Glade Park to Gateway, CO

By Jerry Smith

Saturday, November 16, 2013

Keri Hawthorne had announced this trip nearly a week prior to this Saturday morning.   She had been told it would be a fairly mild run.  Under reasonably normal circumstances, that would have been correct.

Under the conditions we encountered, Gilligan and the Skipper might have written the script for what was ahead.  Read on… 

Several times in the past, we (Happy Trails & I) had made this trip in as little as 3 to 4 hours.  Alone, you can set your own pace, stop if and when you need to, and find little to talk about on the roadside. 

Airing down on the CO/UT border.

Add another rig or two and all of that changes… we had 10  vehicles in our entourage making for several extended stops for varying reasons.  

One thing is very true about the Grand Mesa Jeep Club; 

“The Grand Mesa Jeep Club is the Colorado “Club of the Year” for 2013 for good reasons.  This club “ROCKS”!

Our membership can relate to everyone and anywhere from very mild to extreme in relationship to vehicle capability and/or personal experience. 

Not long into the trip, we had this white stuff falling.

We have club-sponsored trips any given weekend that may be from strictly scenic, easy going to more intense mid-range difficulty.  Then there are some who seek the extreme “trails” that can make a lizard cringe.  (Lizards have been known to hang upside down). 

The really great thing is… we all find this “sport” to be as addictive and fun at all levels of difficulty.  Adventure comes in all sizes, shapes, colors, and levels of experience.  Yet the club membership seems to have “gelled” into a common love for the Great American BackCountry, no matter what it has to offer.

No joy could be found in this pretty face.

This trip was to be no exception.  When we arrived at about 08:30, Adam was already waiting for some adventure.  We found out that he was somewhat of a novice to Jeeping, but was eager to find new trails and others to experience them with.

His relatively “new to him” LJ appeared to have some “experience” on it, but he admitted to little of that being personal.

Within just a few minutes, others began arriving until we had 10-rigs fueled up and ready to go.  At the assigned 09:15 time, we pulled out.

This day was one of those where shadows were non-existent.  A totally gray sky lurked above with the threat of rain or snow. 

The drive to the end of DS road and the CO/UT border was mostly uneventful except for the chatter on the CB radios.

For those who have not yet invested in a CB and enjoyed a trip with friends who have them… you miss so much fun and information that gets passed on by those of us who have practically lived in this American BackCountry for years.

This rock was once in the middle of the road.  When I stopped to point it out, we had some difficulty getting everyone moving on the uphill slope.

Passing by arches and other scenic things can go unnoticed without communications.  The friendly banter about nearly anything always adds “flavor” to the day as well.

At the border, we paused to air-down and Happy Trails was designated “Trip Leader”.  We related that we would likely be leaving the trip at the top of the Sheep Cr. Road to turn back for some “assessment” of the Granite Cr. Road that has had varying reports as to its condition.  We wanted some first-hand knowledge so plans to re-open the road next spring could be planned for.

With this many rigs and shorter daylight to work with, we knew this was going to be asking for a lot, but should have been doable.

At times, visibility was a little suspect.

This is a second view of Luke climbing in the snow.

Crossing Spring Cr. and climbing up to Red Gap we made good time.  The stop on Red Gap was short as the stiff breeze had an uncomfortable “chill” on the exposed point.  Sometimes the grand views just don’t require a lot of scrutinies.

As we were nearing Ryan Park, I remember predicting that we were on the apparent leading edge of a winter storm.  I have learned to be a strict weather watcher traveling the canyon country of western Colorado and eastern Utah.

Dodging large rocks and holes in
these conditions slides you into
some interesting places.

Storms in this part of the world don’t have to be very close to interrupt your day.  Many times we have altered our direction of travel because of what the skies tell us.

Not too long after, a light snow began falling.  As our elevation increased, the snow got considerably more intense.  By the time we came to the upper Granite Creek crossing, the snow was making the trail much more difficult than usual.

There was some talk on the CB of turning back, but we encouraged everyone to “stick with us” and that the trail would get easier soon. 

Having some turn around would have meant that the entire group, or at least the majority, should follow suit.  My experience is that you don’t leave the least experienced to fend for themselves… especially in these conditions.

Adam sloshing along.

Having people wandering around in a snowstorm in an unfamiliar country is a great way to lose a friendship at best or a friend at worst.  I value both too much for either.

The prediction of trail conditions proved to have some “flaws” as the snow continued and the trail became more difficult from the recent rains that had left run-off damage that slowed progress even more.

By the time we had stopped for lunch, we were about 2/3rds of the way to Gateway.  With the trail in its normal condition, another 1 to 2 hours should have us in Gateway with no problem. 

The “normal condition” description did not apply well.  Mom Nature will lure you into some “higher adventures” if given enough opportunity.  This was one of those times.

Snowflakes got large for a while

Some of the long uphill grades were scouted ahead before allowing the main contingent to follow.  On too many of them fairly deep channels had been carved by either water or people spinning tires deep into the muddy road surface. 

Luckily, with only one real exception, we were able to keep the line moving without much difficulty on these slick grades.

At a couple of the more challenging obstacles, there were already bypasses around the obstacle and some chose to take the “less challenging” way.

This is perfectly okay with me and I often encourage the “easy way” for those who have issues with tearing up their equipment or just feeling uncomfortable about following the rest.  There is nothing “chicken” about keeping within your “comfort zone”.

Tail gunner Cody had to deal with whatever we left behind.

There will be ample opportunities to “stretch your limitations” if you follow the likes of Happy Trails.  We have “pushed” more than our fair share of folks to their limits many times.  They have all survived and none have complained after doing the surviving.

The Sheep Creek road can be a pussy cat or a full grown lion. Today it was at least a large bobcat. Note the road below the Jeeps as it winds back and forth down the mountain.  Some switchbacks come so fast, you just get straightened out only to begin the next turn.

With over 40-years of trails behind us, if there is a safe way to get a Jeep through an obstacle, we will find it.  Being sympathetic to those with less experience and/or more “stock” vehicles is never taken for granted. 

Encouragement to “take it to another level” will always be tempered with knowing when to say “when”.  Ask club member Sandra Park. 

On a trip to Coon Hollow, I was directing Tim around an obstacle that his Detroit lockers were presenting a problem with.  Sandra was riding passenger.

Note how "Newbies" hug the upper side of a shelf road.  This is very common.  Some people just don't enjoy a good view from their windshield or out the side.

As they were exiting a severe off-camber turn, the lockers were pushing them toward the outside of the road and a long cliff-like place.  With the glare of the sun off the windshield, while spotting, I could not see them inside and my total attention to their position probably wouldn’t have allowed me to look anyway.

I did not know she was panicking to the point of tears, or I would have asked her to get out and either watch from my perspective or to walk down the trail a short way.

As it turned out, they made it around the scary stuff with zero problems, and after talking; I think her confidence in my directions increased to a good level of trust. 

When we showed her how much farther from the danger she really was than her mind was telling her she was in, she realized that her fear was unwarranted.  Often, another perspective is all that it takes.

For a "Newbie", Adam didn't hug the uphill side quite as much.

Whenever you or your passengers are feeling “uncomfortable”, I encourage you to stop, get out, and really look at what is making you or them uncomfortable.  Most of the time, it won’t look as bad as you think.

If the discomfort isn’t solved, walk ahead until you can feel comfortable.  Then get back in and assess whether the discomfort was truly warranted.

If the vehicle came through with no major problems, were you really in jeopardy, or was your mind just telling you there was a danger?  The more you experience these feelings and find there was no real reason for overwhelming fear, just respect for the situation, the easier you will find these situations to be worked through without the full-on panic.

We love the "Thumbs-up" and smiles from both inside and out.

This trip was a prime example of this.  Yes, we all expected minor discomfort from having to drive through a snowstorm.  That is always normal.  Respect the obstacles presented out on the trails… but don’t fear them.

Experience will temper the level of fear you have eventually.  Even the buggy drivers learn their limitations by overcoming their fears.  Often they learn by turning a buggy over… sometimes multiple times.

When you build a rig to do what they do, it will normally survive such “Learning”.  You, on the other hand, don’t have to go to that extreme to learn.

Driving in a winter storm deserves respect… always.  But that doesn’t mean you don’t go to the grocery store all winter.  Just learn when to say “enough” and turn around before you are truly in over your head on the trail.  Being far off the pavement has “rules” you must learn to adhere to.

Cody shows where the more experienced drivers take a trail.  Better views yet safe.

Trips like this demand you go prepared… maybe for an overnight stay.  Your well-being and/or others with you might depend on that.  A little extra food, water, and a heavy coat for all in your vehicle should ALWAYS be a minimum you carry.

Can YOU build a fire?  That, you must be prepared to do in all conditions you may encounter.  Your very survival may depend on that seemingly small task.

Seemingly silly things like this will help build your personal confidence.  Learning these things while on the trail is a poor time to do so.  You want to learn this under ideal conditions… not under stress of a life or death situation.

Luke comes through a deep hole we encountered.

Building a fire, changing a flat tire, using a Hi-Lift jack, or any of these skills you may be called on to perform should be learned with no time restraints and no actual “need” present. 

Ask for help from someone experienced.  Learn the “right” way and then practice it until you feel confident you can do it under “less than good” circumstances.

By the time we reached the top of the Sheep Creek road, it was getting late in the day as far as sunlight was concerned.  The cloudy conditions only served to hasten darkness.

Because of this, Happy Trails stayed on lead.  There was no time to return to Granite Cr.

This is how to wind-up a YJ.

What we did not know was that the normally moderately difficult Sheep Cr. road was suffering from late summer storm runoff in a fairly major way. 

The Sheep Cr. road is one of the steepest and winding roads you will ever encounter.  Lengths of this road above and below the vertical cliff area in the mid-range have switchbacks that have you barely straightening out from one before you must turn for the next.  Your steering wheel will go from lock to lock as quick as you can turn the wheel.

At more than a few of the switchbacks, you will be required to back up in order to make the turn.  Yes, it is everything its reputation leads you to expect.  For myself, this is the ultimate Jeeping experience.  For others, the fear of heights alone will scare the wits out of you.

The views down off the roadside will keep your adrenaline flowing and a nap will not be possible… unless you would rather sleep through the whole experience.  Heavy drugs will be necessary, though.

In approximately 3.2 miles traveled from the top, you will have dropped 2100 ft. at the last wash crossing… that’s about 632 ft./mile.

Even Roger's LJ did the twist. 

This day, we found copious numbers of loose rocks of varying sizes littering the roadbed. 

At every small stream coming down off the mountain, a deeply cut channel, often located on the other side of a hump of debris left behind as the running water receded, became necessary to chart a safe way across. 

Some of these channels crossed the road straight across.  Other places, the deep cuts wound their way down the road before finally dumping through a “V” cut on the lower side.  Either way, each presented a new and different obstacle to negotiate.

One such obstacle had me out of Happy Trails to walk it.  Here again, experience will tell you when to walk an obstacle before getting into it only to push the “automatic reject feature” button.

Often, walking past an obstacle is warranted.  Getting through an obstacle only to find a worse, or maybe impassible object just around the corner may require you to back through the first one.  Not something you want to do!

JKUs found they could articulate

As I walked this obstacle, most of the others had gathered to “look it over”.  “Seeing” the line, I asked them to watch how we were about to go for their own reference.  I would be back to “spot” the others.

Happy Trails about to go down the long wash in the middle of the road.

Luke making the turn in the middle of the long washout.

Happy Trails did what she was built to do and was soon through and parked where the others could pass and park further down. 

Spotting the others left me with no chances for taking pictures to share so we will need to depend on others who did take a few to “show” the difficulty. 

Even the by-pass had some
off-camber moments.

This turned out to be the most difficult place, but add several small “slow downs” together and you have one big one.  By the time we hit the bottom of the trail near the Delores River, we barely time had time to air-up before it was fully dark.

Keri had offered to provide dinner for the crew at their home in Clifton.  It sounded VERY inviting and the majority apparently took her up on her very generous offer.

Having spent Friday taking care of my grandkids, I was already way behind on some work that absolutely needed doing, so I reluctantly begged off. 

Harley's Zuk "leaned" a little.

The drive down Hwy 141 was a snowy one to somewhere past the divide. 

This day had proven to be one to be remembered… especially when you consider the trip was supposed to be more of a scenic, easy drive.

I will repeat it:  “The Grand Mesa Jeep Club is the Colorado “Club of the Year” for 2013 for good reasons.  This club “ROCKS”!

The Sheep Creek road is full of places you can practically have a
head-on collision with yourself.  

This is where you are entering a serious rockfall danger.  Every year, this cliff drops tons of rocks onto the road.  You don't want to participate in that operation.

Keri showing that the ladies of the Grand Mesa Jeep Club can get the job done.

If you can't do this, scratch Colorado off your list.  This
is an "Easy" trail.

Happy Trails and always remember; When you come to the fork in the road, take it!

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