- Joined
- June 16, 2003
- Messages
- 31,590
- Reaction score
- 3,270
- City, State
- Humboldt, KS
- Year, Model & Trim Level
- 2000 Mounty
Well gang,
It has been quite a while ago my lovely bride and I stomped around Colorado. Not wanting to get lost, or eaten by a bear alone, I suggested to Gmanpaint he should try to go along. I'm pretty sure I can out run him, if a bear was to show up. Besides, he's probably more tasty also.
anyway, One thing led to another, and, since Traveler moved away without a good send-off I also asked if he could go. He'd be okay because he's pretty fast.
We all armed ourselves with bear spray and started planning-wrenching, fixing, breaking and refixing stuff, Gman had to work a real job while doing all this extra quick wrenching, so I commend his efforts. I'm not sure about Traveler and his stress level but I do know he closed on a house during this vacay-
I don't know how they did it but they both got it all together and things began to take shape for a real honest to goodness camping and exploring week!
The "plan" was to go to the Leadville area for a nights rest while Traveler scouted a campsite a little in advance at a backup place. Gman would meet up with Sheri and I at my parents house for dinner, sleep and early departure.
Gman had to turn around due to the load on his hitch rack, remove it and resume the trip to KC.
Dinner was good, sleep was good, time to head out came and wouldn't you know it the emergency brakes I had been working on for days have said expletive to the world. Heck with it. they can click like a tap dancer. I want to head west.
Somehow we managed to get some bad gas into Gmans truck somewhere in Kansas at a 24/7 gas stop. At least I hope it was bad gas. every 100 miles his CEL would flash, we'd sit for a minute to allow it to go off, and go on our way. We stopped in Hays and Colby at Oriellys to get a code scanner. Finally got one in Colby, read the codes, Gman got some "just in case " parts and away we went again. Once we hit Denver the CEL stopped. It seemed like once the gas was burned off and good gas was in the tank things went well.
Then the bad. West of Denver there was a bad accident closing I70 for the night. People were literally camping on the side of the highway to wait it out. The only way around was Loveland pass -route 6 at a little after midnight .
so, I see a route 6 sign and hit it. We take a nice cruise thru Central city, up a mountain and right back to I70. A nice little 1 hour wrong turn detour at early AM hours thanks to yours truly.
Another 15 miles up I70 we finally see the route 6 Loveland pass exit. Later than1:am
It's a climb. it was dark. trans temp hit 235 going up that hill. Betty was packed like the mule she is. We had at least 1000lbs of stuff in the back and on top.
Then the downhill. Following 2 trucks going exactly 15 MPH. no more, no less. for miles. down a hill. I can still hear the grinding and hissing of the brakes-
Finally made it to blue river cabin in the woods at around 2:30 AM. A cold Colorado drizzling rain greeted us.
I myself enjoyed the little A frame place, for a bed, shower and git-
Traveler somehow made it up to Weston pass late the prior evening, set up camp and determined it was raining too much. He then drove up to our location, and we tried to develop a plan.
I'm not 100% sure but was almost certain since it was raining, and we were in Colorado during the monsoon season, we should go southwest of Buena vista to try to avoid the rain. We discussed this over breakfast.
So, instead of the Leadville spot with easy access, I led the group to Tincup pass. Sheri and I had been there about 8 years ago. I remebered open campsites along the chalk and cascade area access-
A lot can change on those roads. What used to be free and open camp sites were now natl park campgrounds and filled to the brim. So, we drove up, and up, and ouch how much more of this road can I take, when some Jeepers who were leaving turned us on to a campsite about 1.5 miles up the actual tincup pass road. With some firewood and water. Cool.
Maybe.
Think about driving on a road with bowling balls, and broken cinder blocks everywhere. That would be close. now add 10 inch deep puddles strategically placed so you have to catch them with every wheel, one wheel at a time. With a bowling ball in the middle. for a mile and half. every day. The trip to cell service was 1 hour, gas was 1 hour 20 minutes from camp on a fast trip.
Yup, we were up there. Right next to a crystal clear river. Elk poop in spots. 10,400 ft elevation or so.
OK, time to set up. Grab the bag of tent stakes, grab the tent, realize my mistake, throw the tent on the ground and try to catch my breath.
That pretty much sets the stage. Every truck was packed like a mule. I mean, I think I bent a leaf spring packed like a mule, going up that road all loaded down-
We drove up Iron City road, then on to Mount Princeton summit trail. My trans overheated on the way up because I was an idiot and climbed the whole thing in 4wd hi. At 14,000 ft she was floored and barely climbed the last little hill on the top.
We also completed the Tincup pass , Made it to Tincup City just in time for a cold rain, but did manage to get a few pictures of the Tincup cemetery.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tincup,_Colorado
http://cozine.com/1996-october/tincup-the-cemetery-of-four-knolls/
I have a lot more to say, but it is time for some pictures and input from @gmanpaint and @traveler.
Oh, by the way. Traveler doesn't think they need that fire ring on top of Mount Princeton anymore.
It has been quite a while ago my lovely bride and I stomped around Colorado. Not wanting to get lost, or eaten by a bear alone, I suggested to Gmanpaint he should try to go along. I'm pretty sure I can out run him, if a bear was to show up. Besides, he's probably more tasty also.
anyway, One thing led to another, and, since Traveler moved away without a good send-off I also asked if he could go. He'd be okay because he's pretty fast.
We all armed ourselves with bear spray and started planning-wrenching, fixing, breaking and refixing stuff, Gman had to work a real job while doing all this extra quick wrenching, so I commend his efforts. I'm not sure about Traveler and his stress level but I do know he closed on a house during this vacay-
I don't know how they did it but they both got it all together and things began to take shape for a real honest to goodness camping and exploring week!
The "plan" was to go to the Leadville area for a nights rest while Traveler scouted a campsite a little in advance at a backup place. Gman would meet up with Sheri and I at my parents house for dinner, sleep and early departure.
Gman had to turn around due to the load on his hitch rack, remove it and resume the trip to KC.
Dinner was good, sleep was good, time to head out came and wouldn't you know it the emergency brakes I had been working on for days have said expletive to the world. Heck with it. they can click like a tap dancer. I want to head west.
Somehow we managed to get some bad gas into Gmans truck somewhere in Kansas at a 24/7 gas stop. At least I hope it was bad gas. every 100 miles his CEL would flash, we'd sit for a minute to allow it to go off, and go on our way. We stopped in Hays and Colby at Oriellys to get a code scanner. Finally got one in Colby, read the codes, Gman got some "just in case " parts and away we went again. Once we hit Denver the CEL stopped. It seemed like once the gas was burned off and good gas was in the tank things went well.
Then the bad. West of Denver there was a bad accident closing I70 for the night. People were literally camping on the side of the highway to wait it out. The only way around was Loveland pass -route 6 at a little after midnight .
so, I see a route 6 sign and hit it. We take a nice cruise thru Central city, up a mountain and right back to I70. A nice little 1 hour wrong turn detour at early AM hours thanks to yours truly.
Another 15 miles up I70 we finally see the route 6 Loveland pass exit. Later than1:am
It's a climb. it was dark. trans temp hit 235 going up that hill. Betty was packed like the mule she is. We had at least 1000lbs of stuff in the back and on top.
Then the downhill. Following 2 trucks going exactly 15 MPH. no more, no less. for miles. down a hill. I can still hear the grinding and hissing of the brakes-
Finally made it to blue river cabin in the woods at around 2:30 AM. A cold Colorado drizzling rain greeted us.
I myself enjoyed the little A frame place, for a bed, shower and git-
Traveler somehow made it up to Weston pass late the prior evening, set up camp and determined it was raining too much. He then drove up to our location, and we tried to develop a plan.
I'm not 100% sure but was almost certain since it was raining, and we were in Colorado during the monsoon season, we should go southwest of Buena vista to try to avoid the rain. We discussed this over breakfast.
So, instead of the Leadville spot with easy access, I led the group to Tincup pass. Sheri and I had been there about 8 years ago. I remebered open campsites along the chalk and cascade area access-
A lot can change on those roads. What used to be free and open camp sites were now natl park campgrounds and filled to the brim. So, we drove up, and up, and ouch how much more of this road can I take, when some Jeepers who were leaving turned us on to a campsite about 1.5 miles up the actual tincup pass road. With some firewood and water. Cool.
Maybe.
Think about driving on a road with bowling balls, and broken cinder blocks everywhere. That would be close. now add 10 inch deep puddles strategically placed so you have to catch them with every wheel, one wheel at a time. With a bowling ball in the middle. for a mile and half. every day. The trip to cell service was 1 hour, gas was 1 hour 20 minutes from camp on a fast trip.
Yup, we were up there. Right next to a crystal clear river. Elk poop in spots. 10,400 ft elevation or so.
OK, time to set up. Grab the bag of tent stakes, grab the tent, realize my mistake, throw the tent on the ground and try to catch my breath.
That pretty much sets the stage. Every truck was packed like a mule. I mean, I think I bent a leaf spring packed like a mule, going up that road all loaded down-
We drove up Iron City road, then on to Mount Princeton summit trail. My trans overheated on the way up because I was an idiot and climbed the whole thing in 4wd hi. At 14,000 ft she was floored and barely climbed the last little hill on the top.
We also completed the Tincup pass , Made it to Tincup City just in time for a cold rain, but did manage to get a few pictures of the Tincup cemetery.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tincup,_Colorado
http://cozine.com/1996-october/tincup-the-cemetery-of-four-knolls/
I have a lot more to say, but it is time for some pictures and input from @gmanpaint and @traveler.
Oh, by the way. Traveler doesn't think they need that fire ring on top of Mount Princeton anymore.
