I went out to Buena Vista and the Chinaman’s Gulch 4×4 trail over the weekend with the Rising Sun 4×4 Club to get a little training on how to lead trail runs and other skills necessary to make a trail run successful. Me leading a trail run is still probably a year or two away at the least but the training was great, the other club members friendly and fun, and the 4x4ing definitely pushed my abilities.
The views from the campsite at the base of the trail are outstanding. The Collegiate Peaks at dawn really shimmer.
Not a bad spot for breakfast.
A few of the rigs along for the ride.
Heading up the trail.
Playing around at one of the bypassable obstacles.
This truck is rolling on 39″ tires and heavy axles.
There was some snow on the trail in several spots.
Coming up the hard way.
Working on another optional obstacle.
This line had some turtle problems with the slick conditions.
Working a different line. The approach was too dug out to get enough purchase in the slick conditions.
Check out that flex and the springs opening up!
At this obstacle I received some trail damage in the form of a crunched sill plate. I needed to be winched up out of the obstacle. I should have installed those sliders that are sitting on my garage floor before this trip. Whoops!
Amazingly, the door opens and closes BETTER than it did before. The gasket even deformed to match the dent. I got luck on this one in my little stock drivetrain and suspension 1st gen 4runner.
The obstacle where I received some body damage.
No problem for this red beast!
An 80 series Land Cruiser working up through the obstacle.
Nice view coming down the trail back to the campsite.
Dawn on the second morning before pulling out and heading back to Denver.
The road home across South Park.
See! I do have sliders… in my garage.
Lots of tight spots to navigate through.
