Caribou Trail-Middle St. Vrain

[Rob]

First, thanks to all who came on the FJ40's inaugural run.

Nine rigs started the day at the Eldora side of Caribou Trail and headed north. The trail was a good first run for the 40 and it did well.

Stopped for lunch at a windy spot on a hill just before you get to the parking area at Caribou Road, where the second part of the trail starts. Charles headed home with the kids from here.

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Then we decided to to the last section of the trail, which was rumored to have some good mud.

We weren't disappointed. Everyone cruised through it. Sorry, I didn't get pics of everyone.

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Also had a nice little downhill 90-degree turn into a creek crossing.

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Then Chris, Pete, Andy, Josh, Adam and I headed up the Peak to Peak Highway to run Middle St. Vrain.

[Chris]

Andy provided the highlight of MSV, I'm sure there will be pics soon. :thunb:

[Rob]

Andy provided the highlight of MSV, I'm sure there will be pics soon. :thunb:

Getting them ready right now.

[Chris]

I can't find my camera cable. :mad:

[Funrover]

Nice couple of shots!

[Roo]

Sorry I didn't make it. I was feeling better but I got a couple of calls late yesterday for some windshield repairs today, so I had to choose money over fun because more money = more fun!

[Rob]

MSV's always a fun trail. About a mile or so up the trail, we started running into icy stretches, but not so icy that it caused any problems. Farther up, the trail had a light snowpack, but it was warm enough and soft enough to get traction.

Adam (Sunk) on the first obstacle:

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Pete taking a different line:

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Just before the turnoff to Coney Flats, we encountered a mud pit that must have appeared very recently. There was a bit of trail to right, but Josh decided to try to get through the pit first. I didn't get my camera out in time for that. He managed to squeeze by on the right and most of us followed suit.

Pete, though, tried it head on but kept sliding back in. I think he was in two-wheel drive, but he'll have to confirm that. He got through it (if I'm recalling this correctly) half in the pit and half on the trail.

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Andy figured his :princess: wasn't having enough fun so he gave it a shot, too, and almost made it.

And here's the highlight Chris was referring to. (I'll post a couple of vids later.)

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[Funrover]

WOW!! That's one heck of a hole

[sunk]

I just wanted to say that it was great meeting everyone that was there today, It was as fun as Ive had all summer...a great group to wheel with. Im looking forward to making another run soon. Sorry I had a little bit of a heavy foot thru the mud and got some bystanders sprayed. I cant help showing off for an audience.:o St. Vrain is definitaly a trail I want to go back to.

[Funrover]

Sorry I had a little bit of a heavy foot thru the mud and got some bystanders sprayed.

:lol::lol::lol:

[sunk]

I also wanted to say that there were a lot of great rides there, lots of love went into them, very cool to check out.

[Haku]

Got some pics for ya'll

Some Water Crossing fun on the second part of Caribou
http://62ztxq.bay.livefilestore.com/y1pKk7jQY8pOHyFIxY8Docdiu6UcF56FNoKDjfsY3hOu-Sowl-uU3XIHQYgzljRQYy9MP_8FJI8JBk97O4qp_iHaUHRQKjMmbaB/1.jpg

http://62ztxq.bay.livefilestore.com/y1p7_088N7OHhjUXpL3xFOUmDvwQXG54Yi08xqYi16sTu7pPyH yh3ejm2fPrgI8P4ox-mPtV3M-Cxb-oOwFrSmzQCM4zXdg_ZKz/2.jpg

http://62ztxq.bay.livefilestore.com/y1pLdk8YyC5s-b5KcBtmr7ejoqds8qfrBOpEvTKaO9gW45tsNiCaK2BWIkng0Ll-cfNhvb6Ibo0o3pmN5aQwkxBJfV7nl2QLpFr/3.jpg

"The" obstacle of MSV (not including the new mud pit of course)
http://62ztxq.bay.livefilestore.com/y1psK8byGHMv3EoNiyFk4XrH9rXa_rT5W423RabYftPU5KHGe1 GzmnaGgT1s9m6whKJUdHtLn52tOLXGN0oW5XqesdTzqaZ6m1k/4.jpg

Flexin Baby!!!!
http://62ztxq.bay.livefilestore.com/y1pZirizPbdpTHSgpgZ21RYUl23p39wiS4eONoiP43u-WcByRjb6BLM1FkZ0DHDH_Pcac-eMGOtGzn7L-WfJ2tHxTjLXTNLrJ2X/5.jpg

Have some more in a few....

JH

[Haku]

Brody doing what he does....
http://62ztxq.bay.livefilestore.com/y1putvlvsnqdN4kSLr3hAp5TGAbXaS-cQTK8hm0Ic-lsMOi2Cle_rzsmNxtttyUjufyiYOnd3QCRqWiJIXTNjSiJ5muL tiHTgsh/6.jpg

http://62ztxq.bay.livefilestore.com/y1p3dOKAn04acW5zKrWy8AVRET_RNAAsY7SNh0V2QchQa6FME3 tfJGRBYabtiQOPtFSje1MjFCP0WXMSHsi5--w1BbZYCuSp9Sr/7.jpg

Rob Sneaking around the mud pit
http://62ztxq.bay.livefilestore.com/y1p3dOKAn04acWppTZId38WJTkfi-oe8bftzoVA85ydDYGYyMal6OLJ6K4G7iujjz2dW7Vxhr9d6cli 2lL_agbbXb-dP_gfLePv/8.jpg

Brody....... Not......sneaking around the mud pit
http://62ztxq.bay.livefilestore.com/y1ph5KLViNwWSJusUK6k1oyx_I0We6S4WkpqxecLbVStKZaAqX r6XpDeI4QDZ95orlKjRrDGu9d5C3Cn0-uJUTxKGf0jvQeJ8zC/9.jpg

Ok, he did kind of sneak around it eventually...
http://62ztxq.bay.livefilestore.com/y1p_Zit3H1s9K_SzFlOXvVHWYuh9OYZrhdH0MYc88oA21k3SjS o2zmgOXTuA6t64mNER75k3BJW0C3YOkEcaB2jxT_8sBYL-Gkj/10.jpg

Sorry Chris, had to move my rig and only got ya after the pit...
http://62ztxq.bay.livefilestore.com/y1pQAcqvztBS0-vMzjICBNS3lfjj8zaQpszKHYxKcK0g4kPFfwGCWqFYtQfO9IYE LVt3MAXDbmf7bgi4O6psS4xMA/11.jpg

[Haku]

Ace rockin it in the pit. His exhaust pipe was making some funny gurgling noises
http://62ztxq.bay.livefilestore.com/y1p-RIwzlpW49rGQbhPkWFy2BHyvzNtLlr5qUGrCxplbczX1vIHFH6 rLCTVrHuwIVDwVVvHR33r_4fNhcvPSBI43Q/12.jpg

My Favorite pic of the day....
http://62ztxq.bay.livefilestore.com/y1pys7hB1UwgjmRiP2s7USH_0U70yxHPy5dubyjvCfsS7__-WoJgmrHS1VMCyJGXXLsPie3HC3EAnkzHcV6AFGcrA/13.jpg

JH

[4Runninfun]

very cool run looks like a good time! Yeah i avoided that pit as well nasty... nasty pit.

[Rob]

Sorry Chris, had to move my rig and only got ya after the pit...
http://62ztxq.bay.livefilestore.com/y1pQAcqvztBS0-vMzjICBNS3lfjj8zaQpszKHYxKcK0g4kPFfwGCWqFYtQfO9IYE LVt3MAXDbmf7bgi4O6psS4xMA/11.jpg

I got video of Chris sneaking around the mud pit. I'll try to find the time tomorrow to post it and some other vids.

And I wasn't sneaking around the pit. I was testing whether the FJ40 has the same propensity for sliding sideways into mud pits as the FJ Cruiser (see Bill Moore Lake/Red Elephant/Empire Loop thread). A few more tests and I'll be able to release my report on sliding sideways into mud pits. :thunb:

[Haku]

Does anyone know when that pit appeared? I don't remember it being there in July when we did our run then. I'm curious to know how it was created, as its way deep. Its almost like someone did it with a backhoe.

JH

[4Runninfun]

A similar hole developed on china wall a few years back, and it's primarily from people blasting through mud puddles which removes sediment and further degrades the integrity of the soil. and as more and more people "splash" though the worse the hole gets until you find youself with one hell of a hole.

holy crap that statment makes me sound like an eco-natzi i better go eat a hamburger and get a beer :D

[porkchop]

looks like fun guys wish i could have came!

[Brody]

We had a great time! Great to see everyone again and to meet some new people!

Ace provided the most excitement and the best 'money shots' of the day when the mud hole on MSV tried to eat his Sammi!. We saved the Sammi, but the hole ate a fender flare that we couldn't find....It was nice to see Rob's 40 out with the new lift and watching all the suspension pieces actually flexing like they should. Also good to be riding behind Stephanie and Hugh and seeing the muffler tucked up out of harm's way for a change. For some reason that ad always really bugged me due to the design flaw, so it was nice to see our work in action.

We didn't take enough pictures, but here is what we got. I hate the still picture quality on my video camera....

[Mporter]

Nicely done guys, wish I could have gone.

[Brody]

And the last ones:

[Gecko Cycles]

That hole was there in late Aug but it was dry. It was too big for me to try back then. I was all my my lonely with my 12 yr old so I wasn't getting to ballsy. It was about 3' wide and 3' deep and straight up or a bit undercut even on the uphill exit. Did end up breaking a Dodge motor mount on the trip non the less. Too many jumps and high speed runs on MSV going from the campsite to Camp Dick potty.

[Ace]

Too many jumps and high speed runs on MSV going from the campsite to Camp Dick potty.

High speed runs... Sounds like you didn't make the potty in time!

Great time yesterday. Nice to meet everyone and see some of you again.

I've got a pretty big dent in my right rear panel. Mud was coming over my tailgate:eek: so I've got a mess in the back to clean out.

Time to cover the seats, open the drain plugs and get after the inside with the garden hose. At least it's gonna be warm outside today:)

[Chris]

Right rear? I would have thought left. I have some pics of you from the rear I'll post here in a bit.

[Roostercruiser]

looked like alot of fun. i really need to get my truck running again and legal. great pics

[1freaky1]

Looks like ya'll had a great time kinda wishing I would have went but had other stuff going on. Maybe next time. Great pics!!!

[white collar redneck dad]

Wow!!! What great pics...Sure wish I could have joined you on those trails!!! Eventually my rig will be running again....

[Chris]

Here are a few more pics of Ace...

[sunk]

Wow, I wish I would have stuck around for that hole...How much further did you guys go up the trail? Great pics!

[Chris]

It was just a short way from where you left us. I guess you didn't have any trouble getting home, keep us posted with your upcoming fix.

[Brody]

Wow, I wish I would have stuck around for that hole...How much further did you guys go up the trail? Great pics!

About a mile or mile and a half after you turned back...just to the end of the MSV trail where it turns up into Coney Flats. The mud hole was maybe 1/3 mile or more past where you headed back. Glad that you got back OK.

[Rob]

Here are some vids.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=izcWI9v4Ezo
Pathrat, Caribou mud


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7QA31oj4GJI
Chris, MSV mud


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7SlWGv-xwzc
YouTube - Pete, Middle St. Vran


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mZZBalPjYnA
Andy, Middle St. Vrain

[Ace]

Right rear? I would have thought left. I have some pics of you from the rear I'll post here in a bit.

Yep, duh... I meant left rear.

I tried a little paintless dent repair today. It looks better but not real good.

I had to drill a hole in the bottom of my tail gate to hose wash all the mud out of the inside of the frame. I've hosed the whole rig out 3 times now and I still find mud everytime I think I'm done.

[white collar redneck dad]

I had to drill a hole in the bottom of my tail gate to hose wash all the mud out of the inside of the frame. I've hosed the whole rig out 3 times now and I still find mud everytime I think I'm done.

Andy,

I need to take you muddin near Buckley Air Field. I came back from wheelin with so much mud that I had to use my wipers just to see out the windshield :thunb: My hood was covered from corner to corner with so much mud you couldn't tell the color of my jeep :D

Even to this day -- 2 months after the trip --- im still finding mud under my rig. Welcome to muddin!!!!

Hmmmmm sounds a local muddin trip is needed....:rolleyes:

[Haku]

While not as big as some of the pits near Buckley, this was certainly comparable to the Buckley pits for goopyness.

The Buckley area is definitely fun and has some good true "mud" in it. Both Steve (Scoutman) and I got stuck and had to get strapped out. My rig had big plumes of mud going up both sides. Steve's house is 1/4 mile from the entrance to this place, so it was a great place to try the tranny after rebuilding it. Good times. Oh, and yes, even after a 6 minute trip to the car wash, I still have plenty of mud left to clean off. I'm just glad it didn't inside my rig like it did in Andy's.

JH

[Rob]

Hmmmmm sounds a local muddin trip is needed....:rolleyes:

We just did one, Charlie. You missed it. :D

I didn't go into the MSV mud pit and I still had to wash the 40 twice. Once last night when I got off the trail and again today.

[white collar redneck dad]

We just did one, Charlie. You missed it. :D

I didn't go into the MSV mud pit and I still had to wash the 40 twice. Once last night when I got off the trail and again today.

I sure wish that I could have made it as I was kidless this weekend. :rolleyes:

I just didn't want to bother anyone for a ride as the rig is still down.

[Pathrat]

Great pictures! I have not downloaded mine yet...was busy painting useless plastic parts and strong metal useful bumpers. Yeah Pete, I like not hearing that clanging noise of the exhaust on a rock.

[Brody]

Here is a tip for mud:

After you get back from the trail, take a regular garden sprinkler, the kind with the dorky little stand and the spray fan on top, and stick it underneath your rig with the water on high for 10 minutes, moving it from the front to the back.

Then go to the car wash....most of the mud underneath will then simply fall or wash out, including all those hard to get to spots.

[Funrover]

Just keeps getting better, Props to ACE.. Mud Hole looks fun!

[Smash]

Absolutely fantastic!!

[FJBRADY]

Great pics.....

[RicardoJM]

I'm slacking and have not put up my pictures but I wanted to again thank Rob for putting this together. I enjoyed riding along with Rob and Randy. Great group of folks and a fun time on this run.

[Brody]

Great pictures! I have not downloaded mine yet...was busy painting useless plastic parts and strong metal useful bumpers. Yeah Pete, I like not hearing that clanging noise of the exhaust on a rock.

Thanks! The stock exhaust location has bothered me ever since the first run we did where I was behind you.

Keep in mind that now if you hear your bumper scrap on anything, you are probably very close to going over backwards! I am looking forward to reports from you doing something steep that you used to drag stuff on. I have to remind myself of this ever since I bobbed the back of my truck. I was used to getting on something really steep and using my bumper as a warning device. Now I'll hear my bumper about the time I turn turtle....

[Pathrat]

Thanks! The stock exhaust location has bothered me ever since the first run we did where I was behind you.

Keep in mind that now if you hear your bumper scrap on anything, you are probably very close to going over backwards! I am looking forward to reports from you doing something steep that you used to drag stuff on. I have to remind myself of this ever since I bobbed the back of my truck. I was used to getting on something really steep and using my bumper as a warning device. Now I'll hear my bumper about the time I turn turtle....


:lol: "turn turtle" ...not funny to have happen but the phrase is great!

Next time we go to Moab the plan is to do Poison Spider (in the summer). That will be a good test. Also, I have scraped on two sections of another, milder trail and if we do it again in a few months, I will be very interested to see if I can hear the sound of silence.