Updated! Colorado Colors Meet + Aftermath 09/24-25/05

[driver3]

Split off of original thread

I saw that one a couple days ago, it looks nice on the lot, haven't stopped... One of these days we need a colorado springs meet... just a couple drinks somewhere.

[pbkid]

yea we do need a co springs meet that would be fun. i would love to see moncha's ride, ive heard that its immaculate. need to make a trip home from school soon anyways just so that i can get out and drive. :)
pbkid

[Narsus]

I'd come down from Denver for a Colo Spgs Meet, especially if there's beer involved.

[MSHardeman]

Heck, I'd come all the way from Aspen if you guys wanted to get together. I feel very isolated out here, because there are only two other VX's that I know about in this valley. Neither of them are on the site, and neither of them are very enthused about waving, or saying hi, when I see them (very rarely) on the street.

[biju]

ping me if this materializes. I'd join!

-biju.

[Moncha]

A definate must and soon, at least be for the first snows.. Should it be a mild off road session or just a meet and greet? I found a wonderful area west of Buena Vista during a camping trip this month, a nice trail that crossed over the continental divide with a beautiful little lake..

[driver3]

Buena Vista is great.. I really like it out there. I climbed Mt Harvard, and Mt Princeton a couple months ago. There's great camping and lots of trails to offroad. A Saturday night camping trip, Sunday off-road is perfect for me (I have to watch Ohio State football games on Saturdays, but they are at 10 am most of the time here :cool: ) Then an off-road trip on Sunday morning.. lunch then leave... September 17-18th weekend?

I may be able to miss watching the san diego state game if we did the camping/hotel friday and saturday... just a thought...

[morgan-tec]

If you guys would not mind i would like to join the meet if it happens, i would obviously be out of the off road session but i would love to meet some of you guys. I would come all the ways from Fort Collins to that. Keep us posted.

[Todd Adams]

If you guys would not mind i would like to join the meet if it happens, i would obviously be out of the off road session but i would love to meet some of you guys. I would come all the ways from Fort Collins to that. Keep us posted.
And your Axiom can't go off road because?

[driver3]

Probably because of the 20's : )

I'd love to see your axiom... Sounds like it's nice. There are hotels there if someone doesn't want to camp.

[Moncha]

On my last camping trip to the Mineral Basin Area, located south of the Cottonwood Pass, we f ound a very nice and pretty easy trail that goes up along side a mountain, passing a small, gorgeous lake. The area is fantastic with great veiws. The trail (Forest Road) itself was very easy.. Although I didn't take my VX we did have a Toureg in the line of vehicles and it made it with no problems, outside of driver's error.. VXs would have no problems. I don't want it to be too easy but then again, the sights were wonderful.

Here's some pics and for those that use Google Earth, I have a .kmv file along with photo overlays of the area... Just unzip it then open the .kmv file with GE and it should take you right to the area..

mineral_basin.zip (http://www.moncha.com/temp/mineral_basin.zip)

http://www.vehicross.info/gallery/data/3150/thumbs/IMG_0121_left.jpg (http://www.vehicross.info/gallery/data/3150/IMG_0121_left.jpg) http://www.vehicross.info/gallery/data/3150/thumbs/IMG_0114_left.jpg (http://www.vehicross.info/gallery/data/3150/IMG_0114_left.jpg) http://www.vehicross.info/gallery/data/3150/thumbs/IMG_0193_left.jpg (http://www.vehicross.info/gallery/data/3150/IMG_0193_left.jpg)

http://www.vehicross.info/gallery/data/3150/thumbs/IMG_0183_left.jpg (http://www.vehicross.info/gallery/data/3150/IMG_0183_left.jpg) http://www.vehicross.info/gallery/data/3150/thumbs/IMG_0160_left.jpg (http://www.vehicross.info/gallery/data/3150/IMG_0160_left.jpg) http://www.vehicross.info/gallery/data/3150/thumbs/IMG_0159_left.jpg (http://www.vehicross.info/gallery/data/3150/IMG_0159_left.jpg)

http://www.vehicross.info/gallery/data/3150/thumbs/IMG_0136_left.jpg (http://www.vehicross.info/gallery/data/3150/IMG_0136_left.jpg) http://www.vehicross.info/gallery/data/3150/thumbs/IMG_0130_left.jpg (http://www.vehicross.info/gallery/data/3150/IMG_0130_left.jpg) http://www.vehicross.info/gallery/data/3150/thumbs/IMG_0124_left.jpg (http://www.vehicross.info/gallery/data/3150/IMG_0124_left.jpg)

Rest of Album (http://www.vehicross.info/gallery/showgallery.php?cat=3150)

Let me know what you think..

[driver3]

Or if you are into hiking.. This is the picture from the top of Mt. Harvard in May

http://www.vehicross.info/gallery/data/500/thumbs/f3ce0683_orig.jpg (http://www.vehicross.info/gallery/data/500/f3ce0683_orig.jpg)

So cool....

[pbkid]

i would drive down from greeley for any meet you guys want to do. hopefully more vx's this time. i only saw one for a few hours on the last isuzu meet. morgan-tec i would love to see your axiom also it sounds like a really nice car, and im still thinking of buying an exhaust from you beginning of next summer. i would love to do some offroading with some other vx's because i want to see what they are capable of, all i have seen is what i can do.
pbkid

[MSHardeman]

I would love to make it to any kind of Colorado meet. My problem is that I will be in Telluride for the Blues and Brews festival on Sept. 16, 17, 18. Is there any way to do it any other weekend? I would love to meet the rest of you guys/gals, so if it turn out that I can't make this one hopefully I'll see you some other time real soon.

[Moncha]

With the current situation down south, I've called up by my department to work OT while our SWAT teams heads out to help.
How does the 24th/25th or 1st/2nd of October sound?? Still time to catch the colors at the mid levels..

[driver3]

24/25th.... that would be best for me... I'm busy Oct. 1 - Family in town

[MSHardeman]

Either weekend would be fine for me. Can't wait to meet everyone.

[morgan-tec]

And your Axiom can't go off road because?

265/35/22s dont seem to have much sidewall flex or good mud traction for some reason. But i would still love to meet you guys.

[Moncha]

I'm waiting for a quote from Mt. Princeton Hot Springs for an overnight stay.. Unless something breaks it looks to be around $90-$100 for just about anywhere.. So I figured the springs would be cool (or hot).. I posted this on the calendar so, if you plan to attend make sure to check in..

[MSHardeman]

Oh boy, I can't wait. This will be my first "official" VX meet since I bought the thing. I'm not much of an offroader, but if it's not too extreme I'll give it a shot.
Looking forward to meeting everyone.

[Moncha]

bearing that in mind, the trail that I have picked, unless someone else has a different opinion is not a difficult trail at all, mostly scenery and the chance to meet one another. We can always set up another more difficult one for a later date.. There would actually be enough time to do a few trails in the area..

[pbkid]

sounds like fun lets do it. how much would it cost per person? how would food and things like that work? bring your own or we all gonna pitch?

[Moncha]

Was contacted by Mt. Princeton Hot Springs today.. they have no availablility.. they have a car tour that weekend.. and Buena Vista is EXPENSIVE to stay in so.....

The next best thing that is economically feasible is to stay in Salida, The Best Western has rooms and there are other selections.. It really depends on how many rooms we need.. I see there are 3 attending, can the rest that want to go also chime in so I can get an accurate count? The rates won't change but we'd all like to stay in the same place, right?

[driver3]

I really want to do this, but I'm in the camping budget right now. I can find places near where we'll off road. Do you know what time Saturday this is all going on, are we off-roading on Sunday? I'm just looking at scheduling here and trying to figure out what's up. Also, I have a friend with an amigo, and he'll most likely come along as well. But like I said, I kind of need the schedule to commit.. anyone?

[Moncha]

Figured, we could meet early on Saturday (9am-10am) then go do some browsing on trails, come back in to town on Saturday night, stay over.. I'm finding rates 30.00 - 50.00 range depending on how picky folks are.. and then either leave on Sunday morning or hang out maybe take a ride.. You may be able to split a room with someone...

[pbkid]

yea, well i was thinking that i will probably camp out so that i can save some money, because im a poor college kid =)

[MSHardeman]

I'm up for anything. I have a couple of dogs, so I need to know if the hotel (which ever one) takes dogs, or if I need to kennel them here. Other than that, Salida sounds great. It's a bit of a drive from Salida, but we could head in to the St. Elmo ghost town. I haven't been over it, but Tin Cup pass dumps out there.
Moncha, thanks for getting this together. Let me know if I can help out in any way.

[morgan-tec]

I am definatly up for a meet but the trails are off limits for me so is there any chance of a evening meet that weekend that i could attend after you guys hit the trails?

[Moncha]

Ok, how's about camping out overnight then? Seems everyone is pretty spry. We could meet up Sat morning, do some driving, then throw down some tents and spend the night. Does anyone have a preference on rustic camping (My preference *Free*) or established campground?

Morgan, we could meet up on Sunday for a lunch meet in town.. Are there going to be any singles that Morgan could ride with?

[biju]

I vote for camping too. I'll have to bring my pups as well...

-biju

[morgan-tec]

That sounds good to me man, just keep us posted. But as for now i am in the the lunch meet and riding with someone else for the "dirty" drive........


Ok, how's about camping out overnight then? Seems everyone is pretty spry. We could meet up Sat morning, do some driving, then throw down some tents and spend the night. Does anyone have a preference on rustic camping (My preference *Free*) or established campground?

Morgan, we could meet up on Sunday for a lunch meet in town.. Are there going to be any singles that Morgan could ride with?

[raver_boi_88]

I would definitely be down for a colorado springs meet... Yeah i am new here...But I just moved to the springs and I drive a 1999 white Ironman. I am 17 and in my senior of highschool. Post up when and where and I will be there...

[biju]

Scott,

I'm a little confused. Are we going to Salida, BV, or just meeting in CO. Springs?

From the posts, it appears we're camping in Salida, is that correct?

-biju.

[Moncha]

After hearing the wishes from the others', we'll be camping in Buena Vista (or around in the area I know a few places, depending on if everyone wants an established campground or "rough" it) We'll figure a place to meet in BV and go from there...

[Moncha]

Ok, here's the deal,

Meet at 9am Sat. Sept. 24th 2005 at the Subway Sandwich shop. You'll find it on the south end of Buena Vista, (South of Cottonwood Pass Rd.) on the west side of Hwy 24. The parking lot will be big enough. From there we can chat and figure where we want to go. There's several trails in the area and even some in the Maysville / Garfield area (Monarch)(Old gold mines and such).. None of the trails are very hard but are pretty scenic.. Anyone have better ideas?
Almost all of the areas are US Forest so we should be able to just drop camp anywhere after doing trails. We can do the camp thing and have fun around the campfire (Bring marshmallows), unless we NEED to have an established campgroung for some reason..
We should hit the aspens in full color so, it should be beautiful no matter...

As far as food, you'll need to bring enough for lunch and dinner on Sat. and maybe breakfast on Sun.. We can head into either Salida or Buena Vista on Sunday to make a lunch meet for those who couldn't make the trails on Saturday. Salida has a bit more to choose from. I vote for the County Bounty (http://www.countrybounty.net/), it's easy to find and has good space available.
If you have other plans, please post them.. I want to make this a fun event and hopefully have a good showing.
If you plan to attend, make sure to update the calendar (http://www.vehicross.info/forums/calendar.php?do=getinfo&day=2005-9-24&e=216&c=1) so it shows your plans and we won't overlook anyone.

Last thing.. Please PM or email me your cell or other contact number so we can have a list. I'll compile it and forward it to everyone planning to attend..

Morgan, does this work for you?? We could find a place easy enough for you to get to and you could camp with us on Saturday..

[morgan-tec]

That sounds good to me, i will probibrly bring the fam with me, what time on Sunday for the lunch meet?

[Moncha]

Noon would be good.. Time enough to break camp and then get into town and early enough to have everyone back home at a decent hour..

[Moncha]

driver3.. you in on this?.. I know Sat. is football day..

[driver3]

Well I hate to say that my name is on the start of this... but it looks impossible for me this weekend... I'm going to be in Denver helping a friend move.. (I know)... but he's helped me in the past and if there was any way out I'd be in. I'm watching the posts here and I know the times if anything changes.. .I'm kind of mad and have been waiting it out so I've been quiet on this post. But for now I regretfully have to be on the out list... sorry guys... I'll pack my car with all my camping stuff in the event I can escape denver early...

[biju]

It's settled then! You'll be there!

:p

-biju.

[morgan-tec]

I am in for the noon meet for lunch on Sunday. If anything changes during the weekend please call me on my cell at 970-690-6856. Looking forward to meeting you guys.

[raver_boi_88]

ok well i was going but now I cant make it because i got a $220 dollar ticket this morning for doin 30 in a 20mph zone. sry guys i will see you next time we meet out in colorado.

[Moncha]

Yea, gotta watch those Colorado Springs Cops.. Sorry to hear the news but I'm sure we'll be doing another during the winter months..

[Moncha]

This will look like the previous post but check it anyway for any updates...


Meet at 9am Sat. Sept. 24th 2005 (Try and be prompt, we'll be wait till 10am before heading out) at the Subway Sandwich shop. You'll find it on the south end of Buena Vista, (South of Cottonwood Pass Rd.) on the west side of Hwy 24.
From there we can chat and figure where we want to go. There's several trails in the area and even some in the Maysville / Garfield area (Monarch)(Old gold mines and such).. None of the trails are very hard but are pretty scenic.. Anyone have better ideas?

Almost all of the areas are US Forest so we should be able to just drop camp anywhere after doing trails. We can do the camp thing and have fun around the campfire (Bring marshmallows), unless we NEED to have an established campgroung for some reason..
Make sure to bring food enough for Saturday lunch, Saturday dinner and Sunday Breakfast.. (It's easier to bring your own for such a short trip) Dress appropriately, the weather is to be low 70's for day temps and upper 30's for nights.

We'll need to let pbkid know where we are going to be as he was saying he'll be coming up later so hopefully we will be able to find a camping spot then relay the info to him when when we have a cell for phone coverage.. (NOT good coverage in the rough country)


As far as food, you'll need to bring enough for lunch and dinner on Sat. and maybe breakfast on Sun..

Bring FRS radios and emergency equipment for yourself and your VX.

We meet Morgan-tec and whomever else in Salida on Sunday at noon for a lunch meet for those who couldn't make the trails on Saturday. We'll meet at the County Bounty, it's easy to find on the south side of HWY 50 about 1/2 way through town (Near the swimming pool) and has good space available.

Again, with the sudden changes in some folks' plans, it will be hard to modify the solid ones once we get up there due to the lack of phone coverage and distance from populated areas we will probably be. It may be hard to aquire an established campground as there may be lots of tourists looking at the fall color change so we will most likely be in the rough.

pbkid (Jack) if you can at all firm up your timings we could meet with you at a certain time and place and then you could join up. That would be much easier than trying to give directions on where we may be. Trips like this dont really allow for alot of variables but, we'll try.

Kinda like getting married.. if you have changes, say now or forever hold your peace. :)

We're (ME & Ms. Moncha) are looking forward to seeing everybody and hope everyone has a safe trip..

[Moncha]

A little note for a follow up on this meet..

We, Biju and Chris (Biju's roommate), Mark (MSHardeman), Ms Moncha and I met at the Subway Shop in Buena Vista, then proceeded to FR344 just south of the Cottonwood Pass area. The fall colors were bright and wildlife beautiful!
http://www.vehicross.info/gallery/data/3151/thumbs/IMG_0372.JPG (http://www.vehicross.info/gallery/data/3151/IMG_0372.JPG)

http://www.vehicross.info/gallery/data/3151/thumbs/IMG_0377.JPG (http://www.vehicross.info/gallery/data/3151/IMG_0377.JPG)

With only one wrong turn we proceeded up the trail and lunched at a perfect little spot next to a small glacial lake (about 11,500 ft.) while the dogs played in the water.

http://www.vehicross.info/gallery/data/3151/thumbs/IMG_0422.JPG (http://www.vehicross.info/gallery/data/3151/IMG_0422.JPG)

http://www.vehicross.info/gallery/data/3151/thumbs/IMG_0403.JPG (http://www.vehicross.info/gallery/data/3151/IMG_0403.JPG)

We then hit the trail again and crept up the side of the mountain.
http://www.vehicross.info/gallery/data/3151/thumbs/IMG_0408.JPG
(http://www.vehicross.info/gallery/data/3151/IMG_0408.JPG)

Finding ourselves at the top of the world on the Continental Divide.
http://www.vehicross.info/gallery/data/3151/thumbs/IMG_0416.JPG (http://www.vehicross.info/gallery/data/3151/IMG_0416.JPG)

Overlooking Taylor Reservoir, a very popular fishing lake, we could see forever!
http://www.vehicross.info/gallery/data/3151/thumbs/IMG_0417.JPG (http://www.vehicross.info/gallery/data/3151/IMG_0417.JPG)

After cruising around and getting lots of looks from the passing ATV's and a Toyota group it was time find a camping spot. We unfortunately had to part with Biju and Chris but, MSHardeman, Ms Moncha and I stayed behind and set up camp.

http://www.vehicross.info/gallery/data/3151/thumbs/IMG_0466.JPG (http://www.vehicross.info/gallery/data/3151/IMG_0466.JPG)
We spent the night chatting about VX's and daily life just enjoying the night sounds, and stars.. We were lucky enough to hear the cries of coyotes in the distance. Waking the next morn, I heard the light sound of an elk bugling deep in the forest..

http://www.vehicross.info/gallery/data/3151/thumbs/IMG_0471.JPG (http://www.vehicross.info/gallery/data/3151/IMG_0471.JPG)

After packing our gear we headed into Salida to meet with the Morgan-tec family and enjoyed a tasty lunch and listened intently to Mike describe his modifications to his Axiom.
It was a shame to part from such wonderful people, we had a great time with great company and look forward to the next time we can gather..

There's more photos in the Colorado Colors Meet Gallery (http://www.vehicross.info/gallery/showgallery.php?cat=3151) so please take a look and enjoy..

[Triathlete]

Looks beautifull! I can't wait to get out next weekend! I'm a bit disapointed Scott! Your VX is dirty! ;Dy;
http://www.vehicross.info/gallery/data/3151/medium/IMG_0476.JPG

[biju]

Moncha, Mrs Moncha and Mark - thanks for this weekend! It was fun and I had a great time with all the comments we got from people along the trails. Comments like:

"Are you guys out here testing those things for Isuzu?"

"If I had a car that nice I sure wouldn't be out here with it." (I think he was implying that the VX didn't look like it could handle the terrain. Jokes on him!)

Not to mention the toyota group we passed along the way. We held the attention of 20 or more people (the whole yota group you can see lined up along the lake in Moncha's pictures above) as we descended from the Continental Divide and 13,000 feet of pure fun. As we passed them one lad jogs along the side of my VX and asks, "What is that? How do you say the name?"....

LOL - I love our VX's....

-biju.

[Jay Dunford]

I'm a bit disapointed Scott! Your VX is dirty! ;Dy;


I bet it wasn't on there long after he got home!! :p

[morgan-tec]

It was great to get to meet you guys and mrs.Moncha, we all had a great time talking and getting to know you a little. And even though i missed out on the offroad stuff the drive from Ft. Collins was beautiful anyways.

[Narsus]

Aw bloody hell, I missed yet another CO meet. I'm changing my profile right now to e-mail me if I get a damn message. Glad you guys had fun, and I'll definitely be in for the next one. The crappy thing is that I could've made this one. Got a new job and no longer travelling all the time for work :)

[Moncha]

We'll be doing more.. I'm not sure if Mark and Bill will let me lead again though..

[Narsus]

See look! I am subscribed to this thread now, so I don't miss out on stuff! :)

So was your leadership a bit hair-raising, Moncha? I gotta let you guys know that you're not allowed to make fun of my VX. I love it to death, but I also beat the living hell out of it, so it's got some battle scars :)

[biju]

No issues here... Anytime!

Although, I do have this strange quirk... Call me odd, but I like to keep my VX on all fours, and right-side-up. A tripod now and again is okay, however, the upright rule is non-negotiable!

:eek: :p :eek:

Seriously... Anytime Scott. I had fun.

-biju.

p.s. - I *still* have yet to sort through my photos. Sorry guys. I'll get them out there sometime in the near future...

[Moncha]

So was your leadership a bit hair-raising, Moncha? I


Lets just say,,, "No Fear" ;)