OH YEAH, I'm not going to let the Whale rock get away with that kind of carnage it displayed last year!!!!!

 

Looks to me like that solution would work out well. I could lead Saturday's Wheeler Lake run. Works for me.

There's plenty of parking right at the trailhead for Wheeler Lake.

I still don't have confirmation of my day off that Friday, although I asked for it a long time ago. I'll probably be there to run Holy Cross.

You're planning on having the BBQ or potluck type of thing on Saturday evening, right? My point is don't make it Sunday evening since some people (including myself) will be returning home then.

 

For those that are interested, I just updated the sign-up page.


Thanks Jeff! 8)

Yeah, this is true. There is a spot right before the resevoiur that I believe fisherman use that would work out fine, Brent.

Donna will organize the potluck again. It worked out really nice last year. Yes, it'll be on Saturday. She'll be contacting the participants via e-mail.

 

You have not seen the g-wagon yet, you will change your mind when you see the 1984 soft top camo military version riding on 35's. I am just a poor white trash roofer, I will be driving with my protech helmet and wife beeter shirt. I will also be drinking PBR at the camp to keep up with the Jones's.

 

Ditto.

Did a little search, found this.

 

 

This is also a "G-Wagon"

 

Just to let everyone know, because we haven't had as many sign-ups as expected, I have called the campground and released our reservation on one of the tent sites (T-11).

The guy at the camp office said that, since they have fixed the irrigation problem that caused the big mud pit, the one end site (#T-12) will now hold up to 50 people. That should be prefectly adequate for us.

However, if anyone is holding out on signing up, I would recommend you do so sooner rather than later. We don't want a big mess with lots of people signing up at the last minute. Click here for sign-up instructions. (And you can back out if need be. If you think there's a possibility, just let us know that.)

 

That looks almost the same, less the red spray paint, and adding a 3" lift, 35" tires, a soft top and doors. I really like the color sceme.

 

Well, I will go sign up though I'm not totally sure of my plans yet. Also I have concerns about my stock-suspension being ok on Wheeler for Saturday; I do have a locker however and have done a fair amount of wheeling, so I'm happy to lead an easy trail Saturday (I notice nobody has signed up for that task yet).

My confirmation for this will depend on my budget ... I need new tires before I even attempt an offroad trail of *any* kind, and those are far from cheap. Also trying to rebuild a motorcycle race engine right now for a race at the end of August, which may take precedence on the ol' wallet. We shall see.

 

If people want an easy run on Saturday, we'll have one.

 

I just pre-ran Red Cone, Radical Hill, Glacier Ridge (with rock garden) and Wheeler Lake trails.

Initial Comments:
Red Cone - This was about the most thrilling and exiting trails I have ever run in my life! The tight steep trail going up really asks for a locker and a lift and is a lot of fun. The trail at top going down the steep mogul shoots really asks for a flexible suspension (like the lift a runner provides) and a CONFIDENT driver. Then it's relatively easy. But, the "rush" you get driving this trail is very unique. Did I mention the extreme high altitude exposure. I'm going to suggest it as an option for Sunday. Especially for Denver people on the way home. We could run Radical Hill on the way back to Montezuma if time permits also, Radical Hill is also very fun. This is a "difficult" trail, shy and apprehensive drivers need not try this one. Yet, the chance of breaking of denting anything on this trail is minimal. It's a drivers trail and a nice new alternate for veterans.

Glacier Ridge:
The rock garden is much worse this year. I drove it at night when it was wet and only barley made it up. And only because I took it faster than I would have liked. I bounced my way up denting my slider and rear bumper at one point. The by-pass is not appropriate (off trail). If I were to drive it again, I would go at a slower pace and would probably have to winch up after getting into trouble. The hill is just too steep and the rocks too big. It really asks for a crawler on 35's.

Wheeler Lake:
Nice trail, fishing at the lake really makes it worth while. After the first two fun moderate obstacles near the beginning, the road is just real rough. A non-lifted vehicle would be banging the undercarriage off-and-on the whole way. The trail really does ask for a locker and a lift, then the trails becomes moderate. Otherwise, there is real potential for damage. I would definitely not want to see any large groups on that trail. Since its a tight trail and above timberline in a fragile environment. Getting past vehicles would be very problematic with a group. You can see where people pull over to let others by and it really tears up the side of the trail. Parking at the lake is also very restricted. The carsonite signs keep people in a tight parking area. It looks like if would only fit about 10 vehicles comfortably.

 

Thanks. With that information, I will be happy to change my Saturday run to Glacier Ridge and free up a Wheeler Lake spot for someone else. Glacier Ridge would be new to me, Wheeler isn't. This would only apply if the Chinamans run is still on Sunday.

edit- this is also pending my even being there in the first place. Doesn't look like taking off time from work will be an issue, I seem to have a lot of time available to do that. The issue is cash, with so many days off recently, there isn't much to go around again. May be a last minute determination.

 

Sorry Dave, I know you would love this rock garden with your rig. But I don't think were planning to run Glacier now. I don't think there are enough of you guys with crawlers and 35's to warrant this run. Hope you can make it to the event.

 

Were really confusing this run schedule I know. Mike and I will re-vamp the whole schedule and post it again. We appreciate everyone's flexibility and patience with this.

I'm pushing to add Red Cone, and maybe convince some people to run Red Cone instead of Wheeler on Sunday. I'm convinced the Red Cone trail is worth adding, in spite of the confusion to the schedule it may cause.

 

Scott,
I'm still willing to run/lead red cone on sunday. It is by far the favorite run that I've done in CO (and doable with locker and lift but no sliders). VERY high pucker factor from the summit down to the saddle. That doesn't help with easing things on the saturday Wheeler run, though.

And oh, thanks for mentioning the fishing opportunity on Wheeler...now I HAVE to take that run!

 

The first time I did the trail with my 4Runner, I had 31" tires and stock springs and shocks. My underside took a beating bouncing down on rocks. My impression at the time was that stiffer suspension would help immensely. As for a locker, for those with an '01 or newer, the TRAC will get you through with no problem. (Actually, I've done Wheeler open diff before. The last quarter mile might be tough, though. However, there's a parking lot at the start of the last quarter mile, so someone could hitch a ride with another driver.)

 

Well, the plan is to move Chinaman's to Sunday, so that would ease the Saturday Wheeler run.

The idea:

FRIDAY
Hancock/Tomichi Passes
Holy Cross

SATURDAY
Taylor Pass/American Flag Mt.
Wheeler Lake
Old Chinaman's Gulch

SUNDAY
Mount Antero and the off-shoot to Baldwin Lake
Wheeler Lake
Red Cone

I'll be updating the information page this weekend and will then ask people to choose their runs in light of the new schedule.

 

I can work with that.

Holy Cross
Chinamans
Redcone

Heck, I'll probably break something on Holy Cross so the rest won't matter anyway

 

That's my plan also. It will make for an incredable 3 days of wheelin'.

Scott