Climbing Mt. Princeton or Thank goodness for jeep mechanics!

I think the word of the day is "frustration". After a morning of shop-time, everything seemed all set for the ascent of Mt. Princeton. The group of 19 jeeps set out just after lunch for the Vista.

Almost immediately, the Blue Mule and another jeep returned to the Thirsty Dirt Ranch. Could it really be that the throttle cable broke, again???? Yep, SIGH! So, another fix was in order. But, soon they were back on the road.

Things seemed to be going well after that until about 2/3rd of the side. One of the jeeps needed to have it's coil replaced. Everyone stopped and waited. Two jeeps returned back to the TDR about that same time. One had nicked the radiator hose with the fan.

We listened on the radio to the action up on the mountain side, unable to do much of anything from here. Fortunately, there were enough spare parts among the jeeps, that they got the jeep up there going. That was just in time to encountered a modern jeep coming down the narrow road and one coming up from behind! And NO place to turn around or move over. They did find a spot, and got the down-hill traffic past the convoy.

So, on to the top was about the only choice left. They checked things out before quickly heading back down. Everyone was pretty cold from the shadow of the mountains and just sitting and waiting for repairs. Now that it's about 5:30 pm, the clouds have finally really parted, and it is sunny down here at the Thirsty Dirt. I wait patiently for their return, and will have a fire going for them.

Update:
In spite of the issues, it seems they did have a good afternoon. Here are a couple of m38Mike's photos to show they had some fun. Looks like they even found some GOLD leaves.

The road up the side of Mt. Princeton

General Willys making it over the crest

Gathered up at the Vista

AND, tonight was the full, harvest moon. It came up about sundown. After dinner, 11 jeeps headed out to the Raspberry Gulch/Brown's Creek area for a midnight cruise. It wasn't exactly midnight, but once out there, they turned off their headlights and drove by moonlight. It sounds like it was awesome, and a great way to finish out the day.

-- m38MuM