Click on some Santana, Top Gun, Bob Marley, Rocky, AC/DC, Mission Impossible,
Beach Boys, Axle's Theme, James Bond, Van Halen, or the Eagles while
you browse this Hobo Run 2007 report...
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The Kingston Peak Trail map and descriptions from 4x4trails.net |
*Note: Some text may be similar then previous Hobo Runs...as the event is very similar.
On Saturday July 14th, 2007, the HoboJeepers hosted the 9th Annual Hobo Run 2007 for 27 "Hobos for a Day" (3 no-shows) over the Kingston Peak Loop Trail. "As real hobos ride the rails, we too ride the trails in that same traveling spirit". A hobo needs to muster up needed supplies in order to survive on the trail. Each checkpoint offered the hobo a chance to collect different point values from the items (fresh egg, matchstick, Q-Tip, lolly pop, & a stick of gum). Along with the items, a card is chosen at each of the 5 checkpoints to try to have the highest poker hand for 100 extra points.
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Click above to enlarge the Interactive Photo Map |
Eugene the Jeep (our little mascot), was also there is spirit, keeping watch over everyone and keeping them safe. In the past, at the second checkpoint, 30 "Where's Eugene?" clues were handed out to each hobo and read out loud over the CB as to his possible whereabouts in the area. We nixed that idea this year. Each item collected was to be stored in a souvenir traveling bandana (yes, even the fresh egg). At the timberline lunch spot, all the points were totaled up and trophies, along with some other prizes were handed out. This year, we even had our 1st Annual Egg Toss with all the unbroken fresh eggs! It was a hit!
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The trophies and dash plaques... |
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For the 9th straight year, the bandanas (handed out to each participant) were donated by Mile High Jeep Rebuilders of Denver: Jim @ 303-629-0378... |
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The Hobo Run 2007 dash plaque handed out to each participant... |
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Our annual Hobo Run Organizational Meeting July 11th was held at my house... |
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as we stuffed bags, made necklaces, and traveling Hobo sacks for the run. |
The trail actually started at Village Inn at 6th and Simms in Lakewood, Colorado at 8:00-8:30am with registration for the run. Since everyone had already pre-paid, registration consisted of only signing in and picking up you're goodie bag. This year, we returned the 'suggested' donation of $15 (per the Forest Service request) to everyone, and we accepted donations instead.
The goodie bag contained a souvenir screened bandana, a magnetic dash plaque, a $25 gift card from 4WHEEL PARTS, beef jerky, a spicer u-joint from Rocky Mountain Driveline, Liquid Wrench from Gunk, a nut to wear around your neck, and many sponsor brochures/promotional material. Everyone was excited for a fun day, and a 'different' day of jeepin'. After a quick driver meeting at 8:45am, and an "official" hobo swearing in ceremony, we were off parade style up Hwy 6 west on I-70. Hobos were given an instruction sheet which covered the rules to read on the way up to the trailhead. Thanks to all of you ("Hobos for a Day") who supported us in this year's run, including our corporate sponsors. Please support our Hobo Run sponsors with a 'Thanks' the next time you see them. Without them, we could offer such fun prizes for you all!!
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Registration of 'Hobos' who receive a goodie bag (yellow sacks) with their travel bag (a stick on a souvenir bandana), dash plaque, a nut to wear around their neck, and other sponsor material... |
The 27 "Hobos for a Day" for 2007 included: TIM STAGEBERG, DAVE ZIMMERMAN, TONY ZAJICEK, SCOTT MCGREGOR, TONY ZAJICEK JR., CHIC CHICHESTER, JEFF GONZALES, JOHN SNODGRASS, JOSH MARTENS, FRED WEICK, MIKE ARGERSINGER, RICHARD TOLAND, TODD FRICK (MHJC Patrol 11), JIM MAXWELL, JERRY ROSS (MHJC Patrol 11), DAVID SANDOVAL (his 5th), CHERYL LACY, KATIE KEIGHIN, JERRY NEESE, DAN PARDIKES, CHRIS PATRICK, KARL KEIGHIN, NATHAN MYERS, GARY MOUL (MHJC Patrol 5), MIKE BOWDEN (MHJC Patrol 5), JERRY BAKER (MHJC Patrol 5), TOM SARMIR (MHJC Patrol 5), ALLEN DREILING (MHJC Patrol 5), & MARK ARMSTRONG (MHJC Patrol 5).
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My jeepin sidekick Molly along for her 8th Hobo Run... |
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I hand out the 1st 2 items at the raffle... |
After the raffle, I had a short Driver Meeting and swear in. Instructions on how the day would go, directions and generals on the trip up I-70 to Alice, and other items were discussed. Once the business was done, I officially swore all 27 'Hobos for a day' in with an official oath as follows:
*Hobos
raise your right hand, place your left hand on your nut (oh yea, that's the
necklace in the goodie bag--with a nut on it) and repeat after me, except state YOUR first name:
“I Hobo- (state your first name)…….Do solemnly swear sometimes…… To uphold the spirit of a
Hobo……..in mind and while on the trail……..To always tread lightly………and stay on the trail…..To not put more than 10% of my income…..into my Jeep in any one year…….. Zip-bop-beep-bop…..I feel good!…..And to dog-gone it I promise……..to have a really really……..Really really…….. Fun time today!……
JEEP JEEP!!!………JEEP JEEP!!!!”
After a joyous swear in, everyone loaded up in their individual vehicles (railcars), and tuned their CB to channel 13, and w all headed west on 6th Ave. Freeway, as the Hobo Train pulled out of the Village Inn parking lot.
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Molly and I lead out the 'Hobo Train' heading west on 6th Ave... |
Now here's a nice sight! Picture 32 (27 Hobos for a day + 5 HoboJeepers) good-lookin' 4x4's running up I-70 all with their lights on in line, it looked cool from the front were I was! We managed to stay within about a 2-mile stretch of each other too (mostly in the slow lane), and nobody broke down! We chugged on by Idaho Springs in procession and turned off at Fall River Road exit 238.
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The train heading west along I-70 near the end of Floyd Hil... |
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Exit 238, and on up to Alice via the Fall River Road... |
Once off I-70, we headed up the more peaceful & cool Fall River Road. We worked our way up to the summer town of Alice at about 10,500' in elevation to the air-down spot. After a nice discussion with Tom of the Forest Service, we were allowed to proceed. I started with the dispersion of the fresh eggs (and 1st poker card) as the hobos air-downed for the trail at their 1st checkpoint. You didn't get points for your egg if it was even cracked/broken by lunchtime, so many tried sneaky methods not to break it! All items though needed to be in their traveling bandanas on a stick. I believe some ended up cracked and broken, so I wonder what ideas people came up with this year to keep their egg from breaking?
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Looking back--at nice rigs up Fall River... |
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The Hobos get their 1st survival item... |
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Everyone airs down and gets ready for a fun day (even 4-legged friends)... |
All Aboard! One by one the train of hobos chugged/jeeped up the hill towards the 2nd checkpoint (with some pretty rocky stuff), as each hobo followed the trail in the spirit of the 'Hobo' to places unknown and a fun day.
9th Annual Hobo Run 2007
(Actual GPS Map of the Run on July 16th, 2005 Run)
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Thanks to Bob D. for the GPS Map!!! |
Each of the HoboJeepers in Patrol 1 were at 4 other checkpoints, as the 'train' of Hobos passed by to provide items for each hobo to survive. We all climbed the hill out of Alice and headed East to a scenic checkpoint at the base of Yankee Hill. Hobos then received their 2nd Hobo Survival item (a matchstick-with point values, and the 2nd poker card). The 180 degree views off to South were spectacular! We could look off to the West and see where we would end up at the end of the Run as we made a loop around Kingston Peak. The train started up again, as we all headed into the tight-tree lined trail along the east-side of Kingston Peak to the next checkpoint.
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Looking back West, with the 2nd checkpoint in the foreground, The 'Hobos' get their 2nd survival item, their 1st card, and a Eugene clue... |
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Looking back West, with the 2nd checkpoint in the foreground at the base of Yankee Hill, The 'Hobos' get their 2nd survival item, and their 2nd card ... |
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| Nice views, and a cool morning breeze at 10,800'... |
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The Eastern side of Kingston Peak affords a nice tight tree-lined trail... |
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| Hobos stop at another checkpoint to pick up survival items and a poker card... |
Then the 'Hobo Train' passed another checkpoint to receive the next item (a Q-Tip) and the 3rd card, and then on to the last checkpoint for (a lolly pop) and the 4th card. We stopped for a 10-100 on the east side of Kingston Peak in the trees just past the checkpoint. It took about 10 minutes for the end of the line to catch up. We had many motorcycles and ATV's on the trail, we tried to accommodate them as best as possible. With a tight tree-lined trail, it was hard to get by.
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A nice little brook along the trail... |
At one point we were strung out over I'd guess over a mile on the trail. All the while, I rarely got out of 2nd low and kept a slow 5mph speed up front. The HoboJeepers did a great job in moving everyone along. The came the last checkpoint, and handed out a stick of gum to every Hobo and the last poker hand card. Everyone stopped at all 5 checkpoints and collected a survival item (worth points), and collected 5 cards to make a high poker hand (2pair-10's and 7's, was the best hand! -from Dan Pardikes, and extra 100 points).
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| Hobos past the last checkpoint ... |
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We crossed the North Fork of Clear Creek... |
Once up at the tree-line lunch spot (tree line--about 11,400'), each Hobo brought up their fresh unbroken/cracked egg (for points), they then settled down with their lunch after being on the trail (train) all morning. As the "official" judges tallied the points, I handed out some recognition door prizes. Each Hobo already made out, as a $25 gift card was in every goodie bag. Thanks to 4WHEEL PARTS (Jeremy and Steve) for $750 in gift cards!!!! I made up some trivia questions and handed out some misc. items fom Gunk and Funtrek books.
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We were all strung out almost a good mile, bottom center looks down on the last checkpoint as I head up to the lunch spot... |
Thanks to the many sponsors, including the local Denver 4x4 shops: Mile High Jeep Rebuilders (Jim Dozal), Bestop (Megan), Funtreks (Charles), Rocky Mountain Drive (Scott), 4Wheel Parts (Jeremy and Steve), and High Country 4x4 (Jason & Ernie).
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The "Largest Nut" award winner, Cheryl Lacy. Every Hobo was given in their goody sacks a nut on a string that they had to wear around their necks and one was bigger than the rest... |
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Everyone had fun with the egg toss at 11,400'... |
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Some had interesting ways of catching the egg... |
Each hobo then compared the size of their nut to the person next to them to see who had the largest one. OK, footnote needed here: The nut in reference is a 5/16th inch steel nut on a string around their neck. OK?--, so Cheryl Lacy had the largest nut (3/8th inch brass-to be exact), and received an extra 100 points to his point total. She also received a plaque and a tow strap from High Country 4x4 for having the largest 'nut' on the run.
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2nd place in the Egg Toss--Jeff Gonzalas and friend!! They win a 2 books from FUNTREKS!! |
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1st place in the egg toss--Mike Argersinger and friend!! They win a set of Half-Doors from BESTOP!! |
With the points tallied, the last place 'winner' was Tim Stageberg, and won a tree strap from High Country 4x4. 3rd Place trophy winner was a tie between Chic Chichester and Tony Zajicek Jr. We were going to have a run off (coin-flip), but Chic graciously gave 3rd to Tony (who also won the trophy and a $25 certificate to High Country 4x4). The 2nd Place Trophy winner was Jerry Neese, and also won a $50 certificate to High Country 4x4.
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2007 Hobo Run "3rd Place" winner Tony Zajicek Jr... |
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2007 Hobo Run "2nd Place" winner Jerry Neese... |
The "Top Hobo" of the 9th Annual Hobo Run 2007 went to DAN PARDIKES! He also won a $100 certificate to High Country 4x4! Congrats to the trophy winners, and to ALL the hobos, cause we all had fun--which is a winning feeling in my book.
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Todd Frick-left (2006 Top Hobo) hands out the 2007 'Top Hobo' trophy to Dan Pardikes!! |
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'Hobos for a Day' 2007 Group Photo! From left to right: Well---Just about everyone!!! |
The weather down in Denver had been hot all week--mid 90's. All we had was sunshine and a few clouds up at 12,000'--oh, and nice and cool. Soon though, the clouds were beginning to gather in the North and heading our way just as we finished our lunch. The views of the Front Range were great this year, compared to 2004, when you couldn't see more then 100 yards or less in pea fog. The Hobo Train started up and up into the fragile tundra above 11,500'. We all headed along the 1st switchback with views of Longs Peak way to the north.
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Looking West just out of the trees... |
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| ...as you look back at the train behind. |
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| Looking North at the switchback, as the 'Hobo Train' chugs up 12,037.5' Hobo Pass... |
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Looking West towards James Peak and the switchback, where the above photo was taken at the same time... |
Just as we made it to the James Peak switchback a storm poured down rain and lightning!! Myself and other adventurous souls braved out the rain in our bikini tops, while others rolled up their windows. As we crested Hobo Pass at 12,037.5', the views were great! Well, except for less rain and some close lightning strikes (yes, no cover up in the tundra). We stayed on the main path, avoiding any grass of the tundra. Please take the rocky section of this trail, and stay off the fragile tundra. All one can do is try to educate, as with biotic crypto soil in Moab, the tundra also takes many years to recover (only a 3 month growing season).
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| Heading up the Pass in a driving rain... |
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| Well, no dust ("hey roll your window down and fell the adventure!!")... |
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Looking North, the trail braids as many seek the soft tundra to drive on... but all of our group are careful to stay on the trail and OFF the fragile tundra. |
Everyone made it up both steep hills, as the second hill must of been graded for SUV's as it was not difficult at all. The left side is being reclaimed and closed. With the nasty weather, we only stopped briefly as we passed at the Rock House and stacked a rock and a Kodak moment. We headed down to the safety of tree line and a 10-100.
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The last small hill to climb... |
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...the right lane is the thru lane, while the left is being reclaimed. |
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The 'Rock House'...
Stack a rock, sign the
guest book,
get some fresh COOL air,
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| Dave Z and his daughter at the rock house... |
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| ...while others also stack a rock in honor or in luck... |
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| Loch Lomand Lake looking West from the 'Rock House'... |
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| One Jeep had some fuel issues up top... |
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Check out this cool collage of the 'Hobo Train' from 2003... (click on link for new window, click 'x' to return-photo at Rock House by Ron Reberry) |
So we headed on down into to the trees (which were old Bristle cone Pines--straight out of the 'Wizard of Oz' forest). Everyone made it down off the mountain safe. Views off to the south thru the clouds offered up Georgetown and I-70 to Loch Lomand Lake to the west. We stopped for a 10-100 along the saddle. The trail finally reaches back down to the Alice summer homes, and the graded (but ROCKY) switchback sections begin. Once down off the switchbacks, we all met up again at the official end of the run. Some aired up, while others headed down to Idaho Springs in the RAIN (this one was Cats and Dogs!) for some air. Yea!! A great day for all, and everyone was a winner. The spirit of the Hobo lives on to the next trail...and next year!
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Nice wildflowers everywhere... |
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Along with old Bristle Cone Pines.... |
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At our last stop, looking South towards Mt. Evans... |
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| The trail gets easy and gravelly, with one last look at the Front Range... |
Thanks again to the "Hobos for a Day" for your support (you know who you are), hope you had as much fun as we did, and we look forward to seeing you next year (sign up early!) on July 12th for the 10th Annual Hobo Run 2008!!
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It didn't take long,,,,,(well after the pouring rain on I-70), before Molly was sleeping most of the way home... |
'See ya on the trail!!'
MHJC Patrol 1 HoboJeepers
"JEEP, JEEP!!"
*Here are some other Hobo Run/Kingston Peak Trip Reports:
7th Annual Hobo
Run 2005-HoboJeepers
6th Annual Hobo
Run 2004-HoboJeepers
5th Annual Hobo
Run 2003-HoboJeepers
4th Annual Hobo
Run 2002-HoboJeepers
3rd Annual Hobo
Run 2001-HoboJeepers
2nd Annual Hobo
Run 2000-HoboJeepers
1st Annual Hobo
Run 1999-HoboJeepers
*Kingston Peak Loop Trail 99'-HoboJeepers
*Kingston Peak Loop Trail 00'-HoboJeepers
*Kingston Peak by mountain bike
*Kingston Peak Map & Trail Descriptions by 4x4trails.net
*Kingston Peak Trail Report by TrailRidge Runners 4x4 Club
A special "Thanks" and please support all
of this years local Hobo Run Sponsors:
*MILE-HI
JEEP REBUILDERS-
of Denver: Jim-303-629-0378:
9th Annual HOBO RUN Traveling Bandanas
-Established 1962 in Denver, CO--We carry a full line of new
and rebuilt JEEP replacement parts, & aftermarket accessories.
*FUNTREKS.COM- of Colorado Springs:--Joan-toll free-1-877-222-7623
-Guidebooks by Charles Wells cover back roads & 4-wheel-drive trails for SUV owners and serious 4-wheelers. Books include Colorado, California, Arizona and Moab, UT.
*4WHEEL PARTS- of Aurora/Denver:--Jeremy-303-347-5337
-$25 Gift Cards for each Hobo!! That's $750!!!
-Wholesaler supplies aftermarket parts and accessories for Jeep and other four-wheel drive vehicles.
*BESTOP- of Westminster:
-Replacement tops and accessories for Jeep Wrangler, Jeep CJ, Jeep TJ and Jeep YJ.
*ROCKY MOUNTAIN DRIVELINE- of Denver:--Scott-303-433-8683
-All your driveline needs!!-
*HIGH COUNTRY 4x4- of Englewood:--Ernie/Jason-303-761-7379
-Gift Cards for 1st,2nd,3rd places, and last place!!
-Specializes in the sales service, and custom 4 wheel drive equipment.
This year's other national donators:
*JD MOTORSPORTS-BFGOODRICH Tires
*OH BOY OBERTO! BEEF JERKEY- For over 85 years, "Have Fun" has been more than the company motto!
*BUSHWACKER FENDER FLARES- We have fender flares for all makes and models.
*RADIATOR SPECIALTY PRODUCTS- Quality automotive, hardware, plumbing, and traffic safety products to the world, including GUNK.
*DELORME Colorado Gazateer MAPS- Provides mapping programs for handheld computers, Gazeteer Maps, and more...
"JEEP, JEEP!!"
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