Builds I bought a Whale, now I gotta build it and use it (9 Viewers)

[wngrog]

We did the Alpine Loop in 6 hours. We pulled out at 3 pm.

I got on 550 and called Red and she told me she needed a couple more hours to finish her work so I decided to hit a short trail to Silver Basin @woody told me about yesterday.

Short and sweet off the Imogene entrance/exit up to a lake. Lots of good 4Low action. Great trail.

https://www.gaiagps.com/public/msxP7Q6DL4dJKX1JpX96MW1i

 

[wngrog]

We had big plans to hit the road by 7 but it ended up being 9:00 which I knew would spell trouble for Black Bear.


We got to the one way part and there was a massive traffic jam of Heeps and a few Broncos.

Seems the guy in front was scared of heights and was walking the ****ing trail.

45 minutes to an hour later we started down

 

[wngrog]

The Whale was absolutely in its element on Black Bear. Stable and wide. Great brakes.

The best part was the auto cutting brake though. I made it down on all the turns but one with no back ups. The only backup I took I have a video and seeing that I could have made it.

The jeep guys were taking 3-4 points. They were shocked.

 

[wngrog]

If you have never been, it's all it's cracked up to be.

Steep. Scary. Not hard at all just crazy.

 

[wngrog]

More pics of Black Bear

 

[woody]

The best part was the auto cutting brake though. I made it down on all the turns but one with no back ups. The only backup I took I have a video and seeing that I could have made it.

We made our only backup at that spot too on Sunday. Turning brakes rock. Same traffic annoyances, I ended up letting H drive while I spotted a dozen rigs to speed things up.

 

[wngrog]

We had pizza at Brown Dog in Telluride then drive out to Sawpit area to visit my crazy Cruiser buddy Alex Aluvi

After seeing him we drove out Southfork road to Ophir Pass

We got behind some loafers but in front of a large group of Cruisers and made it pretty quick. 2 hours from Sawpit to Ridgway where Red was still busy making slides and spreadsheets

 

[wngrog]

We made our only backup at that spot too on Sunday. Turning brakes rock. Same traffic annoyances, I ended up letting H drive while I spotted a dozen rigs to speed things up.

It looks like certain death. Wish I had a spotter.

That brake thing is really remarkable .

 

[woody]

It looks like certain death. Wish I had a spotter.

That brake thing is really remarkable .

H did the steps and first few switchbacks solo once in her GX470....with our beagle spotting. I was impressed, she was not

 

[wngrog]

H did the steps and first few switchbacks solo once in her GX470....with our beagle spotting. I was impressed, she was not

Let me back up and say I detest spotting but had there been one I would have one shotted that bitch

 

[Ol Yeller]

I had no idea about the turning brake deal, sounds like that is a factory thing?

 

[wngrog]

I had no idea about the turning brake deal, sounds like that is a factory thing?

It is. Select Crawl control and then the turning Brake switch.

I have played with it before just for fun but this was the first time I've ever really needed/used it.

I'm not kidding when I say the 4 door Jeep in front of me would do 3-4-5 point turns and the 200 would one shot it.

 

[Ol Yeller]

It is. Select Crawl control and then the turning Brake switch.

I have played with it before just for fun but this was the first time I've ever really needed/used it.

I'm not kidding when I say the 4 door Jeep in front of me would do 3-4-5 point turns and the 200 would one shot it.

Very cool, nothing like that on the GX…or the Pig!

 

[wngrog]

Today.

Mineral Creek to Poughkeepsie

 

[wngrog]

Mineral Creek Optional line

 

[wngrog]

Getting to the wall is tough.

Right the 80 walked.

Left the 200 squeezed through. Barely.

 

[wngrog]

The wall. Difficult.

The 80 spanked it. I tried his line 3 times. No dice. Too heavy.

I went to the right and it crawled right up and then was so stuck the 12.5 winch barely extracted it.

 

[wngrog]

There was a dead 100 and a dead 200 on top

We took California over to the main road and Jonathan and the 80 bailed

 

[wngrog]

After he left I took off for Stoney Pass. This is the headwaters of the Rio Grande and it crossed and follows the river for about 35 miles to pavement

I passed another Cruiser group that was fishing then another fishing another spot

The lake the Rio makes is pretty awesome

 

[wngrog]

The paved road is CO135 south of Lake city.

I found some pig trail that led me from Pearl Lakes to Wager Gulch. Rough rough 2 track and there was No one on it. 22 miles of some remote beautiful country.

I got back on the main trail east of Cinnamon Pass and made quick work of it and then California then over to 550.

LOOONG day but truly amazing. The 200 ate it up