Webster Pass - Red Cone - Radical Hill - Deer Creek : 8/12/2022

[RockyMtRebel]

Steve, Jim and I met at the Peru creek trailhead near Montezuma to air down. Headed up Webster Pass and saw a good amount of traffic, mostly side by sides. The views got nice as we headed up and then cresting Webster Pass we could see some motor bikes descending Red Cone. We headed down the other side and it was the narrowest part of the trail for the next mile or so. One spot was very narrow and you had to pay close attention here. The rest of the trail was a breeze and in no time we were at the start of Red Cone.
We started up and it was immediately clear this trail was another level, which is exactly what I was hoping for! The first big obstacle had an easy bypass but I took the hardest line. The main obstacle was a breeze for all of us, although I did scrape and Steve and Jim got over the rock with no issues! It was just fun and easy rock crawling in the forest as it climbs. Then it gets to a dirt section that is very dugout and super flexy. I crawled right up but Steve and Jim both worked their way up!
Once thru the switchbacks the trail rises above tree line and flattens out. Climbing easily for a while you can see where you are headed and there are some sections of very chunky and loose rocks, making it challenging to climb but not too challenging. As you climb higher the ridge narrows until near the top it’s fairly narrow and exposed. Reaching the summit was awesome and we spent about an hour having lunch and chatting. The descent was exciting but very easy and the views the entire time are absolutely stunning!
Once back down to Webster pass we headed back towards the start of Radical Hill. As soon as this trail starts it’s clear it is another level of trail than what we’ve done up to this point. Rock crawling up a steep, loose trail with a few larger rocks in the ways giving you a few different lines to try if you feel like adding a little spice. I definitely tried to take the most challenging lines and other than a few scrapes here and there, my Jeep just crawled up and over every obstacle in its way. There were a couple places where an obstacle gave us a couple choices and trying the hard line I got held up on one spot and slid off course and had to back down a little and with lockers engaged, up and thru the rock obstacles. The next significant obstacle I took a better line and crawled up easily. Steve and Jim struggled a bit on these but not for long and they were back up with me as we start up the narrow and off camber upper sections of Radical hill. The off camber, dirt section didn’t phase me much but the short wheel base Jeeps felt it more than I did. The final couple of climbs got really, really narrow and rocky and I hugged the drivers side of the road almost too much. Once thru the narrow section it gets even steeper and chunky and loose, but an absolute BLAST!
In no time we topped out, with a large mountain goat watching over the cliff as we topped Radical Hill. After this Jim stayed west heading towards Breckinridge and Steve and I headed north on Deer Creek, which was a fun trail that drops quickly back down into Montezuma.
What a day! The loop we did today is probably a top 5 trail for me, the views, the variety, the crawling….. so much FUN!

[Steve-O]

Perfect day! Not much else to say!

[RockyMtRebel]

More pix

[RockyMtRebel]

Topping out Radical Hill

[RockyMtRebel]

I’m still thinking about how much fun this was….. can’t believe I’ve never visited the Montezuma area trails before the last two weeks. So many trails in an amazing high elevation environment. Can’t wait to go back and explore more!

[RockyMtRebel]

https://youtu.be/oevabUjg7XE

https://youtu.be/8xeL8vMz4RA

https://youtu.be/wilVDXIvW4U

https://youtu.be/mux2Z28L-_s

[Steve-O]

A few more scenery shots

[RockyMtRebel]

The one thing we forgot was to take a group photo sitting at the summit….. unless Jim got one! Hope Jim is ok!

[Jim]

2:30pm - Arrived at home. Uneventful trip at 40mph from Fairplay (I pulled the rear driveshaft and the noise/vibration went away - likely the rear diff's pinion). The stock YJ front driveshaft does not like highway speeds. I did a short stint at 65 but the vibration was too intense. I so rarely have any calling for highway speeds with the front driveshaft spinning - so why bother upgrading??? I should contact Bills Driveshaft in Englewood to see what cost might be.

More later this aft.

I do not think I took any pix of us atop Red Cone - but hey - `got the important thing - those sheep across the mountain... ;-)

Note - Matt has good eyes.

[RockyMtRebel]

Jim, how did you make it back to civilization yesterday??

[Java]

Looks amazing! Thanks for the pics and videos, I really need to get out there soon. :thumb:

[Jim]

Jim, how did you make it back to civilization yesterday??

Here's a map.

The sky opened up about 5 minutes after I aired up. Fantastic rain, lightning & thunder, double rainbow. Sleet near Hoosier Pass - then dry, blue, and warm on the south side of Hoosier Pass.

[RockyMtRebel]

Looks like you took the Middle Fork of the Swan River, how was it? It’s rated 4/6 and after doing the North Fork Swan River last week this is on my list! Starting from the west trailhead and driving east and climbing “Tombstone hill” sounds fun! The North Fork was an absolute BLAST so I’m sure this one is fun also. Combining this with saints John and then looping back up Webster pass to Radical hill and out Deer creek would make for a fun day!
Im kind of obsessed with this area right now 🤓

[Jim]

That name sounds correct (from what I saw on the sign up top shortly after we separated). I was descending so any difficult spot was easier. I would not put the trail as difficult. There were three, perhaps four, obstacle-ish areas. I do not think they would be in the class of the two rock obstacles that Radical Hill had. To me, the trail had more scenic value than technical value.

[Jim]

Highlight photos here / below with a full set at this link:
www.JimWilliamson.net/automobile/2022-08-13--trail--webster-red-cone-pinion-noise (https://www.jimwilliamson.net/automobile/2022-08-13--trail--webster-red-cone-pinion-noise/)


https://www.jimwilliamson.net/automobile/2022-08-13--trail--webster-red-cone-pinion-noise/map_2.gif

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Steven on Loveland Pass

https://www.jimwilliamson.net/automobile/2022-08-13--trail--webster-red-cone-pinion-noise/img_9348.jpg


Matt on Webster Pass

https://www.jimwilliamson.net/automobile/2022-08-13--trail--webster-red-cone-pinion-noise/img_9359.jpg

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[Jim]

Continued...

https://www.jimwilliamson.net/automobile/2022-08-13--trail--webster-red-cone-pinion-noise/img_9428.jpg

https://www.jimwilliamson.net/automobile/2022-08-13--trail--webster-red-cone-pinion-noise/img_9432.jpg

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[RockyMtRebel]

Love this picture

[Mountaineer01]

Looks awesome! Red Cone/Webster Pass are on my list, but I’m not sure if my truck is up to the task. Do you guys think it’s doable with AWD (no 4 low) and 31” tires? Trails Off-road rates the mandatory/easy path as a 5 which shouldn’t be an issue, but from what I’ve seen it looks a little more difficult. Also should I worry about doing the descent with just brakes (first gear is tall so not much engine braking)?

[RockyMtRebel]

Looks awesome! Red Cone/Webster Pass are on my list, but I’m not sure if my truck is up to the task. Do you guys think it’s doable with AWD (no 4 low) and 31” tires? Trails Off-road rates the mandatory/easy path as a 5 which shouldn’t be an issue, but from what I’ve seen it looks a little more difficult. Also should I worry about doing the descent with just brakes (first gear is tall so not much engine braking)?
Honestly I would not suggest this trail if you do not have a low gear or with 31” tires. Is it possible to do in your rig, maybe. Would I suggest it? Absolutely not. There are many many other trails that are less forgiving for your rig that I would suggest instead.

[Tom]

Looks awesome! Red Cone/Webster Pass are on my list, but I’m not sure if my truck is up to the task. Do you guys think it’s doable with AWD (no 4 low) and 31” tires? Trails Off-road rates the mandatory/easy path as a 5 which shouldn’t be an issue, but from what I’ve seen it looks a little more difficult. Also should I worry about doing the descent with just brakes (first gear is tall so not much engine braking)?
No its not up to the task. Def need 4 low must be able to control speed in all circumstances. E.g go really slow

[Jim]

What would folks think about Webster only? I don't see rock obstacles to be an issue. To me the primary issue would be brake heat. I could see Webster a possible item - BUT - know where the mechanical parking brake system is and it's condition (is it usable).

Thoughts???

Hmmm - east (US-285) to west (Montezuma) should be "safer" with respect to shelf road down hill need for the brakes.

[Tom]

What would folks think about Webster only? I don't see rock obstacles to be an issue. To me the primary issue would be brake heat. I could see Webster a possible item - BUT - know where the mechanical parking brake system is and it's condition (is it usable).

Thoughts???

Hmmm - east (US-285) to west (Montezuma) should be "safer" with respect to shelf road down hill need for the brakes.
I wouldn't want to back down that shelf road though, due to some obstacle. But I think either direction on Webster should be doable if comfortable with narrow shelf roads.

My first response I was thinking redcone and radical.

[RockyMtRebel]

I think Webster would be totally doable without low gear and on little tires but not Red Cone

[Mountaineer01]

Thank you for the input guys, sounds like I will need to save Red Cone for my next rig or build this one up a little more!