mightymo
Observer
This is a duplicate post, as I simply added to my "planning" post in the wrong section. Trying to post in the correct location on the forum + practice better forum etiquette. I've owned a few older LandRover Defenders, Disco 1, and a 4Runner. However, these past couple of years I had transitioned to a pickup truck. While the Superduty was very capable, it certainly made for an uncomfortable and stressful ride on the rocky forestry roads. A few weeks back I traded in the truck for a 2012 Mercedes Benz G550. I'd always wanted one, but thought their cost was unattainable for me. I think we're finally getting into an era where used Gwagens are more affordable for the average Joe. The following chronicles my first weekend trip in the Gwagen.
After looking through some Youtube videos, blogs, scouring AllTrails and ONX, we ended up driving the Tin Cup OHV trail. I took my "biggest" little man, Waylon (7yo), and my buddy Dave. Dave was supposed to convoy up with us in his awesome 80 series, but it must have the Cruiser version of COVID and had to spend some time in the shop. Instead, Dave opted to ride passenger in the Gwagen. We headed out after work on Friday from Colorado Springs, out towards Buena Vista, where we found some nice forestry roads in the Pike & San Isabel NF and made camp.
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The next morning we woke up around sunrise, to a crisp morning in the mid thirties. Us grown ups got dressed out in the cold, but I warmed up the truck for Waylon to get dressed in, which I think he appreciated. After some coffee and hot chocolate, we headed into town for breakfast at Jan's Restaurant to fill our bellies with a variety of pork and eggs. Plenty of fall color all around.
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We got back on the road around 0900 and drove to St. Elmo and the Tincup trailhead. We didn't spend any time in St. Elmo, as I was unfamiliar with its history, but I wish we should have. Waylon really wanted to join the other tiny humans who seemed to have chipmunks eating from their hands. Next time!
I think AllTrails says that the Tincup Trail is a bit over 13 miles, where it goes up to Tincup Pass, and down the mountain towards the small village of Tincup. The trail was not overly technical, but does offer a variety of rock gardens, steep inclines, and a fun little soft sand patch in the bottoms.
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After about 3 hours of driving the rocky trail, we made it to the top of Tincup Pass (12,154 feet). The G550 made fairly easy work of the trail up, and lots of beautiful scenery was observed.
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Waylon wanted to try to climb the summit of the mountain, although I thought it may have been too ambitous of task for a 7 year old who really hasn't had much of a chance to acclimate to the altitude. He proved my wrong, as he very dilligently kept climbing + hiking up to the rocky and somewhat exposed summit. I am not sure I have seen such an expression of achievement on his face. It was a proud father moment for sure.
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After our hike up, then back down to the truck, we continued Tincup trail down to Mirror Lake. I read that this lake is typically very placid, or almost glass like. The 25mph+ winds did not quite offer the same effect, but it was a pretty sight nonetheless. As we continued down the road, we found a series of very nice primative campsites (about 2mi from the village of Tincup). We cooked up hamburgers and brats on the camp stove, had some beers (more hot chocolate for the kiddo) and took in the beautiful sunset, half-expecting a bull moose to come out of the bog with a face full of lily pads.
View attachment 619416
After looking through some Youtube videos, blogs, scouring AllTrails and ONX, we ended up driving the Tin Cup OHV trail. I took my "biggest" little man, Waylon (7yo), and my buddy Dave. Dave was supposed to convoy up with us in his awesome 80 series, but it must have the Cruiser version of COVID and had to spend some time in the shop. Instead, Dave opted to ride passenger in the Gwagen. We headed out after work on Friday from Colorado Springs, out towards Buena Vista, where we found some nice forestry roads in the Pike & San Isabel NF and made camp.
View attachment 619402
View attachment 619403
View attachment 619405
The next morning we woke up around sunrise, to a crisp morning in the mid thirties. Us grown ups got dressed out in the cold, but I warmed up the truck for Waylon to get dressed in, which I think he appreciated. After some coffee and hot chocolate, we headed into town for breakfast at Jan's Restaurant to fill our bellies with a variety of pork and eggs. Plenty of fall color all around.
View attachment 619404
View attachment 619406
We got back on the road around 0900 and drove to St. Elmo and the Tincup trailhead. We didn't spend any time in St. Elmo, as I was unfamiliar with its history, but I wish we should have. Waylon really wanted to join the other tiny humans who seemed to have chipmunks eating from their hands. Next time!
I think AllTrails says that the Tincup Trail is a bit over 13 miles, where it goes up to Tincup Pass, and down the mountain towards the small village of Tincup. The trail was not overly technical, but does offer a variety of rock gardens, steep inclines, and a fun little soft sand patch in the bottoms.
View attachment 619407
View attachment 619408
After about 3 hours of driving the rocky trail, we made it to the top of Tincup Pass (12,154 feet). The G550 made fairly easy work of the trail up, and lots of beautiful scenery was observed.
View attachment 619414
Waylon wanted to try to climb the summit of the mountain, although I thought it may have been too ambitous of task for a 7 year old who really hasn't had much of a chance to acclimate to the altitude. He proved my wrong, as he very dilligently kept climbing + hiking up to the rocky and somewhat exposed summit. I am not sure I have seen such an expression of achievement on his face. It was a proud father moment for sure.
View attachment 619415
After our hike up, then back down to the truck, we continued Tincup trail down to Mirror Lake. I read that this lake is typically very placid, or almost glass like. The 25mph+ winds did not quite offer the same effect, but it was a pretty sight nonetheless. As we continued down the road, we found a series of very nice primative campsites (about 2mi from the village of Tincup). We cooked up hamburgers and brats on the camp stove, had some beers (more hot chocolate for the kiddo) and took in the beautiful sunset, half-expecting a bull moose to come out of the bog with a face full of lily pads.
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