How about we get a Colorado get-together on Monday and run Wheeler Lake?

I'll meet anyone who wants to at the I-70 Morrison Exit (I think) park-n-ride (exit 256) at 8:45. We'll meet in the parking lot to the right as you get off the west-bound offramp (the lot on the east side of the road). We'll depart at 9:00.

We'll meet up with Dave in Breckenridge around 10:15 or 10:30.

We should be at the trailhead sometime between 10:30 and 11:00. Anyone who wants to meet us, please do so at County Road 4. (There's another road that can be taken to Wheeler, F.S. Road 408, that's north up the hill from County Road 4, but we won't be meeting there.) We'll air-down right off the highway.

For anyone that's interested, we can plan on having dinner together in Breckenridge.

 

what's that area like???? (i mean, is it for advanced people with lockers and tons of mods?)

 

It's rated a 6. Here's a descritpion. (Some of the pictures are of optional obstacles. My avatar picture if from Wheeler.) It's a beautiful trail that goes up to the Continental Divide. Much of it is above tree line. The most difficult part near the end has been much easier in recent years.

Wheeler was the first trail I did with my '02 when it was stock and had 31" tires. I came down hard on rocks quite a bit because the stock shocks were mushy.

I think you should be fine.

 

i would go, but i won't have my new tires by then ... but maybe next time.

 

I've been wanting to do this trail and I just talked my wife into going. She was a little concerned by the difficult rating in the Wells book but she's up for an adventure. We'll be coming from the west so I guess I will just meet you at the trail head if that's ok. I'll pm our cell number as well.
-Michael

 

I did Wheeler last CO4RJ with open diffs and pretty weak AT's. I just did the bypasses on the 2 difficult obstacles. It's not that bad.

 

You should have no problem.

Let's get some more participants!!!

 

I'll talk to the hubby and see if I can talk him into going. We just ran Middle St.Vrain and Coney Flats last weekend. How is Wheeler in comparison with the difficulty level.

 

Those are rated 4. This is 6. You shouldn't have any problem, though. Like I said, I've done it stock.

 

Doesn't look like we can make this trip. I didn't realize how far it was from us, about 2+ hours each way. Being it's the last day of a holiday weekend traffic would be terrible coming home. :cry: So unfortunately will pass this go around and maybe make the next trip. Have fun and be safe

 

Yeah, it's not close to Denver either. I'm hoping that maybe, if we have dinner in Breckenridge, traffiic wil have eased up when we hit the road.

 

I'd be willing to try and make it, if i dont have anything goin on. I dont have any sliders and my bfg at's are pretty worn down, you think I'd be able to come out without any body damage

 

I can't gurantee that.

The last quarter mile of the trail is called Bowling Ball hill. I did it once with an '89 Toy P/U (unlifted and 31" tires) and I got rocker panel damage. That was 8 years ago. Bowling Ball Hill has gotten a lot easier since then.

I've also done this trail with my 4Runner without sliders and was fine. If you're concerned, there's a parking lot at the base of Bowling Ball Hill where you can park and hitch a ride with one of us. I've done that once myself. But with 33's and a lift, I would think you'd be fine.

As for the bald tires, you'll have to be the judge. If you aren't going to get traction, that might be a problem. You will be going over rock surfaces, and you never know, it might even rain. So that's your call. We'd love to have you, but you need to consider the risks.

 

I'm gonna have to pass on this trip, but I'm gettin sliders next friday. So if you do anything next weekend I might have to try the new sliders out.

 

Sliders provide good peace of mind. Congratulations!

 

yeah, it was time to spend the money. I want to go both bumpers too but that'll have to wait a couple weeks

 

Sorry I couldn't make it - we were out of town all weekend. Wheeler lake is one of my favorite trails (so far). What's the report on it this year?

John

 

I think some boulders have moved around a little, but the trail rating remains a 6. (I think Bowling Ball his is a little easier.)

We only had three vehicles, which made the run quicker than most times. Still, we were on the trail 5 hours. We hit the trail at 11:15. We took our time at the end and explored that mining building. That was the first time I had ever done that, and it was pretty cool. The roof is in good shape, so the equipment and lumber inside is also.

Michael (NewDad) showed up from the Vail area with his wife and 21-month-old son, and big pickup Dave (TOY283) showed up. I came with Donna and our two boys. (Hannah is in Florida with her dad.)

We had a really nice time. The weather was beautiful, and we got some rain and small hail a couple of times.

Michael had some engine trouble. It seemed to be missing, and was stalling a lot. He discovered, when we were airing up, that one of his spark plug wires had fallen loose from the distributer. (Too many jolts I suppose.) It was an easy fix -- too bad he didn't discover it earlier!

 

Oh, and I must add, I drove down "Ziad's Crack" without a spotter, just to prove to myself that I'm just as much of a man as Schaefer. Well, maybe not just as much, but pretty close.

 

It was a lot of fun. That trail gave me some challenges. I took the easy line on the mojor obstacles and still had a blast. I'm glad we could join you guys. The engine trouble sucked but I'll know to keep an eye on the plug wires from now on. Here's a few shots of the day.
Me on the first of the major obstacles.


Dave on the second obstacle.


Mike negotiating the crack.


And a little scenery. You drive right through this stream.