Glenwood Springs to Fort Collins via an all too short visit to the Holy Cross City trail
| Today
would be a tad different from the prior days. The prior trails
were of lower difficulty with high scenery value. Today will be higher
difficulty and unknown scenery (unknown if we'll get above the trees for any wide view).
Ken and I met up with Andy and his friend. They trailered a Suzuki from
near Boulder |
| Dotsero Colo Colorado River with a UP heading east up to the Moffat Tunnel |
| Jumping down near the Holy Cross City trail |
| Trailhead |
| And this will be the end of the trail for
today. Sadly, my jeep will be the limiting factor as it'll break the right rear leaf spring at this obstacle. |
| An assortment of lines to be tried
before a winch is put to use. |
| Video This obstacle was the first and the last for the day. No matter which line, the front wheels could get atop but the rears would slip. There was just enough water in the dip to make the tires and rock more slick. This is Andy and his friend. They gave several lines a try but in the end (IIRC) pulled out a winch. |
| Me... I tried driving up the rock but went the
winch route. As the winch was pulling the jeep up the rock I gave the
gas pedal an ever so slight bit of gas to help the winch while not
allowing slack in the line. BANG. Not a desired sound. Now to
find out what it was. Winch line is good. No driveshaft hanging down. There it is - the right rear tire is askew. Leaf springs sheared. Andy's friend (IIRC) had the recommendation of using a log as a splint. Log sourced. Bow saw to trim to length. Copious straps to hold all into place. Jeep jacked up, log (splint) inserted and being strapped into place |
| LOLOLOL And this is why one goes wheeling with friends. While I'm thankful for the assistance, I'm bummed that Andy and friend drove a long distance only to have the day called quite short. Sorry gents. |
| Trailer ride back to the front range. Thank you Andy. |
| South of Berthoud Colo Northbound BNSF awaiting traffic |
| Home photos of the break & splint |
| The bottom leaf looks to have broken some time
ago |
