Well, since the Y2K bug didn't bite, the Hobos decided to take advantage of this mild Colorado winter and "get out" on the trail. On January 15th, we headed up Northwest of Boulder to the popular winter trails of the Left Hand Canyon Area. We met @ IHOP at 6th and Simms for some chow, and headed out about 9am. Along for some Colorado January jeeping were Hobos Paul "WieszGuy" Weisz (& son Brett), , Chris "Colonel" Potter, Chris Vieth, Ken "The Toolman" Kordes (riding with Pete), Scott and Janet Maxwell (with sons Pete & Tom), and myself (with my jeepin buddy Molly). Guest jeepers included John Paulsen's setup XJ, Mike Lebosky's modified TJ, Pete Ramirez, Phil Ramirez, Jim Stoddard's trail-ready CJ7, Brad Riviere, and some local guy named John in a stock XJ (now with some new pinstripes) who found us on the trail.
We regrouped to go play on the many Left Hand trails from here...
Hobo"Colonel"Potter loves his new suspension, makes for great articulation!!
We paraded thru the 18 stoplights of Boulder, and only managed to see 2 green lights, and soon arrived near the "shooting range" entrance for the air down/disconnect ritual. Once on our way, we bypassed Carnage Canyon for now, and as trip leader I thought it would be nice to play on the many trails and hill climbs around the corner for about 30 minutes.
Hobo Paul's 86 CJ7 comes up Big Mother Hill, believe me this is steep!!
Another of the steep hill climbs with some rocks thrown in everywhere.......
I personally almost "rolled" (or got one heck of a lot of air!) while I was attempting to make a sharp turn from a hillclimb onto a shelf switchback road. My left rear tire sunk into a hole just as I crested and tipped me back. Molly didn't seem to understand physics principles at all, as she was more concerned about squirrels. After some tense moments, I finally got her started (thanks hand throttle!), and straightened out to back down. As we all played, Brad seemed to manage to get himself inches from pine tar and a one-way ticket downhill sideways. With his winch, and help from his friend John P., he got straightened out and up the hill to the main road with the rest of the group.
Pete Ramirez approaches this obstacle with some air time!!
Hobo Chris Vieth takes on this off-camber obstacle nice and level....
Hobo Bill gets his "moneys worth" here, nice and safe.....
Everyone working as a team to get Brad up hill...
Brad gets use of his winch as his new TJ almost kisses the tree...
Moving uphill, we encountered the "Squeeze" obstacle. We all made it thru, while some made it look easy and got their "money's" worth. Others like Phil and his new TJ, exchanged valuable wheelin experience for a chunk of plastic step. Of note: while spotting, Hobos Scott Maxwell, Chris Vieth, Paul Weisz, and Chris Potter, all took on the "Squeeze", and ran it cleanly. You guys are getting to be pros at this, and only getting better with each trail.
Hobo Scott Maxwell eases over the rock with wife Janet looking on...
Scott then works his TJ cleanly thru one part of the "Squeeze"....
Hobo Chris Vieth takes a left line to avoid pine sap on the hardtop...
Chris Potter' 86 CJ7 takes on the "Squeeze"...
At 5-Points, we stopped for lunch as the temperatures were in the 50's with no wind, this is January? Not having been up to this point, I was winging the rest of the trip (though no one knew), and we wondered over to a great view off Fairview Peak. What a view, they should call it Greatview Peak. You can see from Ft. Collins all the way down to the skyscrapers and smog of Denver! After a group photo, we were going to head down Castle Gulch and out, but I came across a "little" trail that lead west and it stayed in the snow to play in. This trail is similar to the Empire Loop Trail, as it was a tight-treelined ATV-like trail. My apologies go out to the tall and long-wheeled based for any undue rocky mountain pinstripes, but that's part of the skill of maneuvering I guess.
A great view, with great friends!!!
Hummmm, I've been locked out many times, but never locked in. Somehow we were, but we managed to get thru the gate without any trouble, it seems the gate has two hinges. Forging on thru the snow (about 6-8inches), we followed the snowy ridgeline trail until we reached Balarat Hill, and down to the highway just above Jamestown. A fun day by all, no breakdowns, some good jeepin, and a nice way to get out, while ole' man winter takes a nap. Thanks to Hobo Paul who provided the "free" air to everyone for the trip home. Being my first time wheelin in January, it seems it gets dark at 5pm fast after a great day of jeepin.
Bill Hallinan HOBOJEEPERS
Left Hand Canyon: Slide Show
Here are some other Left Hand Canyon Trip Reports:
