CO trip

[Posimoto]

I was asked to post pics of my recent trip to Colorado. It was my first time in CO and it was the most amazing place I've been, mountains, wheeling, early Jeeps, and friendly folks. I stayed a week in Ouray the so called Jeepin capital of the world. 

I'll add pics during the week of each day's trail run. I found the trails were not difficult, but here's the thing, if you get careless, or have faulty brakes or steering you die! There are no pine trees to slow or catch your fall if you go off the edge, there you fall 3000 ft and die.

Financially it was too expensive towing or shipping my Jeep out there so I rode passenger. 

The following pics will give you an "idea" of how beautiful it is there but doesn't tell the whole story, kinda like a Jeep climbing a steep grade and the pic make it look trivial.  All my pics were taken with a phone.

Sunday

Sunday was a traveling day for me I arrived in Albuquerque NM at 1pm and drove 5.5 hours to Ouary on Rt 550.   







5pm-7pm Durango to Ouray 550 “Million Dollar Highway”





















Sliverton



Ouray: Ouray is in a box canyon with steep sides all around.

[jps4jeep]

cool!

[Posimoto]

Monday August 25

We did Maggie Gulch and Brooklyn Trail

Ouray




















Next pic is the creek going through Maggie gulch.



A little history here: Over 100 years ago a mining family built their home near here. They had 2 daughters their name's Minnie and Maggie. The 2 gulches (valleys) were then named after these 2 daughters. If you look close you can see a vehicle.

[Axle]

awesome!

[XJFever]

very awesome Chuck!
I've always wanted to visit my birth state, maybe once my wife gets burned out from the damned cruises we will take a family trip there, every time I see pictures I am stunned by the beauty, and have actually contemplated moving back there.... maybe someday...

[rich]

pics are awesome, just two jeeps ?

[Posimoto]

and a ford explorer in our group. Out on the trails there were a lot of Jeeps, a ton of side by sides and a few dirt bikes. The 4x4 crowds create income for Ouray and Silverton so if your rig isn't registered not a problem, your welcomed to drive down main st, park at the local bar and have a few.

This pic was taken around 2pm. By 5 the road is packed with Jeep, side by sides, and bikes.



 
I have a dozen or so early CJ pics I'll post later in this thread. All the locals own older rigs.

[Twisty]

Chuck, thanks for sharing the pictures of your trip.  I always enjoy pictures that you post and the stories that you share of your adventures. 

[Posimoto]

Thanks,

Tuesday August 26

Trails: Corkscrew Pass, Hurricane Pass, California Gulch



Storm Peak (below)



From the top of Storm Peak we could look across to Hurricane Pass (below).



Trail that goes along the Animas river.



Niagara Peak (below) in the background



We stopped at Animas Forks Ghost Town. They were remodeling to save the property, re-roofed and installed glass in the windows. Kinda takes away the feel of a ghost town but will preserve them for the long haul. No need to preserve the wood no termites in the area.

 







Lake Como



I wouldn't mind spending summers in the cabin pictured below.











We stopped at Hurricane Pass just as heavy clouds were moving in and covering us and the mountains.


































 

[Axle]

 

[Posimoto]

The day after we left the couple below roll three times on Black Bear Pass and lived to tell about it. The rocks saved them from going over the edge.

[rich]

specs on the cool cj5

[Posimoto]

258/T-18/D300 I'm not sure of the tire size maybe 35" tsl swampers

[Posimoto]

Wednesday August 27th

Trails: Tom Boy Mine and Yankee Boy Basin

Although many of these pictures don't show it, there is a very big drop off to the side.





At one point there was no room for a road on this cliff side but they built a road where there wasn't room.





Camp Bird is an active mine but some of the buildings were abandoned long ago. This next pic is an old mill that they crushed the rock to help get out the precious metals.



Then we continued on to Yankee Boy Basin.



This next pic is of the trail to Governor Basin. We were planning on going there next but we could see there were bulldozers and other heavy equipment on the trail so we decided not to go there.






There were magnificent, steep rock mountains all around Yankee Boy Basin.





Looking down Yankee Boy Basin













After Yankee Boy Basin we headed to Camp Bird Mine. This mine is still active but many of the buildings are abandoned.



These old homes are over 100 years old. Vandals have broken the windows but this year they are remodeling them. It looks like someone may even move in.







This next house is bigger but not being remodeled.



 






When we returned from the trail I walked around Ouray and took a few pics

Black tailed Mule Doe, I was within 4 ft and had to back up to fit her in the frame



Most of the locals owned stock older CJs



CJ5 Park Avenue (so says the front bumper)



















stairway to rock deck





Found this at the local RV park, toyota chassis/linked (from Iowa)




 

I will continue with the trip postings on Monday.

[rich]

Awesome combo