I took my new-to-me 4runner out for its first test drive on some 4×4 trails outside Central City today. My first goal was to get over Yankee Hill and down to Alice. On the way up the hill, I caught this great view of the continental divide.
Up at the junction with the cutoff road to the Kingston Peak Trail. This is as far as I made it. Beyond this point there were some significant walls of snow that were very wet and mushy. A couple jeeps were stuck in the first 50 feet of the next section of road going over Yankee Hill. I stopped and offered assistance but they were just about done digging themselves out.
After having a snack, I went to turn the truck on and found that I had no electricals at all. A bit of diagnosis work later and I discovered that the positive battery terminal lug had some corrosion that made for a low voltage condition to the truck although the battery was fine. A few minutes of work and away I went down the hill again.
Heading down Yankee Hill to the east. There was lots of traffic today. I saw many UTVs, a few ATVs, a couple motorcycles, and some Jeeps.
Having the Toyota altimeter and angelometer gauge cluster is great. It’s fun seeing how far I am tilting the truck. I feel unsafe long before I actually am unsafe.
Further down on Yankee Hill. I need to mount my winch on the front bumper still and I really need to get a rear bumper tire carrier.
Heading down toward the main junction.
Next I went down Hamlin Gulch to see what it’s like this early in the year.
I took the upper road through Hamlin Gulch which I never had done before. This was a great spot for lunch on a little side spur.
Tilt, baby, tilt!
What’s around the next bend? Will I make it through or will the trees close in?
Coming down through Nevadaville back to Central City. I aired up and headed back down to Golden. For the first time out, my 4runner did very well indeed. Now to do some additional mods to the truck!
