On Sunday July 27th, Hobos Jed 'Clampett' McClelland-Trip Leader-(CJ7) and his daughter Ashley & friend, Mark 'Fife' Fisher (TJ) and his niece, and myself-Bill Hallinan (CJ7) along with my jeeping sidekick Molly .  We hit the pavement early from our homes, and met up at 7:30am at the Fort.  This loop trip would include Red Cone, Radical Hill, Swan Fork, S.O.B. Hill, Glacier Ridge, and the Georgia Pass Trails.  

   We meandered along highway 285 west past Bailey, and on to the Webster gravel turnoff.  As the road got rougher (to be aired up), it was time to stop to air down and do the 'disco.  The turn to the 1st trail Red Cone was ahead, so we started up the trail.  The trail winded up thru the aspens, with some nice fun rocky sections and beautiful scenery.

   Jed (being the trip leader), reached the tricky section that includes a large rock in the middle to climb over.  He went 1st, as we readied our cameras.  With the front tires up and the rears to follow, somehow the rear drive shaft u-joint busted along the way.  With the proper tools, and makeshift parts, Jed was ready to wheel in no time.  

   We headed up thru Sawhill Gulch, past the tight tree turn, and on up to treeline as the Red Cone summit awaits!  We stopped along the ridgeline (above timberline), and took a break with 360 views.  It was a bit hazy from the fires, but it was still a 'Sound of Music' moment.  From Kenosha Pass & South Park, to Mt. Evans the views were great!

   On to the summit, we traversed along the ridge (staying well within the trail) until the last mogul climb to the top.  Photo opps and more scenery were taken in.  The iron-rich Red Cone peak seemed to bleed with shades of red and orange.  

*RED CONE PEAK 12,801'*

   One by one we headed off the summit, down the steep west side.  Though with some moguls, this section seems to get easier every time.  Maybe, it's because more rocks are sliding down filling in the deep spots.  Red Cone Trail is also only a one-way trail down (East to West).  Climbing the hill only increases the moguls.  There are also not many pullouts to pass an oncoming vehicle either.  

   After some photo shots coming down the hill, we headed down to Webster Pass, fixed some fallen gates (if you see these down, please erect them again), and lunch in the meadow below, before heading up the Radical Hill Trail.

   The weather started to churn up the clouds as we finished our lunch about 1pm.  We still had some trail above timberline to traverse before the predicted storms, so we started the climb up Radical Hill.  On thru some lower rocky sections, we pasted the switchbacks, and by the tight ('Jeep- width'), to the last climb to reach the high plateau and views of Summit County to the West.

*RADICAL HILL TRAIL*

   Heading south now, we worked our way down the North Fork of the Swan and the N. Swan Trail.  The trail along the tundra, is one of the longest in the area, and closest to Denver.  This is Colorado!  The trail is steep heading down into the Swan drainage, and a little off-camber in this section.  Special care should be given to tread lightly to avoid further erosion.  An optional rocky obstacle awaits going down.  

   Jed and Mark opted for the S.O.B. Hill and Glacier Ridge Trails to Georgia Pass, while I played it safe (with All-4-Fun in 6 days) and took the easier Georgia Pass route to meet them.  They enjoyed the short but steep S.O.B. Hill, as it provided some nice steep boulder climbs.  Glacier Ridge Trail has some hairy off camber sections to enjoy also.

   Finally, the rain showers came and went, cooling off the temps a bit more, and keeping the dust away.  We met up at Georgia Pass, and made our way down a washboarded Park County road to Jefferson for some air.  We caravanned back to Denver via highway 285 together, and departed our ways home.  Another fun scenic Colorado Jeep trip with great friends!  Another reason why we live here! 

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