"It is only in adventure that some people succeed in knowing themselves – In finding themselves". Andre Gides.
One of the benefits of being at work out at the airport (Denver International) by 5am is that I get to enjoy the sunrise while I’m working away. Definitely some good ones this past week, before the big winter storm set in. The few nice days we had has me itching to get out to the desert, though I still have some work to check off the to do list on the runner before hand ( truck is currently getting a dual ARB Compressor installed).
My favorite sunrises from this past work week
Knowing I’d be driving down to Sapinero (and back) on Saturday, I headed up to the cabin this past Friday for a night. Felt good to get up there since it’s been a few weeks. The weather was perfect and a nice clear night to enjoy the Winter Moon. Originally planned to get a few pics of the runner with the new awning set up, but it was just to windy when I tried. So instead, just enjoyed the afternoon up at the property. Later that evening a friend from the club joined me for a few hours. A most relaxing night:).
Making fresh tracks to the pond and the Upper Meadows. I was enjoying it.
Some great afternoon light at the pond. Rosedale and the Mt. Evans Wilderness in the distance.
Evening setting in.
Some great evening light from the Cabin. Looking North to Squaw Peak.
Loved this scene but was a bit late on capturing the light.
Aspens that we see from the Cabin.
Some great clouds that evening.
Home:).
Some fine light on Evans the next morning. From here, it was a fun drive to my friends place in Sapinero ( and Back).
Took advantage of the finally warmer weather yesterday to pick up and install the ARB awning I got from Slee Off Road. The install actually turned out to be a super easy job, thanks in part to the Eazi-Awn brackets I picked up from my pal Paul at Equipt Expidition Outfitter in Salt Lake. Proffitt’s Resurrection Land Cruisers powder coated the brackets for me.
All in all it took about an hour to install the awning. I haven’t had a chance to test it out, but sure there will be plenty of time as we head into the warmer months:).
Mounting brackets for the roof rack from Eazi-Awn.
Instructions and hardware. 10mm bolts.
Ready to mount to the awning.
Brackets mounted to the awning.
Brackets set to the width of the roof rack.
Tightening down the brackets on the roof rack.
All finished. I’ll post images when I can with the awning folded out.
Yesterday, my Dad joined me for a drive down to my friends place above Sapinero, CO. His shop, Proffitt’s Resurrection Land Cruisers is located in Orchard City, just outside of Delta. Coming from Denver, it helps with the drive getting the runner to Jeremiah and Chandra’s place above Sapinero.
After topping off the tank in Poncha Springs, we started the drive over Monarch Pass (11,312ft), not too long after coming upon a line of stopped vehicles. Turned out an avalanche had just closed the pass. So, Dad and I turned around, had lunch in a balmy 39deg Salida then headed back home.
I broke off from driving back with Dad in South Park, turning off on the road to Weston Pass. Winter weather was setting in so I didn’t get many pics, but it sure felt good to get the 4runner out. First time since Slee Off Road installed the winch.
The images I did get from yesterdays outing.
Finally feeling like Winter. Views from Weston Pass road.
Felt good to get the 4runner out for a drive.
This past Sunday, my club, the Rising Sun 4×4 Club of Colorado hosted it’s annual “Snow & Pizza Run” ( the “Snow & Burrito Run” this year). We always go above Central City to a place called Yankee Hill. The trail is not that difficult and doesn’t have any ledges to worry about. A good place to go play in the snow and get stuck. I rode along with my pal Jackson. When we got to the meet up spot Sunday morning, we were surprised to see so many vehicles already there. In total, we think about 40 rigs showed up. I love riding along for this run to take pictures. I ended up in the back of the group with my friend Alex, so didn’t get as many as I planned but still a great day.
Naturally this run is a bit slow, as someone always seems to need a tug out of the snow. But this year even more so with the group size and trail conditions (slick!). All things considered, everyone seemed to have a fun time and enjoyed the burritos. It felt good being back out on the trail hanging with friends, though we definitely need more snow!
At the meeting spot above Central City. A big turn out this year!
Scott Yoder our leader for the day, giving the drivers meeting.
A good variety of rigs this year.
My pal Treeroot (shotgun) and his Dad driving.
Waiting for folks to make the first icy hill climb.
Jackson and Treeroot.
A lot of this during the day.
Jackson trying to ruin my shot.
Mike in his nice FJ40 making the climb. This hill seemed to fight everyone this year.
Jackson’s second attempt. He took the right line for his first attempt and had a fast and fun bobsled ride back down the hill.
At the second big hill climb. Tim, Jackson and Treeroot watching others make an attempt.
Chains definitely helped on this day.
My friend Dave putting the low gears in the tcase to work.
Couldn’t have asked for a more perfect day.
I rode with Alex for the rest of the trail as Jackson took off early. We were making good progress up the hill until this spot. Traction boards a useful tool to have.
A super slick section of trail. We ended up using the traction boards to help counter the ice.
Mike in his 3rd gen 4runner almost made it up this spot.
Alex needing a tug.
We stopped for a group shot just below Yankee Hill. The rest of the group was far ahead of us.
Such a beautiful day to be up in the hills!
Treeroot and his Dad coming from Yankee Hill to great us.
Couldn’t pass up a few photos of Ken’s FJ40 and the views.
And an end to another great day out with the club.
Somehow I managed a pretty productive summer/fall season for 2020. Think there was 2-3 weekends that I was home for the full time (stupid chores). Needles to say, I’m looking forward to 2021.
I gave my time off to my manager at work in late December 2020. The usual suspects are on the calendar again- Cruise Moab ( was cancelled in 2020), Chasing the Cumbres and Toltec, Ghost Town Run, Outlaws Run (invite only this year), if it happens, Sema and getting out camping for the birthday in December.
For the big trip this year, I’ve been planning a trek East to Vermont for the Fall Colors, something that’s been on my bucket list. But found out recently that a good friend/old co worker just passed- we talked every Friday. Currently thinking about heading down to Big Bend (never been) to pay my respects…..
Tomorrow is our clubs annual “Snow Pizza Run”, so I took the day off. February I drive the 4runner down to my friends shop in Delta for some work. March I have an appointment to have my friend Ben do some PM work on it. April is Cruise Moab.
Ready for those warmer months!
Outlaw Cave and the North Fork of the Powder River. Outlaws Run 2013.
After my last trip up to the cabin, I dropped the 4runner off at my friends shop in Golden. Funny that I’ve know Christo and the rest of the crew at Slee Off Road for almost 20 years, yet this is the first time they’ve actually worked on my truck. I was excited:).
I had the guys at Slee install a COMEUP Gen 2 9.5# winch. They did a great job!
I’ve always been a Warn guy, but my friend Jackson from Slee sold me on COMEUP.
I also got a ARB awning, but that hasn’t arrived yet.
A few pics of the install.
My pal Jackson got a few quick pics of the install when he got to work.
Picked the truck up from Slee this past Friday. Fun to have them do work on the rig!
Front end shot.
Headed up to the cabin this past Friday for the night, couldn’t have asked for a more beautiful day to be up there. My manager from work ended up joining me for the night and took him for as far as a drive through the Upper Meadows as I felt comfortable going. We only had my 4runner and were making fresh tracks the whole way through the snow. Enjoyed the rest of the night relaxing by the fire at the cabin.
Saturday while coming back from the cabin, I dropped the 4runner off at Slee offroad to get a COMEUP winch installed later this week. Excited for that.
Taking in the views of Mt. Evans from the main road inside the property.
Fine views of Rosedale while a the pond in the Upper Meadows.
Making fresh tracks. I was a happy camper:).
Looking North to Squaw Peak.
All things considered, 2020 turned into a pretty active year. Sure, most of the big tips for the year were cancelled due to Covid-19, but somehow I managed to be active almost every weekend over the summer and fall. It was fun spending more time closer to home, checking out some areas in Colorado that I’ve been wanting to explore for some time. I also managed to spend more time at the cabin this year, averaging at least two nights a month at the property during the summer.
The trips that I did miss out on this year were:
Cruise Moab- Cancelled due to Covid-19
Seattle trip to visit Family- Cancelled due to Covid-19
Outlaws Run (fall)- Cancelled due to a fellow coworker getting Covid-19. I passed on attending to get tested and not get others going on the trip possibly infected. Really bummed to miss the trip ( tested negative).
Here are some of my favorite images from 2020. Enjoy!
Snow Pizza Run
Rising Sun 4×4 club’s annual Snow Pizza Run. Above Central City, CO. Always a fun day.
Denver in Isolation
I started to go for daily walks during Denver’s “Stay at Home” orders in April to help fight Covid-19. I was also furloughed from Enterprise during this time, so my daily walks made for a nice way to get out of the apartment.
Larimer Square.
An empty Union Station.
What felt like a busy afternoon on Denver’s 16th street mall.
Union Station. Empty.
The Dairy Block and essential workers.
McClure Pass
Probably my favorite paved pass in CO. I like to take McClure Pass ( 8,770 ft) on my way to my friends shop as it almost puts me at his front door in Orchard City.
Spring time views of the Elk Mountains from McClure Pass.
Views from McClure Pass. Morning Light and Fall colors on the Elk Mountains.
Proffitt’s Cruisers
I headed down to my pal Jeremiah’s shop, Proffitt’s Resurrections Land Cruisers in May ( also made a second visit in August) right after the “Stay at Home” orders were lifted for Denver. Man did it feel good to get out of the city and spend some time with friends (masks were worn and we kept socially distant)!
Dave and Roy contemplate the proper placement of brake lines on a stage 3 FJ 40 body off restoration.
Always love having the shop to myself at night.
From my return visit in August.
Jeremiah and Chandra filming another episode.
Exploring Victor
Summer 2020 would have us doing more trips exploring closer to home. In June, I took the club down to the old mining town of Victor, CO. A place that has always intrigued me, was fun to finally check it out.
Along the old grade of the Florence and Cripple Creek Railroad, making our way into Victor.
Exploring Victor.
Argentine Pass
Argentine Pass is one of my clubs adopt-a-trail. It’s a great area to explore just off the Guenella Pass Road outside Georgetown, CO. I helped get the trail adopted with the Clear Creek Ranger District back when I was Even Coordinator for the club in 2003. One of my personal projects has been to document as much as I can of the East Argentine Mining District and Argentine Pass. I had planned to be up there a lot this summer but somehow only managed one day up there in June with my pal Travis ( aka the Honeybadger). It was a productive day though, finally checking out an old miners cabin I’ve been eyeballing since getting the trail adopted.
Good views of Argentine Pass. We had to ford a super cold Levenworth Creek/Pioneer Union Ditch to access the old miners cabin.
Checking out the old Vidler Tunnel Workings. Mt. Wilcox is in the distance.
Back into the Henry’s
My beloved Henry Mountains. A few friends joined me for a return visit into this lone and wonderful mountain range in SE Utah over the 4th of July holiday. Hard to believe it had been ten years since my last visit. Definitely one of my most memorable trips from the year. Felt darn good to hang with good friends while out exploring after the Stay at Home orders.
Making our way over Bull Creek Pass to camp.
My pal Paul of Equipt Expedition Outfitter in Salt Lake. Paul joined me for my first trip into the Henry’s waaay back in 2007.
A fine evening from my most favorite perch.
Evening hike to Mt. Ellen. One of three prominent peaks in Utah. One of the more magical nights of the summer.
My pal Matt at the summit. He pushed us all to make it to the end.
We crested the summit right as the moon was rising and the sun setting. The full moon would guide us back to the rigs. Along the way back we’d stop on a ridge at about 11k ft to watch the firework show from Hanksville, far below. Absolutely wonderful!
Ghost Town Run 2020
Ghost Town Run for 2020 would have us starting in the old town of Aguilar, CO. With history going back to the Ludlow Massacre, it made for a great (not the massacre) starting point into the Spanish Peaks. A place I’ve always been intrigued by but never made the time to stop and explore. Cordova Pass would get us to the Eastern side of the Sangre de Christo’s and Westcliff. Hermit Pass offered up wonderful views of the Wet Mountains and Westcliff. The only “Ghost Town” for the run would be the Cloverdale Mine, that operated into the 1960’s.
Justin in the “Red Chili” posing under Apishapa Arch in the Spanish Peaks.
Making our way up Hermit Pass.
Hermit Lake (second lake), the Wet Mountains and Westcliff far below.
At the Cloverdale Mine.
Rowdy Lake
I headed back to Rowdy Lake in early August after finding out that the week planned to visit family in Seattle was candled. It’s a wonderful in the Uncompaghre Wilderness to soak in a summer evening. The next morning, on my way out, I’d come upon a young brown bear running across the road.
Evening light, Rowdy Lake. One of my favorite images from the year:).
Morning light on Rowdy Lake.
Hancock Pass
Labor Day weekend I was down in Buena Vista for a dear friends wedding ( he was on my Open Heart Surgery team and we have known each other since the first grade). A wonderful celebration, even during a pandemic. That Sunday before the wedding, I had a bit of free time to myself and knowing where I was, I headed out early to catch the Sunrise on Hancock Pass (12, 208ft). It was nice having the pass to myself for a few hours, especially over a busy holiday weekend.
Chasing the morning light over Hancock Pass. St. Elmo is in the valley behind me.
Went for a little hike after the sun came up. I believe this small unnamed mountain lake to be the head waters of Middle Quartz Creek. Spotted some really fresh bear scat while walking around the lake. Hancock Pass is in the upper right of the pic.
Kebler Pass and Lost Lake
2020 would mark two years since my Sepsis Infection in the Spring and later Open Heart Surgery to close up my VSD (was the source of the infection). I hadn’t planned on doing anything but finally decided two years post Open Heart Surgery was a good reason as any to celebrate and with work kind enough to let me switch some days around, I headed down to Kebler Pass to take in the Fall Colors. This would be the fist time visiting Kebler Pass and Lost Lake. Though busy, I lucked out with a camp spot next to Lost Lake and got to spend the next two days enjoying the area.
Fall time bliss on Kebler Pass
Evening light, Lost Lake.
Morning light, Lost Lake and one lone photographer.
Golden splendor, Kebler Pass.
Indian Creek Park Ranch
Our cabin, the last private land before Mt. Evans Wilderness and just outside Evergreen, CO became a wonderful retreat over the past summer and fall. I’d sneak up there for a night on my Friday (Thursday), and just enjoy being up there. I managed to get up to the cabin at least two times a month after the Stay at Home orders were lifted. Spending Xmas Eve at the Cabin was a wonderfully peaceful moment.
Friendly faces, in the main meadows.
Thursday evening “Social Distancing Hour”. Showing my pal the Honeybadger around the property.
Summer evening bliss at the pond in the Upper Meadows. Looking South to Rosedale.
September sunrise in the Upper Meadows. Close to the Mt. Evans Wilderness Boundary.
A most peaceful Xmas Eve at the cabin.
Bring on 2021!
This past Thursday (Christmas Eve 2020), I snuck up to the cabin after work. I got to the property right a dusk. After getting the fire going in the winter quarters I settled in for a most relaxing night. I had wanted to play around with some long exposure photography while up there, but the moon, though not yet full, was just to bright for anything more than a 10 seconds. It was a peaceful evening with the moon lighting up the forest and the snow crunching as I walked around the Cabin. A fine Christmas Eve indeed. I woke up early Christmas Morning, with the hopes of catching a good sunrise at the pond in the Upper Meadows. After, I headed back to Denver for a quick, socially distant, Christmas with the folks.
A cozy spot. Fell asleep here a few times.
Looking North to the Farmhouse and Squaw Peak. Super bright out that night and the moon wasn’t even full.
Early morning light at the pond. Rosedale in the distance.
I was enjoying that stretch of road.
Morning light on Mt. Evans through the Aspens.
