Colorado Adventure 2009

Foreward: I took a ton of photos on this trip, so this thread is going to become very picture heavy. You are warned if you are on a slow connection I will be updating this thread as I have a chance to go through the photos. Enjoy!

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I arrived back home yesterday after spending the last nine days exploring the backroads of Colorado. My original plan was to head out by myself, but it turned out that Amanda had a few vacation days she needed to take before the end of the month, so she ended up joining me for the first four days, and then again for the last two. Since she was with me for the first four days, we decided to make our base camp at Chalk Creek Campground in Nathrop. Our first day was spent driving from Grand Junction to Nathrop on a couple of different trails with a little pavement in between.....which ended up taking most of the daylight hours, even with an early start to the day.


Day 1: Grand Junction to Taylor Park


We started out by taking Kebler Pass over to Crested Butte. This is a nice easy road that offers some great views of the West Elk Mountains. I've driven this road a number of times, so we flew through it pretty quickly.

I did stop for an early morning photo


....and at the pass


After topping off my gas tank in Crested Butte, it was off to Taylor Park by way of the Reno Divide / Italian Creek trail.





Once we reached the Reno Divide (I opted to skip the 'old' Reno Divide section this trip and will save that for another time), we started our way down along Italian Creek towards Taylor Park.

To be continued...

Awesome country!

Nice shots, Randy! Keep em coming.

Day 1: Taylor Park to Leadville

After arriving in Taylor Park, we could have easily driven over Cottonwood Pass and have been in Nathrop pretty quickly, but my goals were a little more ambitious for that first day Instead we headed north towards Aspen via Taylor Pass.





This was the most difficult section on the trail.






Climbing up to the pass

Great views from the top




Headed down towards Aspen




Before heading to Aspen, we took the short side trip up Little Annie and Midnight Mine Roads. These were just easy roads through a residential area, but there were some nice views to be had.

After topping off my gas tank in Aspen, we headed even further north to Basalt where we hopped on Frying Pan Road past the Ruedi Reservoir and on to Hangerman Pass.













To be continued...

Great pics as always Randy.

Day 1: Mosquito Pass

After reaching Leadville via Hangerman Pass, there was still some daylight yet, and I felt like making the trek over Mosquito Pass....so we headed east on 7th St. and made our way towards the 13,185 foot pass.

Passed some old mining ruins along the way to the pass.









Headed towards Mosquito Pass.




Rocky switchback.


Narrower road near the top.

I liked the reflection in my windshield in this photo.


The mandatory photo of the sign.


Headed down towards Alma Junction.


Shadows growing long.


The sun hidden behind the mountain


A familiar name on old mining equipment at the North London Mill






Once we reached alma Junction, we hopped on the pavement and made our way to Nathrop. Surprisingly we made it to Chalk Creek Campground and got our tent and campsite setup just before it got completely dark out. It was a long first day, but we enjoyed it.

Day 2, to be continued...

Great pic's, keep'em coming.

Day 2: Williams & Tomichi

Day two was another early start. I was looking forward to this day. The main reason for planning my trip in August this year was so that I could run Williams Pass (which is only open for the month of August each year), so that trail was first on the agenda.

Of course, I did need to stop in St. Elmo on our way to Williams Pass for a few photos




...and I can't ever seem to drive by the Allie Belle without stopping for a photo, either!


...but I did finally make it to the trailhead for Williams Pass








The start of the trail in the trees

Then out of the trees as you get closer to the pass


Long stretches of bumpy road






Up at Williams Pass


Starting down the other side

The final descent down to the Alpine Tunnel Road


Heading back over 'the palisades' on the Alpine Tunnel Road


After completing Williams Pass it was time for another trail that I have not been on before because the last two times I tried, there were snow drifts blocking the trail.....so we made our way over to the start of Tomichi Pass.







Narrow road up to the pass

View of the Hancock Pass trail


Tomichi Pass


Panoramic photo from Tomichi Pass

Click here for bigger version of the panoramic photo

Headed down the other side




Made a stop at Tomichi Cemetery







To be continued...

Day 2: Marshall to Weston Pass


After finishing up Tomichi Pass at US Highway 50, we headed east a short ways towards Sargents and turned off to follow the old railroad grade over Marshall Pass.

Start of Marshall Pass


Easy road the whole way




An old foundation at the pass


We stopped and had some lunch up there


Headed back down to meet up with US Highway 285


We finished up earlier than planned, so we had plenty of time to check out a few more trails. We made our way north towards Fairplay to check out Browns and Breakneck Passes.


In the trees at the starts of Browns Pass

Old cabin ruins




More cabin ruins


Headed to Breakneck Pass along Sheep Creek






An old cabin near Breakneck Pass

Headed back down






Instead of hopping back on the highway, we took a right and headed west over Weston Pass






Some storm coulds in the distance




It rained for a short time but cleared up quickly


Soon we were back on the highway headed south. We ended up stopping at Jan's in Buena Vista for some dinner before heading back to camp for the night. It was another great day.

That's it for Day 2. Day 3 to come....

I bet you hold the worlds record for the guy with the most pics of his own Jeep.

Nice area, I need to come play in it sometime soon.