Northern Colorado Mountain Run July 24-26 2015

[Deleted]

Let's go see some Colorado High Country! We'll have a great time with good folks, see some scenery that's only found in Colorado, maybe see some wildlife, and challenge our jeep's ability on the trails just a bit, along with our driving skills.
I'm setting a little bit later date than in the past, still trying to get far enough along so that the Forest Service can get their gates open, so I can show you folks the trails I like so well. I'm looking at July 24-26.

Same campsite as in the past, Cherokee Park State Wildlife Area, Upper Unit. Northwest of Fort Collins. I'll post directions a little later for those who need help finding the place.

Friday, the 24th, we can do a couple of "recon" runs, to check the gates and trail conditions so that the main run on Saturday will be the best it can be. Friday night, good time around the campfire.

Saturday, as in the past, we will leave camp at around 0900 so that late arrivals can make it. We'll be on the trail all day Saturday, so bring lunch. Saturday night, Rock Stew for all!

Sunday morning we will have a nice camp-community breakfast, then those that need to can load up and head out, while those who want to can take a short ride before loading up.

This date is still flexible, but needs to be fixed ASAP. If anyone has a problem with this date and would like to attend, let me know SOON! I know we may not be able to please everybody, but I want to make this possible for the most.

Anyone having questions (and there had better be some!) ask them here and I'll answer here, so all can benefit from them.



BOOGITY!! BOOGITY!! BOOGITY!! LET'S GO JEEPIN!!

[rudycon]

In! I can help lead/gun/recon trails if you need extra help.

Just let me know what I can do to help.

Request for time off APPROVED. It is on the calendar.

[Deleted]

If I can keep the yellow scourge running I plan to be there.

[Deleted]

I'll come down on thursday and be on hand to help keep all those cooler lids lubed up and functioning. Of course we'll have to sample the contents. Hopefully we can circle the wagons and form a defense perimeter. Can't have those timber tigers attacking you know! Oil

[Deleted]

Well!,, I'm glad to see we have some interest, I was starting to wonder! But as I've always said, "If I'm the only one there, I'm gonna have a good time"!
I've managed to get the entire week before, off, and hope to get up there by Tuesday or so. If anyone would like to get there early in the week, let me know and I'll make sure I'm there.
Anyone need directions? BW

[Deleted]

Wonder if the 18 miles of gravel washed any more? The drive to the camp is called loaded and Jeeping. Pretty place. Oil

[rudycon]

loaded and jeeping...That's "Overlanding!" I'm not sure overlanding/expedition is possible unless you have a 12v fridge/freezer though. Seems to be required equipment. *shrugs*

I wheeled Moab, UT on my way back from Arizona once with 12 cases of bootleg Two Buck Chuck clanking around in the back of the 4Runner.

We almost always head home a "fun" way from Moab. Dirt roads to Nucla, pick up some of the Kokopelli trail, get up on Dome Plateau on the way home...loaded and jeeping.

Really looking forward to the trip and firepit BSing.

[Deleted]

Steven, you described "overlanding' to me. I think the Oilleaker Inn's refridgerator qualifies this for me. Oilleaker Overlander. Sounds like a awesome machine. Clicks like a HBR. See you soon. Oilly

[rudycon]

Right on, OilLeaker. Looking forward to the event.

CB Antenna Tuning:

I plan on bringing my antenna analyzer with me. I'll help tune anyone's CB antenna (or any antenna up to about 146Mhz) when we're in camp. Takes a fraction of the time you can spend with an SWR meter if you have an adjustable antenna.

I'll bring a simple SWR/Power meter/dummy load too so we can check your output too.

[Deleted]

We'll have to start calling you "Radar" . Wasn't he the radio man on mash?

[rudycon]

Yeah that's Radar all right. lotta quirks with that guy, but...he did mail a Jeep back home 1 piece at a time!

REALLY looking forward to this trip. Been working days and nights this week. Time for a vacation!
I hope to pull in around noon on Friday.

Can you guys leave me a note someplace with your Friday route plans? I'll try to catch you on the trail using that plus my Indian Tracker Skills. (I just follow the twin skinny tire tracks)

CB 4 and FRS 4? Might help me find you guys.

Almost ready to pull out.
Track me live in the JK via APRS.
Track the rudycon

[Deleted]

Rudy, that tracking thing is cool!.

[rudycon]

That was a great trip! The trails were perfectly suited to the little flatfender scamps. The weather was unbeatable and the companionship was made it feel like a family vacation.
Thank you Bruce for hosting this event. OK, enough chitchat. Where's the photos?!


Finished my load-out Friday morning. Let's GO!

Rudycon and the studeawillys at Ted's Place (last chance for gas and stuff.)


Bruce at basecamp



Basecamp


The rudyboyz at basecamp


Colorado sky and trail


Grumpy shows us how to negotiate tight colorado trails


Oilleaker, Carol and Bugsy enjoying the views along the trail


Bruce gets inspired Sunday morning at this valley view (with LTE cellular service!)


The valley


Lifted up my windshield to find this mirror image willys logo in the dust on the hood.


Beetle kill was heavy in this area.


Never know what you'll find in the bottom of the outhouse!


Great patina on this old cabin. The wild strawberries around here were delicious!


bugsy parked at the old cabin


What can I say, I've got a thing for outhouses.


We ran out of trail but the turn-around area was beautiful.


Studeawillys on turn-around safari


Bruce turned around in the aspens


studeawillys at the end of the trail turn-around too. Just beautiful. And there was a babbling brook!



Bruce turns Uncle Linden around.


crossing a meadow


A knight's Axe and oil leaker's oil lantern back at basecamp

[Haines Garage]

Great photos Sir Rudy... Sir Bruce is a Hero of mine from way back in the CJ2A era. He kicks Ass!!!
Wish I was there with you. Have a great time!!!

[Deleted]

Thanks to Bruce for another great Rocky Mtn. Run. Rudy, your pictures are special. Great job. I'm still wondering just how long your arm is. Taking that selfie under the outhouse had to be a pisser! What a Jeep massage we had. Beautiful and fun. Good times, good people, and fond memories. Oilly

[Deleted]

Bastages!................ Beautiful country, great photo's, how many Jeeps ?.


Lee

[Deleted]

Lee, We had five jeeps - Three CJ2-A's, a CJ3B, and a GPW. Great times. I want to thank everyone who came. Without any one of ya, it wouldn't have been so great. Bruce

[Deleted]

Just had a brainstorm idea for the studewillys. Build a bracket and mount up a old cast iron bell clapper. The one you pull on a rope and the clapper/hammer rings the bell. Make it out of copper. That's seems to be what the fuel pump responds to when it quits. Just pull on the rope and never get out of the drivers seat. Genious! Oilly

[rudycon]

Good idea, Oilleaker. It would save me from jumping out with my magic copper wand and slinging myself under the rig to give the pump a reminder that we're not done yet.

Day 1: hit the pump 2 or 3 times.
Day 2: didn't have to hit the pump.
Day 3: didn't have to hit the pump (but it was also a pretty short trip)

It was about the same in South Dakota. One day I had to get out and hit the pump 3 times. The next day? 0.
Hot pump MAY have something to do with it. It SEEMS to get stuck most often about 2 minutes after a break, or a couple of minutes after I drive through a puddle.

I have tried 2 of these airtex 6 volt pumps. They both quit. *shrugs*

[Deleted]

Thx for the fotos Rudy.. look forward to jeeping with you guys on the FCT!!

[rudycon]

My phone videos all sucked, but I gotta get at least one shot of Split Personality up for your guys.


Here is another crappy video of a smelly mud puddle



It was pretty rough out there. Frankly, This wasn't the roughest section. On the real rough parts you just pick your way along choosing which watermelon sized rock to roll over.

[Haines Garage]

Cool videos. Mud puddles and bumpy roads..
Too much fun.

[Deleted]

Colorado has just plain hard granite rocky trails. They are very narrow and trees are on both sides not allowing much deviation. You find the soft dirt stuff in the valley bottoms and in the aspen groves. The steep parts-----------Holy Cow! That's where it gets interesting. No videos there, no time since you are doing all you can just to make it without bashing your Jeep on the boulders. Challenging and not for beginers. I'm quite proud of how "salty" these guys are. They are go to Jeep people. I'm honored to trail with them. I'm right about now thinking of all that delicious rock stew Bruce is undoubtedly savoring. He made enough for 50 hungry people. Thanks Rudycon for the pictures and videos! I love to hear your comments too! Always a suttle snide, and meaningful remark. Keeps me smiling. Oilly

[Deleted]

Took two days to get things cleaned up. My trailer and pickup/camper happened to leave the pavement, right after the mag water truck had made his run. It stayed wet all the time we were there and in the mornings, I had water dripping on my tires from the underside of the fenders. I hate that stuff. My rear mud flaps worked well for the mud, but bounced all the small gravel rocks up on the trailer deck which then got stuck between the wooden deck cracks. 1.5 hours later, I had them out. Day two was Bugsey's turn. Alot of mud ended up on the cement for sure. I was thinking how I added Colorado to my rear shop property with granite pebbles and aspen grove dirt. Carol made a bunch of bandanas with extra fabric she had and they got used!!!!!! Sure glad we had them. Dust on the roads. Lots of it. Bugsey's air filter had 1/8 inch of dirt at the bottom of the oil bath air filter. The Rocky Mtns. are always worth it. Next summer, I'll see what the Canadian Rockies are like. Our tour guide is Chuckie. ( Binthere) I think to miss his meet would be a mistake. I hope all my trail pals will be there. Oilly