Chinaman Gulch - April 19th
- Thread starter Fitzgerald
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- #22
We'll be glad to have you back! I'll add you guys to the list.
The Chinaman Gulch Trip looks like it might end up being a classic!
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- #23
Been feeling a bit wishy-washy about this trip. A little sceerd. 
But..... at the gym today, my playlist popped up the perfect 100 series song for this trip: DO IT !!!
But..... at the gym today, my playlist popped up the perfect 100 series song for this trip: DO IT !!!
I am 26.9% in for this run. My slight hesitation is because of:
I feel I need rock sliders for this one...also the 
wants me to stop building stuff in the garage
This run aside, my need for sliders is outweighed by my need to replace my banged up front bumper with something better
The Sunday after is Easter, so if we camp out (which sounds great) I won't be here on Easter. If the wife/kid are in, we can do Easter on the go.
Luke and/or Matt, maybe you can advise if I really need sliders. Traildamage shows some Jeeps putting their sliders to good use on this trail, but I don't know how much of this can be avoided.
I feel I need rock sliders for this one...also the wants me to stop building stuff in the garage This run aside, my need for sliders is outweighed by my need to replace my banged up front bumper with something better The Sunday after is Easter, so if we camp out (which sounds great) I won't be here on Easter. If the wife/kid are in, we can do Easter on the go.Luke and/or Matt, maybe you can advise if I really need sliders. Traildamage shows some Jeeps putting their sliders to good use on this trail, but I don't know how much of this can be avoided.
I don't know a lot about your rig other the it is pretty awesome. I would not do this trail without sliders that's for sure. Luke would be the best help as he has been around a lot more rigs then I. With that said I am sure if you didn't want to run it one of us would let you come with. My wife is most likely driving her jeep up and might not even go on the run. She might hang with the kids at the park or go for a scenic drive somewhere.
The fj cruiser group just ran this today and had a blast. There was a sweet Cherokee with as well
http://www.fjcruiserforums.com/forums/colorado/286577-trail-run-saturday-3-29-2014-a.html
I wish I wasn't busy working on the rig Or I would have went with for a little pre run
The fj cruiser group just ran this today and had a blast. There was a sweet Cherokee with as well
http://www.fjcruiserforums.com/forums/colorado/286577-trail-run-saturday-3-29-2014-a.html
I wish I wasn't busy working on the rig Or I would have went with for a little pre run
We need to set up a meet up time in Johnson village for the guys that won't be camping. There is a few fj cruisers that weren't ready for the last run that want to join in. They are not sure if they are camping yet or not. And I guess some directions to the campsite would be great as well. I am still planning on camping both friday night and Saturday night.
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- #27
Luke, any ideas on a meet up time in Johnson Village? Directions to the campsite?
I'm still stuck on the fence (really want to go, really don't want to destroy my only mode of transportation), so... ???
The standard is 10:00 AM at the Gunsmoke gas station in Johnson Village. With a meeting time of 8:00 AM in woodland Park, that puts everyone there just about right. Not sure what time that puts the Denver folks leaving, but if we need to make it later, we can. Chinaman's is not a very long trail.
Travis, if you're wanting to go but don't want to damage your rig, come along and you can ride with me. Although I think your 100 will make the trail with good spotters.
Camp will be at Brown's creek. I have to find directions to that. More to come.
Travis, if you're wanting to go but don't want to damage your rig, come along and you can ride with me. Although I think your 100 will make the trail with good spotters.
Camp will be at Brown's creek. I have to find directions to that. More to come.
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The turn off from 285 is marked 270. That runs into 272 and takes you to browns creek camping area. There are pipelines going across the road overhead on Hwy 285, you can't miss them. Go under one set and look for the right turn, go under two sets or see the gas station, and you've gone too far. Once in the camp area, there is a forest service information sign, historically, we've always turned left here and camped along that road. I would rather make the next left (I believe it's 273), there are better camp sites up that way. The camp area is not very big, and there is only one way in, so just keep looking and you'll find us. I will have the CLC banner up at camp so we will be easily found. I might also take a step into the dark ages and get a CB antenna so people can contact us that way.
I'm still mystified that this run is drawing little attention, my understanding was that this is a 4wheeling club, not a sight seeing or bird watching club? This will be an awesome experience, and Chinaman's gulch is a great way to see what your rig can do without fear of rolling or falling off a shelf road.
I'm still mystified that this run is drawing little attention, my understanding was that this is a 4wheeling club, not a sight seeing or bird watching club? This will be an awesome experience, and Chinaman's gulch is a great way to see what your rig can do without fear of rolling or falling off a shelf road.
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Will there be birds there!?!
My hesitation is almost entirely because of possible (likely?) body/tcase damage, combined with the 1-way nature of the trail. My clicky birfs worry me a bit too. I may just be paranoid
. I watched a few videos on youtube and feel a bit better seeing some less modified vehicles there, though. I suspect that a lot of the pictures people post on traildamage,etc. make the trail look a bit on the harder side. Luke, can you compare this trail to Reynolds wrap?
Hey Luke are you going up Friday night then or just Saturday night. If your going both nights I may want to convoy with you so I get to the right spot. There is right now 3 other Fjc's besides me that are planning on it as well. Luke is right this is a great trail with minimal chance of roll over. If you want you could put it on its top but you don't have to do the hardest stuff.
Yes there will be lots of birds and little trolls that steal your socks at night when your sleeping.
Most of the pictures and video you see on YouTube are of the two major rock piles that are play area only. The trail actually goes around them. The only mandatory obstacles are the V notch and the slab next to the whales tail. There is no chance of damage on the whales tail, it's just tricky to climb. There is another tricky spot halfway in, but good spotting will make it work. The first 100 yards of the trail is actually the most difficult portion. I assume rocks will have to be stacked for some of the lower rigs. There is no chance of transfer case damage in the Vnotch, just a chance of rocker damage, but most rigs on 33's will clear. I smashed my catalytic converter and Tcase all to heck on China Wall yesterday, so I don't have to worry about that anymore 
Matt, I am planning to leave on Friday night. As it gets closer, we'll see what we can do to hook up. I would like to caravan as well. My wife might be bringing her wrangler again, not sure yet. I know once I say camping, my daughter will be going.
Matt, I am planning to leave on Friday night. As it gets closer, we'll see what we can do to hook up. I would like to caravan as well. My wife might be bringing her wrangler again, not sure yet. I know once I say camping, my daughter will be going.
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- #34
Ha!!! You guys crack me up!
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- #35
I'm in, provided I can find the time before then to re-index my t bars, install my new shocks and stick in my 30mm spacers.
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- #37
Awesome man, Thanks! I have the space of about a 1 1/2 car garage at my disposal, so we should be good.
Kira turns 6 on Thursday, so this week's out (unless you want to spend your Friday night gettin' dirty?). So that leaves Monday or next Thursday? I'll have a case of Miller Light chilled.
The rest of you CLCer's are welcome to come over had join in the fun too, just let me know. Maybe I'll get Jess to fire up the grill???
Time to get out to the garage and start PB Blasting everything!
I am in as long as wife doesn't get called in. As I understand your pretty close anyhow so it would almost be wrong if I didn't at least stand around while you guys did the work. Haha
Let me know when it's happening.
Let me know when it's happening.
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- #40