The DeTour Trip Report - As Told by Blackdawg

[Blackdawg]

The rain hit us hard and forced the windows up. But at least it killed the dust! And it didn’t last very long anyways. We turned off into Thompson Canyon to head up into the La Sals.


The DeTour-44.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr

The DeTour-45.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr

2017-09-28 - 00066 - The De-Tour - Day 12 by Dan, on Flickr

The DeTour-46.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr

2017-09-28 - 00067 - The De-Tour - Day 12 by Dan, on Flickr

The DeTour-47.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr


Before too long we were out of the worst of it and taking in the sights again.


Another fun simple road to drive.


The DeTour-48.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr

IMG_4025 by mike digirat, on Flickr

The DeTour-49.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr

2017-09-28 - 00068 - The De-Tour - Day 12 by Dan, on Flickr

The DeTour-50.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr


We wished for the sun back. But it wasn’t happening, at least right now. Storm cells surrounded us all around. But we weren’t getting hit hard again..yet.



IMG_4027 by mike digirat, on Flickr

2017-09-28 - 00069 - The De-Tour - Day 12 by Dan, on Flickr

The DeTour-51.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr

IMG_4031 by mike digirat, on Flickr

2017-09-28 - 00070 - The De-Tour - Day 12 by Dan, on Flickr

 

[Blackdawg]

“My truck doesn’t sound very happy” commented Mike. bad chirping was coming from the front of his truck.


“Hmm could be the AC idler pulley, be my guess” I told him.


Decided to keep an eye on it..or ear rather.


By now the weather was not being fun. As we got higher the wind go worse and the tempature dropped.


And we could just make out the one the we had hoped to avoid...snow.


The DeTour-52.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr


But hey! Fall colors!


The DeTour-53.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr


We got to the mountains and pulled off to eat lunch. But it was brief. We didn’t much care for the cold anymore. And hit the road to get off the mountain. A few more days perhaps and the fall colors would have been in full bloom. Was still quite colorful though.


The DeTour-54.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr

The DeTour-55.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr

The DeTour-56.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr

2017-09-28 - 00071 - The De-Tour - Day 12 by Dan, on Flickr

IMG_4035 by mike digirat, on Flickr

2017-09-28 - 00072 - The De-Tour - Day 12 by Dan, on Flickr

IMG_4038 by mike digirat, on Flickr

2017-09-28 - 00073 - The De-Tour - Day 12 by Dan, on Flickr

IMG_4041 by mike digirat, on Flickr

2017-09-28 - 00074 - The De-Tour - Day 12 by Dan, on Flickr

 

[Blackdawg]

Despite the chill and flat light we couldn’t help but enjoy the scene laid before us of green yellow trees, red rocks, and foggy clouds.


The DeTour-57.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr

2017-09-28 - 00075 - The De-Tour - Day 12 by Dan, on Flickr

IMG_4042 by mike digirat, on Flickr

IMG_4043 by mike digirat, on Flickr

IMG_4044 by mike digirat, on Flickr

IMG_4045 by mike digirat, on Flickr

IMG_4046 by mike digirat, on Flickr

IMG_4048 by mike digirat, on Flickr

The DeTour-58.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr

The DeTour-59.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr

IMG_4050 by mike digirat, on Flickr


Of course we had to stop at the Bull Canyon overlook. The Dinosaur tracks here are unbelievably cool.


The DeTour-60.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr


Not a bad view either..


The DeTour-61.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr

The DeTour-62.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr

IMG_4055 by mike digirat, on Flickr

IMG_4056 by mike digirat, on Flickr

IMG_4057 by mike digirat, on Flickr

IMG_4058 by mike digirat, on Flickr

 

[Blackdawg]

Aaaannnnddd then you look down and go “holy ********!”


The DeTour-63.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr

The DeTour-64.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr

2017-09-28 - 00077 - The De-Tour - Day 12 by Dan, on Flickr

The DeTour-65.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr

2017-09-28 - 00078 - The De-Tour - Day 12 by Dan, on Flickr


By now, we were quite chilled and wet. Mikes idler pulley was definitely going out. Dan’s was starting too as well. With a sign saying the Loop road was closed, we decided to just air up and go into Moab to hopefully find a replacement pulley for not one..but two tacomas.


A daunting feat just to find the parts in Moab alone really.


Either way we aired up and made our way down to Castle valley. Which did not disappoint!


The DeTour-66.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr

2017-09-28 - 00080 - The De-Tour - Day 12 by Dan, on Flickr


With a scene like that. You gotta take advantage and pose up the rigs.


IMG_4059 by mike digirat, on Flickr

2017-09-28 - 00079 - The De-Tour - Day 12 by Dan, on Flickr

The DeTour-67.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr

The DeTour-68.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr

2017-09-28 - 00081 - The De-Tour - Day 12 by Dan, on Flickr

IMG_4061 by mike digirat, on Flickr


Mike's truck now squealing like a damn piglet, we drove highway all the way into town.


2017-09-28 - 00082 - The De-Tour - Day 12 by Dan, on Flickr


And so the hunt began!


Lucky for us. Carquest and O'Reillys is right next to each other. So we checked both stores and amazingly each store had one each.


2017-09-28 - 00083 - The De-Tour - Day 12 by Dan, on Flickr


Dan bought one, and Mike bought the other. After a brief friendly banter on who got which one, which was easily settled after I told them they could just buy a new bearing for the OEM one and keep that one as a spare after it inevitably would die. We asked the Carquest guys if we could use their parking lot to do the swap, to which to graciously said yes to.


Though something tells me it's not the first bunch of rough looking people to fix stuff in their own parking lot.


Parts bought, Mike and Dan pulled up next to each other and we got out the one wrench required for this whole project. A 14mm socket. Devin took Igor to go get some coffee while we prepped to so dome wrenching!


The DeTour-69.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr


Mike was very worried we would have to remove the skids but thankfully we did not have to do this on either rig. It was a very straight forward removal and I quickly had Mikes off.


2017-09-28 - 00084 - The De-Tour - Day 12 by Dan, on Flickr


Dan after seeing how to do it quickly had his off as well.


2017-09-28 - 00085 - The De-Tour - Day 12 by Dan, on Flickr

IMG_4065 by mike digirat, on Flickr

 

[Blackdawg]

They were both super toasted. Mikes was freaking hot to the touch. Hurt to take it off actually nearly burning the skin.


And you could see why they were bad..


IMG_4063 by mike digirat, on Flickr

IMG_4064 by mike digirat, on Flickr

2017-09-28 - 00086 - The De-Tour - Day 12 by Dan, on Flickr

IMG_4070 by mike digirat, on Flickr

IMG_4071 by mike digirat, on Flickr


“You know what did this?” chuckled Mike, “all that damn Wyoming mud! It was probably when we played in those last puddles!”


I mean...he’s pretty right..It was everywhere still.


IMG_4067 by mike digirat, on Flickr

IMG_4068 by mike digirat, on Flickr


Still I got to gloat a bit as mine was perfectly fine. Though Dan and Mike were just a quick to point out that Igor had only been on the trip for half the trip.


Touche..


(Ironically, I would end up having to fix Igors about 1 month later anyways. So probably was that last mud puddles that did us in)


A few more minutes of finiking with the trucks and the were back up and running, piglet free.


IMG_4069 by mike digirat, on Flickr

2017-09-28 - 00087 - The De-Tour - Day 12 by Dan, on Flickr


With out Mod day in the carquest parking lot concluded, we now had an equally big problem.


Where to sleep.


This was a bit worrying as Moab is a pretty popular spot for many outdoor enthusiasts. Slim pickings for camping nearby and it was already almost 6:30.


Mike suggested going up Kane Creek to see what was there. We drove up a ways but found everything too full. I suggested maybe Gemini Bridges perhaps as Ben had said there was camping up there.


The DeTour-70.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr
2017-09-28 - 00088 - The De-Tour - Day 12 by Dan, on Flickr

So we took off for that spot. It was well into dark by the time we got there. The road was rough and really we just wanted to stop. So we found a small pull off right off the road sadly right over the highway. And set up our tents.


It was a ******** site honestly. But we started a fire and soon didn’t really care that much. We now started talking about what the hell we were going to do the next couple of days.


I had just a tiny bit of 4g service. And hotspoted my tablet to my phone from where it had service. From there we talked about were to go. Dan was up for literally anything as he had never been. Mike didn’t want to do anything too technical, which lucy for him, I had the least equipped truck in the group..unfortunately..so most of the trail I had on my todo list were out.


After some talking we decided we might as well go check out Gemini while we were here. Then turn back to where we had come to do Dome Plateau, a route we had heard floated around a few times by our friends. From there we would take the Dolores Triangle back to Colorado. A route Mike and I had talked about several times.


I downloaded some new GPX tracks for everything through the very slow spotty service. But once it was one. We talked into the night trying to ignore the fact that our campsite sucked.

2017-09-28 - 00089 - The De-Tour - Day 12 by Dan, on Flickr

But hey. It can only get better from here right?

To be Continued:


Chapter 12: One site to Rule them ALL

Enjoying the De-Tour story? There's more - @turbodb also wrote up a version. Check out his version of this chapter here: https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads...db-september-2017.562116/page-3#post-18792503

Read the full story:
As told by @turbodb: [Chapter 1] [Chapter 2] [Chapter 3] [Chapter 4] [Chapter 5] [Chapter 6] [Chapter 7] [Chapter 8] [Chapter 9] [Chapter 10] [Chapter 11]

As told by @Blackdawg: [Chapter 1] [Chapter 2] [Chapter 3] [Chapter 4] [Chapter 5] [Chapter 6] [Chapter 7] [Chapter 8] [Chapter 9] [Chapter 10] [Chapter 11]​

 

[Blackdawg]

Chapter 12: One site to Rule them ALL​

The night wasn’t bad all things considered. It was weird to be able to hear traffic from the highway down below. But still slept good. However, we were parked close to the road and lots of traffic picked up on it. It was a popular destination and lead to a lot of other trails as well so that was to be expected. Most of us tried to ignore the traffic. Dan however was up and taking in the morning sun before us all again watching some of the traffic drive by.


2017-09-29 - 00001 - The De-Tour - Day 13 by Dan, on Flickr

2017-09-29 - 00002 - The De-Tour - Day 13 by Dan, on Flickr

2017-09-29 - 00004 - The De-Tour - Day 13 by Dan, on Flickr

2017-09-29 - 00003 - The De-Tour - Day 13 by Dan, on Flickr


The spot almost looks nice from that angle. But don’t let it fool you, this was just below..


The DeTour-2.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr


We all rose and set about packing up as well as airing down again for the trails of the day. It had been pretty bumpy coming in last night.


The DeTour.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr

2017-09-29 - 00005 - The De-Tour - Day 13 by Dan, on Flickr

2017-09-29 - 00006 - The De-Tour - Day 13 by Dan, on Flickr


We then stood and watch a small group of stock looking Jeeps pass by us. They started to struggle at one point in the road. One made it through and kept going and the other two decided to turn back.


2017-09-29 - 00007 - The De-Tour - Day 13 by Dan, on Flickr


“BOB!....BOOOOOBBBB!!!” screamed one of the ladies. “WE’RE TURNING BACK!!....BOOOBBBB!!”


Got a kick out of that. Soon they just left and ole Bob kept on truckin!


Inspired by Bob we took off after him preferring the road less traveled ourselves.


2017-09-29 - 00008 - The De-Tour - Day 13 by Dan, on Flickr

IMG_4073 by mike digirat, on Flickr

The DeTour-3.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr

2017-09-29 - 00009 - The De-Tour - Day 13 by Dan, on Flickr

IMG_4075 by mike digirat, on Flickr

IMG_4076 by mike digirat, on Flickr

 

[Blackdawg]

Soon I’d caught up with Bob who gladly pulled over to let us by.


“Hey your group turned around back there” I mentioned to him thinking perhaps he hadn’t heard the screaming lady. He was an older gentleman after all..


“Oh yeah, they just think its too bumpy. But not me! Im going all the way there!” He said with a huge smile on his face.


Hell yeah man. Living retirement out the right way.


He let us by and soon we were done with the climb and in another valley of a canyon on top of the bute.


IMG_4078 by mike digirat, on Flickr

IMG_4079 by mike digirat, on Flickr

IMG_4081 by mike digirat, on Flickr

2017-09-29 - 00010 - The De-Tour - Day 13 by Dan, on Flickr

The DeTour-4.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr

The DeTour-5.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr

The DeTour-6.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr

The DeTour-7.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr


Mike very much enjoys its not raining but sunny!


The DeTour-8.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr

The DeTour-9.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr


I mean we all were. The light was great and it was hard to not stop and take photos of the orange cliffs.


The DeTour-10.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr

The DeTour-11.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr

2017-09-29 - 00012 - The De-Tour - Day 13 by Dan, on Flickr

2017-09-29 - 00013 - The De-Tour - Day 13 by Dan, on Flickr

The DeTour-12.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr

IMG_4082 by mike digirat, on Flickr

2017-09-29 - 00014 - The De-Tour - Day 13 by Dan, on Flickr

The DeTour-13.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr

 

[Blackdawg]

At this point I let Devin take the helm to drive the rest of the way to the Bridges.


2017-09-29 - 00016 - The De-Tour - Day 13 by Dan, on Flickr

2017-09-29 - 00017 - The De-Tour - Day 13 by Dan, on Flickr

2017-09-29 - 00018 - The De-Tour - Day 13 by Dan, on Flickr

IMG_4086 by mike digirat, on Flickr


Now out of the canyon though small, we were on the butte again and it was a short drive to Gemini.


The DeTour-14.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr

2017-09-29 - 00019 - The De-Tour - Day 13 by Dan, on Flickr

2017-09-29 - 00020 - The De-Tour - Day 13 by Dan, on Flickr


It was a popular spot though and traffic was picking up. Plenty of UTVs around.


2017-09-29 - 00021 - The De-Tour - Day 13 by Dan, on Flickr


And what I think anyone who owns a jeep would be embarrassed to also call this a...jeep..


2017-09-29 - 00022 - The De-Tour - Day 13 by Dan, on Flickr


But hey, its not the vehicle that gets you there but that your there!


It’s a short walk to the bridges and we didn’t mind the short walk to get there in the lovely sun. Thankfully it wasn’t that hot either.


The DeTour-15.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr

The DeTour-16.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr


The bridge itself is cool. More like a big ass hole in the ground and a bridge. We really had fun walking around it.


IMG_4089 by mike digirat, on Flickr

IMG_4091 by mike digirat, on Flickr

The DeTour-17.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr

2017-09-29 - 00023 - The De-Tour - Day 13 by Dan, on Flickr

IMG_4092 by mike digirat, on Flickr


Never know what you’re actually standing on out in Utah. Sometimes, its not much to nothing!


The DeTour-18.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr

The DeTour-24.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr

2017-09-29 - 00025 - The De-Tour - Day 13 by Dan, on Flickr

 

[Blackdawg]

This is the bridge. Or so it seems.


2017-09-29 - 00024 - The De-Tour - Day 13 by Dan, on Flickr


Its actually two!


The DeTour-19.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr

The view of Bull canyon is also well worth it.


IMG_4096 by mike digirat, on Flickr

IMG_4099 by mike digirat, on Flickr

The DeTour-20.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr

IMG_4103 by mike digirat, on Flickr


The bridge is quite large though! And looks right in place.


2017-09-29 - 00026 - The De-Tour - Day 13 by Dan, on Flickr

The DeTour-21.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr

2017-09-29 - 00027 - The De-Tour - Day 13 by Dan, on Flickr

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The DeTour-22.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr

2017-09-29 - 00029 - The De-Tour - Day 13 by Dan, on Flickr


It was a great place to take in the view.


The DeTour-23.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr

IMG_4105 by mike digirat, on Flickr

IMG_4106 by mike digirat, on Flickr

IMG_4109 by mike digirat, on Flickr

2017-09-29 - 00032 - The De-Tour - Day 13 by Dan, on Flickr

2017-09-29 - 00033 - The De-Tour - Day 13 by Dan, on Flickr

 

[Blackdawg]

Gotta work it to get that shot!


2017-09-29 - 00030 - The De-Tour - Day 13 by Dan, on Flickr

2017-09-29 - 00031 - The De-Tour - Day 13 by Dan, on Flickr

The DeTour-25.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr


You used to be able to drive out here and on the bridges. Not sure what happened, but nothing good.


2017-09-29 - 00034 - The De-Tour - Day 13 by Dan, on Flickr


Used to be able to repel down into the hole and walk out under the bridges. Anchor bolts were all over. But they had closed it down as well for restoration.


We turned back and walked back to the trucks to head down. Traffic was really busilling now.


IMG_4110 by mike digirat, on Flickr

The DeTour-26.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr


We passed a lot of people heading to the bridges on the way out. Including old man Bob! Still goin along in his jeep!


2017-09-29 - 00039 - The De-Tour - Day 13 by Dan, on Flickr


Was stoked to be past the bumpy stuff and headed to the Bridges without his friends. Drive on Bob!


2017-09-29 - 00040 - The De-Tour - Day 13 by Dan, on Flickr


A few people in vehicles as we passed asked us how much further and the road conditions. Even an Australian which was cool! Dude drove a long ways to get here.


The DeTour-27.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr

2017-09-29 - 00035 - The De-Tour - Day 13 by Dan, on Flickr

IMG_4113 by mike digirat, on Flickr


Even though we had just come through here, the light is always different and the photos never stop.


The DeTour-28.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr

2017-09-29 - 00036 - The De-Tour - Day 13 by Dan, on Flickr

IMG_4114 by mike digirat, on Flickr

2017-09-29 - 00037 - The De-Tour - Day 13 by Dan, on Flickr

The DeTour-29.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr

IMG_4115 by mike digirat, on Flickr

IMG_4118 by mike digirat, on Flickr

 

[Blackdawg]

Soon we were back on the cliffs headed down to the highway. Arches Park just on the horizon.


IMG_4117 by mike digirat, on Flickr
The DeTour-30.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr

2017-09-29 - 00038 - The De-Tour - Day 13 by Dan, on Flickr

The DeTour-31.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr

The DeTour-32.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr

The DeTour-33.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr


We then got back on the highway and headed back into Moab to get gas. While we were there, I asked if we wanted to grab some food?


“Sure why not” was the consensus. So we pulled into the BBQ joint the Blu Pig and ate lunch. It was very tastey and Id recommend it. Mike surprised us all last minute by paying the bill too. Thanks buddy!


It was now pretty late in the afternoon and we hit the road going back towards Dewey Bridge. We of course stopped to take in the beautiful day.


2017-09-29 - 00041 - The De-Tour - Day 13 by Dan, on Flickr

The DeTour-34.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr

2017-09-29 - 00042 - The De-Tour - Day 13 by Dan, on Flickr

IMG_4118 by mike digirat, on Flickr


Okay so we didn’t stop by choice per say..


2017-09-29 - 00043 - The De-Tour - Day 13 by Dan, on Flickr

The DeTour-35.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr


New highway is always nice though..


The DeTour-36.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr


We weren’t exactly here for that though..


Thankfully it was time for them to all go home. Chatted lightly with the flagging crew as their equipment rolled by and the last of the pilot car traffic did before going on our way.


We wasted no time and started right back up the same trail we had just come down the day before. It was much more fun for us though going up than down!


The DeTour-37.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr

The DeTour-39.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr

IMG_4121 by mike digirat, on Flickr

IMG_4123 by mike digirat, on Flickr

 

[Blackdawg]

Dan had a blast during this spot having to pick a line on 31s. Of course the trail wasn’t that bad and he had no problems. But it was still a really fun time!


2017-09-29 - 00045 - The De-Tour - Day 13 by Dan, on Flickr


The light was great and the views also very nice. We were back in the dirt away from people, exactly what we had come here for.


The DeTour-38.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr

The DeTour-40.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr

The DeTour-41.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr

The DeTour-42.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr

2017-09-29 - 00046 - The De-Tour - Day 13 by Dan, on Flickr

The DeTour-43.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr


I still think this little section of trail is one of the coolest little spots. Sure its not hard. But it is fun twisty and flexy. Plus the rocks are very pretty.


The DeTour-44.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr

The DeTour-45.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr

The DeTour-46.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr

2017-09-29 - 00047 - The De-Tour - Day 13 by Dan, on Flickr

The DeTour-47.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr

The DeTour-48.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr

The DeTour-49.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr


We now turned off the road we had come in on and headed out what looked like towards the edge of the earth. Of course it wasn’t by a long shot. But now we were in new territory!


The DeTour-50.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr

The DeTour-51.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr

The DeTour-52.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr

 

[Blackdawg]

And it didn’t take long before we found ourselves on a steep downhill. None of the ledges were super big though after a quick walk down and the wash was damp but not muddy. Onward and downward!


The DeTour-53.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr

The DeTour-54.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr

The DeTour-55.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr

The DeTour-56.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr

IMG_4127 by mike digirat, on Flickr

The DeTour-57.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr

The DeTour-58.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr

2017-09-29 - 00049 - The De-Tour - Day 13 by Dan, on Flickr

IMG_4128 by mike digirat, on Flickr

The DeTour-59.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr

IMG_4130 by mike digirat, on Flickr

2017-09-29 - 00050 - The De-Tour - Day 13 by Dan, on Flickr

IMG_4133 by mike digirat, on Flickr


Easy money. Would be more fun going up, but slick rock is very grippy so that helps a lot.

 

[Blackdawg]

Mike descended next will no problems.


The DeTour-60.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr

The DeTour-61.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr

2017-09-29 - 00051 - The De-Tour - Day 13 by Dan, on Flickr

The DeTour-62.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr

The DeTour-63.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr

2017-09-29 - 00052 - The De-Tour - Day 13 by Dan, on Flickr

The DeTour-64.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr

The DeTour-65.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr

2017-09-29 - 00053 - The De-Tour - Day 13 by Dan, on Flickr

2017-09-29 - 00054 - The De-Tour - Day 13 by Dan, on Flickr

2017-09-29 - 00055 - The De-Tour - Day 13 by Dan, on Flickr

The DeTour-66.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr


Dan was next on the 31s, which so far haven’t been an issue.


The DeTour-67.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr

IMG_4134 by mike digirat, on Flickr

The DeTour-68.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr

The DeTour-69.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr

The DeTour-70.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr

IMG_4136 by mike digirat, on Flickr

IMG_4137 by mike digirat, on Flickr

IMG_4140 by mike digirat, on Flickr

 

[Blackdawg]

And still weren’t! We continued on the track winding through the desert.


The DeTour-71.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr

IMG_4141 by mike digirat, on Flickr


Of course then Dan decided to leave his mark..


Coming down this a loud metal on rock sound rang out.


The DeTour-72.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr

The DeTour-73.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr


Was only the reciever though. Good gouge though!


2017-09-29 - 00056c - The De-Tour - Day 13 by Dan, on Flickr


From there the road mellowed out a bit and we picked up some speed.


The DeTour-74.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr

The DeTour-75.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr

IMG_4144 by mike digirat, on Flickr

The DeTour-76.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr


The track I had downloaded took us all around the place criss crossing roads all over. I think this was supposed to be a overlook..


The DeTour-77.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr

The DeTour-78.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr


The mountains looked cold. Something we did not want.


The DeTour-79.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr


We even got a bit lost at one point and couldn’t find the turn off the track had pointed us at. Be we soon were back on the trail pointed in the right direction to Dome Plateau


The DeTour-80.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr

The DeTour-81.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr

The DeTour-82.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr


We got to another steep drop off and I went off it normal as can be. But heard a metal on rock ding soon as i dropped off.


I didn’t have a belly pan skid so that was curious to hear..


IMG_4149 by mike digirat, on Flickr

IMG_4150 by mike digirat, on Flickr


I popped out to look at what I’d hit hoping it wasn’t the driveshaft. It wasn’t, Id actually managed to ding the so called “skid” for the tcase.


The DeTour-87.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr