Sheep Creek / Granite Creek Pre-run

Sheep Creek / Granite Creek 

Pre-run

May 10, 2014

By Jerry Smith

Providing the most enjoyable 3-days of Jeeping our “Rock Junction” guests can possibly have is the ultimate goal of the Grand Mesa Jeep Club.  That does not include working to make a trail passable or leaving their paint on trees or brush that has overgrown the trails.

Steep, narrow, and rocky is the Granite Cr. shelf road

Rock Junction is an annual 3-day event held in conjunction with the Rocky Mountain Off Road Expo.  The Expo is the first Saturday of June in Grand Junction, Colorado.  Rock Junction is the three-days prior to that Saturday.

Those 3-days are spent out on some of western Colorado's and eastern Utah's premier Jeep trails.  Those Jeep trails range in difficulty from mild and scenic to extreme and scenic.  Your choice.

At the end of each day on the trail, you are treated to a BBQ dinner where we mingle with others who have some "tall tales" you're going to want to hear.  Between the trails and the BBQs, this event brings rigs from all over the US and Canada to Grand Junction.

With this in mind, 7 rigs began early Saturday morning for a “working” trip up the Sheep Creek and Granite Creek trails.  Granite Creek had been run earlier this year with several hours of brush trimming reopening miles of overgrown trail.  (see this link for that story:  http://happytrails4wdblog.blogspot.com/2014/04/the-granite-creek-trail.html 

The Sheep Creek trail had not been run, so we did not know what to expect.  

Historically, this trail can have “issues” in the early spring after the winter ravages and spring runoff.

A less sharp, but still steep hairpin on Sheep Creek

On the bottom of Sheep Creek, deep wash crossings can have high vertical banks left after high water has abated.   Further up the steep, narrow shelf road, rock falls are common and erosion of the road surface can change the “personality” of the trip.

After airing down at the Hwy 141/ 4.2 Road intersection, we ran the 6-miles down along the Delores River to the Sheep Creek trailhead.  From here, the trail goes from a fast county road to a bouncy, rough, and slow progress type of trail.  Once you climb up on the lower mesa, the trail becomes one of loose round river rock that keeps speed and comfort to a minimum.

Dropping down into the washes that empty the runoff from the higher ground, we discovered that a dozer had been hired to reopen the road not long before this exploration.  As usual, the dozer operator went at the trail as if to create a “passing lane” up an otherwise narrow, challenging Jeep road.

Pictures don't relate the roughness of Sheep Creek

While we applaud the BLM for keeping the trail open, we would argue that leaving the trail more “primitive” would be preferable.  Repair of impassable or dangerous obstacles is a good thing.  Destroying a perfectly good primitive Jeep Road is not!

The good thing is that Mother Nature has a way of “curing” what the BLM and a dozer have done.  Historically speaking, one or two years from now, Sheep Creek will return to a very fun, challenging trail.
One year, the first trip up Sheep Creek nearly came to an abrupt end on one hairpin point.  The heavy runoff had cut a deep gouge down the side of the mountain and then turned down the road for about 50-yards before diving off the lower side.  The deep V-notch cut had left just enough of the narrow shelf road for a Jeep to pass if the driver wasn't squeamish about dropping the passenger side tires into the V-notch.
A wrong decision at this point could result in a long roll to the bottom of the canyon.  As it turned out, the two of us made it through without any problems.  A call to the BLM ended with the trail temporarily closed for several months.
Other times, rockfalls from the high cliff above the road can drop huge boulders onto the road.  More than once, some inventive winching has been required to remove the debris.  Once, dynamite was used to "shrink" the rock into a portable size.  We like to think that Colorado Jeep trails have their own special needs.

Climbing the steep Sheep Creek trail

At the top of the ridge, the Pinon pine and Juniper trees have been encroaching on the trail for years. We stopped several times to do some widening of the trail to make it less abrasive on the vehicle sides.

The Delores River Valley from upper Sheep Creek

After a very light rain-shortened lunch stop, we continued down into Lost Horse Canyon.  The trail here becomes fairly mild for quite some distance.

As you approach where Granite Creek intersects, the trail begins to get rough and the brush along the sides gets downright ugly.  Even after our first “work trip”, the brush had begun leafing out and reaching for your paint job.

We spent a lot of time further trimming some of the worst areas to make them more “user-friendly”. 

Mary and Chuck performing trail maintenance

The Granite Creek canyon is a beautiful and grand place.  High, steep, canyon walls are topped by nearly vertical cliffs with jagged looking, weather-beaten crags.  The scenic values alone are worth the trip.  Along the way, you transition from Colorado to Utah, though you better watch closely on the GPS to notice it.

Once you reach the old “homestead”, most of the scenic qualities pale while ascending the very narrow shelf road up and out of the canyon.  The steep, rocky roadway keeps your attention away from the “views” for the most part.

Granite Creek

Your concentration is more limited to; “don’t go over the side” than; “that sure looks pretty”.  Depending on what you drive, there are places where your outside tire may protrude slightly over the edge of a very steep, very deep canyon.  You may use the word “unnerving” if it’s in your vocabulary.

We left Granite Creek and Sheep Creek in much better condition than we found them… ready for “Rock Junction” on June 4, 5, and 6, 2014.

You will have some Off-Camber moments in Granite Creek

Come enjoy 3-days of Jeeping some of western Colorado and eastern Utah’s premier trails.  We have trip leaders who will take you on trips from the mild to the extremely wild… your choice.  Then enjoy a hosted evening BBQ each day to reminisce your journeys with others who have just done theirs.

Happy Trails to you.  

And remember, when you come to a fork in the road, "Take It!" 

Winding up the Granite Creek trail

Dodging large rocks on tight turns

Sometimes over is preferable to around

Close to the edge can be "hairy"

"Choice words" were no doubt being exchanged here

Wendy admiring the deep canyon view

Passengers get a better view of the canyon 

One of several steep, sharp hairpin turns on Sheep Creek

The inspiring rim of Granite Creek

A Coon Hollow Adventure

Preparing Coon Hollow for Rock Junction, 2014

April 19, 2014

By Jerry Smith

With Rock Junction looming only a little over a month away, (June 3, 4, & 5, 2014) pre-running the premier western Colorado and eastern Utah trails to ensure their readiness is necessary.  Winters in this part world can be tough on our trails.

Members of the Grand Mesa Jeep Club had already reopened Granite Creek.  After several years of neglect, the roadside brush had grown into the road making forward progress a paint removing process.  Read about that trip at: 
http://happytrails4wdblog.blogspot.com/2014/04/the-granite-creek-trail.html

The Granite Creek trail

The Calamity Mesa Loop had required moving large rocks and downed trees from the trail to allow “unfettered” access.  Check out the story of the Rock Junction 2013 -- Calamity Mesa Loop at http://rockjunction2013calamitymesaloop.blogspot.com

GenRight's Tony Pelligrino on the Calamity Mesa Loop

Next, the Coon Hollow Jeep Road would no doubt need some maintenance.

The Coon Hollow Jeep Road was reopened to full-sized vehicles in 2013 after many years of non-use.  You may read about that at: 
http://coonhollowisopen.blogspot.com/2013/06/Coon-Hollow-Jeep-Trail.html  

The first wash on Coon Hollow in 2014

The first wash on Coon Hollow in 2013

Tree branches, mountain ash, and miles of 5-foot tall sagebrush had overgrown the trail to barely leave room for ATVs to pass.  Now, it allows access to an area with “Wilderness Characteristics”… funny how some people can ignore the presence of a road to fulfilling their insatiable desire to name more “Wilderness”.

The winter of 2013/14 had been a long, cold, and harsh one.  Erosion on other area trails had shown to be severe.  With several deep washes to cross, Coon Hollow would no doubt need some tender loving care.

The morning of April 19^th was somewhat ominous.  Already raining, the forecast was for more rain.  Much of the land north of the Colorado River is not conducive to wheeled travel when wet.  The mud can be treacherously slick and even dangerous.  Coon Hollow is north of the river.

The trip had been advertised to LEAVE from the Clifton “Albertson’s” parking lot.  Albertson’s has not existed in Clifton for years.  Confusion deluxe!

Happy Trails in the wash

Not realizing the error at first, I sat at the City Market parking lot thinking that it was the correct place.  At nearly 8:30, Greg comes driving up saying he saw Adam over near the former Albertson’s waiting… so we left for there.

Meanwhile, Adam had gone seeking any others hoping to go.  Finally, the CB radio allowed all to convene and we dashed up I-70 toward De Beque.

After airing down in De Beque, we proceeded to the Coon Hollow road.  Even though it had just rained, the road was only damp.  Good luck was with us.

Entering the canyon, we noted several deep cuts across the road from erosion.  Some were bone jarring to cross.

Coming to the first large deep wash crossing, Jerry led down the extreme grade into the wash.  Bad decision! 

The wash was nearly two feet deeper than the last year and had exposed a substantial boulder in the bottom that was hidden from view over the hood.

That is a "full-stop" rock!

The wet road surface disallowed any kind of stopping power and we ended up nose down in the wash up against the huge rock.  Backing out was impossible without help.  I should have looked this over on foot BEFORE entering!  (a lesson I learned years ago and usually follow)

Greg’s winch was double blocked to the rear of Happy Trails and dragged her out with little trouble. 

Looking the situation over, it was decided that a much larger crew would be required to “remedy” access through the wash.  The only other avenue would be to scout another route.

Walking back down the road, we found access to and from the wash circumnavigating the former crossing. 

Adam crawling the wash

The only reason we pursued this action was because this area is still considered “Open” travel by the BLM.  If it had been managed under other circumstances, we would have been done for the day. 

Greg rocking the wash

Soon we were back on the trail and wondering; “what’s next?” 

Luckily, we found the road in fair condition clear to the top of the first shelf road.  There, with the damp surface, the nasty off-camber turns entering the small canyon were going to be a bit of a challenge.

Dry, the corners are banked enough to slide you into the deep, rocky wash bottom.  Wet, well let’s just say there were new rules.

This wash is narrow with large rocks littering the bottom.  Good tire placement is required and you WILL experience some severe off-camber as you wind your way through the S-turns.

Adam in the off-camber turns

After negotiating the wash, it was on to the next shelf road section.  This steep hill has many sizable rocks that you must crawl over.  Some are large enough that if you aren’t careful, you will hang your axles on them.  Again, add the mud factor on round rocks.

Greg assumed the off-camber position

Soon we were traveling up the hogback ridge.  Often, we stopped to trim Juniper and Mountain Ash from the road. 

About half way up, the skies turned dark and began to wet everything.  The road became slick in the extreme.  Walking was tough while trimming.

About 500 yards from the top, the trail becomes quite off-camber and steep.  The road by this time was saturated and treacherous.

Jerry finally spun-out and had to apply the lockers to continue.  Adam and Greg were sans lockers and Adam spun-out about 2/3 the way up.  This was a very bad situation.

This is a common position on Coon Hollow

The only sane (?) thing to do was to back down to where we could turn around.  That, it looked like, would be dangerous and difficult.  The cold rain coming down wouldn’t improve the situation any either.
Hands and fingers ached from the cold before we were through.

Walking on the road was like walking on a steep, icy hillside.  The only saving grace was most of the way; there was a small berm on the lower side of the road with thick brush growing from it.

We started walking Adam back down the hill.  Every time he tapped the brakes, sliding out of control was all he could do until enough traction was found from the small amount of growth on the road surface.

Several times the Jeep slid nearly off the road toward the steep mountainside below.  You could hear the seat covers ripping.

Finally, we reached Greg’s rig and started the whole process over with him behind the wheel. 

Finding rocks was no problem

Way down the hill, a wide spot appeared and we turned Greg around.  Back up the slick road, we mushed to Adam’s Jeep.  It was like “Peat and Repeat”.

Then it was trudging back to Happy Trails, about a quarter mile up the hill.  All this walking on the rain-slickened road was getting very hard on a guy who just weeks ago had open-heart surgery.

At Happy Trails, it was decided that I would drive up to the top to gauge how much further it was.  Greg and Adam were willing to walk up if it wasn’t too far.

By the time I could see the top and get turned around, they were nearly caught up to me.  We continued to the top of the saddle where the views are tremendous.  This is where I made another mistake.

Down the other side, the road normally takes you to a great lunch spot.  I thought about driving down to it.  BAD idea!

Just a few yards down the hill, it was apparent that the only “down” was down the steep hill… off the road sliding sideways.

The only option was to tie the winch line to a small Juniper above the road and swing the rear downhill.  Then winch back up to the road where we could switch the anchor to another tree and begin turning back onto the road.

One of the smaller wash crossings causes one end or the other to plow

Luckily, this plan worked perfectly and soon we were on the way back down to the other Jeeps.  Going down forward was much easier than backing.

A late lunch was held before we headed out.  Coon Hollow is one-way in and out.  The look of the trail is dramatically different going down than going up, though.  It’s like two different trails altogether.

Going up, it’s like looking through a tunnel of trees.  Descending, you can see the entire canyon and town of De Beque and the Battlement Mesa behind.  Gorgeous!

The Coon Hollow Jeep Road will require a heap of work to allow continued access for the foreseeable future.  The wash will likely require a rock dam be built below the road with some screen to catch and hold sand and silt.  This will allow the road crossing to be raised to a level of usability again.

Until that, the bypass will have to suffice.

Despite the difficulties, this day turned out to be quite an adventure for the three brave hearts.  A ton of work was performed and some new experiences had.  We look forward to doing it all again.

One last thing we have to cover; “When you come to a fork in the road… take it!”  Who knows?  You might find another gem like this one.

Many Happy Trails to and for you.

Copyright Happy Trails 4wd 2014- 2017.  All rights reserved.

The Granite Creek Trail

In the Lower Delores River Drainage

By Jerry Smith

April 5, 2014

The Granite Creek trail is one that has had little use by full-size vehicles for several years.  Gamble Oak and Juniper trees had grown into the trail leaving little room for full-size vehicle access.  Even the overhead is grown over in places.

The Granite Creek trail takes you through some spectacular Colorado and Utah Canyon Country.  Deep within the canyon, one has no idea when you cross from one state to the other unless you closely watch your GPS.  That requires a great deal of concentration as the scenic values of this deep canyon and the trail keep your eyes quite busy.

For years, the Grand Mesa Jeep Club (Colorado's Club of the Year - 2013) has been discussing this as an opportunity for a “club project”.  Reopening trails closed by Mother Nature has been an annual endeavor by a few club members.  Last year they reopened the Coon Hollow Jeep Trail after Mom Nature had physically closed it for years.

Shortly after the 8 AM meeting time, we struck out for adventure with a side dish of work from the Albertson’s on Broadway in Grand Junction, CO.  In no time we were weaving our way through the east entrance to the Colorado National Monument.  What a way to open your sleepy eyes on a cool Saturday morning.

Passing through Glade Park, we picked up the last member of our group – totaling 11- vehicles.  A great turnout considering we intended to begin what was billed as a two-day work project.

Roy proved to be "the workhorse" on this trip

At the Colorado/Utah border, those who desired to do so, aired down.  Most members elected not to drop air pressure for the short roughly thirty-mile drive to Granite Creek.  Some lived to regret that decision.

The road along this route is generally rated easy and recommended for stock vehicles.  Last fall, we encountered more difficulty than would be normally expected on our way to Gateway, CO.  Snow has a way of increasing the difficulty of many trails.

Melting snow and slick mud made this hill a challenge for all

This early in the spring, some snow and mud was anticipated in the higher elevations of upper Granite Creek.  That would only add to the “fun” in achieving our destination… until we learned that Jason’s Grand Cherokee was without a front driveline for the day.

One rocky hill climb proved to be too much for the 2wd vehicle and Roy came to the rescue with a tow strap.  Then we crossed upper Granite Creek and encountered a steep, rocky, muddy, and melting snow covered hillside.

Jason again hit the “automatic reject feature” button and required a tow from Roy.  It took several tries to find a line to get them up the greasy hill, but Roy made it look easy once enough traction was found.

The next one to find that same reject button was Collin in his carbureted CJ.  The incline caused the engine to cough and sputter to a halt mid-way up the hill.  Once again Roy came to the rescue.

Lost Horse canyon has some awesome scenic values as well

Not long thereafter, we turned off the main trail and entered Lost Horse canyon.  After a few miles, this canyon intersects with the main Granite Creek canyon and proceeds westerly. 

After entering Granite Creek, there were many stops for brush trimming parties.  Several trimming tools and a chainsaw were put to good use for the next few miles.  Gambel Oak and Juniper trees were trimmed back to allow for full-size vehicles to pass without fear of losing paint to the stiff branches.

Hoo Doos and arches adorn the Granite Cr. canyon rim

Last fall, on another trip to the region, several club members had walked down from the top of a steep, really rocky and narrow shelf road that drops you into Granite Cr.  They reported one rock protruding from the upper hillside that barely left room for Luke’s narrow CJ to pass by.

The rest of the trail was said to be grossly rocky, dangerously narrow in places, and quite steep.  It sounded like my kind of trail.

Upon reaching what Harley refers to as “the Homestead”, we could see the steep shelf road along the side of a steep box canyon.  This would be the end of the brush trimming for the trip.  We had done in a day what had been predicted to be a two-day project… so far!

After exploring the “Homestead”, we began ascending the lower tight switchbacks to the shelf road visible from below.  Once above the switchbacks, the road became even more narrow and very much more rocky.

Ascending the the tight switchbacks to the shelf road exit

Many of the rocks were of the size a small-tired vehicle must totally avoid.  Some caused a terrific view from the passenger side of the box canyon on the lower side of the road as the outside tires searched for something to hang on to.

To give an additional understanding of the word “steep” when describing this section of the trail, Collin’s CJ stalled again requiring Roy to back several hundred yards to provide assistance.  Roy certainly proved to be a major asset to this trip.

The narrow shelf road crawls a steep cliffside

Having attained the mesa top, we found that we had used up the majority of sunlight for the day.  No time was squandered getting back to the end of DS road at the CO/UT border where we aired up and split up into smaller groups for the drive back to town.

We offer many thanks to all participants for all their patience, cooperation, and hard work in reopening another trail.  To some, new experiences with using a tow strap and brush trimming tools were a source of learning.

The Grand Mesa Jeep Club ascending the shelf road on Granite Cr.

Reopening a trail is a joy that not many of the wheeling community have experience with.  Yes, it can be a lot of work, but it is done with the knowledge that the worker and many others will be able to enjoy these trails well into the future… barring any land managers and “Preservationists” getting in the way.

This box canyon is what you avoid while climbing the shelf road

This day was loaded with learning and working experiences for all.  It also provided for a great day of Jeeping that our memories will hang on to for a long, long time.

Hopefully, the Granite Creek trail will remain open to excite many seeking an adventure in a wonderful part of the great American BackCountry.

Note the narrowness of the road near the JK.  You get a dandy view there!

One last thought you should remember; “When you come to a fork in the road… take it!”

Happy trails.

Copyright:  Happy Trails 4wd – 2017.  All rights reserved.

Looking back down at the "Homestead"

This is a rocky trail

Steep and narrow, but oh so beautiful

Winding along the narrow shelf road