Builds My first '40 and the venture (4 Viewers)
- Thread starter OlYellr
- Start date
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TexasLandCruiser
SILVER Star
Hey Brian,
Was meant to be connecting with you Sunday night. Sight for sore eyes after 17 hour none stop (2 hour heavy hail in the pan handle delay).
Interesting fact in my conversations with Moritz. He bought from an old couple in Africa, he drove the length of Africa staying In the bush along the way. Drive Halifax to Calgary and then Anchorage to Seattle (it think ended up in Oregon, hint is the surf board. I’d asked him in all that self discovery what was your biggest challenge he got quiet and then said he drove the leg from Anchorage to the PNW with no alternator. Was doing a river crossing in Alaska to the windshield and the flood took out the electric on the alternator. Knowing it’d take time to get one he elected to drive.
It immediately reminded me of when Gene Kranz Mission Control Apollo 13 dumping a box of gears on a table and telling engineers to “make it fit” when they lost their oxygen.
Not to hijack, but thanks for sharing that Neil. Was great hanging out and hope to see you next year.
Pss - thanks for letting me snap your photo on Red Mountain
Pss - thanks for letting me snap your photo on Red Mountain
TexasLandCruiser
SILVER Star
Well there ya go! Appreciate you sharing this. That short 20 minute stop is now a core memory.Not to hijack, but thanks for sharing that Neil. Was great hanging out and hope to see you next year.
Pss - thanks for letting me snap your photo on Red Mountain
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OlYellr
SILVER Star
- Thread starter
- #1,186
Thursday, Aug 7th:
Another morning, another coffee, another wander over to Ian’s site for the daily status report. Stopped to chat with Allan @Land Shark along the way. Ian’s alternator was having an internal crisis, so I helped where I could to swap it out before heading back to my KOA spot. Because what’s a morning without some bonus mechanical work?
A small crowd had gathered, curious about what I was running today. Originally, Stony Pass and Kite Lake were set for Friday, but after Sunday’s… adventure, I’d changed the board to Corkscrew Pass for today. As a trail lead, you’re locked into at least three trails during the week — consider it the fine print.
Some folks took the day off — touristy stuff, a little R&R, or just wrenching on rigs that needed TLC. I was restocking ice and cleaning up when someone asked if they could ride along. Their ride was in the in the “need TLC” category. Sure there is room.
Plan: Corkscrew over to Hurricane/California, then maybe Schafer Basin if time allowed. Corkscrew is a steady climb with killer Red Mountain views. Near the top, there’s an access road. Some folks went partway for photos; I, and a few others, went all the way up and over, immediately slid a bit on a loose switchback, and decided, “Yeah, this was crap and not very scenic.” Turned around and rejoined the main trail.
From there, we rolled to Hurricane/California. Stopped to admire the lake but didn’t drop down to it. Next was Animas Forks for a break and a choice for individuals: head to Silverton and KOA, or push on toward Schafer Basin via Engineer Pass.
First half pics...
Animas Forks (For sale even)
Another morning, another coffee, another wander over to Ian’s site for the daily status report. Stopped to chat with Allan @Land Shark along the way. Ian’s alternator was having an internal crisis, so I helped where I could to swap it out before heading back to my KOA spot. Because what’s a morning without some bonus mechanical work?
A small crowd had gathered, curious about what I was running today. Originally, Stony Pass and Kite Lake were set for Friday, but after Sunday’s… adventure, I’d changed the board to Corkscrew Pass for today. As a trail lead, you’re locked into at least three trails during the week — consider it the fine print.
Some folks took the day off — touristy stuff, a little R&R, or just wrenching on rigs that needed TLC. I was restocking ice and cleaning up when someone asked if they could ride along. Their ride was in the in the “need TLC” category. Sure there is room.
Plan: Corkscrew over to Hurricane/California, then maybe Schafer Basin if time allowed. Corkscrew is a steady climb with killer Red Mountain views. Near the top, there’s an access road. Some folks went partway for photos; I, and a few others, went all the way up and over, immediately slid a bit on a loose switchback, and decided, “Yeah, this was crap and not very scenic.” Turned around and rejoined the main trail.
From there, we rolled to Hurricane/California. Stopped to admire the lake but didn’t drop down to it. Next was Animas Forks for a break and a choice for individuals: head to Silverton and KOA, or push on toward Schafer Basin via Engineer Pass.
First half pics...
Animas Forks (For sale even)
Last edited:
OlYellr
SILVER Star
- Thread starter
- #1,187
Thursday Cont...
Four rigs — two 40s and two 80s — went for Engineer. The road was bumpier than Corkscrew but nothing tragic. My copilot was clutch at spotting lines — a huge improvement over my usual “hope and steer” method.
Near Engineer Pass, Erik spotted an Unimog, which meant mandatory photos. Erik stayed to chat while the rest of us hit the top of the pass. After a few shots up top, we realize Schaefer wasn’t happening — daylight’s already packing up. That meant/mandated heading down via Mineral Creek at that.
We start down Mineral Creek. None of us have been on Mineral and we assume because it is down vs up, should be fine. For the most part is, except when it wasn’t. Luckily my copilot was calling the lines to for other to follow (mine) or the lines not to follow (also mine). Frequently we would get out and study the various lines for a 40 vs 80 Series and toss rocks where necessary. We get down and move 300-400 feet and repeat. It took a long time. To say mineral Creek was “easy downhill” (in a narrow, no power steering 40) is in the same vein that quicksand it “just wet dirt” or juggling chainsaws is “just hand-eye coordination.” George said before we got to the obstacles going down that this doesn’t count for “doing Mineral Creek” – he lost his power steering etc. and was renegotiating that position about half-way down in his 40. See, not as easy when you don't have those big comfy 80 series amenities…
There was one stretch where we were making time and I saw a place with lighting I thought would be great to cycle the rigs though for a quick pic. Well, I got too close and the ground was loose gravel and my open diff made sure I was not backing out, spin one wheel – so I need a tug about 10-12 inches. That slowed us down more than I anticipated. (My ego was the bigger recovery)
By the time we rolled out, headlights were on and the sun was long gone. I congratulated everyone on surviving my “Where the **** Did the Sun Go So Fast?” tour. Air up, realize everything’s closed, head back to camp. Dinner: whatever hadn’t melted or spoiled in the cooler. Five-star for those who ate. I was too tired.
Pics..
George @1969 ToyotaFJ40 and me
@Greyota
Top of Engineer Pass
@Plains Cruiser Rig getting much need mud spa
My recovery point...
Four rigs — two 40s and two 80s — went for Engineer. The road was bumpier than Corkscrew but nothing tragic. My copilot was clutch at spotting lines — a huge improvement over my usual “hope and steer” method.
Near Engineer Pass, Erik spotted an Unimog, which meant mandatory photos. Erik stayed to chat while the rest of us hit the top of the pass. After a few shots up top, we realize Schaefer wasn’t happening — daylight’s already packing up. That meant/mandated heading down via Mineral Creek at that.
We start down Mineral Creek. None of us have been on Mineral and we assume because it is down vs up, should be fine. For the most part is, except when it wasn’t. Luckily my copilot was calling the lines to for other to follow (mine) or the lines not to follow (also mine). Frequently we would get out and study the various lines for a 40 vs 80 Series and toss rocks where necessary. We get down and move 300-400 feet and repeat. It took a long time. To say mineral Creek was “easy downhill” (in a narrow, no power steering 40) is in the same vein that quicksand it “just wet dirt” or juggling chainsaws is “just hand-eye coordination.” George said before we got to the obstacles going down that this doesn’t count for “doing Mineral Creek” – he lost his power steering etc. and was renegotiating that position about half-way down in his 40. See, not as easy when you don't have those big comfy 80 series amenities…
There was one stretch where we were making time and I saw a place with lighting I thought would be great to cycle the rigs though for a quick pic. Well, I got too close and the ground was loose gravel and my open diff made sure I was not backing out, spin one wheel – so I need a tug about 10-12 inches. That slowed us down more than I anticipated. (My ego was the bigger recovery)
By the time we rolled out, headlights were on and the sun was long gone. I congratulated everyone on surviving my “Where the **** Did the Sun Go So Fast?” tour. Air up, realize everything’s closed, head back to camp. Dinner: whatever hadn’t melted or spoiled in the cooler. Five-star for those who ate. I was too tired.
Pics..
George @1969 ToyotaFJ40 and me
@Greyota
Top of Engineer Pass
@Plains Cruiser Rig getting much need mud spa
My recovery point...
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OlYellr
SILVER Star
- Thread starter
- #1,188
Cool think I noticed today.
I was doing insurance card - and I never look in the owners manual, anyway I found old registrations stub in it - totally forgot.
Yellr was registered/lived in Crested Butte CO at least from 1987-1991 - found those stubs for those years and the owners name. So wheeling in that part of CO is like going home back to roots for Yellr
I was doing insurance card - and I never look in the owners manual, anyway I found old registrations stub in it - totally forgot.
Yellr was registered/lived in Crested Butte CO at least from 1987-1991 - found those stubs for those years and the owners name. So wheeling in that part of CO is like going home back to roots for Yellr
Do we have another Cruiserhead to add to our crew? Keep this up and next thing you know we’ll start having regular get togethers!
)
