Montezuma CO trip July 21

[N8URE2]

A big thanks to BIGREEN505 and his wife Alaina for escorting me, my wife,Kim, and 2.5year old son,Parks on our first off-road drive this weekend.

We started in Montezuma CO, climbed to the top of Radical Hill (approx 12600ft). Took in some great views and lunch. A storm was moving in, so we decided to descend on Middle Fork and come out near Breckenridge. On the way down, just before reaching treeline, the storm hit and it hailed and rained for probably 30 mins.

Being our first time off-road I felt like I was driving on snot. Thanks to Bill for creepy down the mountain behind me.

I learned quite a bit about the truck. My rear suspension is very stiff and does not flex as much as I would like. 4wd lo in 1st is super slow, I hope that's good for a beginner like me.

Here is a link to some pics from the trip, nice pic of the storm about 3/4 down the page.http://web.mac.com/jkharrison/iWeb/95 4runner/Montezuma trail ride.html

 

[shane4x4]

We must've just missed you! My wife (Angie) & I were out with our friend Stan. We have a silver FJC & Stan has a Sun Fusion.

We didn't make radical hill, but we played on north fork & middle fork a little. We descended down to Deer Park & into Keystone.

Glad you had fun

 

[bigreen505]

I will try to write more and add some pictures later. My Leica bricked itself six shots in. Yes for those keeping track, this is Leica number two. The first was mechanical. I think this may be electronic. Alaina took some pics with her P&S.

Alaina and I went up Friday night to what has become my favorite camp spot, just down the trail from where the Expo group camped last year. After setting up the tent at night in the rain, and being horribly spoiled by her memory-foam mattress at home, my wife has decided we need a roof top tent. No argument here.

In the morning we enjoyed a simple breakfast of cantaloupe, granola, yogurt and grapes in the field of wild flowers by the lake. At about 10 a.m. my little Motorola radio crackled to life and we connected with Jeff and his family near the bottom of Deer Creek pass. After airing down and discussing trail conditions with a ranger, we set off to the top of Radical Hill to enjoy the views. We talked and at lunch, the dogs played and baby slept. This is the first time I have been up there and not seen goats. I guess other people were equally disappointed, but my dogs made willing models for lots of people with cameras. There were a bunch of bikes up there (the human powered kind) and my hat is off to every single one of them. That is a tough ride. Since it was such a nice day, the marmots were out looking fat and jolly as ever.

The thought was to get high first (no, not like that) and spend time on the ridge before it got ugly. Well, the afternoon storms started moving in fast and furiously so we decided to head down, still unsure exactly how. A group of ATVs and dirt bikes stopped to let us by and said the North Fork was in good shape so that was the plan. A few more minutes of driving along the ridge and I made the executive decision to take the Middle Fork route (6) instead to get off the ridge and as low in altitude as fast as possible. Jeff didn't disagree and after seeing this I understand why:

On the way down the light show intensified and quickly evolved into serious rain and small hail changing the trail conditions from pretty easy to a little more challenging. We were trying to balance getting down carefully and safely with getting down to tree line post-haste. It was loud and beautiful, but a few parts of the trail were equally passable by kayak.

Realizations:

• Flex is a good thing
• German cameras take amazing pictures. Japanese cameras work.
• I have an impressive ability to get sunburned when no one else does
• Low range is good. Jeff could crawl down things slower than I could even riding the brakes. I think the 285's on the Trooper give it more of a mid-range than low range, but perhaps it is the automatic transmission.
• If you are following someone less experienced with a lot more lift than yourself, don't assume they took the right line for you, especially on a blind downhill section.

More later.

 

[bigreen505]

Couple pictures. The first two were before the Leica kicked it. The rest are with the point and shoot (Canon A60), mostly Alaina's shots.

 

[bigreen505]

And finally spy photos of Scott Brady's new expedition rig. Please note the carbon fiber gas cap surround to reduce vehicle weight. What you can't see is the custom chrome cow catcher on the front.

 

[flyingwil]

And finally spy photos of Scott Brady's new expedition rig. Please note the carbon fiber gas cap surround to reduce vehicle weight. What you can't see is the custom chrome cow catcher on the front.

:xxrotflma


Does the snow ever melt 100% away up there?

 

[bigreen505]

Depends on the year and location, but there are a lot of places that never truly melt and hold enough snow to ski year round for those willing to hike a bit. Jones pass is a personal favorite. Mostly the cornices just get small by the end of August.

 

[flyingwil]

Thanks... I allways want to know that.