Kansas

[Mtngoat]

Last time I was at Ouray, there was a convention for Rovers or something going on there. There must have been 50 in town and they were all wearing their Camel brown outdoor clothes and all. Saw one or two on the trails in a week, and none on Die Tryin. If you get to the Montrose area, give Die Tryin a try, but be warned, you gotta be set up as well as who goes with you!

We have another Jeep in the garage I put another body on, it will be our trail Jeep, but it will be more of a driver and will stick to the easy stuff, like Imogene, Engineer, Black Bear, none of the technical stuff anymore. Just got burned out after 20 years of wheeling!

Been to Moab or Choke Cherry in New Mexico??



Robin

 

[ARedetzke]

Been to Moab two years ago, missed out last year, but my truck towed everyone else out there on my trailer. Kinda hard to watch that combo disappear over the horizon, even with a trusted friend driving. Moab is cool, better trails than we've found in CO, but waaaaaay to hot!! And it's a long haul too, especially in my 92. I love Ouray, Telluride and the surrounding areas. Some of the most beautififul country I have ever seen. This year we decided to stay a little closer and we've been on some good trails around Salida about 7-8 years ago. It's a neat little town, has a cool bar, and the whole fire department is a bunch of jeepers too. I blew out a hub that year, and one of the fireman was going to give me one free of charge. Great place. I enjoy wheeling in CO a lot more, the ghost towns are cool, along with the abandoned mines, better scenery. Plus its a lot less stressful than Moab. I like the hard runs occasionally, but I don't really want to die in a Jeep if you know what I mean!!

AJ

 

[Mtngoat]

We've been to Moab several times, but always went in April or May. They say in the summer time you can cook an egg on the hood of a car! Don't know if thats true, but thats the story! My favorites are Poison Spider, Golden Spike, the Helldorados, and Lions Back is ALWAYS fun!!

I been going to the Ouray area for 20 years. Never get tired of it! We last were there in 2002. Going back (I think) next year. We usually stay a week camping outside of Silverton, and then a week at the KOA just outside Ouray. Best campground there, and run by nice folks!!

If you are into the HARD stuff, and you'll be going right by it, is the trails at Penrose, one called the Independence Trail. There are some others there but I can't remember their names offhand. They aren't dangerous on the side of a cliff, just plain HARD wheeling! The last time I was there, the entrance to Independence is a 4 foot drop off. Kind of gives people an idea before they commit! If your interested, give Butch Stone (719-260-9031) in Colorado Springs a call, he probably would enjoy showing you where its at and watching. He doesn't do much wheeling anymore, but still likes going.

Hope you find someone interested in my Jeep, its a great looking and capable machine.



Robin

 

[ARedetzke]

I believe the egg story in Moab, we always go in August right before school starts up and it is just plain miserable. I couldn't get any of the guys with me to go on any of those really hard ones. We did do Cliffhanger, I ended up having to turn around because no one would follow me. In the process I had a steering knuckle explode. I was on the side of a cliff about 1000 ft straight down, and if I looked down out of the passenger side, all I could see was the Potash plant below. Not cool, I knew I should have upgraded to Dana 44s!!!! We may have to check out that Independence trail, sounds like the kind of stuff we like to do. Have you ever been up to the ORV Park up by Randolph? There is some exciting trails up there, at least as far as Kansas goes.

AJ

 

[Mtngoat]

Yep, but its been a while. You can a good fun day there. I havent been there for a couple years, maybe there are more trails than used to be. Last time it was so frickin hot and humid, I thought I was gonna die in the forested area with no air moving, but the beer drinking afterwards made things a lot better!!!!



Robin

 

[ARedetzke]

AHHH, Beer!!! Beer is proof that God loves us and wants us to be happy!

 

[DDT]

Jeeps Parts:

I had a renter move out, (he had a jeep) and left 3 wheels and tires. If any one wants them come and get em.

 

[ARedetzke]

Stock, or something worth having?

AJ

 

[ProspectorTim]

Here is some more info on the Independence trail. The Partiot and Liberty trials are part of it.



http://www.fn-jeepparts.com/pictures/independence/independence.html

http://www.4x4now.com/trcois.htm

http://www.4x4now.com/trcoin.htm

http://www.4x4wire.com/trail/report/co/penrose0001/



For MONTHS, I've been wanting to do Independence trail on ATVs. Finally convinced some folks we should try it (everybody said it couldn't be done on ATVs) ... and they went on a weekend when I couldn't go!





MtnGoat, tell me more about Die Tryin! Where is it? Got pictures?



I've been on almost every trail mentioned here, and a lot more! Check out my photo albums. Taylor Park is a great area - miles and miles of roads/trails, and terrific scenery. Wheeler Lake, out of Alama, CO is a nice ride and more nice scenery. It is not a long ride, but there are other trails in the Alma area (Mosquito Pass, etc. ). I also love the Red Cone/Radical Hill area and that whole range from there to Tiger Run by Breckenridge.



I usually do Moab twice a year, and have also rode at Devil's Racetrack, in the San Rafael Swell area of Utah.



Moving to Tennessee, I'm going to miss all the good 4-wheeling in Colorado & Utah. But I'll be back!



Meanwhile, I'll be close enough to go back to Windrock and Tellico, and explore a lot of the Smoky Mtns, Ozarks, and maybe the Appalations. Oh yeah, they have this black or brown stuff back east, kinda like snow only gooey and sometimes smelly... . I think they call it MUD! I'll have to give it a try, but I think I'll still prefer ROCKS!

 

[Mtngoat]

Tim-



I have some pics of Die Tryin, but it would take hours to find them.

I personally think Die Tryin is a lot harder (more fun) than Independence Trail. Lots more challenge. Its not a cliff hanger type, its basically just a long narrow canyon. It is awesome. We went with Mike Weaver with his Sniper. Man!! That thing is like a spider the way it crawls over rocks and the rest of us scratched and clawed our way thru it.

Die trying is west of Montrose, but I can't tell you how to get there, I just followed the leader. I will say its out in the middle of nowhere, so stock up before you go! Take water!!!!

Unless you know somebody to take you there, call McPherson Off Road in Montrose and and ask about it. They go there often or usually can hook you up with someone going. Warning, if you have friends that want to go, if theyre not 'built' they will have a long day. I have 35" Swampers, 2&1/2 lift and springovers and I hung my frame several times. Then again, some of my buds with 40" tires and wide 60's had problems in places my narrower CJ-7 went thru. Typical trail, I guess when it comes to what you drive. Got a few body scratches, but hey, thats part of it!

I know for sure after reading your post you will not be disappointed. Oh, and there is another trail there as well, but I can't remember the name of it!

While your there you can spend some time enjoying the easier trails and beautiful scenery around Ouray. Don't miss Imogene, Engineer, Blackbear, and Corkscrew, they are my personal favorite trails. I highly recommend the Koa Campground just outside of Ouray.



Robin

 

[Mtngoat]

Tim-



I just noticed you live in Falcon. I remember when that was just a gas station! I always turn there to hit Woodmen Road to go to my buds house in the Springs. He lives on Independence Court not far from the mall. He workes at Avenger 4wd as a mech, building vehicles and superchargers.

I would really like to live there, but I have to gut out my job for another 1879 days till I retire.



Robin

 

[ARedetzke]

Quote: "I would really like to live there, but I have to gut out my job for another 1879 days till I retire"



AHHH, but who's countiing? I only have to gut my job out for about 15,000 more days or so, give or take a few!

AJ

 

[Mtngoat]

AH, but AJ, you gotta be a young guy. 1879 days I will be 55 years old, not bad I guess... Still like to play like I was 30!!



Robin

 

[Mtngoat]

ONESTACKDRAM--



Where'd ya go??



Robin

 

[ARedetzke]

Hope I have enough set back by 55 to retire. But I'm counting more on 65 or later. Plus I think retirement would be kind of boring, unless you had the funds to do it right!! I'd go nuts just sitting around the house.

 

[Mtngoat]

Well, we should be debt free by then with exception of owing a bit still on the house. We have plenty of hobbies to keep us busy. Also I'd like to try hotshotting some like my hero, Yogibear does. Unless the insurance skyrockets higher than it already is!!



Robin

 

[ProspectorTim]

Originally posted by Mtngoat

... I'd like to try hotshotting some like my hero, Yogibear does. Unless the insurance skyrockets higher than it already is!!

Ditto!





Die Tryin is harder than Independence Trail??

That almost sounds like too much fun! LOL

How long is that trail? Oh yeah, nobody in my group has 44's or lift kits, etc. We do it on ATV's! The truck doesn't get scratched or broken.



I've read about Independence Trail and seen a lot of pictures, but like I said, my group went without me. From the pictures, it looks like they winched and muscled their ATVs as much or more than they rode them. I should have been there to show them how to RIDE. Anyhow, they said that it took them 7 and half hours to do a 1. 2 mile trail!



Now that they have conquered that, maybe next time I try to get someone to go with me on the Rusty Nail at Moab, I just might find someone willing to tackle it!

 

[Mtngoat]

Don't quote me, but I think it is 2 and half miles, maybe shorter, actually I'm kinda guessing. We were there 10 hours mainly due to one broken axle, one broken spring hanger, and a blown hub on one of the other guys Jeep. Oh, and this isn't done with a truck, with Jeeps. I can't imagine taking a full size there!!! If you take ATVs be prepared to winch and pull a lot. It's a narrow canyon and no go arounds at the bad places, which is what the entire trail is,LOL!!! Unlike Independence, this is uphill all the way. Take LOTS of water!!



Robin

 

[onestackdram]

I'm here Robin, and yes I had lots of jokes about the age thing, but It's early in the day, and I don't have the energy right now, I got to pull a Jon type schedule for Wed, Thrus, and Fri. WOOHOOO. . So I am a little tired, but hey it was all worth the sacrifice or atleast I should know officially Sun. Night at a tractor pull... LOL. No I'm not pulling, but I may have an opportunity to fullfill my dream job.



Russell

 

[Mtngoat]

OSR





What age thing, is it your birthday?? We coulda had a party!!



Wheres the job at?? Still around here?? I been telling the cops that a smokin diesel was coming to town and to let him slide coz he's a friend of mine!



Robin