Winding Stairs from Saturday

[Blue Dodge]

Went out to Winding Stairs on Staurday
http://www.trailseeker.com/gallery/gallery2/main.php?g2_itemId=27537&g2_page=1


Not much highway but the 28 miles driving down Rampart Range road was long and dusty. (and given the 20 mph speed limit, a 90 minute drive).
http://www.trailseeker.com/gallery/gallery2/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=27538&g2_serialNumber=1

Found the trail easily enough (FR323 for anyone curious) however made a wrong turn (stayed on 323 rather then going onto 324 and then turning slightly after the 323/324 intersection).

http://www.trailseeker.com/gallery/gallery2/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=27595&g2_serialNumber=1

Trail was much like rampart range road. Rough and dusty. It did however add narrow and steep. Literally narrower then my truck in spots. The doors would not have faired well.

http://www.trailseeker.com/gallery/gallery2/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=27561&g2_serialNumber=1
http://www.trailseeker.com/gallery/gallery2/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=27561&g2_serialNumber=1

Obstacles were mild at best. Just tippy. Almost went butt over teakettle in the Dodge at one point. (Have pictures). Essentially a hard rightturn with a rock on the inside and ditch down hill. The rear tire kept trying to climb. Dan tried to pull me backwards but stalled and was unable to start the Sami. I then lost oil pressure from the steep angle and had to shut down the Dodge.... Fortunately some creative winching (with Excellent help from Jenny and Dan) got the rear end down and I was able to run down to the bottom, turn around and come back.
http://www.trailseeker.com/gallery/gallery2/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=27575&g2_serialNumber=1

http://www.trailseeker.com/gallery/gallery2/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=27587&g2_serialNumber=1

http://www.trailseeker.com/gallery/gallery2/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=27591&g2_serialNumber=1


We bump started the Sami, but the carb didn't like the steep angles and we were forced to drag it dead up some of the ditches. 350 ft-lb of torque, 4:1 t-case gears, 42"s and big, locked axles were overkill for this trail in a 6500 lb truck, but not draggin 2200 lb of dead weight. It took somefairly commited tugs to get the Sami through the ditches, and up to the top. At which point we were able to bump it again and get him up and running.


http://www.trailseeker.com/gallery/gallery2/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=27597&g2_serialNumber=1



A few miles down Rampart range road and the Sami broke a throttle cable. Rather then rigging one up with bailing wire, we dragged it behind the Dodge for an hour of dust eating fun. Eventually we loaded everything on the trailer and headed back to town...


http://www.trailseeker.com/gallery/gallery2/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=27603&g2_serialNumber=1


Not a bad day, but a complete lack of views, a super long drive, a ton of dust, way too narrow and not a single rock to crawl makes me think I will avoid Winding Stairs in the future.

[Funrover]

Wow...much different outlook than other post!

[74BuckinBronc]

Different point of view I guess.

At least it was a sami you had to drag out. Anything more could have been a major challenge!

I'd give it a shot at least once!

J.D.

[Blue Dodge]

Don't get me wrong, I wouldn't say "don't run this trail, I didn't have any fun" I just wouldn't put it in my favorites or anything. I was hoping a Chinamans type trail with some rocks and variety but closer, turned out it was farther and not near the fun or as technical. It reminded me of some of the Illinois wheelin I did where you aren't sure if its an ATV track or trail. LEss mud though.

If it had striking secenary it would be worth it, but you are just stuck in the woods at 9000'.

[projectAviator]

Looks like a fun trail, Where is it? map etc?

Thanks
Tim

[Taz]

Wow I ran it today and had a very good time on it.

[pdrhound]

http://www.trailseeker.com/gallery/gallery2/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=27603&g2_serialNumber=1


holy overloaded truck batman

[Blue Dodge]

holy overloaded truck batman

Really? It is a 3/4 ton with a fullfloater 14 bolt, 4l85E trans, 9.25" frontend, 8.1L, 4.10s, 10 ply tires and 13" discs all the way around, with hydro boost....

But we will go with MFG ratings....

GVWR of the truck is 8600 lb
GCWR of truck is 19 000 lb
GVWR of the trailer 14 000 lb
Hitch is rated at 16 000 lb

Chevy weighs 6600 lb
Trailer weighs 3500 lb
Sami weighs 2200 lb
Dodge weighs 6500 lb

Total is 18 800 lb. Right at GCWR.

Tongue weight is ~ 1400 lb (varies depending on how I load it)
1400 + 6600 = 8000 lb which is less then rated GVWR.

Trailer is 12200 - 1400 = 10800 lb. Well less then the GVWR of the trailer.

So I what am I overloading? When I have scaled it before loaded with a bunch of tools and parts in the bed i have been 5500 lb on the rear axle of the tow rig (rated at 6084 lb based on tires), 3300 lb on the front axle (rated at 4500 lb), and 10400 lb on the trailer axles.

[4runninfun]

Really? It is a 3/4 ton with a fullfloater 14 bolt, 4l85E trans, 9.25" frontend, 8.1L, 4.10s, 10 ply tires and 13" discs all the way around, with hydro boost....


LoL i don't think he's familiar with those rare 3/4 ton ave's. my buddy had one of the 3/4 tons like yours while. while i still think they're butt ugly (forgive me and my dislike of plastic looking trucks) those 3/4 ton's have my respect. good gaser tow vehicles.

and to those looking to run this trail in the future i'm pretty sure if you take Mt. Herman road it'll save you a lot of time and dust eaten.:D

[Taz]

Thats the way we went. Its a much nicer drive and you get a little wheeling in as well.

[Blue Dodge]

LoL i don't think he's familiar with those rare 3/4 ton ave's. my buddy had one of the 3/4 tons like yours while. while i still think they're butt ugly (forgive me and my dislike of plastic looking trucks) those 3/4 ton's have my respect. good gaser tow vehicles.

and to those looking to run this trail in the future i'm pretty sure if you take Mt. Herman road it'll save you a lot of time and dust eaten.:D

I am not a big fan of the plastic but the stock bed cover is awesome. The appearance grows on you a bit, but the performance is awesome. Better mileage around town then my friend's diesel, pulls really well, only drop below the speed limit on the big hills (Vail,Eisnhouer and Crow) and I can still hold 40 mph loaded like this all day....