PAToyota
Adventurer
I like to try to keep folks on their toes.
Funny, I don't feel that old... But as people I knew as babies are having kids of their own... :Wow1:
I Leaked All Over Colorado's Face!
- Thread starter LaOutbackTrail
- Start date
Funny, I don't feel that old... But as people I knew as babies are having kids of their own... :Wow1:
I know I know.... slow SOB of a trip report writer.
I've been busy and super tired. Today, no different, just watching the rain and palm trees blowing in the wind.
I plan on finishing most of the report tonight and tomorrow morning, so I leave you with this teaser.
I've been busy and super tired. Today, no different, just watching the rain and palm trees blowing in the wind.
I plan on finishing most of the report tonight and tomorrow morning, so I leave you with this teaser.
Thanks! Its Hermitt Pass.
If by photogenic you mean it has great photographic appeal. Sure. With the exception of the time we went in November a couple years....
Never have I had to wear sunglasses on a dark, overcast day!
Day Two: Continued (yawn) The rest of Medano Trail
WARNING PG-13 Below!
Somewhere around the above photo, about 2/3 of the way through the trail and near the top of the pass, is a hiking trailhead. This is on the north side of the trail and features a few camp sites. We pull in to check it out and potentially camp here. First 4 or 5 campsites are empty and near a creek. Cool, look nice. Continuing on towards the trailhead is another site with a Toyota Tundra parked between the fir trees protecting the campsite. The road cuts to the right to go to the trailhead parking lot, but has a couple of cross ruts which have my attention...
All of a sudden my wife starts yelling "oh my god!" and "what the hell" so I look over and see reciprocating butt cheeks through the tent door.... we were in 4wd low, going slow in first gear only 50 feet from some long hair hippy kids having outdoor sexual adventures. They didnt make one indication that they cared or even heard us even! Get to the parking lot and we had to return back by the campsite.... Not only were they still having at it, but they had changed positions in plain view of the trail in the doorway of the tent. This time, the female exhibitionist sees the truck and us passing but still makes no attempt to stop or cover up.
Wellllll alrighty then. Moving on.
If anyone else who is reading this report has an SR5 4Runner with he tilt-o-meter, you will know the fine print reads "do not exceed 30 degrees."
This is all that looks like.....
We finally reach the only part of the trail that someone might consider difficult (excluding the sand), particularly if wet/raining.
On another note... I'd like to thank my poor, beautiful, wife for jumping out of the truck every five minutes to bring you guys these shots, otherwise, there would only be like 5 pictures in this trip report.
Other guys were out today, enjoying the SUPERB weather and sunshine, on a much faster way to do Medano trail. Having done 90% of my trip miles on motorbikes, it was refreshing slowing down and smelling the roses, so to speak.
Digging the number of KTMs and XR650Rs I saw on this trip.
We are now back on the hwy heading north towards Westcliffe and Hermitt Pass. What a beautiful, beautiful valley.
Heading towards the hill... Twas a wee bit bumpy......
Setting up camp. Some pics by kiddo.
WARNING PG-13 Below!
Somewhere around the above photo, about 2/3 of the way through the trail and near the top of the pass, is a hiking trailhead. This is on the north side of the trail and features a few camp sites. We pull in to check it out and potentially camp here. First 4 or 5 campsites are empty and near a creek. Cool, look nice. Continuing on towards the trailhead is another site with a Toyota Tundra parked between the fir trees protecting the campsite. The road cuts to the right to go to the trailhead parking lot, but has a couple of cross ruts which have my attention...
All of a sudden my wife starts yelling "oh my god!" and "what the hell" so I look over and see reciprocating butt cheeks through the tent door.... we were in 4wd low, going slow in first gear only 50 feet from some long hair hippy kids having outdoor sexual adventures. They didnt make one indication that they cared or even heard us even! Get to the parking lot and we had to return back by the campsite.... Not only were they still having at it, but they had changed positions in plain view of the trail in the doorway of the tent. This time, the female exhibitionist sees the truck and us passing but still makes no attempt to stop or cover up.
Wellllll alrighty then. Moving on.
If anyone else who is reading this report has an SR5 4Runner with he tilt-o-meter, you will know the fine print reads "do not exceed 30 degrees."
This is all that looks like.....
We finally reach the only part of the trail that someone might consider difficult (excluding the sand), particularly if wet/raining.
On another note... I'd like to thank my poor, beautiful, wife for jumping out of the truck every five minutes to bring you guys these shots, otherwise, there would only be like 5 pictures in this trip report.
Other guys were out today, enjoying the SUPERB weather and sunshine, on a much faster way to do Medano trail. Having done 90% of my trip miles on motorbikes, it was refreshing slowing down and smelling the roses, so to speak.
Digging the number of KTMs and XR650Rs I saw on this trip.
We are now back on the hwy heading north towards Westcliffe and Hermitt Pass. What a beautiful, beautiful valley.
Heading towards the hill... Twas a wee bit bumpy......
Setting up camp. Some pics by kiddo.
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Nah, we ate lunch at a place just down the way on the same block.
First choice was that, but they were really busy and we had pup on the leash.
We really liked Westcliffe and the area.
Day 3: At-last. Hermitt Pass and the "Lakes of the Clouds"
Sunrise of day three, a great way to start a great way.
Let this be a warning to you that the trail up Hermitt Pass is as bumpyspectacular. Have a great time when you do it. Its worth it.
We found our campsite about 1/3 of the way up the road, across a small meadow from a stream and nestled in the trees. We had everything we needed really. Protection from the wind, the sound of a babbling brook, view of the mountain, the fresh mountain air, and the joy of family camping. We had been waking up at sunrise and going to sleep shortly after sunset. Thats what our body is designed to do right? Worked perfectly. This morning was no different. Breakfast consisted of eggs, bacon, and toast.
Bella and I made an early morning hike about half way up the hill on the other side of the valley. Letting the girls wake up on their own and get dressed.
Managed get a little climb in, up a 10-15ft boulder, that was fun. Let dog take the easy way up and I followed on the way back down.
Wake uppppp.
Not exactly a doggy door....
You can see the rock cliff I climbed, about halfway up the hill in the background.
I found it hard to start the fire this morning. Not only were all of my kit's cig lighters not working, my starting paper was damp. So, as any good survivalist would do, improvise.
THIS
Plus THIS
Equals THIS
And
Sunrise of day three, a great way to start a great way.
Let this be a warning to you that the trail up Hermitt Pass is as bumpyspectacular. Have a great time when you do it. Its worth it.
We found our campsite about 1/3 of the way up the road, across a small meadow from a stream and nestled in the trees. We had everything we needed really. Protection from the wind, the sound of a babbling brook, view of the mountain, the fresh mountain air, and the joy of family camping. We had been waking up at sunrise and going to sleep shortly after sunset. Thats what our body is designed to do right? Worked perfectly. This morning was no different. Breakfast consisted of eggs, bacon, and toast.
Bella and I made an early morning hike about half way up the hill on the other side of the valley. Letting the girls wake up on their own and get dressed.
Managed get a little climb in, up a 10-15ft boulder, that was fun. Let dog take the easy way up and I followed on the way back down.
Wake uppppp.
Not exactly a doggy door....
You can see the rock cliff I climbed, about halfway up the hill in the background.
I found it hard to start the fire this morning. Not only were all of my kit's cig lighters not working, my starting paper was damp. So, as any good survivalist would do, improvise.
THIS
Plus THIS
Equals THIS
And
Day 3: Climbing to the summit
Not much to say, photos sort of do the 'splainin of things.
Wifey saw some "strawberries". "OK" I said, "Doubt it, but go get em". So she hikes back to where she thinks she saw them... Loses her breath while walking 40ft.... Haha. Joke is on the low-landers....
How am I so lucky?
Bloody friggan antenna.
Who is cuter?
A plant that spiked the interest of my wife. Drive by shooting.
Felt steeper at the time....
Not much to say, photos sort of do the 'splainin of things.
Wifey saw some "strawberries". "OK" I said, "Doubt it, but go get em". So she hikes back to where she thinks she saw them... Loses her breath while walking 40ft.... Haha. Joke is on the low-landers....
How am I so lucky?
Bloody friggan antenna.
Who is cuter?
A plant that spiked the interest of my wife. Drive by shooting.
Felt steeper at the time....
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Day 3: Hermitt Pass Cont.
When I finish this trip report, I will be starting a thread..."Snorkel Cam"
Honestly, for me, the only time I was nervous on this trail was during the course of the above pics. It was steep, loose and if for some unknown reason the truck were to go over the edge..... it would be a long long long roll down.
Trail ends down that'n way...
YES, It really is STEEPER than it looks.
When I finish this trip report, I will be starting a thread..."Snorkel Cam"
Honestly, for me, the only time I was nervous on this trail was during the course of the above pics. It was steep, loose and if for some unknown reason the truck were to go over the edge..... it would be a long long long roll down.
Trail ends down that'n way...
YES, It really is STEEPER than it looks.
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Day 3: Hermitt Pass Cont.
I want to remind everyone that all of my photos are raw, unedited images. Many could be cropped and adjusted to be even better. I took over 1250 photos and refuse to edit that many, especially with the quantity I am posting here. :elkgrin:
Of course I could go around.... but where is the fun in that?
Lets take a hike shall we?
She is carrying a rock, by the way.
No pics, but we brought a plastic bag and managed to fill it up with trash. I didn't realize bushes here grew budlight.
Fun shots
She is looking soooo skinny in all of these pics. Yes, she is trim and thin, but when we look at her she is definitely muscular.
I want to remind everyone that all of my photos are raw, unedited images. Many could be cropped and adjusted to be even better. I took over 1250 photos and refuse to edit that many, especially with the quantity I am posting here. :elkgrin:
Of course I could go around.... but where is the fun in that?
Lets take a hike shall we?
She is carrying a rock, by the way.
No pics, but we brought a plastic bag and managed to fill it up with trash. I didn't realize bushes here grew budlight.
Fun shots
She is looking soooo skinny in all of these pics. Yes, she is trim and thin, but when we look at her she is definitely muscular.
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Day 3: You guessed it.............
We finally make it off the mountain just in time for lunch and a stroll around Westcliffe. I do not remember the name of the restaurant, but it had an outside patio with umbrellas and because the weather was awesome (Hot by their standards at 85*) and we had the dog, patio it was.
Momma, you're a wee bit sun burned!
Bella enjoyed the shade and the french fry or two I snuck her.
Snapshots from around Westcliff
This poor ole truck has seen better days.
Remember that busted power steering gear box?
We finally make it off the mountain just in time for lunch and a stroll around Westcliffe. I do not remember the name of the restaurant, but it had an outside patio with umbrellas and because the weather was awesome (Hot by their standards at 85*) and we had the dog, patio it was.
Momma, you're a wee bit sun burned!
Bella enjoyed the shade and the french fry or two I snuck her.
Snapshots from around Westcliff
This poor ole truck has seen better days.
Remember that busted power steering gear box?