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*NEW* COS's Labor Day Outing 2012: (Tons of Pics)
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So, this trip we were wanting to try something new. Instead of a base camp that we had to drive back too every evening, we just camped out of the Jeeps. After doing this, this will be the way I do this trip from now on!
Jeep loaded, and ready to go. Normally, I would look like a family of Gypsy's moving across country!! This is about 30% of the gear I would bring on a typical base camp situation! Don't judge....I like comfort!! LOL!! Attachment 361038 Normally, there would be a ton of gear on the roof rack.....this was much nicer, and kinder to the wallet, as far as gas mileage was concerned!! http://i293.photobucket.com/albums/m...jfan/155-1.jpg Heading south on HWY 115, towards Penrose: Attachment 361039 HWY 50, overlooking the Arkansas River valley: Attachment 361040 A shot of the Arkansas River between Cotopaxi and Canon City: Attachment 361041 Summit of Monarch Pass: Attachment 361042 Blue Mesa Reservoir....or at least what's left of it! We need a good snow pack this winter, or we are in for a horrible summer next year!! Attachment 361043 Starting up Engineer Pass from Lake City: Attachment 361044 Attachment 361045 Attachment 361046 |
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More shots along the way up Engineer Pass:
Attachment 361026 Attachment 361027 We camped right below this cabin. There are literally tons of old structures up in this area of Colorado! Attachment 361028 Home for the night! Attachment 361029 Attachment 361030 This creek was 10' from our tents...NICE!! So we thought....until going to bed. Then I realized....this damned creek is LOUD!! It wasn't as much a babbling brook, but more of a roaring river....at least that's what it sounded like from my tent!! Oh well....more whiskey!! http://i293.photobucket.com/albums/m...jfan/189-1.jpg Getting packed up, and ready to go the next morning! Attachment 361031 More shots on our way over Engineer Pass: Attachment 361032 Attachment 361033 http://i293.photobucket.com/albums/m...jfan/202-1.jpg |
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No need for words....WOW!!
Attachment 360978 Attachment 360979 Panoramic shot from the 1st summit of Engineer Pass: Attachment 360980 My XJ in it's natural habitat....LOL!! Attachment 360981 Attachment 360982 Engineer Pass Summit...the views from atop these high mountain passes are AMAZING!! Attachment 360983 Attachment 360984 Attachment 360985 Attachment 360986 Attachment 360987 |
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No need for text....Colorado's Beauty speaks for itself!!
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On the west side of Engineer, near Ouray. These deer got so close....I could have hunted them with a sharp stick!! There were 4 does, and 2 fawns in this group, but I didn't see any bucks....this one was the brave one of the group I suppose....or the stupid one....that can be a fine line at times!! LOL!!
Attachment 360961 We did the Poughkeepsie Gulch trail...but took no pictures during the run. There were only 2 of us, and between winching (for someone else), driving, and potential thunderstorms...there wasn't time, or desire! This is not a trail to run in the wet, so we kept moving!! Here is a link to a trail description, for anyone that is interested... http://www.traildamage.com/trails/index.php?id=77 Attachment 360962 Greg making his way out from Poughkeepsie: Attachment 360963 Attachment 360964 Attachment 360965 Lake Como, at the top end of Poughkeepsie Gulch....yes, the water is that blue!! Attachment 360966 Attachment 360967 Attachment 360968 What was the name of this summit again....? LOL, I think you can guess it, if you try real hard! Attachment 360969 A shot of the route we were taking down California Pass. For some reason I feel like I'm on top of the world up here!! http://i293.photobucket.com/albums/m...jfan/249-1.jpg |
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A shot of Lake Como from the top of California Pass:
Attachment 360926 There were boilers like this one all over the place up here!! Attachment 360927 Looking back on the east side of California Pass: Attachment 360928 Cinnamon Pass in the distance....and that's where we are headed! Attachment 360929 Like I said, there were old structures everywhere!! Attachment 360930 Attachment 360931 Attachment 360932 http://i293.photobucket.com/albums/m...jfan/261-1.jpg Attachment 360933 Attachment 360934 |
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Summit of Cinnamon Pass:
Attachment 360916 Looking westward from the summit: Attachment 360917 Looking eastward from the summit: Attachment 360918 A rental Jeep JK making it's way down the west side of the pass: Attachment 360919 There used to be road that went up into this upper bowl area, but it has been closed....oh well, plenty of roads up here to check out!! Attachment 360920 Attachment 360921 More old mining structure: Attachment 360922 American Basin....I really want to check it out, but we were toast, and running low on daylight, so we opted to head on down Cinnamon Pass a bit, and find a campsite. I want to get back up here, and check this basin out....it looks stunning!! Attachment 360923 Whew....camp is set up....now, to the whiskey!! Attachment 360924 Home, sweet home!! Little did we know...we had reserved a room with a view!! LOL!! Attachment 360925 |
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The views I was referring too:
Attachment 360906 Attachment 360907 We stayed at this camp site for 2 nights. We needed a chill day too, so this was it!! Getting back on the road after 2 nights, and heading down the rest of the pass, into Lake City. This is a shot back up the road, towards where we had camped: Attachment 360908 Avalanche chute....stuff like this makes me realize how powerful they are!! Attachment 360909 Attachment 360910 Attachment 360911 Attachment 360912 Lake San Cristobal....and the reason for the name Lake City: Attachment 360913 Attachment 360914 |
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What a cool little mountain town!! Tons of nice houses around the lake, and the whole area, really. Real estate has to be heavy dollars here....I can't see it being a poor Jeeper's hometown....so onward...coveting other people's realities!! LOL!!
Attachment 360895 Attachment 360896 Obligatory WHORE shot!! Attachment 360897 So, we went on into Gunnison from Lake City. This is where my partner peeled off to head home. I wanted to get at least one more night under the stars, so I opted to stay, and go into the back side of Taylor Park from Gunny. Throughout the trip, I had been hearing some discomfort coming from under the hood, but it sounded like the power steering pump, whining due to hot fluid, so I didn't pay it too much attention. As I pulled into Gunny, it became more audible....and I was able to tell it was the idler pulley bearing telling me good bye!! Hello NAPA parts lady....please have my part!! :fingerscrossed: They did, so I bought it, and went on about my business. I thought, no biggie, I'll swap it out if it goes out..... Well, well, well....imagine that!! So there I was...in the middle of nowhere...kinda, with this little issue!! LOL!! I had already convinced myself that this would be a 15 minute fix....TOPS!! WRONG!! Note to self....make a lacing diagram DUMMY!! Since I didn't have one, it took a little over an hour to figure out how the damned thing went!! I would have bet the house I had whooped it on at least 2 occasions...NOT....DOH!! Attachment 360898 So, can you guys see the problem?? LOL!! FYI....these things are hot as poo when this happens....ask me how I know!! LOL!! This little issue makes me think I need to have an idler pulley in my spare parts! I would hate for one to fail back when I was truly in the middle of frackin nowhere!! Attachment 360899 Back to the trip....here are a bunch of shots of a mining camp, and a mine up in Taylor Park, off of Lily Pond Road: Attachment 360900 Attachment 360901 Attachment 360902 Where's Waldo?? Attachment 360903 Attachment 360904 Attachment 360905 |
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Anybody want to get your back country doo-doo on?? Here you go!! This was actually in completely useable shape....although I didn't need it at the time.
Attachment 360886 Attachment 360887 Attachment 360888 The mine: Attachment 360889 Attachment 360890 Attachment 360891 More buildings around the area: Attachment 360892 Attachment 360893 Attachment 360894 I had never seen a hand hammered spike this size before. Seen some smaller, and some bigger, but none this size, so I had to take a picture of it! Pretty cool to think these guys built this place with handmade materials...not mass-produced stuff, like we use now. http://i293.photobucket.com/albums/m...sxjfan/321.jpg |
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Home for the night:
Attachment 360879 What a great camp site!! This was the nicest site of the trip!! Attachment 360880 The view from my living room....kinda ok, if you ask me!!: Attachment 360881 We had great weather all week....until the last night, go figure!! It started raining shortly after I hit the rack, and rained pretty much all night. I got up the next morning to clouds, and a little rain, and thought I was ready to head home. I took a few shots of Lily Pond, and the Collegiate Peaks in the background. The pond is covered in lily pads....so it's more than just a clever name!! LOL!! Attachment 360882 Attachment 360883 http://i293.photobucket.com/albums/m...sxjfan/317.jpg A shot eastward from the summit of Cottonwood Pass: Attachment 360884 I have been over Cottonwood more times than I care to count, but I had never been to Cottonwood Lake on the east side of the pass, so I had to go check it out on the way home...pretty nice!! There is some single track access from this side that I was unaware of....I may have to get the dirt bike over here someday! Taylor is a great place to ride quality motorcycle single track trails!! http://i293.photobucket.com/albums/m...sxjfan/329.jpg A shot of some mountains off of HWY 24 looking north. The valley leading up too it merits exploration on the ADV bike at some point. Too bad I have to work....I would make a great retired person!! Attachment 360885 We had a great time, and can't wait for the next one!! I feel lucky to live in a state with such accessible beauty!! I hope you guys enjoy the report!! |
It took forever, but I finally got it done!!
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Great pics. Looks like it was a blast.
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Awesome pics. Wish i could get out west..someday
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I always enjoy living vicariously through your summertime adventures. The pics are awesome as usual. Can't wait for the next round.
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