The 2008 West Coast Trail Teams Expedition was an amazing trip! The group successfully completed over 180 miles through the Medicine Bow and Routt National Forest.
The Team and participants gathered in Laramie, Wyoming Friday morning and the weather couldn’t have been more perfect. Everyone was eager to get out on the trail so before too long the team and participants headed West from Laramie to the town of Centennial. The group consisted of four FJ Cruisers, a Landcruiser FJ 62, a 2008 Toyota Tacoma and Warren Miller even brought out their Jeep Rubicon to do a little filming. The group drove for about 25 minutes and the convoy made a right turn off of pavement into the Medicine Bow National Forest.
The scenery and historical landmarks were very interesting. We ran into an old settlement cabin and decided to check it out. After a little exploring we decided to head down to Mirror Lake for Lunch. We worked our way through Libbey Flats, which consisted of some very scenic meadow crossings. As we made our way back on to the highway we went over Snowy Range Pass where there was still reminisces of snow on the mountainsides. We arrived at Mirror Lake and ate lunch and before long we were back on the trail. We continued through Medicine Bow and made our way towards our camping spot for the evening.
We arrived at our campsite practically on the Wyoming and Colorado border. It was neat to see how camp began to come together; everyone was busy getting their sleeping arrangements in order. There was more than enough food to go around, Ron began grilling up some kabobs and beef pin wheels. The campfire was lit and everyone began to gather around the fire to talk about the next day.
On Saturday the group made breakfast and packed up their gear for another fun filled day of exploring. The convoy headed into the Routt National Forest and began heading down the Ellis Jeep trail. Chris in his Sandstorm FJ attempted to drive through a deep Mud Hole and got stuck towards the beginning of the day. After a little winching Chris and the whole group were back on their way. Once off of the Ellis Jeep trail the surrounding trees seemed to open up to some of the most amazing views. As the group began heading east the views of Hahns Peak and beyond were breathtaking.
The group worked its way around Hahns peak and continued east toward Seedhouse. Throughout the day the scenery began to change and off in the distance you could see an area that had been previously burned.
Everyone settled in at a campsite near the river for the night. Later that evening after dinner, we all met a very interesting Peruvian sheep herder named Pepe. After discussing what everyone did, we learned that Pepe had lived in the Smokies for five years. I have to admit that talking with him really made you appreciate the amenities of home. But nonetheless you always meet some very interesting people while on the trail.
The Team finished in Steamboat Springs on Sunday. Everyone said goodbye and the Toyota Trail Team began their journey to Stratton Mountain, Vermont.
The Team and participants gathered in Laramie, Wyoming Friday morning and the weather couldn’t have been more perfect. Everyone was eager to get out on the trail so before too long the team and participants headed West from Laramie to the town of Centennial. The group consisted of four FJ Cruisers, a Landcruiser FJ 62, a 2008 Toyota Tacoma and Warren Miller even brought out their Jeep Rubicon to do a little filming. The group drove for about 25 minutes and the convoy made a right turn off of pavement into the Medicine Bow National Forest.
The scenery and historical landmarks were very interesting. We ran into an old settlement cabin and decided to check it out. After a little exploring we decided to head down to Mirror Lake for Lunch. We worked our way through Libbey Flats, which consisted of some very scenic meadow crossings. As we made our way back on to the highway we went over Snowy Range Pass where there was still reminisces of snow on the mountainsides. We arrived at Mirror Lake and ate lunch and before long we were back on the trail. We continued through Medicine Bow and made our way towards our camping spot for the evening.
We arrived at our campsite practically on the Wyoming and Colorado border. It was neat to see how camp began to come together; everyone was busy getting their sleeping arrangements in order. There was more than enough food to go around, Ron began grilling up some kabobs and beef pin wheels. The campfire was lit and everyone began to gather around the fire to talk about the next day.
On Saturday the group made breakfast and packed up their gear for another fun filled day of exploring. The convoy headed into the Routt National Forest and began heading down the Ellis Jeep trail. Chris in his Sandstorm FJ attempted to drive through a deep Mud Hole and got stuck towards the beginning of the day. After a little winching Chris and the whole group were back on their way. Once off of the Ellis Jeep trail the surrounding trees seemed to open up to some of the most amazing views. As the group began heading east the views of Hahns Peak and beyond were breathtaking.
The group worked its way around Hahns peak and continued east toward Seedhouse. Throughout the day the scenery began to change and off in the distance you could see an area that had been previously burned.
Everyone settled in at a campsite near the river for the night. Later that evening after dinner, we all met a very interesting Peruvian sheep herder named Pepe. After discussing what everyone did, we learned that Pepe had lived in the Smokies for five years. I have to admit that talking with him really made you appreciate the amenities of home. But nonetheless you always meet some very interesting people while on the trail.
The Team finished in Steamboat Springs on Sunday. Everyone said goodbye and the Toyota Trail Team began their journey to Stratton Mountain, Vermont.
. john
