Idaho springs, co.

[pbkid]

Hey denver-ites. I wanted to see if anyone was interesting in hitting a trail this weekend? A buddy and I were gonna head up to idaho springs/georgetown area and find a trail. It wont be super gnarly or anything, just a bumpy road pretty much. Maybe some optional stuff for anyone feeling froggy.
Hit me up!
Jack

[Gizmo42]

I know that Kingston Peak, Chinns Lake, and Bill Moore Lake are all still blocked with snow.

[pbkid]

Were learning towards spring creek...

[Gizmo42]

Were learning towards spring creek...

I thought you said "bumpy road", Spring Creek is rated 6-8.

Off topic, I dont know if you ever check out colorado4x4 but look who posted a trip report...

http://i188.photobucket.com/albums/z210/jsp_rti/Moab2012052.jpg

http://www.colorado4x4.org/vbb/showthread.php?196359-Moab-ADVENTURE-5-17-5-21

Edit: Found more info about the Sammi in case anyone is interested..

drivetrain:Mercedes 2.2 4cyl diesel, custom manifolds with Mitsubishi Mighty max turbo, top mount intercooler, Benz 4 spd auto (without overdrive 4:1 1st gear, 5:1 reverse), Sami 6.5:1 tcase, yota axles (Aussie locker in rear, 3.07 gears)

Suspension/steering:
yj springs front and rear, custom high steer ( to clear diesel oil pan), ifs yota PS box fed by Benz PS pump

tires: 36x13.5x15 iroks

etc: full removable rollcage, all joints drilled with a 3/8ths hole and cage is used to store air from the mercedes A/C compressor, 8k winch...

[VXorado]

That's funny, small world.

The red Sammie was pretty nice and I remember his line on hell's gate was freaky :eek:

[pbkid]

Dave, everything that makes it difficult is optional. We may end up running slaughterhouse instead. Ill know later tonight.

And no I dont watch that site, but ill take a look.

[Triathlete]

For all you Colorado guy's who don't visit the Planet...
ColoradoZu has been reserected...Aug 2-5,, 2012. Info is posted on the Planet.

[VXorado]

For all you Colorado guy's who don't visit the Planet...
ColoradoZu has been reserected...Aug 2-5,, 2012. Info is posted on the Planet.

I'm planning on it.


The trails in Buena Vista are pretty tough- I think high clearance and a locker will be needed... Should be fun. :bgwo:

[pbkid]

I'm planning on it.


The trails in Buena Vista are pretty tough- I think high clearance and a locker will be needed... Should be fun. :bgwo:

just a little note on this... the first time i ever wheeled in my VX was in buena vista, we ran chinaman's if i remember right?

did just fine for a completely stock VX, but i definately dragged the belly a lot. :)

[VXorado]

just a little note on this... the first time i ever wheeled in my VX was in buena vista, we ran chinaman's if i remember right?

did just fine for a completely stock VX, but i definately dragged the belly a lot. :)

I haven't ran any trails in BV but I've heard the difficulty goes from moderate to extremely difficult. Chinaman Gulch being the moderate trail and carnage canyon being the extremely difficult trail. I think it just depends on what trails the group wants to run.


... needless to say, we won't be running Carnage Canyon.
http://www.traildamage.com/trails/bv_carnage/_walked/big_sign_at_trailhead.jpg

[VXorado]

I just checked out the thread on the planet and it has an itinerary.

Chinaman Gulch
http://www.traildamage.com/trails/index.php?id=1

Iron Chest
http://www.traildamage.com/trails/index.php?id=8

Wheeler lake
http://www.traildamage.com/trails/index.php?id=40

On a side note, have fun today in Idaho Springs!!!! I wish I could have gotten out of work today. :(

[twalker920]

Here are some pics from the trip up Spring Creek yesterday. Jack and I had a great day on the trail, although I wimped out at the tough section near the top. I am even more impressed with my VX than I already was :)

http://flic.kr/s/aHsjzR8N7J

I included a screenshot of the Google Earth track I recorded too. I used GPS Essentials, which is a free Android app. Pretty cool!

[Gizmo42]

I was going to go even with wonky sliders but spent the night and most of sunday with a killer stomach ache.

[twalker920]

We had a couple of Jack's friends in a Wrangler join us initially...but they had a rear disc brake seize, which overheated so much it melted the rear axle seal and proceeded to pour boiling diff fluid on to the brakes...making a LOT of smoke on I-70. So they were out before we got to the trail :(

Pic attached is of the pool of diff fluid after it had cooled down a little. Luckily they had AAA, so we hope they got towed home successfully. It was a shame they couldn't make it as they had been looking forward to it all week.

[twalker920]

A short video of me coming up the first obstacle on Spring Creek....too bad it cuts off before I get all the way up (with Jack's expert spotting)...I never got stuck on the trail.

http://youtu.be/iMUnot_Da8s

Here's Jack coming up the ledge in his 4Runner too (I was slightly annoyed by the people walking around and especially behind us with their dogs, as we were doing this...apparently physics was not something they were worried about)

http://youtu.be/g0pD2bYVejc

[Gizmo42]

Just Empty Every Pocket

And, your e-brake needs adjusted. Thought I'd mention that lol.

[twalker920]

And, your e-brake needs adjusted. Thought I'd mention that lol.

I know! I have to pull it all the way up to get any friction at all. Is that something I can adjust myself?

[pbkid]

Thats was really a great time and it was fun to meet you and your father Tom!

Thanks for going out on the trail with me for the day. Ill get up some pics as soon as I get em off my phone and onto my computer.

Book marks for you Tom-
Stric9- sliders
Independent 4x- springs or anything mechanical for isuzu
trooper skid plates, cant remember what year. Ask someone like billy (triathlete), jon (vxorado) or steve (bigswede) they would all know what years are compatible. Maybe they can chime in for us?

lets do it again soon!

[twalker920]

Jo said 93-99 for skid plates. I am searching junkyards now.

It was a great time. I look forward to doing it again soon.

Did you friends with the Wrangler get sorted out ok?

[Gizmo42]

I know! I have to pull it all the way up to get any friction at all. Is that something I can adjust myself?

Do VX's have the drum brake inside the disk brake rotor in back like the Rodeos? Never sure on those. If they do it is really easy to do. This video shows pretty much all you need to know.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iN6z0oIZLBk

I use a brake adjuster tool instead of a screwdriver just because its easier and they are cheap. I can never remember which direction to turn the star wheel so I just turn it while turning the wheel and listen for the difference. If it stops making contact I turn it the other way.

[Triathlete]

FYI...Stric9 is no more. Richard (owner/fabricator) closed his doors. It was his side job and his real job got to hectic.

[Triathlete]

Thanks for that vid Dave. I'll have to give that a try though I think my pad is worn to much.

[pbkid]

Oh I had no idea billy. I just liked my stric9 sliders because they were more sturdy than the rocky road ones.

[Mile High VX]

Jo said 93-99 for skid plates. I am searching junkyards now.

It was a great time. I look forward to doing it again soon.

Did you friends with the Wrangler get sorted out ok?

I've got a Trooper skid you can have for a donation to the forum...it's powdercoated gloss black and has never been installed.

[pbkid]

Did you friends with the Wrangler get sorted out ok?
Ya, I think the ole heep is down at the shop now, getting looked at.

[Gizmo42]

Oh I had no idea billy. I just liked my stric9 sliders because they were more sturdy than the rocky road ones.

The Rocky Road ones are good and bad to me. I like the super thick main tube and the way the round tube is done. The mounting sucks though. My welder shipped today so I should be able to start on redoing the mount on mine next week.

Hopefully mine dont fall off this weekend. My niece is going to be in town and wants to hit a trail to show her bf some of the mountains that most dont see. Need to find a scenic trail that isnt still blocked with snow.

[twalker920]

I've got a Trooper skid you can have for a donation to the forum...it's powdercoated gloss black and has never been installed.

Well I just sent them $25 over the weekend. More? :)

Please PM me, I'd love to have the plate.

[pbkid]

The Rocky Road ones are good and bad to me. I like the super thick main tube and the way the round tube is done. The mounting sucks though. My welder shipped today so I should be able to start on redoing the mount on mine next week.

Hopefully mine dont fall off this weekend. My niece is going to be in town and wants to hit a trail to show her bf some of the mountains that most dont see. Need to find a scenic trail that isnt still blocked with snow.

St. Mary's glacier would be a really cool trail to go up! its really scenic and it has those 2 beautiful lakes at the top...

its much lower elevation than spring creek, and i couldnt find a drop of snow anywhere on spring creek.