Colorado Early July Trail Run

Rock Lizard · **Posted:** Thu Jun 14, 2007 11:14 pm

So, with the trail run at the end of June being more difficult and less stocker friendly, why don't we just reverse the order this year, make the beginning of the month trail run the stocker friendly meeting run, and the crazy stuff at the end of the month, and then whatever we do spur of the moment throughout the rest of the month? Dang, was that really just one sentence?

OK, with the second weekend of July probably going to be the easiest and two weeks after the Red Elephant run, July 14 or 15, most of the snow should be cleared out by then. I would really like to have our biggest turnout of the year to date for this one. I'm looking at Loch Lomond:
http://www.traildamage.com/trails/index.php?id=71

It's a pretty short trail, but relatively simple, and there is plenty of parking room around the lake. We could have our meeting around the lake, have lunch, and bring some fishing poles and drown some worms for a couple of ours. It seems everytime we hit the trails, we are go, go go all day long trying to get up obstacles, and just a very short lunch break before doing it all again going back down the trail. I think this would give us more time to get to chat and know eachother, and just fish and talk like a big happy family. We have a great group already, so a little get together out on top of a mountain would be a welcome change to the usual routine, while still hitting a trail in the area of interest.

Also, I've talked to one guy, and hope to get a few more together to start joining us, that want to seriously earn their Trail Rating badges on their new Patriots. Hopefully Bill from Denver will be able to join us on the trail, and maybe we can get a few more of these guys to attend. I know I'm really looking forward to seeing one of these things out on the trails.

Anyways, in short, what day works best for most, July 14 or 15, and does the Loch Lomond trail/fishing thing sound like a weiner?

KikensJeep · **Posted:** Fri Jun 15, 2007 1:42 pm

July 14 works for me: I cant do Sundays all through July. Is it ok if I invite an XJ to go along?

nails023 · **Posted:** Sat Jun 16, 2007 9:46 am

I can probably go on the 14th. I should have one of the weekend days off.

USAFCOP · **Posted:** Sun Jun 17, 2007 1:46 am

My dad will still be here, and I am sure I could talk him into going up to go fishing.... I should still be on Convalescent leave too.

Skyjump136 · **Joined:** Tue Jul 05, 2005 6:50 pm **Posts:** 1633

Do we have confirmation that this trail is snow free? If it is around the same elevation as Kingston Peak (it is in the same area) then we could have problems...we had to turn around in July one year because of all the snow up there.

Tokyojoe · **Posted:** Sun Jun 17, 2007 3:22 pm

Yeah, it was July 2005 and the snow was still really deep at Kingston Peak. We went a few months later and it was all gone.

Rock Lizard · **Posted:** Sun Jun 17, 2007 5:22 pm

Since we are most likely doing Elephant Hill run on July 1st, Sunday, Stacey and I are going to Idaho Springs the day before so I can run up there real quick to check the trail conditions, so I will be able to report on it at the trail run Sunday.

Guest · **Posted:** Sun Jun 17, 2007 11:04 pm

As Rock Lizard mentioned, I am interested in hooking up with LOST for some 'stocker' rides. I am a first time Jeep owner with the Patriot fitting into my budget. I have had it on some 2-track in the Arapahoe Nat'l Forest, even found a spot to check out the CVII crawl and hill decent features. The budget is tight for this summer as my girlfriend, Denise, and I are trying to pay off some debt. Next summer will bring improvements to the Jeep (or a new one if they offer the CRD)! So, yeah, we're looking to get our feet wet and maybe a little muddy. We hope to be able to make the July ride together. I may try to meet up with ya'll at Bill Moore Lake since there's a 3-4 trail up there too. Has anyone taken this trail - http://www.traildamage.com/trails/index.php?id=12? Is is really as 'easy' as it seems? I mean, I am halfway intelligent as to not drive off a cliff or go through the pit I know I can't make it through! Anyway, look forward to getting off-road. Take it easy!

Tokyojoe · **Posted:** Sun Jun 17, 2007 11:35 pm

LOST Rockies has done Bill Moore Lake, twice. For a lifted and armored KJ, no problem. For the stock KJ, caution and care but do'able. For the Patriot, unknown.

Guest · **Posted:** Wed Jun 20, 2007 8:04 am

Hmmm... Maybe I'll just wait till the July 14/15 ride. I saw that post for the gig in Casper, WY. Truthfully, I'd rather stick around here, but I'm down for whatever. Anyone want to make a call on the date and final trail location for this ride? I really like the idea of a relaxed drive with time to hang out and chat.

Rock Lizard · **Posted:** Thu Jun 21, 2007 2:22 am

Hey, Bill, glad to see you made it over here.

Let's go for the 14th, Saturday. Get your lawn chairs and fishin' poles ready, and don't forget your license's. I might have a new fly rod to try out, so I'm anxious to get up there. Like I mentioned earlier, I'm going to do a run up there June 30th to check trail conditions, and if they don't look too good for July 14th, we can find something else to run, and do Loch Lomond later this summer.

I don't see many of us going to that Wyoming thing, just too much of a drive for what looked like dirt roads. Dave, you have a list of emails for those guys that showed up for Iron Clads? This would be a great trail to have a huge turnout so we can get to know more people, and have another meeting.

The usual meeting place in Idaho Springs is the McDonalds that is at the gas station, which is the first exit (239?) when heading west right after you come through the tunnel. You will see the McDonalds sign on the right of I70. Once we get closer to the actual run, if we have a pretty good group coming out, then we will meet just down the road from the McD's on the left at the grocery store, which I don't remember the name right now. I'll have better details at the end of the month. Usual meeting time is 0900.

Tokyojoe · **Posted:** Thu Jun 21, 2007 8:34 am

I don't have emails, I went through the entire LOST memberlist and documented all of the people listed as being in Colorado-Wyoming and PM'd them. Since I recorded all of the names, it wouldn't take as long as originally done, but it would take time.

What is the official trail for this event?

Guest · **Posted:** Sat Jun 30, 2007 11:20 pm

I'm sure Martin will have some things to add here after we took a scouting trip up to Loch Lomond today. I followed him in my Patriot and made it no problem. Well, there was one problem, in the form of a snow drift lingering on the trail. We all thought the two of us could make it over, but an ingenious Bronco owner parked his ride on the trail, in front of the drift. At any rate, it looks like the drift will be mostly gone, or manageable by the 14, so I'm pretty sure we're still on for this run. I can't wait!

Since the invitation was extended already, I took the liberty (no pun intended) to formally invite some Patriots on this run via the JeepPatriot.com web forum. Honestly, I'm not sure how many will attend, but I did make a point that LOST is a responsible group of individuals who do not tolerate wreckless and immature drivers. I'm really hoping we can get some Patriots out there in part to maybe organize a club similar to LOST, and to show off what your little brother is capable of!

Denise and I are thinking of camping up there for the weekend too. I'm sure once she sees the abundance of explorable terrain, I'll be quickly dragged off on a hike.

Marty, Stacey and the kids were very good hosts as this was my first technical trail. I think Marty has some pics to share... Hope to see you all July 14!

USAFCOP · **Posted:** Sun Jul 01, 2007 12:36 am

Dawson wrote:

I'm sure Martin will have some things to add here after we took a scouting trip up to Loch Lomond today. I followed him in my Patriot and made it no problem. Well, there was one problem, in the form of a snow drift lingering on the trail. We all thought the two of us could make it over, but an ingenious Bronco owner parked his ride on the trail, in front of the drift. At any rate, it looks like the drift will be mostly gone, or manageable by the 14, so I'm pretty sure we're still on for this run. I can't wait!

Since the invitation was extended already, I took the liberty (no pun intended) to formally invite some Patriots on this run via the JeepPatriot.com web forum. Honestly, I'm not sure how many will attend, but I did make a point that LOST is a responsible group of individuals who do not tolerate wreckless and immature drivers. I'm really hoping we can get some Patriots out there in part to maybe organize a club similar to LOST, and to show off what your little brother is capable of!

Denise and I are thinking of camping up there for the weekend too. I'm sure once she sees the abundance of explorable terrain, I'll be quickly dragged off on a hike.

Marty, Stacy and the kids were very good hosts as this was my first technical trail. I think Marty has some pics to share... Hope to see you all July 14!

glad to hear that you had a good time. Even if you do not start your own club, you are more than welcome to join LOST Rockies. We don't care what you drive!

Fossil Fool · **Posted:** Wed Jul 04, 2007 2:04 pm

Hey!
I am living in Canon City and would love to come out for this run. My KJ is lifted but I dont know if i will have all my armour on by then, do you see that as a problem?
This would also give me a chance to met you guys and join up. Since moving to Colorado I have been to busy "settling in" to get invoved.
Looking forward to the 14th.
I hear there are quite a few trails near here. Maybe something can planned down the way...
Fossil Fool
05 CRD

Guest · **Posted:** Wed Jul 04, 2007 5:18 pm

Fossil,
Armor isn't needed for this ride. I made it up with my stock Patriot that sits lower than the KJ. There are only a couple places I really had to watch out for, and pretty much went around them.

My girlfriend, Denise, and I are planning on camping up at the Loch Saturday night if anyone else is interested.

I might have to go to New Mexico on work all of next week and MAYBE into the weekend or week after.

If I can't make it, I'll send Denise with the Patriot. Told her Stacey could teach her to drive it on the rocks. Anyway, I hope I can make it!!!

Rock Lizard · **Posted:** Wed Jul 04, 2007 5:29 pm

Bring your mosquito spray!!! They are almost as bad as the ones on BML. They will probably be worse than they were this weekend by the time we go up there. Don't forget your fishing licenses and gear if you plan to fish. There is a lot of parking room at the Loch, as long as the 30ft long snow drift is gone by then. Might bring a shovel or two just incase, but it won't take much to get through it by then with current temperatures.

VTNomad · **Posted:** Thu Jul 05, 2007 6:32 pm

I'm not a L.O.S.T. Rockies member, but I'm working out in Durango for the summer. I'd like to tag along if non-members are welcome, I believe I have that weekend off.

Is that near Dumont? I worked a job there a couple of summers ago, and another in near Idaho Springs earlier this summer. Was in my work truck and didn't have my Jeep to try out any of the trails.

Guest · **Posted:** Fri Jul 06, 2007 4:52 pm

YAY,

Few pieces of good news... 1) I may be getting a promotion at work from Install Tech to Sales Estimator which should come with a decent raise; enough to add more goodies to the Jeep. 2) I don't have to go to NM for the week and will be able to make this run. 3) My new Cobra 75 WX ST CB radio and Firestik antenna kit came in today. Unfortunately, I forgot my tools at work so I guess it will become a weeknight project to have it on in time for the run.

VTN, to answer your question, I'm not a member either and I'm SURE the group would be glad to see you there! The trail we're running is about mid way between Idaho Springs and Dumont. Feel free to bring a tent, fishing pole, chair, food, etc. I'll be camping out for the weekend, dunno about anyone else.

KJ4ME · **Posted:** Fri Jul 06, 2007 6:23 pm

im not a member either, im just getting a "feel" for the people and for my liberty (which is still kinda broken; stupid chrysler and their stupid transmission software) and they have been totally welcoming to me. a great group of people

Colorado Early July Trail Run

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