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Awesome build and great looking photos! You have come a long ways from when you first purchased it. I have to ask do you miss your Ford Ranger or you pretty much forgot about it?
It's not where I'd like it to be, but I love where it's at. She gets the job done, and does it well. Quite honestly, I miss it at times. If I had to choose, I'd take Judith the XJ any day!
I've finally got around to going through pictures from the trip! Thought I'd share them with whoever pays attention to this.
We left from Custer State Park in the heart of the Black Hills in South Dakota. I have been fortunate enough to spend a quite alot of time around there. It's a fantastic area, and I would recommend a trip there to anybody.
9-3-17
From there, we spent our first night in Colorado springs. First time I was able to test out the sleeping platform and how we had everything setup. It went well, Dinner was steak and beans.. Just because.
9-4-17
I made my way up to the top of Pikes Peak, this was a very personal part of the trip. None the less it was awesome to see it again. This is when we decided to head toward Telluride, Colorado. Ever since I picked up this XJ I have dreamed of driving Black Bear. This was kinda why I bought it in the first place! Back when I was 16 I found this warn add that was supposedly "Black Bear Pass". I gave it a good 'ol google, and ever since I knew I had to go.
9-5-17
This day, we arrived in Telluride! I was estatic to have actually made it. The first two days I was just way to intimdated to hit trails. The San Juan mountains just toward what I was used to! I was blown away at how maginicent it all was!
9-7-17
I finally mustard up the courage get out into the mountains. I took Imogene pass from Telluride to Ouray, Colorado. We were lucky enough to get amazing weather and had an awesome day! I constantly wish I could get back out there and do it all again. Imogene was an awesome trail easy, and fun!
9-8-17
This day I took Ophir pass, to Red Moutain pass out to the Alpine Loop. Once again, I was blown away from the beauty the San Juan mountains hold. I was able to stop at quite a few old mining remants. The history of the Gold rush era shows everywhere you go. Another reason I wanted to explore this area so bad. Enigneer pass was a blast! I went over the actual pass toward Lake City. While on my way up I ran into a "traffic jam", a F-350 dually with a bed camper had began going down engineer pass. He wasnot able to fit down most of it, and having quite a bit of trouble. I was turned around on the back side of Engineer as someone on an adventure bike had gone over the edge.
9-10-17
This was the day, I began to head toward Ouray to run Black Bear pass. I stopped at a gas station once I got to Ouray, I met a couple guys in there wives in a JKUR, LJ, and a super built TJ. Thankfully they let me run Black Bear with their group. I still cant believe I was able to accomplish what I've dreamt of doing for so long. The jeep did fantastic! The scenery was beautiful, and I will never forget it!
Next time I post, I'll share the three days I spent in Moab Utah, and the amount of fun I had!
Awesome pictures like normal! I have been to CO before but taking my Jeep through CO trails is on my bucket list for sure. Such a beautiful area out there.
Nice pictures! I am hoping to make another trip down to the Ouray. I would like to do the Alpine loop and maybe Black Bear pass, (is it as intimidating as it's seems?) It just depends on who I go down there with? (if they are up for Black Bear?)
Great stuff! thank you for sharing! I used to live in the springs and have done some of these. See that image of Imogene Pass? that is exactly what the road to our mountain property looks like. Eat your sidewalls up kind of stuff!
Awesome scenery man!
One day I’ll do those trips, did you go with a group?
I went by myself, I would arrive at the trail head and wait for another person to show up. This way I wasn't always alone!
Originally Posted by 5-Speed
Awesome pictures like normal! I have been to CO before but taking my Jeep through CO trails is on my bucket list for sure.
Such a beautiful area out there.
Thanks! It was an awesome trip, and I was very fortunate everything went somewhat accordingly!
Originally Posted by JandDGreens
Nice pictures! I am hoping to make another trip down to the Ouray. I would like to do the Alpine loop and maybe Black Bear pass, (is it as intimidating as it's seems?) It just depends on who I go down there with? (if they are up for Black Bear?)
So, Black bear. I was super intimidated the whole way to the switchbacks. Once we started going down I relaxed and was really enjoying it! All you need to know is to drive smart, and be aware!
I just talked to some one who has done Black Bear a couple of times and he said the trail isn't really that big of deal. I kind of figure like you said. It is intimidating up until the point of no return and probably since your committed you have no choice but to concentrate on you paying close attention to what your doing. Several guys (from our club) have been talking about going down to Ouray next August. I'm seriously planning on going down there even if it's by myself.
I just talked to some one who has done Black Bear a couple of times and he said the trail isn't really that big of deal. I kind of figure like you said. It is intimidating up until the point of no return and probably since your committed you have no choice but to concentrate on you paying close attention to what your doing. Several guys (from our club) have been talking about going down to Ouray next August. I'm seriously planning on going down there even if it's by myself.
I agree, it's an amazingly beautiful trail, you just need to pay attention to the trail! When do you think you would go?
9-12-17
Our first day in Moab was spent trying to track down a place to camp along the Colorado river. The first site had way to many people, so we drove around until we found the perfect place to stop. It wasn't too difficult that day, pretty easy and straight forward.
9-13-17
So, we went to Arches national park to enjoy some "watered down nature", and paved trails. I was pretty bummed, however we did some off trail hiking to check it all out. Around that afternoon I was dying to hit some of the red dirt roads around here. We shot over to Gemini bridges, and that's where things became interesting. I ended up taking a side road that wasn't marked but on my map as "Two Tortoise Road". This turned into the most difficult trail I have taken on my own. I had the best time in my jeep that I ever had. It was my first exposure to trails in Moab, and I loved ever moment of it! We ended up being spat out onto Gold bar rim I believe. It was such an awesome day.
9-14-17
We camped out by the Fins and Things trail head, and had an early start to the day. Fins and things was a fun trail to take, especially knowing that I wa able to take on a very well know trails. I'll be honest, Two Tortoise was way more difficult than Fins and things. None the less, I had a great time and met some awesome people!
9-15-17
Unfortunately the heat beat me. We decided to head into Salt Lake city to see some friends. Whilst there I was able to meet Dr. Moab (see how many people recognize the name). Had some really needed maintenance take care of, and got ready to hit Wyoming. From here there wasn't too many wheeling trips taken until I returned to South Dakota for the 25th Jeep Jamboree. Let me know if you want to hear about Grand Teton National Park, Yellowstone National Park, Montana, and Alaska! If not I'll just skip to the Jamboree!
Here I have links to the video I was able to get of Two Tortoise, and Fins and things!
I agree, it's an amazingly beautiful trail, you just need to pay attention to the trail! When do you think you would go?
Really planning on mid August. Moab is another place I want to return to with the guys to do some trails. When my wife goes it limits my choices of trails I go on!!!
9-22-17
This is the day I was able to participate in my first Jeep jamboree. I was fortunate enough to attend as a "guest". I had such a good time, getting out on the trails in my own backyard. Not only did I learn alot, but throughout everything my Jeep had been through that month taught me just how capable that little box is. I ended up taking all the red trails, as a friend of mine was taking them (the gentleman that invited me later joined us in his 6.4l swapped JK on 40's). The trail ran along BLM land and into a well known area called Camp 5. I didnt take many photos, but I did take some videos! Check out the little montage I threw together of the Jamboree. Unfortunately I was unable to make the second day as our flight to Alaska would leave the next day, and with a 14 hour drive ahead of us, I knew we had to hit the road!
Sorry I've been lacking so heavily with the posts. Being recently un-employed, moving back to Illinois for the time being, then ACCEPTED into a School in the Black hills. Life has taken weird turns (along with a new bike project). I still have lots to do on the Jeep, Restore the roof rack, re-wire all my lighting, install a MASSIVE vair on board air setup, and re-do my headliner. Enjoy the video!
*P.S.
Turns out, I was the smallest jeep. Everyone was rocking 35s+, I made it through on 31s and a level head
10-19-2017, 07:46 PM
