Winding Stairs

[jimfoo]

Holy crap!!:eek: :eek: What a trail, and what a long day! Broken window, drag link that bent twice, lots of dents and scrapes, and getting the crap scared out of you as you get too close to rolling on one corner. Some folks from trail damage came down behind us, asking if we had food and water. I don't think they were expecting anyone else on the trail. I heard one of them did roll on the corner above us.. This trail requires excellent driving and spotting, and knowing when to step on the gas before your rig goes over. Some pics, but not of the best stuff as I was mostly spotting. Lots of side hills on this trail as well.
http://forum.solihullsociety.org/cphoto//albums/userpics/normal_PICT1272%7E0.JPG
http://forum.solihullsociety.org/cphoto//albums/userpics/normal_PICT1288%7E0.JPG
Can't see it well, but there is a log through the passenger window.
http://forum.solihullsociety.org/cphoto//albums/userpics/normal_PICT1289.JPG
A typical sight throughout the trail, and even worse.
http://forum.solihullsociety.org/cphoto//albums/userpics/normal_PICT1307.JPG
Lots and lots of ruts, and many need to be crossed.
http://forum.solihullsociety.org/cphoto//albums/userpics/normal_PICT1335.JPG
Being the leader, but never having done the trail before, I could have used a spotter here.

[Jeffro600]

Is the whole trail a v-notch???

[jimfoo]

It sure as hell seems like it.

[jimfoo]

The best part of the trail. (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jUE9IZl8ZU4)

[Walking Eagle]

Little bit of an attention getter.

[87xjco]

That's one of the first trails my buddies conned me into doing, back when I had a stock XJ and no lockers. That was scary!! We had to be let out the bottom by the forest ranger, he let us drive out around the lake.

Good job getting thru

[rodolana]

Looks like fun. I have never heard of this trail, where is it at?

Scott

[jimfoo]

Rampart Range, west of Palmer Lake. It's on Trail Damage's site. You have to go back up everything too. There is a bypass for the corner in the vid however.

[ShawneeSlim]

Must be 30 years ago now, I laid my Chevy LUV pickup on its side in that area. Haven't been back since.

[DKSauron]

Looks like a fun little trail. I might need to hit that one up pretty soon... Thanks for the report!

[Mike Boyle]

The way the road is washed out reminds me of the trails back in Prescott, AZ. The majority of the area around Prescott is made up of decomposed granit and thoug it remains relativley hard packed, hard rain storms will wash out large notches in the roads making them really fun to play on.

[Gotlift91]

Wow never heard of this trail before.........looks very interesting!! I hate some of those off camber spots.......

[jimfoo]

There were a lot of off camber spots, up to 30 degrees, or more if you slip into a rut.:D There was a lot more to the trail, but I was spotting everyone so couldn't take pics of everything. It definitely tests you!

[jimfoo]

It takes a long time, at least with 7 vehicles. Just don't drive to the reservoir. It is posted "no vehicles", but you don't see the signs until you are where you shouldn't be. There is no other way out, so stop as soon as you reach the grassy meadow.

GPS Route,WINDING STAIRS
WDST01,39,05.827,-105,01.271,9288,09/26/2007,18:17:58,
WDST02,39,05.859,-104,59.918,9131,09/26/2007,18:18:36,
WDST03,39,05.991,-104,59.613,9064,09/26/2007,18:18:48,
WDST04,39,06.293,-104,59.034,9050,09/26/2007,18:18:58,
WDST05,39,06.448,-104,58.743,9025,09/26/2007,18:19:11,
WDST06,39,06.548,-104,58.154,8904,09/26/2007,18:19:26,
WDST07,39,06.852,-104,57.308,8712,09/26/2007,18:19:42,
WDST08,39,06.855,-104,56.598,7872,09/26/2007,18:20:01,

[4x4er]

Vary cool, always wanted to do this trail. I like the vid clip too. Didn't know you could roll forwards, pretty scary. Won't do that trail alone.

[jimfoo]

No, don't do it alone and don't do it if it's wet!

[74BuckinBronc]

I ran across this trail online one day, always wanted to try it, looks lke fun!

J.D.

[Funrover]

Really want to go!!!!

[jimfoo]

Got a lot more pics and video up if anyone wants to get a better feel for this trail. Winding Stairs (http://forum.solihullsociety.org/cphoto//thumbnails.php?album=297&page=1)

[MrK5-Scott]

The best part of the trail. (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jUE9IZl8ZU4)
It's so hard to get the idea of hitting the gas when your about to go over, seems counter-intuitive but I know it's the right thing to do.

[luvmeye22re]

I was thinking about doing that in my stock 4runner at the beginning of the summer, I'm glad I didn't. That trail doesn't even look that much fun, driving several miles in a giant v and turning around to do it again :shrug:

[74BuckinBronc]

I was thinking about doing that in my stock 4runner at the beginning of the summer, I'm glad I didn't. That trail doesn't even look that much fun, driving several miles in a giant v and turning around to do it again :shrug:

depends on what you like to do when you're wheeling. I like to push the limits of my rigs without flopping or folling, but I also like to do scenic trips as well. the trail may not be everyone's cup of tea!

J.D.