Off Roading 1st Decent off-road trip with the CTD

[milehiscott]

This last weekend I finally got to go on a trip with some other people and do a decent 4x4 road. No it wasn't the hardest in the world, but it was fun. A handfull of us went up the Lamartine, Saxton trail out of Idaho Springs, CO. It is moderate difficulty, very scenic and has some old mines.

I'm starting to get used to how a diesel handles off-road and what gear to use when. It turns out that she really likes the steep hills that the short wheel base vehicles strugle to get up!!

One of the best parts is that the guy with the camera was following me! Pictures of the trip



Scott

Oo. Oo. Oo. Oo.

 

[rspinks]

Beautiful

Man that is gorgeous country, how far from Denver is Idaho Springs? What sort of elevation is that at? Looks like awesome sledding country in the winter. I wouldn't mind moving to Denver, a mechanical engineer from work just got a job there with a big mining company, MAN I think it is?



Anyways thanks for posting that. Hope you didn't get too many scratches in that nice black paint .

 

[fkovalski]

Scott- Nice photos! looks like you had a great day. I'll have to check that trail out one of these days. Any good camping/ fishing up that way? Let me know if you want to check out 4Wheelin' in SumCO. There are some awesone trails between Blue River and Boreas Pass that I checked out this past weekend. Gotta' compound out some scratches though. Cheers! -frank

 

[milehiscott]

Originally posted by rspinks

Man that is gorgeous country, how far from Denver is Idaho Springs? What sort of elevation is that at? Looks like awesome sledding country in the winter.



Hope you didn't get too many scratches in that nice black paint .

Idaho Spgs is about 30 miles west of Denver. The trail goes from ~7000'- ~10,000'. I'm not too sure about sledding in that area. If you go another 30 miles west to Summit County or NW over by Winter Park there is some GREAT sledding areas, both back country and open fields.

As for the scratches, nothing a little wax won't fix.



Kovalski-

Where are you in Summit? I used to live in Mesa Cortina (above Silverthorne to West, behind Formby). If you're talking about the roads that I think you are, they are great!!!Oo. They connect at the top with Saints John and drop into Montazuma or go over to South Park. One leg is close to Como were Boreas Pass comes out, and I forget where the other one comes out. When you get on top, there is a maze of roads.

Another good road you need to check out is the dump road (Keystone). After you pass the land fill, there is a shooting range and then the road goes into the forest. If you go to the end you will be looking over I-70, the Gore range and on a clear day can see the Mount of the Holy Cross!!

The road in my pictures had some good camping, no fishing. Too many mines if there was any water anyhow.



Scott

 

[duaneparks]

That is pretty country up there. I also like what you've done to your truck... I haven't seen any non-sport models around houston wearing body colored grilles. Looks cool.



The girlfriend and I were in Denver a little over a year ago and saw quite a bit of that area... we flew to Denver and drove to Vail where we stayed. We also visited Aspen, and WOW, what a scenic drive between the two, especially if you go by the twin lakes then up through Independence Pass (I think that was the name).



Did you end up getting gauges?



Duane

 

[milehiscott]

Duane,

The way I got the black grill was, a buddy of mine messed up his chrome one. So I gave him mine and he bought an after market black one for me. Can you believe that Dodge wants $400 for the grill?!?



Independence Pass is a great drive.



No, I don't have the gauges yet. I'm waiting for 2 things: 1) the new Isspro line that is supposed to be released at the end of the month. 2)The wife to let me. :{



Scott

 

[GiesJ]

I don't mean to butt in but Scott -

I am having serious paint issues on my sport grille and could not find any good information on aftermarket Grilles. could you post or pm me on where you got yours? thanks,

jason

 

[milehiscott]

Gies,

My friend bought it from a shop here in Denver. I'll get the info and PM you. If my memory is right, and it might not be, it was around $140. It was black plastic and I put a coat of paint to match and clear coat (rattle cans).

Scott

 

[fkovalski]

Scott, I live in Dillon, work in Frisco. One of my oft traveled trails is Pennsylvania Creek trail. It traverses Indiana Creek from the Blue River side up to Boreas Pass. It crosses the divide at the “Dead Forrest. ” Awesome camping up there! I regularly go to the shooting range. Don’t know when you were here last, but they really cleaned it up! Last week went over Tincup Pass (12,000+ feet. ) It was practically rock crawling but the ole’ biatch did great! Put her in 4Low in first gear as just steered as she crept. Drop a line when you are over this way. Not sure if I met you at Central Motive Power last month when I attended. –frank



RSPINKMS: The Vail pass area has some great sledding. Must be done on clear days though. A couple of sledders augered to demise this winter past when a late afternoon storm came about. They fell some 200+ feet! The rescue crews did a h#ll of a job in treacherous conditions to recover the survivors.