9 Attachment(s)
Ouray Jeep trails 7/16-18/2013
Just a short 3 day trip to the well known trails above Ouray CO. : Corkscrew, Alpine Loop, Stoney Pass, Engineer Pass, Governor Basin, etc, etc.
A couple events happened though. On the return trip on Wednesday from the first leg of the Alpine Loop from Silverton, about 10 miles into the trail we were halted by vehicle blocking the road and was informed that a (Jeep?) had almost gone over the edge a ways up the road and was "log jammed" due to many vehicles trying to help.
So we decided to take the alternate route back to Ouray via Stoney Pass. That added a few extra hours but finally made to Silverton just before dark. BTW, that route is well named!!
On the way back to Ouray, our friend Bill with his XJ mentioned that he was beginning to hear a noise from the driveline area. The next morning we started up Corkscrew and the noise became louder. By the time we reached the top he was very concerned so he "coasted" to the bottom and decided not to drive it any further.
He had flat towed the XJ to Ouray, so he decided it would be best to get his truck and tow the Jeep back to Ouray. So he and his wife got in our WK and we took him back to camp to pick up his truck.
Just after picking up his XJ there was a torrential rain and hail downpour, so it was 10 (-) mph all the way back (40+ miles) to camp with the Jeep in tow.
Turned out the transfer case was the culprit. Originally we thought it may have been a U-joint.
So here's just a few pictures of the scenery but none of the carnage.
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Our "puppy" CeCe
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Governor Basin. Flowers were pretty sparse, but still colorful.
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Narrow gauge tracks.
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Almost a gonner
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Bill going up 'n over
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Red Mountain #?
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Wet, wet, wet. Lots of lightning just before.
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Think this is Engineer Mtn.
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This is where Bill "coasted to the bottom.
Lots of new mining activity by the "big boys" in many areas. Lots of (really) big heavy equipment. There goes the neighborhood.....
All in all, it was a great 3 days, but Bill would beg to differ.
