-camber into the wall which is much better than if it were to the open side. It was pretty flat horizontally here, but still substantial. I need to see this section again before I run it.

The last 2 tough ones are 2 of the switchbacks. Either the 1st and 2nd, or the 1st and 3rd. The 1st one will definitely get your attention upon coming up to it. The tendency would be to turn tight to the inside on it, but you need to go wide. If you go inside, it is rocky and you will get flexed out and in a much worse position than you would want to be. The TJ's can easily make this just backing up once. Is that a 2 or 3-point turn? It's getting late and I forget at the moment. We may be able to though I'm not sure. It's really tough to make the translation. I need to do see this one more time before I run it as well. The other switchback in question is tight as well, but a little easier.

Lastly, whenever I run it, I will probably air down to 15, maximum. Probably 12. There is a lot of loose dirt and small rocks just prior to the steps and maybe on them too, and I would just prefer to have as much of a footprint as I could. It wasn't nerve-racking at all for me being a passenger. I know that would completely change if that weren't the case. I have no doubts I'll run it, but I want to ride it 1 more time so I can get a better evaluation.

 

Looks like it was a fun time, even if there were some idiot parents out there. Did some wheeling around Four Corners/Shiprock, will post pics later.

 

I'm wondering who went where and how things went.

I went to a party where I met a new female friend, then to the park to watch the symphony and fireworks, and then home... but not alone.

I'd have loved to be 4wheeling and camping but I had a pretty good time here in town.

 

Anna & I went to Lake McCaunaughy - it was very busy - lots of people but it's a big lake so it was fun. No 4 wheeling for us - just a little beach crusing - but didn't even harldy need 4WD.

I'm ready to get on the trails this weekend or next.

John

 

Alan, Mike, Donna and family and I went to Spring Creek and had a good time.

I think that Alan may have gotten some digi pics, but my pics are film and will not be on-line for a good long time.

It was the toughest trail that I have done in Colorado. I had a blast doing it except for a CV boot that went poop.

There were some buggies in the rock garden and some good throttle jockeying by some Jeeps and Blazers as well.

Glad to hear Darren and Matt had a good time, but we missed you gents on the trail.

I may be up for some wheeling in the greater Denver area on the 20th of this month, I will check here if things are moving in that direction.

 

Well, let us know! (Be sure and call me or e-mail in case I don't check the board.)

You didn't mention we had pizza over at my house after the run with Scott Yoder and watched our 4x4 videos from Moab. Scott brought the beer, and Donna made the pizza. I think it's safe to say we all had a great evening. What a day!

Adrian, I wanted to let you know I found my camera yesterday. It was under the passenger's seat of our Saturn. Why it was there is beyond me!

Donna and I very much enjoyed your visit. You are always the gentleman. Be use and let us know next time you're in town.

 

I could have had more fun. My truck decided to overheat. Then my CB started acting up. Mike & Donna's and my 4Runners' fuel tank got a little warm. We could hear the fuel gurgling in the spout. I sure hope that's normal!
I will address my cooling issues next week. I don't think my truck will be up to Crystal Mountain this weekend if it is still warm.
I was only able to get a few pictures. Actually, Mike was the one who snapped them. They can be seen at the bottom of this page. I guess I was too busy keeping one eye on the trail and one eye on the temp gauge to take any action shots of everyone else.
As it was, my 14" Hayden fan just wasn't up to the task of keeping my supercharged V6 cool. That little fan only pulls 1050 CFM. Twin 13 1/2" Flex-a-lites will arrive next week. They pull a total 4600 CFM!

I DEFINATELY want to tackle this trail again later this year.

Adrian - a trip on the 20th would be great. I will have the new fan system by then. Hopefully the warmer weather reduced the amount of snow on some of the passes. I'll test drive the new fans next week on a trip up to Argentine after work. Haven't heard any recent reports about that one.

 

Does it sound like a little electric motor or pump of sorts if you listen next to the gas cap? That's the best I can describe it. Mine does it all the time on the high trails. I'm pretty sure it has to do with the pressurization (if that's a word) after gaining some altitude as opposed to just being warm. I could always be wrong though.