Day 4 - Tincup Pass and the Continental Divide

By the time they rolled out at 0900, the group was 21 jeeps strong!  Our ranks are swelling everyday.  A few more arrived tonight, and we have lost at least two jeeps that had to head home already.  The finally count is sure to be a record.

Today the group headed up Chalk Creek Canyon...

... to the 'living' ghost town of St. Elmo.

Then it was out of town and up the road to Tincup Pass to ....

... the Continental Divide!

One way or the other you gotta go down from there, so they headed for the town of Tincup.

Fortunately for their tender bums, the route back over was by way of Cottonwood Pass.

Photos compliments of A/W (Audrey).

-- m38MuM

The ascent of Mt. Antero

The Fall Color Tour tackled Mt. Antero today. Mt. Antero is one of Colorado's Fourteeners. In other words, the top is higher than 14000' above sea level. When you sit on our deck, it is the peak to the left (south) of Mt. Princeton.

I think I'll let m38Mike's photos speak for themselves. The trip was a little bit rough, getting above 13000'. But, there were views to be had and water to splash in.

Pausing in the timber

Splashing in Baldwin Creek

Admiring the view at 13000'

The road back down

The group also visited St. Elmo and then came down the old road to Alpine before returning to the Thirsty Dirt Ranch. Ten jeeps enjoyed the trip.

This evening we are expecting a couple more jeeps.  One has arrived from Texas so far.

- m38Mum (Ellen)

One last ride... and lots of good byes

The crowd dwindle down to a few hardy souls today. They took one last ride up to St. Elmo. The weather is changing, and the day was cloudy and very windy. Once again, it feels like Fall.

I have no pictures to share for today, but will add any if anyone would like to send some for the ride. It was sad to see the Thirsty Dirt Ranch so empty.

I want to thank everyone so much for all their contributions to making this a great Fall Color Tour!

- Ellen (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