Cottonwoods and Aspens

The last big tour for the CFFC 2013 Fall Color Tour was up South Cottonwood Creek. The group first headed to Buena Vista the back way via Mt. Princeton Hot Springs and Rodeo Road.

In Buena Vista, they topped off their gas tanks and then headed west along Cottonwood Creek. Taking the south fork, they went up past Cottonwood Lake.

Motoring up past the golden aspen

At the end of the road, they stopped to check out the old mining activity. It's always a favorite place to climb around in.

On the way back down, they detoured onto a road that Mike had heard about from a buddy at work. This took them up to another mine and a neat, old cabin. There were some spectacular views up there.

Great panaroma views

Jeeps all lined up in the saddle of the mountain

Aspen covered hillside

That evening we had our Fall Color Tour potluck at the Thirsty Dirt Ranch. Steve made his famous elk chilli and apple pie, while everyone else supplemented that with the likes of a spiral ham, garlic bread, fruit salads, corn bread, deer burgers, chips and salsa, berry pie. No went to bed hungry!

Pictures thanks to m38Mike.

-- m38MuM

Rain, rain go away!

The weather did not hold, and on the day that was suppose to be dry (or drier), it poured. I hear tell, it even hailed a bit. At times the wind howled. But, for the most part, I think they enjoyed most of the trip.

The CFFC Fall Color Tour took the group to the Four Mile ORV Area. This large area of BLM and National Forest lands has road management to accommodate a variety of off-road uses. People dirt bike, ride ATVs, take their 4x4s, and even their horses through out the area. Some roads are designated just for narrow-widths like ATVs or horses, while others are open to all. There has been a great deal of stream restoration, and protection of heritage sites.

It's a fun area, with easy trails and some rough ones, too. The group headed out of Buena Vista north across the river to the old Midland RR grade. From there they headed east into the ORV area. They wound their way around and over into Chubb Park.

By the time the arrived back at the Thirsty Dirt Ranch, I had a fire in the wood stove, and the coffee pot on. After everything dried off, they began to accumulate in the Tajamagarage to tell the day's war stories. To put it mildly, there were a few issues out on the trail.

But, it appears to be nothing that can't be fixed! Of course, these are old Willys and these guys are all really into old Willys. There is always someone in the group that seems to either have the needed part or know how to fix a problem.

Jeff C. stayed behind today to help Jack figure out his transmission issue. It got resolve, and Jack's jeep is just about ready for the trail.

Tomorrow, the group is having a "garage day" in the morning. By noon they hope to be out on the trails again. The forcast (at the moment) doesn't include rain!

-- m38MuM (Ellen)