Adventure at the COAFWDC Meeting

By Jerry Smith

For those of you who did not attend the 2017 3^rd Quarterly meeting of the Colorado Association of Four Wheel Drive Clubs, you missed what might have been the meeting of the century.

The meeting was to be an “on the trail” event on Calamity Mesa near Gateway, Colorado.  The agenda was to hold the meeting on the trail, then camp over night with the possibility of an evening trip on one of the shorter trails.  Sunday, we would break camp and then run the Calamity Mesa Loop Trail.

Lower "Gatekeeper"

The attendees who showed up met in Grand Junction as instructed and proceeded to the 6.3 Road turn off on Hwy 141.  The day was a hot one.  With no signs of any other attendees, a corporate decision was made to drive into Gateway and meet in an air-conditioned room at the Gateway Canyons Resort.

Due to no quorum being present, the meeting was short and productive for what little business could be done.  After the conclusion of our quick meeting, it was decided that Brian and Larry would begin their journey home while Jerry and Ige would go to the original meeting place just to make sure no one was waiting there.  Ige had never been in this part of the world and wished to become acquainted.  I told her that it would be about 40-miles of extra driving, but she insisted on going.

The 6.3 Road, aka the Niche Road, was its usual looonnng, steep, ascent to the top of the lower Uncompahgre Plateau.  It averages to be a 15% grade for about 6-miles.  The road was still in very good condition from its last grading and we made good time getting to the original meeting place.

After some exploration of the New Verde Mine that Ige had never seen before, a slow rain began with large raindrops falling.  The drops were much cooler than the air temperature and the ambient temperature began to drop.  As we departed, the rain began increasing in intensity.  Soon a sandy mud was being flung from the tires and the windshield wipers were working overtime.

The New Verde Uranium Mine  

The rain kept increasing and then it began turning to hail.  The noise on the hard top became deafening, but we pressed on.  Upon reaching the turkey foot intersection at the top of the steep shelf road, I shifted into low range to control the speed of descent without riding the brakes.

Small rivers of swift moving water were already eroding the road surface and the sides of the road as the water cut deep into the lower side and dropped into Ute Creek.  The road was slick and steep with little stopping power.  Several large rocks were rolling into the road from the high bank adding to the danger. 

The lower side of the Niche Road was washing away along the whole road.

Thoughts of what the wash/road would be like by the time we hit the bottom were alarming.  The lower road is literally the wash.  Most of the time, the road is graded and in good condition.  Only about an hour ago, it was in typical condition.  Judging by the deteriorating upper road and the volume of water increasing exponentially, the term “flash flood” seemed more likely.

About ¾ of the way down the mesa, Ige lost all signs of air pressure in the right front tire.  I was ahead and out of sight but noticed there was no one following and pulled up to wait.  After a minute, I turned around and headed back up.  Ige was already soaked and had the spare out.  Within seconds, I was soaked as well.  We got the tire changed and Ige lead of down the hill.

Where the steep road meets the wash, it was no surprise to see a river of rushing water charging across the road.  Not knowing the depth, Ige allowed Happy Trails and me to “Jeep the creek” first.  The water was near the top of my 35” tires in the deepest place.  Now we had much to be nervous about.  That much swift moving water and a sandy wash bottom could be a BIG problem. 

As we approached the wash/road, this is what we found. 

After a short way, we dove back into the raging water.  Some places, the surf was definitely UP!!  Others, it was just a wide riffle with occasional holes and large rocks.  The corners, of which there are many, were where the real damage was being done. 

Ige entering the first of the flood waters.

Leading the way, I tried to read the water and avoid the deep holes and larger rocks.  Ige tried to follow in my tracks that were invisible.  Several times, I waited to make sure she was able to make it through some difficult places.

In places, choosing a line was difficult.

Near the bottom of the road where the normal air down/up ceremony takes place, the road had disappeared.  Now there was a vertical bank with a narrow access to the road above.  Just recognizing the road was difficult, but we made the right choice.

When we stopped at the wide air-down area, the first thing Ige asked was — “Were you trying to kill me?”  What should have been a simple trip up the side of the mesa had turned into an adventure that most will never experience.  All I could say was – “I told you it would be 40-miles of extra driving.” and “that going out with Jerry can be dangerous.”  Other Grand Mesa Jeep Club members can vouch for that.

After disengaging the hubs and a little talk, we departed for home(s).

The grizzly rock screen is now about 75 yards down stream.

Just an hour before, there was a grizzly rock screen setting there.