Bill Andrews

Calvary 4-Wheelers ran Buckskin Joe as part of our annual Aspen Viewing trip on Saturday, September 26, 2020. We had seven rigs along for the run, a stock TJ, a stock JK, a moderately lifted TJ, a well-built JK, two built XJs and a stock Ford Ranger. We ran the trail in reverse direction ot the guide as we were planning to run Mount Bross as the second half of our excursion. We were a little past peak for the aspen and there were some bare trees but there was plenty of color to enjoy along 449 and the lower part of 450. The intersection at Waypoint 6 can be very confusing coming from the south and I accidently turned on the private road. I quickly realized the mistake when my GPS track deviated from the downloaded track and we turned around, went the extra hundred yards and made the correct turn. It was a little hazy from wildfire smoke but the views above timberline were still spectacular. The view of Mount Bross from the top is particularly impressive. The trail was clear and dry the entire way and we had no issues (other that a flat tire which we were able to change without incident).

Calvary 4-Wheelers ran Mount Bross as part of our annual Aspen Viewing trip on Saturday, September 26, 2020. We had seven rigs along for the run, a stock TJ, a stock JK, a moderately lifted TJ, a well-built JK, two built XJs and a stock Ford Ranger. We ran Buckskin Joe in the morning as the first half of our excursion and start this trail early in the afternoon. There were not a lot of aspen along this trail but it was a very fun trail just the same. The lower part is indicated on the maps as suitable for passenger cars but is a little rougher than a typical graded gravel road. It did not require 4wd but you would have to be very careful without high clearance. Once we got past Waypoint 4 and started the loop 4wd became necessary. The trail was rough enough to be fun but not so rough as to be a major challenge, even to the stock rigs in our group. All of those stock rigs made it through the ruts at Waypoint 9 without assistance, although one did lift a tire about a foot off the ground. Fortunately she had just enough momentum to have all the tires back on the ground before loosing traction. As noted in an earlier trip report, the spur to the saddle did have some snow left from the early September storm. It had melted enough that we only had to cross the edge of a few drifts and were able to make it to the top. The next significant storm will probably make this section immpassible until next summer. There has been some discussion about a possible attempt on the summit, but it was getting later in the afternoon by the time we got to the saddle and it was cold and windy so we scrapped those plans. From the looks of it, though it would be pretty easy to bag both Mount Bross and Mount Lincoln from there if you had an earlier start and favorable weather.

We ran Aspen Road as part of a Labor Day Weekend Adventure camping and mapping trails in the Sierra Madre range of the Medicine Bow National Forest. We actually went up and down the road several times throughout the weekend as we chose to camp in the small camp site on the left just past Waypoint 4. There were plenty of other people camping on this busy holiday weekend but the camp sites are spread out and isolated enough that it didn’t feel crowded. The road itself was dry and dusty and a little bump in spots but nothing we couldn’t pull our camper over. The views of the Mill Creek valley at the top are very beautiful. We had good weather throughout the weekend, although the area did get snow the day after we left. Overall Aspen Road was part of a great weekend and a lot of fun.

We ran Green Ridge Road as part of a Labor Day Weekend adventure of camping and mapping trails in the Sierra Madre range of the Medicine Bow National Forest. We ran the trail on Saturday, September 5, 2020. The weather was nice, getting just a little hotter than comfortable in the afternoon and just a little cooler than comfortable overnight. We had mostly sunny skies with only a few scattered clouds and no rain. Most of the camp sites along the closed spurs were occupied on this busy weekend but there were still one or two that were up for grabs. The road was dry and dusty but in good shape. There was a little traffic along the first part of the road but, once we passed Waypoint 12, we didn’t see any other vehicles. This was a very pleasant, if easy drive through some beautiful country.

We ran Deep Creek Road as part of a Labor Day Weekend outing camping and mapping trails in the Sierra Madre range of Medicine Bow National Forest. We actually ran parts of it all weekend getting to and from our camp site but officially ran the whole thing on Saturday, September 5, 2020. The weather was excellent with mostly sunny skies and temperatures that got just a little warmer than comfortable in the afternoon and just a little cooler than comfortable overnight. Being a busy holiday weekend there were lots of people camping but it never felt crowed or overly busy. There was some traffic on the road but not enough to cause any issues. The road itself had recently been re-graded and new gravel laid down so it wasn’t even washboarded (yet). This is a beautiful area with lots of trails to explore.

Calvary 4-Wheelers ran Dakota Hill East as part of a day exploring side roads in the Dakota Hill area on Saturday, August 29, 2020. We ran it down from Dakota Hill to Gamble Gulch as an exit from the network of trails in the area. The weather had been cold and rainy most of the day but let up and bagan clearing late in the afternoon and we were able to enjoy a nice, partly sunny break at the shaft house at Waypoint 8. The small gully you traverse below Waypoint 3 was a little mor washed out than it has been in the past and a couple of larger rocks have fallen into the trail making it a little more difficult. There is room to maneuver around them is you drive carefully or you can just drive over them if you have a bigger rig.

Calvary 4-Wheelers ran this trail as a back way in to the Dakota Hill area. They haven't run a bulldozer over the road in a while and it is getting a little bumpy but still passable in 2wd with careful driving. The weather was cold, windy, wet and rainy so I did not get out and take any pictures.

Calvary 4-Wheelers ran this trail from Mammoth Gulch to Apex as a back way into the Dakota Hill area. The road is getting a little bumpy in spots but is still drivable in 2wd if you are careful. The weather was cold, windy, wet and rainy so I did not get out to take any pictures.

Calvary 4-Wheelers ran Utah Hill as part of a day exploring side roads in the Dakota Hill area. The trail was in good shape with no issues to report except that it was rather wet as the weather was cold and rainy. Fortunatly the rain let up just long enough for us to enjoy a chilly lunch on the saddle near the end with gargeous views in each direction.

Calvary 4-Wheelers ran part of the Dakota Hill trail on Saturday, August 29 as part of a day exploring side roads in the Dakota Hill area. We ran it from the end at Waypoint 11 to the turn off for East Dakota Hill at Waypoint 4. The weather had been cold and rainy all day but began letting up as we headed up this trail. The trail itself was in good shape with no issues to report.

My nephew, Jon and I ran Jumbo Mountain on Saturday, August 22, 2020 as part of a day exploring side roads off of Mooan Gulch. This trail was a pleasant surprise. I'm not sure what I was expecting but it turned out to be a lot of fun. It was just hard enough to need 4wd but easy enough to be able relax, look around and enjoy the beauty of the forest. We were obviously past the peak of the wildflowers but it looks like they would be abundant in late spring and early summer. The views coming down the north side of the loop were very beautiful and the communication tower complex was kind of interesting. It was a nice start to a day of adventure.

My nephew, Jon and I ran this trail on August 22, 2020 as part of a day exploring side roads off of Moon Gulch. Jon was in his lifted XJ and I was in my wife's stock TJ. Jon had along his friends Sebastian and Dylan and Dylan brought the Princess Buttercup, a putbull puppy. I had driven this trail several years ago and remembered that it was narrow but I had forgotten just how narrow. The fun started right from the beginning with a steep, loose, rocky climb out of Moon Gulch. This was quickly followed by the first of many very tight squeezes between the trees. From then on, with only a few breaks here and there, it was picking our way over medium sized rocks and squeezing between tree trunks. We took a short break in the middle of the trail to hike down the hill a little ways to try (unsuccessully) to find the remains of the Copper King Mine then it was back to carefully navigating over rocks and between trees. Near the end, thing finally opened up a little as we passed the Golden Cycle Mine and decended down into the Perigo townsite and Gamble Gulch. Jon put a small dent in his left, front fender and got some bark and tree sap on his highlift jack (which was on his roof rack). I banged both mirrors a couple times but did not break them and got a new scratch on a rear fender flare but nothing seriousand we had a blast.

We ran Upper Hamlin Gulch and Brumfield as a quick Sunday afternoon drive on August 16, 2020. I was in my wife's stock TJ and my nephew. Jon was in his lifted Cherokee. The trail is an easy alternative to Hamlin Gulch and makes a nice bypass if you want to cover the same territory without having to contend with the rough. off-camber obstacles. We passes through several aspen groves along the way and this trail would be a good one to run in the fall when the colors change. The views after you cross the top are very impressive. They were particularly interesting on this day with the smoke from the current wildfires giving them a mysterious, hazy look. We had very nice weather with mostly sunny skies and warm temperatures. It made for a very enjoyable afternoon.

We ran Woodpecker Creek Spur as part of a Sunday afternoon jaunt on August 16, 2020. I was in my wife's stock TJ and my nephew, Jon was in his lifted Cherokee. It is a very pleasant trail and makes a nice interlude for the more difficult Hamlin Gulch trail. The views are amazing and the campsite at the end makes a very nice lunch spot with just enough trees to have shade but not so many as to block the view. Wildflowers were plentiful along Woodpecker Creek, although no water was running with as hot and dry as it has been lately.

We ran Yankee Mosquito Alternate as part of a mapping mission to some of the back trails of the Yankee Hill network. I was in my wife’s blue TJ and my nephew, Jon and his friend, Dylan were in Jon’s lifted, red XJ. This turned out to be a fun little connector. It is kind of tight through the trees in places and we did get a little pinstriping. It was also just rough enough to make me have to choose my lines carefully in the stock Wrangler but Jon was able to take any line he wanted in his bigger Cherokee. The weather was very nice with mostly sunny skies. We did get a few sprinkles later in the day when we were on to other trails but no heavy rain.

We ran Freeman Gulch Cutoff as part of a major mapping trip in the Yankee Hill area. I was in my wife's TJ and my nefew, Jon and his friend Dillon were along on Jon's lifted XJ. The trail was in great shape and we had beautiful weather. We saw a little other traffic on the trail including Jeeps and other 4x4s, some quads and side-by-sides and a few dirt bikes but it wasn't overly crowded.

We went on a mapping mission to several of the trails on the back side of the Yankee Hill area. This was one of those trails. I was in my wife’s stock TJ. My nephew, Jon and his friend Dylan were in Jon’s lifted XJ. Also along for the ride was the Princess Buttercup, Dylan’s pit bull puppy. I has been on this trail before, several years ago, but had forgotten what a fun trail it is. It is just hard enough to give a little bit of a challenge and make you think about what you are doing but easy enough a stock rig can do it without damage if you are careful. Several of the intermittent creeks were still flowing so there were a few places with water running on the trail and the crossing at North Clear Creek was very pretty even though it is not very deep. The views at top when you come out of the trees are fantastic. We had very nice weather with only a few sprinkles late in the day as we finished up.

I received official word from the Forest Service this morning, the road is now open.

Calvary 4-Wheelers headed to Johnny Park on Saturday, June 20, 2020. We had 7 rigs along for the trip, a TJ, two LJs, two XJs, a JK and a Ford Ranger. We had near-perfect weather with partly cloudy skies, mild temperatures, almost no wind and no rain.The scenery was as beautiful as the weather with spectacular views of Longs Peak and the surrounding mountains. This trail was perfect for our mixed group as the stock rigs were able to take the easy lines and bypasses while the bigger rigs played on the harder lines. Both ends of the trail were packed with Fathers Day Weekend campers but the middle of the trail was quiet and secluded.

Thank you for the update. The MVUM lists the seasonal dates a open 5-15 through 11-30, however closures can occur within those dates. I have an inquiry sent to the Boulder Ranger District, hopefully they will respond soon. In the mean time, I am changing the status of this trail and the surrounding trails to Temparary Closure.

I did not actually run the trail but, based on reports from nearby trails I believe it is open, although you may still encounter some lingering snow drifts.

I did not actually run the trail but, based on reports from nearby trails I believe it is open, although you may still encounter some lingering snow drifts.

I did not actually run the trail but, based on reports from nearby trails I believe it is open.

I did not actually run the trail but, based on reports from nearby trails I believe it is open, although you may still encounter some lingering snow drifts.

I did not actually run the trail but, based on reports from nearby trails I believe it is open, although you may still encounter some lingering snow drifts.

I did not actually run the trail but, based on reports from nearby trails I believe it is open, although you may still encounter some lingering snow drifts.

I did not actually run the trail but, based on reports from nearby trails I believe it is fully open.

I did not actually run the trail but, based on reports from nearby trails I believe it is fully open.

I did not actually run the trail but, based on reports from nearby trails I believe it is fully open.

I did not actually run the trail but, based on reports from nearby trails I believe it is fully open.

I did not actually run the trail but, based on reports from nearby trails I believe it is fully open.

I did not actually run the trail but, based on reports from nearby trails I believe it is fully open.

I did not actually run the trail but, based on reports from nearby trails I believe it is fully open.

As COVID-19 restrictions slowly start easing, Calvary 4-Wheelers finally got a trip in on June 6, 2020. We headed to the Yankee Hill area and started the trip by going up Cumberland Gulch. Along for the trip were me in my green Cherokee (finally back on the trail after having major steering issues and sitting most of the winter), Kiyanna in her stock silver Wrangler, Richard and Kirsten in their stock Ford Ranger and Jon in his red Cherokee. The weather was overcast and somewhat cooler than expected but pleasant enough. We would get rain later in the day but we were on to other trails by then. The trail was clear and mostly dry with a few little wet patches here and there from spring runoff. We did not take it all the way to the top but turned off onto Sheridan Hill at Waypoint 5.

As COVID-19 restrictions slowly start easing, Calvary 4-Wheelers finally got a trip in on June 6, 2020. We headed to the Yankee Hill area. Along for the trip were me in my green Cherokee (finally back on the trail after having major steering issues and sitting most of the winter), Kiyanna in her stock silver Wrangler, Richard and Kirsten in their stock Ford Ranger and Jon in his red Cherokee. After coming up Cumberland Gulch, we turned onto our main objective for the day: Sheridan Hill. The weather was decent, although overcast and somewhat cooler than expected as we made our way around the hill itself. The views along the upper parts of the trail as you traverse the south slope of the hill were incredible. As we made our way down the east side of the hill we entered the thicker part of the forest and branches frequently brushed the sides of our vehicles. Soon we reached the intersection with the Yankee Hill trail, made the jog over to 772.1A and took it up to the big junction at Waypoint 6 where we stopped for lunch. Up to this point the trail had been clear, although there were some snow drifts lingering off the trail in the trees. As we finished lunch, the rain started falling. As we headed up 772.1 we encountered snow drifts on the trail, although they had all been tracked through. There were also several areas of standing and running water on the trail. The snow and the water made things interesting but not impassable. The rain let up for a while and the sun even came out briefly. We encountered one last, large drift about a quarter mile before the end of the trail. It had also been tracked through but apparently by much taller rigs than we were driving. Both Jon and I tried unsuccessfully to bust through it. We tried winching Jon the rest of the way through but were having difficulty and by now it was raining heavily again and there was some hail and lightning. Rather than fight the elements to keep winching, we opted to turn around and go back the way we came.

Went out to Pawnee Grasslands to get pics and data for a refresh of the trail guide. My friend, Ken, came along as support and back up. We had a gorgeous day with sunshine and just enough clouds to make for a beautiful sky. The temperatures were warm but not overly hot. The trail was mostly dry with a few slightly muddy spots here and there. It was crowded by Grasslands standards as we met 3 or 4 other rigs, passed another 3 or 4 groups enjoying some target shooting and a rancher putting out salk licks for the cattle but we still found plenty of solitude. We saw lots of birds; the lark Bunting and Northern Harriers were especially plentiful. Overall it was another enjoyable, relaxing day on the prairie.

We went out to Pawnee Grasslands to get pics and data for a refresh of the trail guide for Willow Creek Loop. My wife, Missy, and our dog, Ranger were riding along so we took our stock Grand Cherokee to be a little more comfortable. Also along in her mildly modded 1977 Plymouth Trailduster (Dusty) was our daughter, Leona, her boyfriend, Steve, and her dog, Mason. We had nice weather except it was a bit windy. The trail was muddy in places from the recent rain but not too bad. There was one spot where the mud made the Grand slip into some deeper ruts and high center. Leona pulled me out easily and we continued without incident. The dogs enjoyed getting out several times and exploring the new sights, sounds and especially smells. Steve was scouting for pronghorns as he has an antelope tag for the fall in the general area. We did see several, although not the very large herds we sometimes encounter. There were also plenty of prairie dogs, a few rabbits and what I think was a badger but I didn’t get a really good look at it as it scurried away. If it was a skunk, it was a very large one. Overall it was a very nice family outing.