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View Full Version : Williams, Tomichi, Hancock, La Salle Pass



4Runninfun
August 11th, 2009, 10:52 PM
So today started out a bit later than usual was out of the house by 7 couple small things to attend to, and then i was off. got down to buena Vista about 10 and to the trail head by 11.

The first pass of the day was williams pass. it starts in the same basic parking lot as hancock pass. Williams was a very fun pass with more challenging rocks that the usual passes around the area. I didn't run into any of the mud that traildamage mentioned. also if thinking about doing this pass be aware you WILL get some good pin-striping. it's a very narrow track through the willows. Williams was pretty quick and i was down the other side in about an hour.

So next up was to go back to where i started via Hancock. I started up that way and found Tomichi pass looked pretty cool and i was doing fine on time, and no weather was rolling in so i decided to go up to the top and take a look. Got to the top snapped a few pics, and then headed back the way i came. Then went up and over Hancock Pass back to the starting point for the day.

All three passes had fantastic scenery. and a great loop to do. after i got back down into town i grabbed a burger at the usual burger joint. And there was still plenty of daylight left so when i got to wilkerson pass i decided to take the scenic route and go over la salle pass. I hadn't done it before and had been itching to do it. It's a great little detour, and would be good to do during the fall colors. other than a few bumps here and there nothing to speak of. after than found my way to another random dirt road, took it and found myself on 30 which is the road that takes you to china wall it was pretty tempting to do a quick run but sunlight was fading as was i so i kept on going.

Did my usual up and over mt herman. some moron in a neon found out it wasn't so cool to drift around blind corners as he wound up in the ditch. he got out and continued on so i did as well. All in all a great day out on the trail. pics....

Airing down

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b367/4runninfun/Wiliams%20et%20al%208-11-09/IMG_1292.jpg

Top of Williams Pass

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b367/4runninfun/Wiliams%20et%20al%208-11-09/IMG_1301.jpg

Bigger Rocks

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b367/4runninfun/Wiliams%20et%20al%208-11-09/IMG_1317.jpg

Looking at more rocks

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b367/4runninfun/Wiliams%20et%20al%208-11-09/IMG_1319.jpg

End of Williams

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b367/4runninfun/Wiliams%20et%20al%208-11-09/IMG_1332.jpg

Rock Wall

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b367/4runninfun/Wiliams%20et%20al%208-11-09/IMG_1335.jpg

4Runninfun
August 11th, 2009, 10:56 PM
Cool Shot

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b367/4runninfun/Wiliams%20et%20al%208-11-09/IMG_1347.jpg

Sign for the old South Park RR

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b367/4runninfun/Wiliams%20et%20al%208-11-09/IMG_1350.jpg

Mine shaft on Tomichi Pass

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b367/4runninfun/Wiliams%20et%20al%208-11-09/IMG_1361.jpg

Mining equipment

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b367/4runninfun/Wiliams%20et%20al%208-11-09/IMG_1370.jpg

Rivets

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b367/4runninfun/Wiliams%20et%20al%208-11-09/IMG_1372.jpg

Top of Tomichi Pass with Hancock Pass in the background

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b367/4runninfun/Wiliams%20et%20al%208-11-09/IMG_1400.jpg

4Runninfun
August 11th, 2009, 10:58 PM
Top of Hancock Pass

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b367/4runninfun/Wiliams%20et%20al%208-11-09/IMG_1408.jpg

Inside an old building

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b367/4runninfun/Wiliams%20et%20al%208-11-09/IMG_1413.jpg

Another view

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b367/4runninfun/Wiliams%20et%20al%208-11-09/IMG_1419.jpg

Pin-striping from Williams

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b367/4runninfun/Wiliams%20et%20al%208-11-09/IMG_1422.jpg

Sod Roof house on La Salle

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b367/4runninfun/Wiliams%20et%20al%208-11-09/IMG_1431.jpg

End of La Salle

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b367/4runninfun/Wiliams%20et%20al%208-11-09/IMG_1432.jpg

4Runninfun
August 11th, 2009, 10:59 PM
Random dirt road

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b367/4runninfun/Wiliams%20et%20al%208-11-09/IMG_1437.jpg

Funrover
August 12th, 2009, 12:00 AM
Great report, I really wish I could have joined you! La Salle is a fun way to bypass Wilkerson Pass. Looks like another great trip.... I am really starting to wish I had Tues off now...

Roostercruiser
August 12th, 2009, 12:17 AM
sweet pics. i have to do that trail . it looks beatiful..

Brody
August 12th, 2009, 05:00 AM
Nice pictures, Jon!

Wish I could've gone. Where is the rock wall, BTW? Looked like it had some decent climbing potential on it..

4Runninfun
August 12th, 2009, 06:31 AM
Nice pictures, Jon!

Wish I could've gone. Where is the rock wall, BTW? Looked like it had some decent climbing potential on it..

you thought that too huh? :D it is on the other side of williams as well as hancock pass. if you go over either you wind up there. You can also get there if you go in from the other side via hwy 50.

Brody
August 12th, 2009, 07:22 AM
I bet someone has put up a few climbs on it. Shelf Road and all the boys who have been developing that area are new route hounds and always looking for decent rock.

1freaky1
August 12th, 2009, 08:39 AM
Great pics Jon, that wall makes that ledge look more intimidating than it is.

Funrover
August 12th, 2009, 08:43 AM
Hey Jon think you would be up for leading this trip out sometime soon? I want to go do Williams before it's closed again

4Runninfun
August 12th, 2009, 09:09 AM
yeah, i'd go back down there. williams itself is pretty short so decide what else you wanna do down there.

Funrover
August 12th, 2009, 09:33 AM
There is a lot I want to do down there!

4Runninfun
August 12th, 2009, 10:05 AM
well... choose.

white collar redneck dad
August 12th, 2009, 02:57 PM
Nice pics!! That would be gorgeous are to explore for aspen viewing from mid sept to early october!!