Kingston Peak, Yankee Hill or Argentine peak 9/11,9/12 or 9/13

[coleman07]

I have not been out this year due to a number of factors including COVID and a possible transmission issue with my jeep. I now believe after testing it on Trail Ridge Road, that I misunderstood my automatic transmission. I would love to get out with a small group and see the Aspen and get my 2020 trail run into the books.

Being retired, I have a very open schedule and, having not been out at all, a very open list of interested trails. I am open on any of the 3 days in the title, 9/11,9/12 or 9/13 and would love to do either the hills behind Idaho Springs (Yankee Hill/Kingston Peak ) or Argentine Pass.

Let me know what works and lets hit the trail.


Sean

[Mad Maxx]

Hey Sean!

I just got a new rig today - '91 Suzuki Jimny - and am looking to hit a nearby trail this weekend to try it out.

I want to do something easy-moderate, and Yankee Hill was one I was considering. I prefer to avoid narrow ledgy trails so I'm not sure if I'd be up for the other 2.

Either day this weekend would work for me, though my excitement has me leaning towards Saturday :D

[coleman07]

I think Kingston/Yankee Hill make a good loop and I wouldn't say there are severe ledges where a small mistake could really hurt. I have never been fearful on Kingston Peak. It has a 3/5 rating on Trail Damage and I think that is because you descend down some switchbacks into Alice but the road is wide and solid. Have you done Kingston Peak? If so, I'll gladly forgo it to get out this weekend. I like it because it takes you up above treeline. It has a nice view looking West and some fun uphill climbs where there are no ledges. Once on top, you descend on more of a flat mountain top. To this day, I still don't really know where the peak of Kingston lies.

It's easier to find Yankee Hill in Alice and harder to find Kingston Peak in Alice so starting at the Cemetery District in Central City where its easy to find Kingston Peak and harder to find Yankee Hill makes sense.

Let's go on Saturday. Once I know your thoughts about Kingston/Yankee Hill, I'll put it on the calendar. What we do will dictate where we start. Either the Forest service headquarters in Idaho Springs or the city park near the cemeteries in Central City. I don't want to push you to do something your not comfortable doing. I suspect youtube has a video of the run if you would like to see it ahead of time. It's hard to really tell someone, oh this is nothing. Everyone has there comfort level. I notice you have your vehicle on ice. I fell through ice when I was 13 in the middle of a small pond and thank god someone came but I will never go on ice even if it is strong - it scares me. There is one spot on Black Bear where I am terrified. It not only causes the front tires to drop but you have to turn at the same time and your looking down on Telluride. Get past that one spot and I am fine.

Let me know your thoughts and I'll put it on the calendar for say 10:30 Saturday.

[Mad Maxx]

I've looked at videos of Kingston Peak and it makes me nervous. I'm a wuss when it comes to anything even slightly narrow and ledgey since I fell off of the trail along Mad Creek in my old XJ Cherokee, halfway crushing the roof and trapping my girlfriend & I in there for about an hour and a half until the rescue crew pulled us out, all the while leaving us wondering if the wind and tree we were sideways against would shift enough to send us falling further down the mountain.

I'm not outright opposed to it if I'm comfortable in my new rig by then, but I haven't driven anything like it before - tiny right-hand drive machine. However it should also be more capable offroad than most of my previous rigs and also might suggest we do Miner's Gulch if I feel comfortable in its capability by the time we get to it - and if not I could head back down. I want to see what it's capable of but don't know what to expect when it comes to getting used to the new rig. https://www.trailsoffroad.com/trails/380-miners-gulch

I guess this also all depends on how snowy it all is then. It's supposed to snow all week there last I checked, and if it is snowy, I'd rather just stick to Yankee Hill.

Sorry if I'm making things difficult, I'm both excited and a little nervous and just want to make sure I'm doing something I'm comfortable with before I push it with the new rig.

[coleman07]

Like I told you about ice and my fear of driving or walking on it, I can totally understand your comfort level so lets meet at the USDA Forest Service office in Idaho Springs. Exit I-70 at 240, turn left over the bridge and once you clear the interchange, the forest service is on the right. We will drive up to Alice where I know how to find Yankee Hill and we can go from there. I have no problem skipping Kingston Peak. I just want to get out. Haven't been out all summer. Please note I talk with an ipad. I can hear just find and I look in my rear mirror a lot. I adapt to my disability well so we will be fine. I have basically quarantined all summer because I don't want COVID. I'll stop if need be to make sure we are always together. I'll post the event if your ok with the plan.

[Mad Maxx]

Sounds good! And yes I recall your disability. I believe we wheeled together a couple of times in 2018 - Argentine Pass with High Country 4x4 in early June, and Mosquito Pass & Birdseye Gulch with Rocon 4x4. I would've been in a green 1995 Nissan Pathfinder. I'm not very social so I wouldn't blame you if you don't remember me :) I'm looking forward to getting outside too!