It's gonna be a great year for aspen!

We started out with a big crowd today, and those here early enough went out to breakfast at the Rooster's Crow...bright and early at 0700!

Just before lunch, they decided to run over to Centerville for gas, and go for a quick ride over at Raspberry Gulch.  Since the weather cleared up, the kept on going and visited Brown's Creek.

This year, we have lots of new faces among the 'regulars'.  From the smiles and chatter, it was a fun ride and everyone is looking forward to tomorrow's full-day run.

Pictures compliments of our daughter Jen.

-- m38MuM

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

A little sun, a little rain, a little snow!

Today began the Fall Color Tours. Two tours were planned. Since Mike has to work, other people have stepped up to lead tours.

Brown's Creek

Open Hood = People Magnet

The morning ride took the group over to the San Isabel National Forest, just a few miles from the Thirsty Dirt Ranch. The group visited the Raspberry Gulch and Brown's Creek areas. Towards noon, the skies got cloudy and as the group left the forest, the wind and rain chased them home.

After lunch, the clouds began to part, and there was plenty of fresh snow on the peaks. The sun's appearance encouraged the group as they warmed up by the wood stove. Mid-afternoon they decided to go ahead and visit St. Elmo.

Up at St. Elmo, they got a bit of snow again when a little squall came through. At least it wasn't like the morning storm, and didn't have winds that threatened to turn tents up on end.

Parked up at St. Elmo

The way back home

Photos all compliments of JPet of the CJ2A page. More of his photos can be found at the Fall Color Tour's  CJ2A forum

- Ellen