Totally get the concerns. We’ll see...
Big rain on the way up there plus fairly warm temps...so who knows.
**On a happier note... There are going to be 60-70 200 Series there. That, all by itself, is a totally new thing in the Western Hemisphere—A first—to have this many 200’s in one place. LC drivers in the US simply son’t Have these opportunities. We drive an uncommon vehicle so unlike Jeeps or Tacomas the chance to see a lot of builds, equipment choices and approaches first hand are few and far-between. So...this is gonna be fun.
Like all of us, I’m hoping some favorite trails will open up in time...
...but if NOT?
-That will have at least a few positive side-effects:
—Encourage the discovery of NEW terrain (I call that “exploring”...my favorite activity!)
—Witness Ouray in conditions not seen in several decades (so as Walter Cronkite used to say, “And you...were there!”)
—Focus more attention on the people we meet and the many friendly folk we will most likely see and wheel with again in the future. That is a huge part of the draw to this event for me.
If it hadn’t been for the other LCDC events in years past, I would have just continued my tendency to wheel and travel alone...which is fine too....
...But because of LCDC I have enjoyed many other travels.
I would have never done Baja, Mojave, Cruise Moab(s) and many other outings without having met folks at the event.
So... Really looking forward to it no matter what the snow, mud, rain or other factors render.
Markuson
PS.
At Overland Expo West a couple months ago in Flagstaff...there were MAYBE 10 (ten) 200 series to peek at, scattered here & there. -But no trail groups...no 200-based gatherings at all, of course.
In Ouray? 60 - 70 200’s in one little park BBQ!!! It’s a golden opportunity that exists literally nowhere else we can drive to here.
See y’all soon, come rain or shine or snow or mud.
PPS...
Here are a couple shots from a a lesser-famed...non-technical...lower elevation spot that is not considered “big-time” (“big time” being BBP, Imogene Pass, etc).
Ouray is flat out gorgeous... no matter what...and we end up thinking “Woah” all week long—even in town at just 7000ft without being on a 13,000 on a pass. In fact... the highest passes are devoid of trees. So in many ways, the most incredible scenes are at a lower elevation.
