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 2008 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 12th, 2008, the HoboJeepers hosted the 10th Annual Hobo Run 2008 for 9 "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, & 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. 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 once again, we had our 2nd Annual Egg Toss with all the unbroken fresh eggs! It was a hit again!
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The HoboJeepers donated the bandanas year! |
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The Hobo Run 2008 dash plaque donated by 4Wheel Parts (like this 2007) was handed out to each participant... |
With some official business needing required recreational permits with the Forest Service, the 10th Annual Hobo Run almost didn't happen. Without charging a fee, and keeping below 75 people we were able to go ahead as is. By now it was late June, and my usual sponsorship had dried up. Thanks to Jeremy at 4Wheel Parts, he helped with some gift cards and donating the trophies and dash plaques. These were made (twice) by Brenda at Sports Custom Trophies near Jewell and Wads. She did them in record time twice (1st was sponsor wrong), and had them done in time for the run.
The trail actually started at at 6th and Simms in Lakewood, Colorado at 8:00-8:30am with registration for the run. This was also 'checkpoint' #1, and all Hobos collected their egg to cradle till lunch, and the 1st of 5 poker cards. After a quick driver meeting, 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 4Wheel PARTS. Please support our Hobo Run sponsor 4Wheel Parts with a 'Thanks' the next time you see them. They helped out at the last minute! Without them, we could offer such fun prizes for you all!!
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The trophies and dash plaques were donated by 4WHEEL PARTS |
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Registration of 'Hobos' who receive their travel bag (a stick on a souvenir bandana), dash plaque, a nut to wear around their neck, and other sponsor material... |
The 9 "Hobos for a Day" for 2008 included: RICHARD TOLAND, DAVID SANDOVAL (his 6th), CHERYL LACY, DENNIS ERVIN, BOB FLINT, CHIC CHICHESTER, TIM WALLS, CASEY KJESPTH, and RANDY PROUGH.
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My jeepin sidekick Molly along for her 9th Hobo Run... |
At 8:45am, 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 9 '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 we all headed west on 6th Ave. Freeway, as the Hobo Train pulled out of the parking lot. The Hobo train had 11 good-lookin' 4x4's running up I-70 all with their lights on in line. We managed to stay within about a 1-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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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. John helped me with the dispersion of the matchsticks (each Hobo drew one from random of of our traveling bag), and the 2nd poker card. 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.
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Looking SW towards Alice, the train chugs up the base of Yankee Hill... |
10th Annual Hobo Run 2008
(Actual GPS Map of the Run on July 16th, 2005 Run)
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Thanks to Bob D. for the GPS Map!!! |
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 3rd Hobo Survival item (a Q-Tip-with point values, and the 3rd 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 (well my Jeep was running it's worst), 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 a checkpoint in the foreground... |
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The Eastern side of Kingston Peak affords a nice tight tree-lined trail (07')... |
Then the 'Hobo Train' passed along the East-side o Kingston Peak. We stopped for a 10-100 on the east side of Kingston Peak in the trees. John and I handed out the last item (a stick-o-gum with point values) and the 4th poker card. My carburetor would still not hold idle, but I rigged the throttle open a little to prevent stalling ALL the time while crawling.
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| Hobos stop at another checkpoint to pick up survival items and a poker card... |
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Heading West up to lunch... |
Once up at the tree-line lunch spot (tree line--about 11,400'), each Hobo brought up their fresh unbroken/cracked egg (for points), and received their last poker card. We then took a quick break before the egg toss as the "official" HoboJeeper judges tallied the points. Thanks to 4WHEEL PARTS for $275 in gift cards at a last notice!!!!
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| Lunchtime at 11k feet! |
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All gather to have lunch in the high-altitude sun... |
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The "Largest Nut" award winner, Richard Toland won a $25 card from 4Wheel Parts. 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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The "Best Poker Hand" winner was Cheryl Lacy with 3 Queens (beating 3-6's who got 2nd)... |
Well, we had some eggs, and we are at 11,000+ feet above sea level, how bout' an egg toss?? We started of with about 10 teams of two, each ready to go. If you dropped the egg, you were out. After some intense tosses, Tim Walls won and a $25 gift card.
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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... |
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and some ways of dropping them too... |
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1st place in the egg toss--Tim Walls and friend!! They win a $75 card from 4Wheel Parts!! |
With the points tallied, the last place 'winner' was a tie between Dennis Ervin and Tim Walls with 180pts. They didn't get anything this year (only the recognition that they were last by their peers). 3rd Place Hobo Run trophy winner with 300 pts was Cheryl Lacey, who also won a $25 certificate to 4Wheel Parts. The 2nd Place Hobo Run Trophy winner with a close 320 pts was Richard Toland, who also won a $50 certificate to 4Wheel Parts
The "Top Hobo" of the 10th Annual Hobo Run 2008 with 340 pts went to BOB FLINT! He also won a $100 certificate to 4Wheel Parts! 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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(Left to right): Bob Flint and wife (Top Hobo), Richard Toland (2nd), and Chery Lacy (3rd), and Hobo Willy... |
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'Hobos for a Day' 2008 Group Photo! From left to right: Well---Just about everyone there!!! |
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. For the 1st time, we had a cloud-free run over the tundra section to the Rock House. We usually have to dodge rain and lightning bolts about this time of day. 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. With a snowy winter, it took awhile for the snow to melt this year.
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Looking East just out of the trees... |
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| ...as you look back at the train behind, and |
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| ...as you look back at the train the front. |
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Looking North at the switchback, as the 'Hobo Train' chugs up 12,037.5' Hobo Pass... |
As we crested Hobo Pass at 12,037.5', the views were great! 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 one year... |
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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 NO nasty weather and a smaller group, we stopped at the Rock House and stacked a rock and a Kodak moment. We then headed down to the trees and a 10-100.
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The 'Rock House'...
Stack a rock, sign the
guest book,
get some fresh COOL air,
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| Everyone takes in the scenery at the rock house... |
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| ...while others also stack a rock in honor or in luck... |
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My Molly was searching for anything that moved, while her ears were ready for takeoff... |
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Some did some Geo-Caching, with Loch Lomand in the background... |
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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) |
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Another group photo with my mug in it, then... |
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the real 'Rock House' Group Photo! |
After our last stop, we headed on down off the mountain safe. Views off to the south 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 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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These were everywhere too... |
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At our last stop for a 10-100... |
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| Everyone airs up for home after a fun day... |
CONGRATS from the HoboJeepers to-
BOB FLINT!
the 10th Annual Hobo Run 2008
'Top Hobo'
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 in Mid July for the 11th Annual Hobo Run 2009!!
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It didn't take long,,,,, 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:
9th Annual Hobo
Run 2007-HoboJeepers
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
"JEEP, JEEP!!"
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