The DeTour Trip Report - As Told by Blackdawg

[Blackdawg]

I even had time to take a few notes before the sun went down into full sunset mode while Devin got a start on Dinner.


2017-09-26 - 00061 - The De-Tour - Day 10 by Dan, on Flickr

IMG_3815 by mike digirat, on Flickr

2017-09-26 - 00062 - The De-Tour - Day 10 by Dan, on Flickr

IMG_3817 by mike digirat, on Flickr

IMG_3818 by mike digirat, on Flickr

IMG_3820 by mike digirat, on Flickr



Then, we enjoyed a gorgeous sunset.


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

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

2017-09-26 - 00063 - The De-Tour - Day 10 by Dan, on Flickr

IMG_3812 by mike digirat, on Flickr

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

2017-09-26 - 00065 - The De-Tour - Day 10 by Dan, on Flickr

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

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

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



With that, we started the fire up and ate dinner. Mike was gracious enough to offer us all some homemade tacos. Which were FABULOUS.


2017-09-26 - 00067 - The De-Tour - Day 10 by Dan, on Flickr


Then we chatted long into the night about trucks, trails, places, life and more. Happier than ever not to have it be snowing and wet.

2017-09-26 - 00068 - The De-Tour - Day 10 by Dan, on Flickr

Even though it had been a transition day from one state to the next. We still had had a fun time and had seen some wonderful things. It’s amazing how far we can go these days in just one day and the various things one can see. We had driven through dirt, mud, on asphalt and concrete, through two states, in just about 200 miles. All in one day.


I don’t know about you, but this hobby. Kicks ass.

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

To be Continued…


Chapter 10: It's never the Same


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-2#post-18701860

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]

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

 

[keane]

This hobby does kick ass.

Thanks for another great chapter. I really enjoy your style of trips and reading your trip reports.

If you ever find yourself wondering up into BC or Alberta again I would defiantly like to try and meet up with your crew for a day or 2 if you could suffer a Nissan in the group.

 

[Blackdawg]

This hobby does kick ass.

Thanks for another great chapter. I really enjoy your style of trips and reading your trip reports.

If you ever find yourself wondering up into BC or Alberta again I would defiantly like to try and meet up with your crew for a day or 2 if you could suffer a Nissan in the group.

Wouldn't be the first time I've hung out with a Nissan! Though I'll warn you, we will give your low rider a good teasing and probably convert you to toyotas haha

Thanks for reading! Im glad others get some joy out of my joy. Spreading the love.

 

[Roammt]

I have to say, being from Wyoming originally and living in montana for 14 years I absolutely love your trip reports. They remind me of exactly why I live where I do, and love the things I do! Thank you for sharing!

 

[Blackdawg]

I have to say, being from Wyoming originally and living in montana for 14 years I absolutely love your trip reports. They remind me of exactly why I live where I do, and love the things I do! Thank you for sharing!

Ha! Awesome! Im from Wyo and just moved to MT. Wish I could still be in Wyoming. Miss it at times.

We are quite lucky though!

 

[Blackdawg]

Chapter 10: It’s Never the Same​

The morning started as what was now routine for us. With Dan getting up way to early for it to be vacation. But the fruits of his labor where great capture the lovely morning sun and getting great photos to boot.


2017-09-27 - 00004 - The De-Tour - Day 11 by Dan, on Flickr

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Inspiring stuff, but not inspiring enough to get out of bed myself :laugh:


Mike was up after him shortly to capture him in mid observation.


IMG_3825 by mike digirat, on Flickr


Before long we were packed up and hit the road continuing south to get to the great Kokopelli trail.


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


We passed through Dinosaur, went on to Rangely and then turned south to Loma.


2017-09-27 - 00007 - The De-Tour - Day 11 by Dan, on Flickr


This highway is super interesting to me. Looking back, I wish I’d know about the dirt road that parallels this small ribbon road. It passes through some interesting county and comes up on a small but beautiful pass which we stopped at to take photos of the fall colors.


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

2017-09-27 - 00008 - The De-Tour - Day 11 by Dan, on Flickr

IMG_3831 by mike digirat, on Flickr

IMG_3826 by mike digirat, on Flickr

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Mike and I had been here before last year, almost exactly, but had missed the fall colors. Mike had brought up numerous times last year how we had missed them, so this was a nice reprieve.


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

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

2017-09-27 - 00010 - The De-Tour - Day 11 by Dan, on Flickr

2017-09-27 - 00011 - The De-Tour - Day 11 by Dan, on Flickr

 

[Blackdawg]

From here we hit it to Loma. Mike grumbled about the over priced gas at the only station for miles as we refueled and bought some wood to burn. Crossed the interstate and we were there.


2017-09-27 - 00012 - The De-Tour - Day 11 by Dan, on Flickr


The Kokopelli!


And it was busy. The lots was full of mostly bikers as its a popular biking trail. We setup up the chairs and ate lunch in the lot getting lots of looks as we enjoyed our sandwhiches.


DeTour.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr


With lunch done we blew through the first tiny portion of dirt and stopped at rabbit valley to air down. Hopefully for the last time for a long while.


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

2017-09-27 - 00013 - The De-Tour - Day 11 by Dan, on Flickr

2017-09-27 - 00014 - The De-Tour - Day 11 by Dan, on Flickr


And then we were off! At last. No more highways for us. But we did have a long distance to cover. I had my sights set on the site we camped at last year and it was not a short distance. The pace was slow at first though as this is just too cool of a spot to not get photos. I hit oncoming and had to bail out. Dan got to pose for photos.


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


Traffic was still high through Rabbit Valley, due to the easy of access off the main road, and we made our way to get through it and away from folks quckly.


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


It didn’t take long to end up in the good stuff.


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

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IMG_3832 by mike digirat, on Flickr


The light sucked, it was overcast pretty badly and seemed like it could rain any moment. But the area was still very beautiful and it was hard to stay in the truck.


IMG_3834 by mike digirat, on Flickr

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

IMG_3835 by mike digirat, on Flickr

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

 

[Blackdawg]

We still moved at a good pace though. Or at least tried. Hard too in such photogenic spaces.


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

IMG_3837 by mike digirat, on Flickr

IMG_3839 by mike digirat, on Flickr

2017-09-27 - 00019 - The De-Tour - Day 11 by Dan, on Flickr

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

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


We weren’t even technically in Utah yet and were already hypnotized by the landscape.


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

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IMG_3840 by mike digirat, on Flickr

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

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[Blackdawg]

I mean its hard not too. Other than when we were driving and having fun in the dusty rocky washes.


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

IMG_3849 by mike digirat, on Flickr

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

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

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

The DeTour.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr

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

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

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

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


We were having a grand ole time. If only the sun would come out, I mean that’s why we drove all the way down here was to get away from crap weather!


2017-09-27 - 00022 - The De-Tour - Day 11 by Dan, on Flickr

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IMG_3852 by mike digirat, on Flickr


Fall colors haven’t fully hit down here yet though.


IMG_3854 by mike digirat, on Flickr

IMG_3860 by mike digirat, on Flickr

 

[Blackdawg]

We kept on still happy it wasn’t snowing and warm out.


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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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


Pushing onward, I still had hopes of getting far today. Felt a little bad for Dan as the first time I’d run this I went much slower, but the light was flat so the photo opportunities weren’t as abundant. The La Sal mountains were showing the faces now, one of our destinations.


IMG_3861 by mike digirat, on Flickr

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IMG_3862 by mike digirat, on Flickr

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I still think the Bikers get some of the best lines on this trail. But I didn’t envy them too much with the heat they had to endure.


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

IMG_3867 by mike digirat, on Flickr

2017-09-27 - 00029 - The De-Tour - Day 11 by Dan, on Flickr


And then we got to a spot i had remembered being a bit tight but still easily passible. It did NOT look like that anymore, looked really tight from the driver seat.


“Craps guys we might have a problem” I radioed and got out to check.


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

 

[Blackdawg]

I laughed at myself.


Dan soon was there and also was like, ****** dude, this looks fine?


“I swear to you it looks narrower when you’re in the truck!” I laughed.


Without much of a thought I jumped back in the truck and just drove on.


2017-09-27 - 00030 - The De-Tour - Day 11 by Dan, on Flickr

IMG_3869 by mike digirat, on Flickr

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


Mike kind of captured how it looks from the seat.


IMG_3873 by mike digirat, on Flickr


Dan was next again no issues. Still funny we even bothered about it ha


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

IMG_3874 by mike digirat, on Flickr

IMG_3875 by mike digirat, on Flickr


“That does look much tighter in the cab” said Dan as we watched Mike go through.


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


Would have been fun in Frankenstein, super tight then!

 

[Blackdawg]

The more or less fake excitement over with, we continued on to one of my favorite spots on the trail. Still a bit envious of the bike path..


2017-09-27 - 00033 - The De-Tour - Day 11 by Dan, on Flickr

IMG_3879 by mike digirat, on Flickr

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

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IMG_3880 by mike digirat, on Flickr

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

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

IMG_3881 by mike digirat, on Flickr

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I don’t know what it is. But this spot is just so damn Utah.


2017-09-27 - 00037 - The De-Tour - Day 11 by Dan, on Flickr

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

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IMG_3883 by mike digirat, on Flickr

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

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

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[Blackdawg]

Life was pretty damn good right now for us. No mud. No rain. No snow. And days of unknow dirt ahead. Well, sort of. We still had to get going and get to camp. Then figure out what the hell we were going to do the next few days.


Still. Our group was pretty stoked.

IMG_3892 by mike digirat, on Flickr

2017-09-27 - 00039 - The De-Tour - Day 11 by Dan, on Flickr

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

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

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

IMG_3893 by mike digirat, on Flickr

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I mean how could you not be with those views and this road to drive.


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

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

IMG_3886 by mike digirat, on Flickr


Would have been nice if the sun was out more I suppose. But we weren’t really complaining and hit the road again.


The DeTour-30.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, 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

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


We pause at the track and a group of motorbikes passed us. The next section I remember as fast, flat and fun.


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

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

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

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

 

[Blackdawg]

I stopped and told the guys to blow by me a full speed and setup a long ways down the open road.


The photos don’t do it justice at all, wasn’t what I was going for but man oh man having a taco dust you from 5’ away at 60+mph was awesome!


The DeTour-39.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

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

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


I caught back up with the guys and we all laughed. If you’re reading this you probably already understand that we are just a bunch of 6 year olds. Gotta enjoy the little things!


IMG_3897 by mike digirat, on Flickr

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Our high speed run done for the day we headed off to the next spot for fun, the Cisco wash. The weather around us constantly changing but still not bad where we were.


IMG_3906 by mike digirat, on Flickr

IMG_3907 by mike digirat, on Flickr


We got to the wash and saw the track from the bikers. It was of little surprise to see that water had run though there recently. Worried about the bottom’s conditions Dan and I checked it out. It is a pretty steep side after all..


2017-09-27 - 00042 - The De-Tour - Day 11 by Dan, on Flickr

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

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

IMG_3908 by mike digirat, on Flickr

 

[Blackdawg]

The mud was sticky but not sloppy. However, I was in front and with no lockers and no winch, we all agreed that Mike should be the first one to go. He had Mud terrain tires, dual lockers, and a winch. So we shuffled the order to let Mike go first.


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

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

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

2017-09-27 - 00043 - The De-Tour - Day 11 by Dan, on Flickr


With Igor out of the way and Dan, Mike dove in.


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

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

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

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

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And made it up with a bit of skinny pedal.


I opted to go next. No sure why but did.


IMG_3909 by mike digirat, on Flickr

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IMG_3911 by mike digirat, on Flickr

IMG_3913 by mike digirat, on Flickr

2017-09-27 - 00051 - The De-Tour - Day 11 by Dan, on Flickr