Trint Ladd

34600

Mapping Crew - Colorado

My Profile

Year Started:

2001

Off-Road Style:

Rock Crawling

My Garage:

2011 Toyota Tacoma (3" lift, 32" tires)

Trint grew up riding dirt bikes in the creek beds of the Texas Panhandle. While attending college in Colorado in the late 1990's, he saw a magazine article about a Ford Explorer four-wheeling club. He never saw his Explorer as an adventure vehicle before, but quickly joined up and caught the bug. With his engineering background, Trint has always respected the factory design of a good truck (and recognized when manufacturers put cheap parts into something marketed for off road use). "A good driver, with a well built, stock truck can do trails that would break a $50k, built-up rig with an inexperienced driver." He put that 1st gen Explorer though hell and it always held up, earning great respect from the "big dawgs" in the club. (And earning the nickname, "The Idiot Stocker.") The truck was christened "BamBam" because of the frequent sounds ringing out from the factory skid plates. Now that Trint is "grown-up" (quotation marks intentional), he's a bit less inclined to dent up his 2011 Toyota Tacoma, but still feels the same way about superior engineering. The "Stocko Taco" wheeled for over 10 years with no mods other than trail armor. In 2021, it finally got a couple of inches of lift... and a new name: "Taco Supreme." Trint's love for the mountains was ingrained at a very early age. 8mm film exists of 18-month-old Trint in a backpack on his dad's back while riding dirt bikes through the mountains of Red River, NM. Although Trint does enjoy a good, tough, technical rock trail, he can often be found on easier, winding, Alpine roads just taking the glory of God's country.

My Garage (1)

2011 Toyota Tacoma

Lift Size: 3"

Tire Size: 32"

Buster ("The Taco Supreme") has, after over ten years of wheeling, left the "Stocko Taco" title behind. A 3" Old Man Emu lift and a BAMF plate bumper are the latest additions. 32" Cooper Discoverer S/T Maxx on American Racing Mojave 16x8 wheels 4XInovation rock sliders RCI front skid plate 32" Cali Raised "Slim" LED light bar SmittyBuilt 10k H2O winch in a cradle allows pulling from front or rear Cobra 75 WXST CB with Firestik antenna on Relentless hood mount Custom onboard air with Viair pump and 2-gallon tank

My Trail Reviews (48)

(within last 6 months)

Deer Creek (10/30/2022)

I ran up to somewhere between waypoints 6 and 7 where the trail is narrow in the trees. There was packed snow starting back in Montezuma. By the time I turned around the snow was a few inches deep. It was not the depth of the snow that turned me around, it was the ice underneath. When I started sliding sideways toward trees, I called it and turned around. There will be more snow higher up. So, is the trail passable? Not by me, but maybe by someone else.

Saints John (10/30/2022)

I ran the trail south out of Montezuma. I made it to somewhere between waypoints 10 and 9 where the trail is narrow in the trees. There was packed snow starting back in Montezuma. By the time I turned around the snow was a few inches deep. It was not the depth of the snow that turned me around, it was the ice underneath. When I started sliding sideways toward trees, I called it and turned around. There will be more snow higher up. So, is the trail passable? Not by me, but maybe by someone else.

3 Bears (10/18/2022)

South Park District fire crews will perform prescribed burns in the area for the next few days as part of the Wilson Project. Expect smoke and possible closed roads.

Boletes (10/18/2022)

South Park District fire crews will perform prescribed burns in the area for the next few days as part of the Wilson Project. Expect smoke and possible closed roads.

Borrow Pit (10/18/2022)

South Park District fire crews will perform prescribed burns in the area for the next few days as part of the Wilson Project. Expect smoke and possible closed roads.

Burma Shave (10/18/2022)

South Park District fire crews will perform prescribed burns in the area for the next few days as part of the Wilson Project. Expect smoke and possible closed roads.

Dutch’s Hair (10/18/2022)

South Park District fire crews will perform prescribed burns in the area for the next few days as part of the Wilson Project. Expect smoke and possible closed roads.

Fish Creek (10/18/2022)

South Park District fire crews will perform prescribed burns in the area for the next few days as part of the Wilson Project. Expect smoke and possible closed roads.

Mistletoe (10/18/2022)

South Park District fire crews will perform prescribed burns in the area for the next few days as part of the Wilson Project. Expect smoke and possible closed roads.

Great View (10/18/2022)

South Park District fire crews will perform prescribed burns in the area for the next few days as part of the Wilson Project. Expect smoke and possible closed roads.

Sledge Hammer (10/18/2022)

South Park District fire crews will perform prescribed burns in the area for the next few days as part of the Wilson Project. Expect smoke and possible closed roads.

Nice Camp (10/18/2022)

South Park District fire crews will perform prescribed burns in the area for the next few days as part of the Wilson Project. Expect smoke and possible closed roads.

Red Cone (09/23/2022)

This wet summer was NOT kind to the trail. Everything was harder. All the rocks were bigger. The "gate keeper" is a solid 6 now. Forget doing this in a stock unless you've got ALL the armor, lockers (or ATRAC), and a LOT of driver skill. The "moguls" on that one switch back must have been a foot and half deep. Still, it was a glorious, sunny day, but VERY windy. I'm talking 60+ mph at the summit. Felt like it was going to blow my truck over.

Deer Creek (09/11/2022)

The USFS is working on trails in this area. On Sunday, 9/11/22, we found about a half-dozen new water breaks from just before Radical Hill to the end of the trail. These water breaks are HUGE, 4 or 5 feet tall, but they are not "sharp" so no need to worry about scraping trucks with bad break-over angles. I assume they are working their way down the trail toward Montezuma, so expect more of the unexpected. (By the way, they're also working on Saints John and it has really changed the "flavor" of that trail. See my trail review there.)

Saints John (09/11/2022)

As noted by the previous review, the USFS is working on trails in this area. On Sunday, 9/11/22, we ran the trail as mapped, from Deer Creek (which is also getting work done) to Montezuma. The changes to this trail have, in my opinion, really changed the "flavor" of the trail. I have updated the guide to show some of these changes. In the tundra section, a lot of the big, embedded rocks have been scraped off, leaving the trail much smoother. The added water breaks are MASSIVE, 4 or 5 feet tall. Several have been added to the various hill climbs (including one that buried the rock ledge, the only thing approaching an "obstacle" on this trail... gone.) This along with the scraping off of most of the big rocks totally changes the hill climbs. They are much easier and less dramatic. Only one water break is "sharp" enough that my 3" lifted Taco Supreme scraped going over and this was on the steepest part of the steepest hill climb, really messing with the rhythm of the trail. Above the switchbacks (on the Montezuma side) there are a ludicrous amount of water breaks (as pictured, six in less than a quarter mile). The switchbacks have also been smoothed and widened.

North Fork Swan River (08/13/2022)

Beautiful day on the trails! MAN was it busy! I've never seen so many trucks and SxS's up there. It was like 4th of July! The bad tree root in the V-notch has been cut back, but it's still a threat. The notch itself has gotten worse with "moguls" that will have on you 3 wheels in a couple of places.

Deer Creek (07/17/2022)

Ran this down from Middle Fork Swan. Trail is in great shape. Just wet enough to not be dusty. LOTS of campers out there this weekend. Pretty much every trail-side campsite was occupied.

Georgia Pass (07/17/2022)

I have never seen the south side so crowded! Every single campsite was full and there were people parking at random wide spots. I suppose they just trekked back into the woods and found a tent spot. Most of the campers were in little crossovers that could not have done the north side of the pass. The trail itself wasn't that crowded. The erosion mitigation work that the FS did at the top on the north side has not aged well. There are lots of ruts and those giant water brakes are not holding up.

Middle Fork Swan River (07/17/2022)

I think the top of this trail is now more of a 5+ than a 4. The "easy side" of Tombstone hill has gotten really nasty. Bit embedded rocks and bigger loose ones. Good news, the really bad washouts above Tombstone have sort of self-corrected. Looks like the dirt has washed down into the bottom of the washout and filled it in somewhat. It can be straddled now.

Indiana Creek (06/26/2022)

Posted on social media by White River Nat'l Forest: Approximately 170 acres of forest are being harvested in the Indiana Creek area above Goose Pasture Tarn to reduce hazardous fuels for wildfires. Additionally, the Indiana Creek Road will be realigned uphill and out of the creek bed to reduce sedimentation.

Deer Creek (06/25/2022)

Gorgeous day!! Deer Creek is open through.

Georgia Pass (06/25/2022)

Gorgeous day!! Started the day on Georgia Pass coming up from Jefferson on the Park County side. There's still some ice in the sluice box, but it's manageable.

Michigan Creek (06/25/2022)

The trail is open through. Not too dusty as it's been raining lately.

Middle Fork Swan River (06/25/2022)

I came down from the top to check on things. I stopped above Tombstone Hill and took some pics. The "easy" option (that follows the gpx) at waypoint 14, "Bypass", is not only blocked with snow, it is DESTROYED by washouts. Seriously, like 3 feet deep. [Edit: The washouts have somewhat self-corrected as of 7/17/22. See above.). The "easy" option between waypoints 12 and 13 has a LOT of snow. Probably 10 feet. Plan on the "hard" side being the only way up for at least two more weeks. Maybe more. Oh, and the easier option just above the saddle (waypoint 15, 3rd pic) is also blocked with snow. The steeper right option is clear.

North Fork Swan River (06/25/2022)

The only snow left on the trail is on the harder side of "the Devil's Fork" hill (waypoints 11 and 12). The trail has gotten a LOT harder around the small water crossing between waypoints 4 and 5. Pics here are of the new embedded rocks there. There is no way around this. There's no way this can be 3 anymore. I think it's a solid 5 right now.

Saints John (06/25/2022)

The trail is open through. Thankfully, there's been some rain so it's not dusty at all. There are still scars from folks driving on the tundra around the snowdrift last snow drift. Grrrr.

Mount Guyot East (06/25/2022)

The trail is all clear of snow, including the bypass at the mud pit (waypoint 3). This is what the pit looks like in late June!

Santa Fe Peak (06/25/2022)

I did not have time to drive up Sante Fe today, but looking over from Saints John, it looks like there's still some snow on the shelf road at the summit.

Indiana Creek - Pennsylvania Creek Connector (06/10/2022)

Ran this trail with Matthew and Roby (who we met on the trail). We ran into Dillon District rangers coming the other way. They said they were checking the trail before unlocking the gates. They're unlocked now. (There's no gate if you come up from Indiana Creek via Boreas Pass!!) Clear and mostly dry. The few lingering snow drifts were no problem.

Mount Guyot East (06/10/2022)

Georgia pass remains closed due to snow, making this trail inaccessible

Middle Fork Swan River (06/10/2022)

Talked to the rangers today. They opened the gates and cleared some trees, but the trail is still impassible with snow before treeline.

North Fork Swan River (06/10/2022)

The gates are open, but the trail is impassible with snow between waypoints 4 and 5. We cleared a BIG tree just after waypoint 4. (Got to use my chainsaw AND my winch! *GRIN*) There's another tree (pictured) at a smaller water crossing that will be a problem for taller rigs.

Pennsylvania Creek (06/10/2022)

Ran this trail with Matthew and Roby (who we met on the trail). We ran into Dillon District rangers coming the other way. They said they were checking the trail before unlocking the gate. It's unlocked now. (There's no gate if you come up from Indiana Creek via the connector!!) Clear and mostly dry. The few lingering snow drifts were no problem. I feel like the ruts at waypoint 6 have gotten deeper. Enough to bump the rating up to a 4.