Hey guys, Me and another IH are headed out @ the end of the month. I have been all over traildamage.com and have figured out what trails we want to run. We are planning on running trails south of Denver around Leadville, Buena Vista, Salida, Penrose and Alamosa. We are looking for some guidance from the Rockies on any of these trails on any days you all may be available and want to run a trail. Last time I was out there we spent quite abit of time finding the trail heads. Hope to hook up with some of ya and hopefully spend more time on the rocks than the pavement. Thanks

There are also a couple of trails in that area that a stock 4x4 can easily handle, but are worth running for the scenery alone. Close to Redcliff, there is McAlister Gulch/Ptarmigan Pass that is kind of a neat trail and a beautiful view of Silverhorn. South of Leadville, there a road over Weston Pass.... the road on the east side of the pass is a maintained gravel road that cars can travel. The west side of the pass turns into a 4x4 only road, but again, a stocker could handle it, no problems. On the western side about 1/2 to 2/3 the way down is perhaps one of the coolest spots to camp I've ever camped at.

Kind of sorta in that area is another one called Redcone. It's a neat trail, but again not challenging to a built rig. When you come down off of Redcone there is a little path called Handcart Gulch.... I don't recommend it if you're very wide. :D I went down it in a Dodge Ram and at times had part of the tread of my tires dangling off the edge. Pucker factor was HIGH!:flipoff2:

I'm sure there are plently of challenging trails in CO, but IMO, half of the reason to go there is to see the scenery. Sometimes it is nice to "take the day off" from extreme trails and putz around on some scenic trails.

There are also a couple of trails in that area that a stock 4x4 can easily handle, but are worth running for the scenery alone. Close to Redcliff, there is McAlister Gulch/Ptarmigan Pass that is kind of a neat trail and a beautiful view of Silverhorn. South of Leadville, there a road over Weston Pass.... the road on the east side of the pass is a maintained gravel road that cars can travel. The west side of the pass turns into a 4x4 only road, but again, a stocker could handle it, no problems. On the western side about 1/2 to 2/3 the way down is perhaps one of the coolest spots to camp I've ever camped at.

Kind of sorta in that area is another one called Redcone. It's a neat trail, but again not challenging to a built rig. When you come down off of Redcone there is a little path called Handcart Gulch.... I don't recommend it if you're very wide. :D I went down it in a Dodge Ram and at times had part of the tread of my tires dangling off the edge. Pucker factor was HIGH!:flipoff2:

I'm sure there are plently of challenging trails in CO, but IMO, half of the reason to go there is to see the scenery. Sometimes it is nice to "take the day off" from extreme trails and putz around on some scenic trails.


Thanks for the info on the scenic trails, the wives and kids will thank you even more. I'm by no means against going on a scenic trail, I just figured since were going out, I want to hit some of the best stuff they have to offer. Would you suggest the Dodge for these trails or take the Scout just in case.

Thanks for the info on the scenic trails, the wives and kids will thank you even more. I'm by no means against going on a scenic trail, I just figured since were going out, I want to hit some of the best stuff they have to offer. Would you suggest the Dodge for these trails or take the Scout just in case.

I drove them years ago in my '96 1500 Ram... because that was all I had. Depends on what creature comforts you want while on the trail. I did not sustain any body damage, but it is possible in a few spots. With all the brush growing along side the trails (can't remember the name of that stuff) I did pinstripe the fawk out of my paint job though. There were a few spots where open-open licked donkey balls, and it would have been real nice to have at least one locker.

IH it is then, I know I would just get hot :mad3: if I went up and got stuck or foobared my Dodge when I have the beater back at camp.

I went over Weston pass a few weeks ago. Well worth it for the scenery. :smokin:

We want pics if it's soooo dang pretty!

Check out www.colorado4x4.org Also order a Charles Wells guide book.He has a couple for CO. www.funtreks.com

Fawk I wish I had some vacation. I have managed to burn all my vacation as well as money. Oh well maybe some other time. I really wanted to wheel some of the passes when I was in Telluride two years ago in June. They were all closed due to record snowfalls.

Have a great time. Need to check and see if you can go to Disney the next time we plan a trip. It is about time for that as well. Well maybe in September.

Fawk I wish I had some vacation. I have managed to burn all my vacation as well as money. Oh well maybe some other time. I really wanted to wheel some of the passes when I was in Telluride two years ago in June. They were all closed due to record snowfalls.

Have a great time. Need to check and see if you can go to Disney the next time we plan a trip. It is about time for that as well. Well maybe in September.

Ya we have something in Oct planned @ Disney with the Heartland IH group, not sure on exact weekend yet. Let me know when you all come down and we can try and make it over. Sept we will be making annual run to Little Saharah, the more the merrier.

PM me when youre going to be in Salida (carnage) and Penrose (Independance) I'll see if I can meet you there ~ the boys love to see rigs down there. I can show you how to get to both, but doubt I'll have a rig worth of the trip.

PM me when youre going to be in Salida (carnage) and Penrose (Independance) I'll see if I can meet you there ~ the boys love to see rigs down there. I can show you how to get to both, but doubt I'll have a rig worth of the trip.

We can also run some others that your rig is set up for as well. We're really not on any schedule. We'll prolly have no internet so pm me your # and I can give you a buzz when were done @ Fairplay.

From one okie to another....

If you're up near Leadville or Red Cliff, look for Homestake Road, west off of Hwy 24 a couple miles south of Red Cliff. About 9 miles up Homestake Road is the Holy Cross Jeep trail. I haven't done it yet, but pics and stories say it's pretty tough! I think there is info on it on traildamage.com

Good luck! I live in Eagle (about 30 miles from Red Cliff). I'm probably working while you're here, but shoot me a pm if you're around this way!

:beer:

Randy

From one okie to another....

If you're up near Leadville or Red Cliff, look for Homestake Road, west off of Hwy 24 a couple miles south of Red Cliff. About 9 miles up Homestake Road is the Holy Cross Jeep trail. I haven't done it yet, but pics and stories say it's pretty tough! I think there is info on it on traildamage.com

Good luck! I live in Eagle (about 30 miles from Red Cliff). I'm probably working while you're here, but shoot me a pm if you're around this way!

:beer:

Randy
Shit... I guess he won't be able to that one.... you know.. since it's a Jeep trail. I guess I ran it illegally a few years back when I took my non-Jeep vehicle up there. :shaking:

From one okie to another....

If you're up near Leadville or Red Cliff, look for Homestake Road, west off of Hwy 24 a couple miles south of Red Cliff. About 9 miles up Homestake Road is the Holy Cross Jeep trail. I haven't done it yet, but pics and stories say it's pretty tough! I think there is info on it on traildamage.com

Good luck! I live in Eagle (about 30 miles from Red Cliff). I'm probably working while you're here, but shoot me a pm if you're around this way!

:beer:

Randy

Other than going strait up the middle of Cleveland Rock which is very slick in the middle, Holy Cross is tame.

If you do attempt the middle line on Cleveland Rock, use your rear steer (:D) to keep you centered on it as it will dramatically throw you off to the right and on your side you will be.

That is how I climb it.

Or you can take the easy far right line or the 2nd harder far left line. The middle line WILL pitch you to the right hard.

This guy was betwen the far left line and the middle line.

YouTube - jeep goes over (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TDIVdhUQ9-E&feature=related)

Holy Cross..... someday.

Shit... I guess he won't be able to that one.... you know.. since it's a Jeep trail. I guess I ran it illegally a few years back when I took my non-Jeep vehicle up there. :shaking:

Yeah yeah...my bad! Just what the locals call it around here!

:D

Holy Cross..... someday.

x2

Ran Silver heels or something like that today with the show guys. Blew fuel pump fuse about 1/2 way up the long climb at the end. Got a little hairy but all was good in the end and the view was great from the top. Running Wheeler lake tomorrow and then Holy Cross Tues I think.

Here are some pictures of Wheeler Lake trail. Nice climb and awesome once your at the top. Ran this with the show group, if you run this trail don't take trailer all the way in past resevoir at the bottom. We had a hell of a time getting turned around. Minor carnage here was the drivers side heim joint (3/4" x 3/4") busted on the way down. The wife was driving and kinda hit a smaller rock and damn thing just blew out the barrel housing where it was welded from the factory. They have been in use for 4 or 5 years, time to order new set and use these for spares. Luckily I had a RH thread spare on the trailer.

Here are a couple more of Wheeler and then a few of Iron Chest in BV area. Mining town was pretty neat once at the top, but there were to many shear drop offs for this full width guy. Ran Holy Cross, good trail. got to show a J**p guy where the IH line was on Clevland Rock 1. He also tried to tell Mike where the line was, what a douche bag, let a guy figure it out on his own. No pics of that trail yet, then we headed to Chinamans and Carnage. WOW Carnage was worth the whole trip. Wife shot over 30 min. of video. Winched twice and caved in quarter on pass side. More pics and video later.

Man, sorry I couldn't come up and visit with ya. Carnage would have been great to see again. It was Rusty's first trail. Awesome stuff. Can't wait to see the pics.

Here are the pictures of Chinamans and Carnage BV. MScherr was on the trailer already when I went through Carnage Canyon. Had to winch a couple of times, just wanted to make sure I didn't break late in the day and the only truck on the trail. Took a little less that 1.5 hrs. Will try and get video later. Pictures aren't wanting to load will try later.

what a tease....

what a tease....

Here ya go Snoop, maybe this will take care of your Carnage FIX your having.:flipoff2: Enjoy hopefully more later

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=5854&id=100000004325669&l=51742a964a

damn thing just blew out the barrel housing where it was welded from the factory.

I didn't really think of how useful a welder could be out on the trail until that moment! :D

-Gary

I didn't really think of how useful a welder could be out on the trail until that moment! :D

-Gary

Yip if I wouldn't have had a spare on the trailer, sure would have needed one. Had a good time wheelin with you, we are gonna try and make it out again next year.

Brian

Yip if I wouldn't have had a spare on the trailer, sure would have needed one. Had a good time wheelin with you, we are gonna try and make it out again next year.

Brian

Hopefully you had a great time here. :)

Ahhhh.... well you knwo what they say. If you can't wheel ~ web-wheel.

Did you ever make it over to Red Cone and/or Handcart? This pic reminds me of coming down Handcart Gulch... only the trail is about 50% too wide. :flipoff2:

http://www.pirate4x4.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=459821&stc=1&d=1250040445

Hopefully you had a great time here. :)

Ya we had a great time and the weather was great after the first couple of days.
Did you ever make it over to Red Cone and/or Handcart? This pic reminds me of coming down Handcart Gulch... only the trail is about 50% too wide. :flipoff2:

http://www.pirate4x4.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=459821&stc=1&d=1250040445

Some guys with the show talked about doing Red Cone but decided against it cause of some boulders being in the way or something. If thats 50% to wide my wide ass doesn't want any of either of those trails. I don't mind pushing the envelope a little, but that's almost putting it in the mail.

Ya we had a great time and the weather was great after the first couple of days.


Some guys with the show talked about doing Red Cone but decided against it cause of some boulders being in the way or something. If thats 50% to wide my wide ass doesn't want any of either of those trails. I don't mind pushing the envelope a little, but that's almost putting it in the mail.

Red Cone is a piece of cake. Handcart, on the other hand, is more a mule trail. I ran down it in my '96 1500 Ram and damn near removed the uphosltering with my asshole. Going down Handcart is an option... it will put you back out at the start of Red Cone. You can go out another way but you come in the backside of Breckenridge or Vail or one of those granola-eatin' towns... can't remember which.

More pics of our trip and trails in my BP album.

http://www.binderplanet.com/forums/album.php?albumid=296

Almost forgot, I'm on Pirate:flipoff2: F&*%KN NOOB!

Redcone is an easy trail. But I'll be honest, I did it with a fresh coat of snow ~ and just about crapped my pants.

Here is a couple pictures from when we did it. The snow only covered the top, and was enough to stay even with driving on it. When you tried to hit the brakes, you'd slide sideways... looking down off the side, you see that it just keeps going for about a mile ~ at a 45 degree angle. (second picture) In all, it added a degree of 'holy :eek:' to an otherwise easy trail.

So, what who has a rig that wants to do Carnage Gulch in BV next Saturday? :smokin: I don't want to wheel with a bunch of dirty Jeepers. :flipoff2:

So, what who has a rig that wants to do Carnage Gulch in BV next Saturday? :smokin: I don't want to wheel with a bunch of dirty Jeepers. :flipoff2:

:flipoff2: Where were you at last weekend? Wish I was still out there rather than setting here at work. Good luck gettin a partner.

:flipoff2: Where were you at last weekend?

Welding up the hole in the trans that the front driveline put in it. :eek: Its all good now and doesn't leak anymore.