Calvary 4-Wheelers

We woke up bright and early Friday morning and prepared for the day’s excursion to Wheeler Lake. James was having trouble with his fuel pump so the Marcy clan stayed behind to help put in the new one that was on its way from Conifer thanks to Brian’s daughter, Tressa. They would get the new pump put in and join us on the trail later (at least that was the plan).

In Jefferson we met up with Chuck and Charlotte, Brian and Brian (Olsen and Rose). Brian Olsen elected to wait for Tressa and the fuel pump and would come up with the Marcy clan after repairs were complete. The rest of us headed out through Fairplay and Alma to the trail head at Montgomery Reservoir.

At the bottom of the trail, on the back side of the reservoir we aired down, disconnected and locked in hubs then circled up for prayer before heading up the trail. We headed up around (and under) the old mill and onto the trail. The first part is getting rougher and almost developing into an obstacle of its own standing but we all made it through without any trouble.

Pretty soon we came to the first official obstacle, a small, rough v-notch to the left or a bigger, rougher one to the right. My ARB compressor decided to blow a fuse so I took the easier right side. In the mean time, a group coming down parked their rigs at the top of the harder line forcing everyone to take the easier side whether they wanted to or not.

Brian brought his well-built TJ to the top of the obstacle, stopped and started digging out his tow strap assuming 16-year-old Leona in her stock Geo Tracker would need help up the rough rocks. To his surprise (but not mine) Leona only needed a little spotting help to get the little Tracker over the obstacle. It’s not the first time somebody underestimated her driving ability and her Tracker’s capability, and it probably won’t be the last.

After everyone made it over the obstacle we continued on to the second obstacle. I changed the fuse in my compressor and had the lockers working for this one so I took the steep and hard left side. I missed the line on my first attempt but made it with minimal trouble on the second try. Richard attempted the big v-notch on the far right with me spotting. The Pinz was about half way through when it bounced and lost traction sliding the passenger side tires down into the V. We tried to get it to climb back up but wet tires and little maneuvering room made it too difficult. He backed out and took the easier middle line.

To my surprise, Charlie wanted to attempt the V-notch even after watching Richard not make it. I was a little nervous spotting him after my failure with Richard but he got the line just right and made it without any trouble. Brian and Chuck had no trouble with V-notch and Leona easily took her Tracker up the middle line.

We got reports from people coming down that there was still snow blocking the trail before the top (we were expecting that) so, after lunch, Chuck and Charlotte and Charlie head up to scout ahead while the rest of us packed up. By the time we all got packed up and organized they had not come back down saying the trail was blocked just ahead so the rest of us headed up.

We caught up with the others at the snow drift. Chuck had managed to get across but the far side was undercut and sloped toward the creek making the exit off the snow very tricky. We decided not to chance it, especially since there was another drift a few hundred yards around the corner which was virtually impassible. We winched Chuck back across the snow and got everybody turned around.

On the trip down, Charlotte did her first stint of off-road driving even successfully negotiating the two obstacles (with the help of spotters). If anyone didn’t know she was excited they weren’t paying attention. Leona had Missy drive for a little while until she tore a sidewall and we had to change the tire. Then it was back in the driver’s seat for Leo.

When we got to the first obstacle, I decided to go down the tougher side. Kirsten was riding with me and I warned her that the Jeep would tip to her side. About half way through she pointed out that it wasn’t tipping. I said it was about to and, sure enough the whole Jeep leaned way forward and to her side. Everyone outside gasped and screamed as I touched the skinny pedal and pulled out of the near-roll. I told everyone later that I just wanted Kirsten to feel like she was in the Pinz.

From there it was a quick trip back to the trail head where we aired up. Then it was off to Pizza Hut in Fairplay before heading to Como where we met up with the other group for the fireworks.
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