</font><blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Tahoma, Arial, Helv, Helvetica, Sans">quote:</font><hr /><font size="2" face="Verdana, Tahoma, Arial, Helv, Helvetica, Sans">Originally posted by jx94148:
<strong>Your exhaust is going to want some minor tweaking also Alan. I've got a hacksaw you can borrow, you just won't see your reflection in it anymore. <img border="0" alt="[Hillbilly]" title="" src="graemlins/notooth.gif" /> There is no way you will make Friday's hard trail without pinching that thing shut.

</strong></font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana, Tahoma, Arial, Helv, Helvetica, Sans">I've been talking with the local muffler/brake shop who welded my sliders on and will be welding my front bumper on (@#$% frame!). When Stubbs finishes my rear bumper, I'll probably have a "hoop" welded on the bottem to take the brunt of an impact should my chrome *bling* exhaust tip fall into danger's path. <img border="0" title="" alt="[Roll Eyes]" src="images/icons/rolleyes.gif" />

How far is this from Avalanche Ranch? It doesn't look far on the map. Maybe, been talking about going to Avalance this summer.

</font><blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Tahoma, Arial, Helv, Helvetica, Sans">quote:</font><hr /><font size="2" face="Verdana, Tahoma, Arial, Helv, Helvetica, Sans">Originally posted by pmurf1:
<strong>How far is this from Avalanche Ranch? It doesn't look far on the map. Maybe, been talking about going to Avalance this summer.</strong></font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana, Tahoma, Arial, Helv, Helvetica, Sans">Hey Pat,
I haven't seen Avalanche Ranch yet, but based on the map, it would be about 200 miles from there to Buena Vista. Probably 4 hr drive, much of it along fairly flat roads in the valley bottoms, but you'll have a couple mountain passes in there.

That would be great if you could make it to CO4RJ.

If you'll be in southern Colorado, for you I'd also recommend Powerhouse. It's south of Alamosa immediately on the other side of the CO/NM border. It isn't as technically difficult as Indy near Canon City, but is longer and still challenging for extreme rigs. Two of the Jeeps with 38's in our group bailed after the first 100-150 feet. I've walked that whole trail and spotted a few friends through it. Pics here. We only drove 1/2 of it (to the concrete dump area). You have to return the same way, but there's an easy parallel road along the lower half of the trail. If you're interested, let me know if you can't find directions to it.

<small>[ June 28, 2003, 12:59 AM: Message edited by: Jeff the marmot ]</small>

Well, I was hanging back a bit due to all the chaos around me the last few weeks, but I'm in for sure now.

Cleared the schedule (work and home) and I'll be up there late the Wed. before.

Got a whole crap load of chit to do to my rig and the whole skid plate thing before, but things are looking up.

I'll need a spotter. With any luck, Mark G. (Mark in AZ) is going to make it, if not, I would appreciate either Jeff or Scott Y. to volunteer.

BBQ isn't looking too good, 'eh? Open fires, charcoal grills likely won't be welcome in August I assume. Pot luck, I can wing it with the local grocery <img border="0" title="" alt="[Big Grin]" src="images/icons/grin.gif" /> !

See you all there!

Mike

</font><blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Tahoma, Arial, Helv, Helvetica, Sans">quote:</font><hr /><font size="2" face="Verdana, Tahoma, Arial, Helv, Helvetica, Sans">Originally posted by azrain:
<strong>I'll need a spotter. With any luck, Mark G. (Mark in AZ) is going to make it, if not, I would appreciate either Jeff or Scott Y. to volunteer.</strong></font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana, Tahoma, Arial, Helv, Helvetica, Sans">Don't worry about the need for a spotter. There'll be plenty of people who can spot through the tougher stuff. If I'm anywhere nearby I'll be happy to, but it's no big deal.
</font><blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Tahoma, Arial, Helv, Helvetica, Sans">quote:</font><hr /><font size="2" face="Verdana, Tahoma, Arial, Helv, Helvetica, Sans">Originally posted by azrain:
<strong>BBQ isn't looking too good, 'eh? Open fires, charcoal grills likely won't be welcome in August I assume. Pot luck, I can wing it with the local grocery <img border="0" title="" alt="[Big Grin]" src="images/icons/grin.gif" /> !
</strong></font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana, Tahoma, Arial, Helv, Helvetica, Sans">In Arizona it sounds like that would be true. But in Colorado the precipitation has been good enough to be about average for the year. I haven't seen Colorado this green for a long time. So far, I'm pretty sure that open fires will be allowed in CO in August. Yeah, there'll probably be a lot of people who wing it for the potluck with the local grocery store.

edit: I just found this link about Colorado Fire restrictions. We'll be in Chaffee County. Everything looks good so far. http://www.dola.state.co.us/oem/PublicInformation/firebans/firebans2003.htm
And a nice fire danger forecast map. Yeah, AZ is hurtin'. http://www.fs.fed.us/land/wfas/fd_cls_f.gif

Jeff

<small>[ June 28, 2003, 11:38 AM: Message edited by: Jeff the marmot ]</small>

Plans change easily here in AZ. Going to Avalance ranch this weekend. Spur of the moment rules! Look for 4 toy buggies if you're there this weekend. Sorry Jeff, you'll have to come down and let us put some dents in that thing AZ style when it cools off.

Okay, I am starting cry a little bit here. After seeing the pictures from last year I am depressed that my baby is gone. I am registered to go again this year but no 4runner. Please don't yell at me. I am looking forward to seeing all the people that made it last year. Please be nice to the work truck. <img border="0" alt="[Shiner]" title="" src="graemlins/shiner.gif" />

</font><blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Tahoma, Arial, Helv, Helvetica, Sans">quote:</font><hr /><font size="2" face="Verdana, Tahoma, Arial, Helv, Helvetica, Sans">Originally posted by bwillie:
<strong>Please be nice to the work truck. <img border="0" alt="[Shiner]" title="" src="graemlins/shiner.gif" /> </strong></font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana, Tahoma, Arial, Helv, Helvetica, Sans">Brent - I'm glad to see you can make it again this year. About not having a Toyota - just think of it as having one of the few vehicles at the gathering with <img border="0" title="" alt="[Cool]" src="images/icons/cool.gif" /> 35" tires.

A few people have asked about current status. So I think it's best if I simply copy the summary stats from my spreadsheet to here.

Updated August 8
Total registered: 30 vehicles

A few significant changes have taken place in the last week in the scheduling partly due to trail leaders. Also more trails were added due to overcrowding.

Thurs:
not attending: 8
Hancock/Tomichi: 11
Holy Cross City: 11

Fri:
not attending: 4
Antero/Baldwin Lake: 6
Wheeler Lake: 11
Iron Chest Mine: 9

Sat:
not attending: 1
McCallister/Ptarmigan: 8
Taylor Pass: 9
Old Chinamans Gulch: 12 (full)

25 tents in the group site (there's some room left and they charge per person so it doesn't affect cost for each)

Registered attendees:
Jeff Bathke - 2000 4Runner
Matt Hinkley - 87 Toy Mini truck
Mike Brown - 2001 4Runner
Steve Hunt - 1999 4Runner
Mark Bailey - 1988 4Runner
Adrian Flygt - 1995 4Runner
Jim Hughes - 2000 4Runner
Alan (HaveBlue) - 1996 4Runner
Mark Fit - 2000 4Runner
Darren Kilgore - 2002 4Runner
Ziad Matloub - 2000 4Runner
Scott Basinger - 1997 4Runner
Michael Kuperstein - 1996 4Runner
Brent Wilhelmi - 2003 Ford Supercrew
Steve Hedberg - 2000 4Runner
John Stavola - 1997 4Runner
Mark Griese - 2001 Tacoma
Steve Schaefer - 1999 4Runner or 1989 FJ-62 Land Cruiser
Lee Picha - 2000 4Runner
Lance Urenda - 2001 4Runner
Richard MorrisonJr - 2001 4Runner
Nate - 89 Toyota Pickup
Jayson Blanchard - 1998 4Runner
Jerry Gotsch - 89 4Runner
Brian Sandoval - 86 Toy mini truck
Lee Gearing - 2001 Tacoma TRD xcab
Ray - 1997 4Runner
Michael Calkins
Chuck Hathcock - 2001 GMC Sonoma ZR2
Cade Thibodeaux - 2000 4Runner

Mods range from being totally stock to massively modified (up to 37's)!

Food:
Donna has helped us figure out who should bring what food. Please go to the CO4RJ web site for details.

I'm still expecting a couple other people to register, but it seems to have slowed down.

I've advertised this CO4RJ at 4x4wire, Yotatech, CO TTORA, and a few other forums. I'm getting very little response outside of 4x4wire and Yotatech.

This Az taco owner has vacation time approved!

Just trying to source a tent and some camping gear <img border="0" title="" alt="[Roll Eyes]" src="images/icons/rolleyes.gif" /> Anyone have tent suggestions for a single camper? Is it still better to have a big one when you're solo? Or will a backpack size do?

Will there be a grocery store close by, or on the way back from the trails we're running?

Thanks,
Mark