The Trooper got a chance to get some 4wheeling in before the Summer ended...or so I thought. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/zombie.gif" alt="" />

Our local group decided to head up to Holy Cross trail near Leadville, Colorado.


Everyone airing down near the trailhead.



Ahhhhh, early morning and the start of a beautiful fall day in the beautiful Rocky Mountains!



Aspens a turning golden.



Louis easily tackling the first obstacle.



The sun was trying to peek through the clouds.



Becky and the Cruzin' Illusions rig taking on the hard line. (as usual)



EROCK attempting the same line on the obstacle.



And...the snow begins. Beautiful image, but, it changes some of our plans. Like, no way in <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/evil.gif" alt="" /> are we going to camp here tonight!!



EROCK taking another hard line, with ease. In fact, he went up it too easily and I missed a great video of him doing it.



The snowfall increases as we approach our high destination.


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And here it is! French Creek. Becky begins by attempting the hardest line on the right. Snowfall is increasing ever more by this point...


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She's on the other side. Another rock wall surmounted with Tom's excellent spotting. (Isn't that cool grill the schiznits?!) OK, a full blown blizzard has now arrived! Becky is on the other side of French Creek, but we have all decided it's now time to turn back.


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Becky just popped the top of a can of spinach. She'll need some Popeye arms to manage her 83 point turn in this boulder field.


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It's turnaround time now. The Xota and the Trooper will have to do battle with French Creek another day.

Going back down was uneventful and no carnage was wrought upon anyone. Oh, wait...Terry almost drove off the trail edge down an embankment while picking his nose.

Most of us headed back to Leadville to gets some eats at the local burger joint. Burgers were tastey (though pricey!) and we had some great conversation.

After eating, the others headed back to Denver while I needed some rest before leaving. Mucho tired. However...

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On the way back, I decided to trace the source of the mighty Arkansas river. Without fear, I dared to head into the mountains again.


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Here the terrain was rocky and barren. Not one tree on those mountains.


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It was fun shwooshing through the small snowdrifts on the the trail. No one around and just the sound of wind blowing.


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...getting closer...


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Mission accomplished! There's Mt Arkansas (elev 13,795) in the background. This is where the Arkansas River begins. Nice.

I really enjoyed this trip!! Just wished that we were able to make it an overnighter though. Well, there's next time. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/patriot.gif" alt="" />

Great pictures.

Man...great pictures <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/kewl.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/kewl.gif" alt="" /> Seeing the snow makes me miss lving in an area where you get lots of it.... <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" /> Hope we have a better winter here this year than last...we will see...

awesome trip report by the way and loved that grill on the one trooper and its a nicely set up troop as well <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/kewl.gif" alt="" />

Looks like a fun trip <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/kewl.gif" alt="" />



Ummmmmmmmmmmm...
Phil - I liked the custom grill and headlight conversion too, but that one isn't a Trooper, Bro <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/cyclops.gif" alt="" />


<img src="/forums/images/graemlins/cheers.gif" alt="" />
<img src="/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

Great pics. It makes me wish I lived in Colorado, where OHV'ers are a legitimate user of public lands (unlike Virginia). It is a bit warmer in VA, however <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/lol.gif" alt="" />

Pete

awesome pics

gotta love "fall" in the Rockies- 'hey the aspens are starting to turn' = 'hey its gonna snow this week!' <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

WOW !

Nice pics!

I'll probably have some snow pics too. A couple of us from the planet board are going to do moon & gamble gulches this sunday. I expect there will be some snow but shouldnt be too bad. One guy going with us wanted to change plans to redcone pass. The thought of that one scares me in good weather, no way I'm doing it in snow. Its probably closed now anyways.