Miner's Gulch/Yankee Hill 'NITE RUN' 2008

PATROL ONE OUTINGS

2008

Miner's Gulch/

Yankee Hill

'NITE RUN'

Near Blackhawk/Alice, Colorado

Click on some Santana, Top Gun, Bob Marley, Rocky, AC/DC, Mission Impossible,

Peanuts, Floyd, Eye of Tiger, Beatles, Fly like an Eagle, Deliverance, Men at Work,

Beach Boys, Axle's Theme, James Bond, Van Halen, or the Eagles while you browse this report.

On Saturday 'NITE', October 25th 2008, we met up around 5:15pm at the old Post Office north of Blackhawk, Colorado for Miner's Gulch/Yankee Hill 'NITE' RUN'!

Hobos in attendance were myself (CJ7) and my jeepin-sidekick Molly. We were joined by MHJC's Patrol 2's Richard and Shelly Dillon (Suzuki), and his son Scott Dillon (XJ). We disconnected, and aired down. We met up with Scott at the Apex turnoff of Hwy 119. We headed up the Apex road towards Elk meadow at dusk. We normally leave Golden at 5:15pm, so we were early and had more time in light. But by the time we got to the trailhead of Miner's Gulch it was dark enough for a 'nite run'.

Molly my sidekick is ready for for some night time fun!

Heading past Elk Meadows and James Peak off in the distance as dusk and darkness approach...

Gorgeous sunset down to the trailhead...

The reflection off the sunset on the snowy was awesome...

At the Miner's Gulch trailhead of FS road 709.1...

We soon arrived at the trailhead of Miner's Gulch south of Elk Park ready for some fun! BTW, this is a Clear Creek Ranger District Forest Road 709.1. One by one, we crawled up the lower snowy section till we reached the snowy 'rocky playground'. We took turns climbing up, and sorta 'winging it' when it comes to knowing where you are. I haven't done Miners since 04', and it's changed a little. Pictures were hard to take as you can imagine, but it was pretty dark in the trees.

Just one section of trail, I was driving and didn't get much...

Scott follows thru...

...and nice job.

Richard had no problems, just smiles...

...as he climbs up.

We all made it thru, and with only 4 rigs we didn't need to stop and headed on up the hill to Forest Road 175.1 and headed left towards Yankee Hill. The new moon made it pretty dark. Up a few miles, we reached the base of Yankee Hill, where we all headed up the steep mogul hill to the WINDY top for a quick photo opportunity towards Denver at 11,200'. You could also see I-70 off in the distance, and the normally howling winds was present and the wind chill factor was present and cold. Soon, winter snows will take over this area for good. As the wind increased, the 'quality time' was over, and we all headed down Yankee Hill.

On top of Yankee Hill (wind not shown in photo)...

Looking East towards the city lights of Denver...

Instead of heading right down into Alice, I went south down into Cumberland Gulch which meets up with the Fall River Road down from Alice. Scott headed down FS Road 175.1 to Central City. This trail would be best 'served' going up it verses down. It has a lot of small rocky sections and is steep. It also doesn't get much travel, so it's a bit ATV-like along some sections. We made it down to the pavement of Fall River Road by 8pm, and put on the disconnects. Quite a fast trail for 4 rigs, in only about 2 hours.

Wow, what a fun trip!! A different perspective on the trail and jeepin', those missing this missed a great time! Hanging out with good wheelin' friends also make for a nice trip too! Richard and I headed home.

"Jeep,Jeep"

Bill Hallinan HOBOJEEPERS

Other HoboJeeper Miner's Gulch Trip Reports:

Miner's Gulch 'Nite Run' 2003-HoboJeepers