Medano Pass 11-3-12

[ttora4runner]

A couple of photo's from a trip this past weekend to the Great Sand Dune National Park via Medano Pass and a side trip to Blanca Peak.

Great Sand Dune National Park

A man and his dog

Blanca Peak, on the 1-10 scale this one rates somewhere between a 7 and 8.

I wussed out on this one and rode along up to the first obstacle known as Jaws 1

Jaw 1, to the left theres a narrow area where you can go around the large rock slab in the middle. Take the wrong line however and down the side of the mountain you go. On the other side of the rock slab theres a good 2'-3' drop and to take the upper right hand side would put you in a off camber stituation.

Needless, to say we didn't try it since it was getting dark and no other vehicles where around to assist.

After this we parted ways both us headed back into the park to take the pass back over. I lagged behind and tried a few night shots.

 

[Clem]

Looks like a fun time.

Thanks for sharing,

Clem

 

[Abel Villesca]

I ran Blanca Peak for the first time this year. It was a blast but there were many nervous moments. I took the line to the left of Jaws 1 and left again at Jaws 2. We really lucked out on the trip and most of the obstacles were dry all the way to the end of the trail.

 

[ttora4runner]

I ran Blanca Peak for the first time this year. It was a blast but there were many nervous moments. I took the line to the left of Jaws 1 and left again at Jaws 2. We really lucked out on the trip and most of the obstacles were dry all the way to the end of the trail.

That line to the left made me nervous just looking at it. One false move and your done. How is Jaws 2?

 

[Abel Villesca]

Jaws 2 is pretty bad. It is definitely the worst of the Jaws obstacles. Although conventional wisdom and the trail guide book recommends the line on the right (hugging the uphill side), it was pretty chewed up and would have been tough on 33s. We took the line on the left side and it wasn't as bad as it looks when you watch someone else do it. The part that makes you nervous is that you lift a wheel (passenger front going up the trail and driver's rear coming down) and it feels really tippy towards the outside (down the cliff). Jaws 3 isn't that bad ... at least not in the I'm going to roll off the cliff and die kind of way. It is just tough to get up without great approach angle and my rock plow ARB bumper was a handicap. I have lockers front and rear and I could not have done Jaws 3 without the front locker unless someone strapped me up to the top.

 

[ttora4runner]

Apparently, somewhere along the line I managed to get water sucked up into my front diff causing two seals to go out which lead to this.

 

[roverrocks]

Very nice pictures and adventure. Thanks for sharing.