Labor Day Jeep Trek (no FJ content) Lots of pictures!

[Firehawk068]

While some of you went on some fantastic 2-wheel rides on Labor Day, I took the family up into the mountains to do some 4-wheeling for a change of pace.........

We decided to tackle the Red Cone trail to the summit of Red Cone Peak.

I was piloting my trusty Cherokee "The Black Pearl", and a co-worker friend (Josh) tagged along with his girlfriend in his stock Wrangler....

After about an hour and 45 minute drive to the start of the trail, we headed off road.





We stopped at a parking area to air down the tires, then started our climb up through the trees..







The Aspens are starting to turn up here already.



The trail gets more challenging from here..





This obstacle gave me a little trouble, but I made it over.............Josh got stuck, and couldn't make it over.



He ended up winching off the back of my Cherokee to get over.



Heading up through the pine trees.





Josh, and his girl, and her dog "Oliver"



We stopped for lunch just at the edge of treeline, about 11,700 feet, to take a break, and let the kids stretch their legs..











We still had 1100 feet to climb as the trail heads out above treeline..



Steep climb up the trail.





Looking back down the trail we just came from out of the trees.



As we climbed toward the summit, it started snowing, and the wind picked up..







The views get more amazing, and scary at the same time( if you're afraid of heights)



Some avalanche and/or rock-slide paths.



At the peak!







The descent from the peak drops down a steep ridge, with 1500 ft dropoffs on both sides, and can be terrifying if you don't know what you are doing.........It's like driving down the first drop on a roller coaster.....







The trail follows the ridge down through a series of descents to the junction at Webster pass.







Looking back up the the top of Red Cone Peak, where we just were..



This trail leads down Webster Pass, and through Handcart Gulch, back to where we started the trail.



We followed the trail down the other side, down through this valley, and out to the towns of Montezuma, and Keystone..













This detour up "Radical Hill" a terrifying ascent up some tight, and narrow switchbacks, hanging off the side of the mountain........I drove up it last year, but wouldn't dare take the wife and kids up it (She would probably kill me)



We made our way down the valley to a nice water-crossing near the end of the trail.







The kids made me drive through it a couple times.... "Do it again Daddy!"


Water Crossing


We had a great day, enjoying the fresh air, while playing in the mountains.







Myself, and Mrs. H.



After airing up the tires, we hit the road, over Loveland Pass, toward I-70 and back home..











The east entrance to the Eisenhower Tunnel on I-70



The kids love going Jeepin in the mountains.........They talk about it for days/weeks afterwards

Hope you all enjoyed the pictures..

[FJmonkey]

Fantastic, thanks for sharing that. Nice country roads and vistas you have there. 

[The General]

Thanks Firehawk. I hung off every Pic. Posts like yours contribute to this Forums unique global reputation. Not sure why such pics & short family statements impress and entertain me more than expensive, professional documentaries.

Naaaah - not get`n all mushy,- just factual.  Thanks Mate.

[yamaha fj rider]

Thanks Alan great post. Looks like too much fun.   

Kurt

[Derek Young]

Awesome pics Alan!  A great way to spend the long weekend with the family.  That is some beautiful countryside you've got there.

Derek

[ribbert]

Great pictures. I love photos. I was riding the FJ until the picture with the boulders.
A day trip like that - fantastic
Doing stuff with your kids - priceless
Noel

[yamaha fj rider]

Roads like this are why I bought the Suzuki DRZ400. But can't take the family.

Kurt

[weymouth399]

Roads like this are why I bought the Suzuki DRZ400. But can't take the family.

Kurt

But I can't take the family. You say that, like it's a bad thing.

Bob W

[soundmindryan]

Thanks. Thanks ALOT. You make me homesick every time you POST! Summer or winter, you cant beat those mountains!
There are two kinds of people in this world: Mountain People or Beach people. (and ne'er the twain shall meet)

[racerman_27410]

Great pictures and trip report!    Looks like a lot of fun !

Good onya .... taking those kids outdoors for some clean mountain air = priceless


Kookaloo!


Frank

[yamaha fj rider]

Roads like this are why I bought the Suzuki DRZ400. But can't take the family.

Kurt

But I can't take the family. You say that, like it's a bad thing.

Bob W

Sometimes taking the family is a good thing, sometimes not so much.

Kurt