Da Kine
October 8th, 2007, 12:58 AM
Today just had to be one of those days.....:shrug:
I had planned a day of going to Crystal to see the Old Saw Mill on the river there. I had gotten the impression that it was an easy trip. Wish that had been the case.:confused: A combination of poor planning and bad intel became a frightening day for me and my family.
I had planned this trip to show my family what it is about 4 wheeling that I enjoy so much. For me, one of the greatest parts of the experience is to get somewhere most folks don't and to see something that few will. With that in mind I decided to go to Crystal. Just me, the wife and daughter. No other friends or anything...first mistake.:eek:
So anyway, I had the JK all packed and ready to head out at O-dark thirty in hopes of seeing some hot air balloons lift off in the valley East of BV on 24. No such luck, they all went to New Mexico for the big fancy smancy balloon fest.....:flipoff2:
Now I chose this circuitous route from Colorado Springs for a couple of reasons, one, the balloons and two, the wife wanted to see what the big deal was about Aspen. So we took the long way and used a LOT of time getting to the trail head.
So we came down through Carbondale and at that time I had just a little less than a half tank. No problem I thought, I will fill up in Marble. Guess what Marble does not have any of? Yep, gas stations. So now I have a decision to make, do I continue or turn around and go all the way back to Carbondale for gas? Bingo, I pressed on.... mistake # 2.
So we find the trail head easy enough, no problem there, but part of it is closed due to a bridge wash-out. I am told though that I can still get to the saw mill by taking the other loop, it will just take 'a little longer'. OK, 'a little longer' route should be no problem. The sun is shining, there is a dusting of snow all over... oh, did I forget to mention the snow and ice? Wait for it. So off we go and what do you know, this trail is kind of beat up. I have the wife and daughter with me, so to be kind to them, I go extra slow over the rocks and holes. Since I have never been here, I do manage to make a wrong turn or two dozen, all of which lead to some very narrow and icy cliff hanger type trails. Each time I had to back down.
Finally I find the right trail and it is a beautiful drive.:) The scenery is just great! I have one eye on the trail and one on the surroundings. Oh, because we were going so slowly, we got passed by just about everyone out there.
So, bumping and plodding along, we finally get to Crystal and I hear a chime coming from the dash, we are low on gas, reserves. So now what? It took us over an hour to get to Crystal, and the closest gas that we know of is in Carbondale, another 30 minutes past Marble. No way did I have enough gas for that. Time to check the map. We see that if we go south, the trail will go to Crested Butte, and it is ALOT closer than Carbondale. OK, so that is the plan, make best course for Crested Butte.
As rocky and bumpy as the trail from Marble was, it had nothing on the leg that led to Crested Butte. Not only that, but it go much narrower and the drop-offs that much further down. OK, maybe my imagination is making it seem further down, but it sure felt that way.
So, I go slowly again, but also keeping an eye glued to the fuel gauge. We come to a bridge next to a wonderful waterfall and start up the canyon. About 100 yards past the bridge, the trail turns icy (told you I would come back to it) and has a sharp left turn with part of the interior apex of the curve washed away, making for a VERY narrow passage. What do I do now? Continue and pray that I make it, or back down and hope I have enough fuel to go back the way I came? Looking at the fuel gauge, I knew I was past the point of no return, so I stopped, got out and walked the area in question. I checked that turn and about 100 yards beyond it for any other surprises. Looks doable, but it will be very tight. Sitting here now, I should have asked the wife and daughter to walk ahead of me, just in case something did happen.
Long story short, we did make it, but I have to get new cushions for my seat to replace the one that my butt sucked in. I do have to give my wife props though, not once did she scream, dig claws into my arm or berate me for making bad decisions, thanks hun.:D
Let this be a lesson. Do Not go somewhere without some kind of back up and especially if you have never been there before.
Guess what it is time for? :beer::beer::beer::beer::beer::beer::beer::beer::beer::beer::beer::beer::beer:
I had planned a day of going to Crystal to see the Old Saw Mill on the river there. I had gotten the impression that it was an easy trip. Wish that had been the case.:confused: A combination of poor planning and bad intel became a frightening day for me and my family.
I had planned this trip to show my family what it is about 4 wheeling that I enjoy so much. For me, one of the greatest parts of the experience is to get somewhere most folks don't and to see something that few will. With that in mind I decided to go to Crystal. Just me, the wife and daughter. No other friends or anything...first mistake.:eek:
So anyway, I had the JK all packed and ready to head out at O-dark thirty in hopes of seeing some hot air balloons lift off in the valley East of BV on 24. No such luck, they all went to New Mexico for the big fancy smancy balloon fest.....:flipoff2:
Now I chose this circuitous route from Colorado Springs for a couple of reasons, one, the balloons and two, the wife wanted to see what the big deal was about Aspen. So we took the long way and used a LOT of time getting to the trail head.
So we came down through Carbondale and at that time I had just a little less than a half tank. No problem I thought, I will fill up in Marble. Guess what Marble does not have any of? Yep, gas stations. So now I have a decision to make, do I continue or turn around and go all the way back to Carbondale for gas? Bingo, I pressed on.... mistake # 2.
So we find the trail head easy enough, no problem there, but part of it is closed due to a bridge wash-out. I am told though that I can still get to the saw mill by taking the other loop, it will just take 'a little longer'. OK, 'a little longer' route should be no problem. The sun is shining, there is a dusting of snow all over... oh, did I forget to mention the snow and ice? Wait for it. So off we go and what do you know, this trail is kind of beat up. I have the wife and daughter with me, so to be kind to them, I go extra slow over the rocks and holes. Since I have never been here, I do manage to make a wrong turn or two dozen, all of which lead to some very narrow and icy cliff hanger type trails. Each time I had to back down.
Finally I find the right trail and it is a beautiful drive.:) The scenery is just great! I have one eye on the trail and one on the surroundings. Oh, because we were going so slowly, we got passed by just about everyone out there.
So, bumping and plodding along, we finally get to Crystal and I hear a chime coming from the dash, we are low on gas, reserves. So now what? It took us over an hour to get to Crystal, and the closest gas that we know of is in Carbondale, another 30 minutes past Marble. No way did I have enough gas for that. Time to check the map. We see that if we go south, the trail will go to Crested Butte, and it is ALOT closer than Carbondale. OK, so that is the plan, make best course for Crested Butte.
As rocky and bumpy as the trail from Marble was, it had nothing on the leg that led to Crested Butte. Not only that, but it go much narrower and the drop-offs that much further down. OK, maybe my imagination is making it seem further down, but it sure felt that way.
So, I go slowly again, but also keeping an eye glued to the fuel gauge. We come to a bridge next to a wonderful waterfall and start up the canyon. About 100 yards past the bridge, the trail turns icy (told you I would come back to it) and has a sharp left turn with part of the interior apex of the curve washed away, making for a VERY narrow passage. What do I do now? Continue and pray that I make it, or back down and hope I have enough fuel to go back the way I came? Looking at the fuel gauge, I knew I was past the point of no return, so I stopped, got out and walked the area in question. I checked that turn and about 100 yards beyond it for any other surprises. Looks doable, but it will be very tight. Sitting here now, I should have asked the wife and daughter to walk ahead of me, just in case something did happen.
Long story short, we did make it, but I have to get new cushions for my seat to replace the one that my butt sucked in. I do have to give my wife props though, not once did she scream, dig claws into my arm or berate me for making bad decisions, thanks hun.:D
Let this be a lesson. Do Not go somewhere without some kind of back up and especially if you have never been there before.
Guess what it is time for? :beer::beer::beer::beer::beer::beer::beer::beer::beer::beer::beer::beer::beer: