Ace Brown
Retired Ol’ Fart
This trip was another Retired Ol’ Farts adventure. We met in Green River, Utah on Aug 21, enjoyed dinner at famous Ray’s Tavern, and headed out on the UTBDR the next morning. The first day was hot and dusty but later we had showers that dropped the temp and dust. Camp first night was Cedar Mountain Overlook with some great views of the expansive desert spread out 1500 ft below. More thunderstorms with wind made camping on the edge interesting. Early the next morning I got very sick and was unable to drive so i stayed in camp while the others explored nearby. By the third day i was back to traveling but very weak. That day we got up into the high country with lots of ridge running around 9000 ft. Great views in all directions. We found a great creekside camp that evening. Overnight temps were very comfortable at 50*. We continued north on the UTBDR to near Henefer where we left the route and headed east to beyond Evanston, Wyoming. Then down through Flaming Gorge NRA and continued to Brown’s Hole where we found a very cheap group campsite. Last time i was there most of the road was washboarded dirt. No longer the case. Most of the entire route was paved. We regrouped in Craig, CO and picked up the COBDR in Steamboat Springs. Next camp was Stagecoach SP. We had been getting significant rainy afternoons and the roads were getting soft. Time to consider options but the next day roads were rockier and less mud was seen. Day eight was a long drive through the Upper Colorado River valley with a stop in Gypsum for fuel snd stuff. The next nights camp was creekside with its comforting sound and good sleeping. Next day was the long drive up to the Continental Divide at Hagerman Pass and the highpoint of the entire trip at 11,925 ft. Much of the road here is on the old railroad right of way that once tunneled through the Rockies at the Alpine Tunnel. It was closed in 1910 but the road up to it is a good 4x4 drive but was not set to reopen until Sept 1. Hagerman is quite rocky and the wet rocks made it interesting. The descent is less rocky but washed out in places. We finally dropped onto historic Leadville, the highest incorporated town in America. After more supplies we camped below Turquoise Lake Dam. Rain showers overnight and the next morning made breaking camp a chore. We continued on over Weston Pass at 11,920 ft with more rain and quite cold temps. The remainder of the day was meandering through narrow forest roads, stream crossings and views of extensive beaver dams.
We came to pavement early in the afternoon where I made the tough decision to head for home due to extreme exhaustion. Arrived home in Cedaredge about 7pm. Four others continued south on the BDR and I hope they will continue the story. In fact i hope all of us will contribute to this report.
Photos and more detail soon.
We came to pavement early in the afternoon where I made the tough decision to head for home due to extreme exhaustion. Arrived home in Cedaredge about 7pm. Four others continued south on the BDR and I hope they will continue the story. In fact i hope all of us will contribute to this report.
Photos and more detail soon.
