fjcruzer
July 13th, 2012, 12:23 PM
I would like to plan a fall run in the Aspen area to catch some colors and fresh air for the weekend of September 22-23, which is hopefully ideal for fall colors, but it changes every year, so prime time could be earlier or later. I'll be out of the country September 8-16, so those weekends are out for me.
Calendar link (http://www.frontrange4x4.com/forums/calendar.php?do=getinfo&day=2012-9-22&c=1)
Discussion link (http://www.frontrange4x4.com/forums/showthread.php?17366-9-22-9-23-Lead-King-Basin-Schofield-Pass-Italian)
This will be a two-day trail run from Marble to Crested Butte to Aspen:
The trails would include:
Lead King Basin (clockwise from Marble) (9.2 miles)
TrailDamage.com - Lead King Basin (http://www.traildamage.com/trails/index.php?id=43)
http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w84/fjcruzer123/lead%20king%20basin/100_0344.jpg
Schofield Pass (4.5 miles)
TrailDamage.com - Schofield Pass (http://www.traildamage.com/trails/index.php?id=45)
http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w84/fjcruzer123/fjtt%20gws/fjtt016.jpg
Italian Creek Road (16.9 miles)
TrailDamage.com - Italian Creek (http://www.traildamage.com/trails/index.php?id=117)
http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w84/fjcruzer123/fjtt%20gws/fjtt023.jpg
Taylor Pass (8.5 miles)
TrailDamage.com - Taylor Pass (http://www.traildamage.com/trails/index.php?id=118)
http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w84/fjcruzer123/fjtt%20gws/fjtt051.jpg
Richmond Ridge (12 miles)
(Sorry, no link, but it’s easy/moderate following the ridge from Taylor Pass to the face of Aspen Mountain/Ajax)
http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w84/fjcruzer123/fjtt%20gws/fjtt079.jpg
I've been on these trails several times during my ten years living in the Aspen area, and have done all of these in one day more than once, but it was 16 hours on the trail, which was cool but... It’s 50+ miles on trail, plus travel time to and from the trail heads from Carbondale, Crested Butte and Aspen. I'm thinking perhaps a later start Saturday for Lead King Basin and Schofield Pass for folks who arrive in the area late Fiday night or early Saturday morning, overnight in Crested Butte, and then an earlier start in Sunday for Italian Creek Road, Taylor Pass, and Richmond Ridge for for folks who want to try to get home Sunday night.
I would recommend arriving in the Carbondale area on Friday evening and planning to return home on Monday morning. If it is still open, I would take the scenic route over Independence Pass on the way there or back to the Front Range.
http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w84/fjcruzer123/TripleBypassGoogleEarth.jpg
See my website for pictures from previous runs.
Vehicle qualifications:
A good stock rig can make it on all of these trails, but for the purposes of avoiding delays and minimizing potential damage, I recommend the following basics:
33” tires (something that can take abuse, the talus and shale is unforgiving of sidewalls)
Skid plates (factory will suffice with good spotting)
Sliders
Front and rear tow points
Rear locker (just in case)
Basic recovery gear suitable for your vehicle
All-weather clothing and camping gear (literally, it can be 80+ degrees and snow on the same day!)
My vehicle is well-equipped and stocked with lots recovery gear that I know how to use, so if you don't have the latest and greatest, don't worry about it, I'm sure others will also come over prepared!
A CB will be invaluable if you want to keep up with what’s next, when we’re stopping, potty breaks, and details about the trail as we progress (e.g. watch out for the pumpkin buster there… this is Lizard Lake and it’s freakin’ beautiful...!)
To avoid a wagon train I will probably cap the run at 10 vehicles depending on driver experience and vehicle capability (more capable and more experienced = more vehicles), and no more than 15. This is not meant to discourage anyone - I love guiding new folks on these trails - so please let us know if you're game and we'll find a good balance. I won't be keeping track of maybes, and will be posting this on more than just this forum, so let me know if you're in!
Attending:
1. fjcruzer
2. FJess
3. ocr14a
4. RubrSideDwn
5. fj4M&E
6. Vandy58
7. nuclearlemon
8. pighead
9. bgoodheart
10. B. Rock
11. jorechwa
12. ttubb
13. davestaco
14. cos4x4
15. akosfj
16. Z's Confederate Toy
PS For those who can't make this for the fall colors weekend I will be pre-running this exact same route sometime this summer - not sure when or if it will be a one or two day run, but I would welcome a small group to join me.
Calendar link (http://www.frontrange4x4.com/forums/calendar.php?do=getinfo&day=2012-9-22&c=1)
Discussion link (http://www.frontrange4x4.com/forums/showthread.php?17366-9-22-9-23-Lead-King-Basin-Schofield-Pass-Italian)
This will be a two-day trail run from Marble to Crested Butte to Aspen:
The trails would include:
Lead King Basin (clockwise from Marble) (9.2 miles)
TrailDamage.com - Lead King Basin (http://www.traildamage.com/trails/index.php?id=43)
http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w84/fjcruzer123/lead%20king%20basin/100_0344.jpg
Schofield Pass (4.5 miles)
TrailDamage.com - Schofield Pass (http://www.traildamage.com/trails/index.php?id=45)
http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w84/fjcruzer123/fjtt%20gws/fjtt016.jpg
Italian Creek Road (16.9 miles)
TrailDamage.com - Italian Creek (http://www.traildamage.com/trails/index.php?id=117)
http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w84/fjcruzer123/fjtt%20gws/fjtt023.jpg
Taylor Pass (8.5 miles)
TrailDamage.com - Taylor Pass (http://www.traildamage.com/trails/index.php?id=118)
http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w84/fjcruzer123/fjtt%20gws/fjtt051.jpg
Richmond Ridge (12 miles)
(Sorry, no link, but it’s easy/moderate following the ridge from Taylor Pass to the face of Aspen Mountain/Ajax)
http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w84/fjcruzer123/fjtt%20gws/fjtt079.jpg
I've been on these trails several times during my ten years living in the Aspen area, and have done all of these in one day more than once, but it was 16 hours on the trail, which was cool but... It’s 50+ miles on trail, plus travel time to and from the trail heads from Carbondale, Crested Butte and Aspen. I'm thinking perhaps a later start Saturday for Lead King Basin and Schofield Pass for folks who arrive in the area late Fiday night or early Saturday morning, overnight in Crested Butte, and then an earlier start in Sunday for Italian Creek Road, Taylor Pass, and Richmond Ridge for for folks who want to try to get home Sunday night.
I would recommend arriving in the Carbondale area on Friday evening and planning to return home on Monday morning. If it is still open, I would take the scenic route over Independence Pass on the way there or back to the Front Range.
http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w84/fjcruzer123/TripleBypassGoogleEarth.jpg
See my website for pictures from previous runs.
Vehicle qualifications:
A good stock rig can make it on all of these trails, but for the purposes of avoiding delays and minimizing potential damage, I recommend the following basics:
33” tires (something that can take abuse, the talus and shale is unforgiving of sidewalls)
Skid plates (factory will suffice with good spotting)
Sliders
Front and rear tow points
Rear locker (just in case)
Basic recovery gear suitable for your vehicle
All-weather clothing and camping gear (literally, it can be 80+ degrees and snow on the same day!)
My vehicle is well-equipped and stocked with lots recovery gear that I know how to use, so if you don't have the latest and greatest, don't worry about it, I'm sure others will also come over prepared!
A CB will be invaluable if you want to keep up with what’s next, when we’re stopping, potty breaks, and details about the trail as we progress (e.g. watch out for the pumpkin buster there… this is Lizard Lake and it’s freakin’ beautiful...!)
To avoid a wagon train I will probably cap the run at 10 vehicles depending on driver experience and vehicle capability (more capable and more experienced = more vehicles), and no more than 15. This is not meant to discourage anyone - I love guiding new folks on these trails - so please let us know if you're game and we'll find a good balance. I won't be keeping track of maybes, and will be posting this on more than just this forum, so let me know if you're in!
Attending:
1. fjcruzer
2. FJess
3. ocr14a
4. RubrSideDwn
5. fj4M&E
6. Vandy58
7. nuclearlemon
8. pighead
9. bgoodheart
10. B. Rock
11. jorechwa
12. ttubb
13. davestaco
14. cos4x4
15. akosfj
16. Z's Confederate Toy
PS For those who can't make this for the fall colors weekend I will be pre-running this exact same route sometime this summer - not sure when or if it will be a one or two day run, but I would welcome a small group to join me.