Two weeks ago I was able to join my club for our annual clean up day on Argentine Pass, one of three trails the club has adopted. I missed getting up last summer, so it felt great getting back up to Argentine Pass, one of my favorite trails. After a short meeting with the forest rangers from Clear Creek, we headed out on the trail. With the big turn out we had, we split into a few groups to help minimize trail traffic and cover ground. I hopped in with friend Mike from the club who was leading a group on the lower road. The lower road was an old wagon route that went up to Waldorf and Argentine Pass. We regrouped at the old town site of Waldorf for lunch and spent some time enjoying a fantastic summer day. After lunch, and getting off the trail, I headed over to the cabin. One of the more perfect summer evenings I’ve had up there. A stop at my favorite tree and some time in the Upper Meadows. The next morning I woke up at 2am and drove down to work.

All in all, I was really happy to see how good Argentine Pass looked. Barely any trash and no unattended campfires.

Thanks to work for paying me a volunteer day:)!

Group meeting with the forest service before we head out on the trail.

Making our way up Argentine Pass. Felt good to be out on the trail!

I hoped in with friend Mike from the club. He was leading a group on the lower road, also known as the old wagon road. The road crosses Leavenworth creek few times before climbing out of timberline.

Having missed last years Train Trip due to dry conditions (they didn’t run the train in June of last year), it was really fun to be back. We had a full group for this years run. Think we had a total of around 12 rigs for the weekend? This run is always layed back. Heck, the train doesn’t leave the yard till 10am. Gives me time to catch the sunrise, then back to bed. To start, we chased the train out of Chama, though this years we weren’t able to chase the train via Apache Canyon to Osier since the trail was blocked by snow mid June. This year for the train ride, the docent we had was hands down the best- thanks Rich for making the day even better! For the last day, we chased the train out of Antonito. Starting at Hangmans Trestle. Was great to cover some new ground along the Cumbres and Toltec. Lava Tank has intrigued me for some time. After Lava, we headed back to camp, the chased the train from Sublette to Big Horn in the afternoon.

Such a great time this year riding and chasing the Cumbres and Toltec!

A great old homestead outside of Mesita. Ute Mountain in the distance.

A wonderfully moody drive through Mesita.

Ute Mountain.

Always fun having the club up for the almost sleep over. A few friends joined me for a night at the p[ond in the Upper Meadows. Went for a drive to the wilderness boundary with Mt. Evans then back to camp. Enjoyed the fire pit for a bit before calling it a night.

So wet and green at the cabin right now:)

A rainy view of Evans.

A not too cautious Elk as I drove into the property.

Wet views of Rosedale

Some new views. Walking through the recent logging operations. Looking North.

Somehow four months have passed since my last visit to the cabin. Busy with dental work and other parts of life. After getting some maintenance done on the 4runner, it felt great to finally head up to the cabin this past Friday. A moody night thanks to all the smoke from Canadas wildfires. Woke early Saturday to catch the sunrise on Mt. Evans.

A much needed visit!

After crossing into the property, stopped as I always do, to soak in the views of Mt. Evans. It’s there, somewhere behind the smoke.

Was nice to get the 4runner out. Been a minute.

This past Friday, my Dad and I printed this years Cruise Moab poster. It took us five and a half hours to print 7 colors. With no breaks, was definitely tired at the end of the day but felt really good to get this year poster printed. I’m really excited with how they turned out. The image is of my pal Ross driving up Hells Gate in his 80 series Land Cruiser.

Getting registration set to print the first color.

Mixing the ink.

Running a proof to make sure ink color is correct.

My pal Travis over at Envision Fabrication has been making some awesome progress on the rear bumper for the 3rd gen 4runner. To this point, Travis has gotten both swing outs built plus a mount for the traction boards and a table mounted on the inside of one of the swing outs. Last part to be built was the removable rear mud flaps. This next week it goes to powder coat, then final install. I’m pretty dang excited with how it’s turning out:)

1st swing out built. Spare tire holder.

Second swing out built. This one holds the jerry cans.

Table mounted on inside of swing out. Will be nice to have a place to cook and such.

Last month, my Dad and I dropped off the 4runner to my pals at Envision Fabrication here in Denver. With the goal of finally getting a custom rear bumper built for the 4runner. We’ve been talking about doing this for a few years now, so I’m pretty excited to finally be moving forward on it:). Originally, my pal Travis planned to build the bumper in house, but with there metal shop- Envision Fabrication getting some pretty big jobs recently and myself distracted with dental work, we decided on a different route.

So for the base of the rear bumper, my pal Travis ordered a a bumper kit from Coastal Bumpers. He then will add swing outs and a few other items. Along with getting it powder coated. Goal is to have everything ready for Cruise Moab 2023.

Laying out some ideas for the rear bumper at Envision Fabrication back in October.

Dropping the 4runner of to the shop in February. Justin’s mighty “Red Chili” in the background. 3links going in on the front. More Cruise Moab prep.

Progress on rear bumper. Pics by @thehoneybadger.

It seems this winter has been a bit on the slow side. Granted, I don’t snowboard anymore and usually more of a Summer/Fall guy. Been busy with other things this Winter. Mainly, getting some much needed dental work done. I took a day off recently to attend my clubs annual Snow and Pizza run, but ended up missing as I was a bit tired from another dental visit. A bit bummed to miss, always a fun outing.

Snow Pizza Run 2014.

This past Friday, I dropped my 4runner off with my pals at Envision Fabrication to get a rear bumper built. Pretty excited to be getting this built! Especially with Cruise Moab right around the corner:).

My 4runner at Envision Fabrication to get a rear bumper built:).

Lastly, a nice little plug from work.

Seems like it’s been a minute since my last visit up to the cabin. For being only an hour away, sometimes it seems further than that.. December, I wanted to get up and had plans too, New Years being one of them. Yet with all the dental work I’ve had lately, I’ve been a bit worn out (mentaly). Finally last Friday I decided I had enough and headed up to the cabin. Needed.

After making fresh tracks to the pond in the Upper Meadows, I settled in for the night next to the pot bellow stove in the winter quarters, dozing off a few times. The next morning I woke early to watch the sun dance across Mt. Evans (now Mt. Bluesky) before heading back downtown.

I always love how quiet things can get with a fresh layer of snow.

A winter wonderland as I dropped down into the property. Snowed most of the afernoon.