Wanderin' the West

For this years Outlaws Run, we headed back up to Wyoming. Crazy that it’s been 10 years since we visited last. A lots happened in that time. Open Heart Surgery, new jobs, friends passing, world travels, new rigs and fellow Outlaws. Old age. Wyoming is still just as awesome as I remember.

Our pal Bob took the rains for this years run since he lives in Cody, Wyoming. After a long trek North and a quick stop at the Grubstake Saloon in Atlantic City with our new friend, we set up camp at an old fire look out above Sinks Canyon. A good friend from Lander showed us that spot last time. The next day we drove back down to Atlantic City to meet the rest of the crew for this years run. Of course we stopped in at the Atlantic City Mercantile for a few beers before heading back to camp. Jack, newest member of the gang was waiting for us back at camp. We hung out around the fire well into the night. Felt good to have everyone together again. The next morning we set out for Dubois, with some time spent at the National Military Museum (amazing place!) then raised a few drinks at the Outlaw Saloon for our pal James before finding camp. Tuesday was a long but wonderful day of driving to get to Cody, passing through Teton and Yellowstone National Parks. Once in Cody, we stopped at the Silver Doller Bar (recommended by Bob) for some burgers and beer. Bob then took us to camp just outside town.

While in Cody, we checked out the Buffalo Bill Center of the West (some random lady tried to hook me up with her daughter), shot a Gatling gun and checked out Old Trail Town- an amazing collection of cabins from different parts of Wyoming. Butch Cassidy and the Wild Bunch spent time in a few of them:). After Cody, Bob took us out to his Cabin in the Big Horns. A pretty awesome place, surrounded by BLM land. Friday a few of us set out on some dirt roads to get Ice Cream sandwiches at Medicine Lodge. Then on to Ten Sleep For tasty beverages at the Ten Sleep Brewery. Saturday, most of us packed up and headed out in different directions. Shawn, Marco and I headed off to Hole In The Wall for one last night. Taking a most fantastic drive through the Big Horns to get to camp. After some fantastic burgers from Marco, we settled in around the fire. The stars and Milky Way that night were amazing. To know that Butch and the gang spent time here was icing on the cake.

Sunday, I woke up a bit after 5am, packed up the 4runner and headed out. Leaving Hole In The Wall Country as the sun came up. Not a sole around. 6hrs later, found myself stuck in downtown traffic trying to get to my apartment.

Thanks for all the fun adventures Woodsman.

Heading North. Ige leading the way. Granit Hills looks like some fine country.

While heading to camp, we took a detour to Atlantic City, well over 10 years since our last visit here. On the way, I of course made a wrong turn, but we came upon a bicyclist with flat tire. She was heading to Atlantic City as well. Of course had to have a few drinks at the Grubstake Saloon.

Camp.

The gang starting to show up:)

Snuck up to the cabin this past Friday for the day with a friend. Was a great day to be up in the hills and out of the heat. Had a bit of a late start since I had an oil change earlier but we got up to the trailhead for Grass Creek mid morning. The temps were perfect. After a few miles along Grass Creek, took a break under a nice Ponderosa. I had to hike down into the freshly cut meadows, a fun contrast to everything else. Back at the vehicle, we headed over to the pond and soaked in the views and the fine summer day for a bit. After a quick tour of the cabin, headed back down the hill. Definitely a needed trip up to the cabin:).

the start of Grass Creek after leaving the property.

First views of Mt. Evans after leaving the property.

Some great Aspens just above the property boundary.

After all the maintenance work on the 4runner recently, it was nice to finally get out into the hills. Heading up this past Friday to join my pal Travis and a few others for a fun but moody night run over Red Cone. After airing down, we headed up the trail. We were able to keep a good pace with just three rigs. Once above timberline, we had a good view of the weather below. Kenosha Pass seemed to be getting hammered with rain. Pushing hard, we made it to the top of Red Cone around 8pm. After some time soaking in the last of the light and watching a few rigs climb up Radicle Hill in the dark, we headed down for Montezuma. After airing up, it was a bit of a drive to get back to the 4runner in Conifer, then to the cabin. Finally crawling into bed around 12:30am. After a few hours of sleep, woke up to catch the sunrise.

It sure felt good to have the 4runner running great again after a bit of maintenance work!

A typical scene for Colorado in the mountains. Was happy to have the 4runner back and running great.

We turned off 285 just below the start of Kenosha Pass, stopped to air down and continued on to the trail.

Greg working his mildly built GX 570 through a tough section.

Angelo and his diesel (factory )80 series Land Cruiser.

For this years Ghost Town Run, we headed down to Silverton, CO. It’s been some time since I’ve been down this way. Think the last club run was when Bruce Miller was leading the Ouray Run back in 2004. I was really excited to get back down to Silverton for this years Ghost Town Run.

Sadly, as I was leaving town for the run on Wednesday, the 4runner started acting funny. By the time I got to Dumont, I decided to turn around. I was able to get the 4runner in that weekend with ATLR. Jessie went for a test drive with me and determined we had a misfire some where. There still working on the 4runner.

Once back in town, I set about booking a rental through work. With that secured, I headed out Friday. Those mountains!

Making it to camp, I settled in with the gang. Felt good to be out with the club. Saturday we left camp early and headed out to check out the Buffalo Boy Mine. We spent some time there, checking out the old tramway house and taking in the views. I followed the tramway cables to a ridgeline a short distance from the main building. Some great views! After the Buffalo Boy Mine, we headed back down the trail. We took a break from the rigs and got a tour of the Old Hundred mine. A really cool tour, they even operated some of the machinery. To end the day, we checked out the trail above camp, climbing high into a great basin filled with waterfalls and tons of old tramways. A few climbed up the last section of narrow ledge road to check out the Mayflower mine. Back at camp, a few of us headed in to Silverton for Dinner. Grabbing pizza and a few beers at the Golden Block Brewery. After checking out the train depot, we headed back to camp, settling in around the campfire.

It was great getting back down to Silverton. Hopefully it won’t be another 20 years for my next visit:).

Overlooking Ouray Colorado.

Fine views of Red Mountains from 550.

Checking out the Treasury Tunnel

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.