We'll
start at the bottom left of the map at Adams Lake. I headed to the Deep
Creek campground, which is passenger car accessible, to take a look -
it's a nice place to camp. Out from the campground I decided to try a
different route out of the forest - to head south / southwest towards
Glenwood Springs. Off of Coffee Pot Road I came across a Subaru that
wouldn't start. The couple set up camp along the roadside at a spot
with a GREAT view - only to awake to a dead car in the morning. We
tried jumping it (as did another passer-by earlier) and no go. Spraying
starting fluid in the intake it would run. Likely a fuel delivery
issue. The car's not driving out. They had the bumper tow attachment
(fortunately! - there was no other good spot to connect a tow cable)
and they loaded up with the plan to pull them out of the forest and
back into tow-truck land.
The plan was for me to tow them out of the forest and back to
civilization where a tow truck could get them (and it's Sunday). I'd do
the pulling and they'd do the stopping. This car had an electronic
parking brake - and it had a dead battery. No cable operated brake they
could use. The kid would need to press the brake pedal while not having
power assist. We had about 20 miles of gravel that's we'd drive at
about 20 MPH. We'd then have about 10 miles of I-70 frontage road to
get to Gypsum - the closest town. While still on the gravel road, but
down from the mountain and in the Deep Creek canyon's rest stop the kid
mentioned needing to take a brake as his brake leg was worn out from
pressing the hard brake peda.
In the end, we made it to Gypsum and they had a tow truck scheduled -
but there'd be no service on the car on Sunday. They and their dog
needed a hotel room (nobody at home in Denver to come get them) and
nothing was available in Gypsum but seven miles east at Eagle they
found a room. I ferried them one at a time to the hotel and parted
ways. I hope their issue was resolved in short order with a low cost.
Free from tow duties I started up the Colorado River to take a
deviation near McCoy where I headed north on asphalt. While I had plans
to make it home for evening Mass, that was not an option now. Let's
make use of the daylight and see if I can drive over the mountain from
Steamboat Springs to North Park where Walden sits. Winding up the road
- cluelessly passing by the 8.5"x11" notice - locked gate ahead signs I
worked up the decently washboarded road. It looked quite popular with
campers - cars at about every pull-out. In the end, the locked gate
greeted me and I had to turn around. At least I know what the scenery
is like to the gate.
Scoot back to Steamboat, fill the tires for highway driving and check
the gas - enough to make it to Walden. Heading up Rabbit Ears Pass, a
couple miles from the top was a camper-van / conversion van at the
roadside with the occupants outside holding cell phones in the air
trying to get a signal. I stopped and the folks said it started running
bad and it stopped. The engine bay, via a closed hood, was HOT and they
had been on the shoulder for 30/40 minutes already. A minute later a
deputy arrived and he suggested checking fluid. Opening the hood took a
towel for the release latch. The upper radiator hose could be pinched
(there might not be too much pressure in the system / it'd be OK to
open it). With a towel wadded up I slowly opened the cap to the detent
- only a bit of steam came out. There was fluid in the radiator. The
deputy suggested they try to start it and drive three more miles to the
campground on the right. It started and the three of us headed to the
campground entrance. The deputy and I left and I headed to Walden for
fuel with a decision - head back to town via the Poudre Canyon or head
up to Laramie WY. I chose the canyon route.
The ride out from Walden to the canyon offered a night lightning show
for storms east of me. This route, while void of traffic tonight, is
one to be at attention - much of the road is marked for 65MPH though
moose sightings are common. If I wish to see a moose - Cameron Pass and
just west of there into North Park is the spot.
Traveling slower I did see one moose cross the road but far enough
ahead to not be of any concern. Oddly, right at the pass, when heading
west, there's a left turn. Tonight / earlier today, someone didn't make
the turn. My guess is that it was a pickup towing a long camper. The
camper was obliterated with parts everywhere off the roadway. The
pickup looked like it drove away. Odd.
The drive down the canyon, in the dark, was unusual. I wasn't falling
asleep but the landmarks didn't seem overly pronounced - riding in a
dark tree tunnel - an experience.
Back at home - straight to sleep - a nice trip / good weekend. Some new sights. `helped some folks.
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