Been up to my ears in various stuff but here is the rundown on our Holy Cross trip!

Scott and I met Fred and his gang and headed up the trail, albeit a bit late. We'd heard from Colorado4x4.org that the trail had gotten harder and they weren't kidding.

The new BFG MT's did fine on the rocks. Obstacles got progressively harder throughout the first part of the trail. As we neared the turnout Randy's classic Bronco ran into fuel problems so we parked there to troubleshoot.

Finally on our way again, we tackled the last few tough spots before the major rock climb on the way to French Creek. Holy toledo. I was able to get up that last time with a little spotting. This time all of us had a really, really hard time getting up it.

Randy had to try several lines to get up but his wheelbase being shorter made it easier to maneuver. Fred had a bit more trouble and got hung up on his frame on one line.

Some stacked rocks made the difference and he was able to ascend. We had to strap up the Grand Cherokee (Tim, right?) that was having front locker problems. The TJ was able to get up without any problem (sorry I can't remember names)

Scott was up next and had to try a couple of lines. We ended up strapping him and just as we got close, he got hung up and then we started seeing steam coming out of the front of the truck and coolant dripping. Uh oh!



We had to back him down and drive him to a flat spot to deal with the radiator damage. I decided to forego the obstacle entirely. No sense in breaking my junk when we might need it to get home! We were able to pinch the radiator tubes that were affected and stop the leak, so Scott and I turned around and headed home a bit early. Fred and crew were able to make it up to (but not over) Cleveland Rock after we left.

We'd run into Ray earlier on the trail. Same thing had happened to him: damaged radiator. He also had a broke tcase. So Holy Cross claimed its victims, but it was still a heck of a fun trail and maybe next time we'll figure out how to get farther along.

No, I didn't vanish. Had some sad news here and ended up canceling the Ouray trip the day I was supposed to leave (wanted to meet up with Clay this year, sorry my friend). Wasn't in much of a mood to post. I'm doing better now, though.

Anyway, now that I've bailed on Moab, Ouray, and various other trips, you may be wondering if TC will ever see any dirt this year. Already way ahead of you. A couple weeks before Ouray, CFSJA did a shakedown run on Slaughterhouse Gulch. In attendance were Scott, Ray, myself and John (in the classic Ford pick-em-up truck).

We fit some geocaching in on this trip too, as well as running the trail, a loop through classic Colorado forest, that starts out easy and gets progressively harder by the end with lots of great rock obstacles. Last time I was on this trail I had a Toyota pickup roll backwards into me and crush my hood. TC seems not to have forgotten.

I started noticing some weird rattling from the left front about halfway through before we got to the really hard stuff. Pulled over and inspected to find the metal brake dust cover had finally broken loose from the caliper mount. We took a break and pulled the tire and managed to get the dust cover off. I've learned time and again that if you ignore noises it comes back to bite you.

This was all after lunch. We'd stopped in a nice area and had a relaxing meal amongst the trees. Anyway once on the trail again, TC performed well, although at one particularly hairy obstacle the truck wouldn't start again; no power at all. I thought it was a fusible link again but instead the Priority Start battery disconnect system failed. None too happy about that but at least it was an easy fix.



In all, we had a great time on one of the funnest trails in the state, and TC got dirty for the first time in 2008. And, barring unforseen circumstances, tomorrow I'll be heading out for a run on Holy Cross.

Oops, sorry for the blip folks. Looks like the wagoneers.net domain expired. It's back now so hope you didn't delete your bookmarks already!

Now, as to TC ... You may recall I won a set set of tires -- and on Saturday, I finally selected a set of 33x12.50-15 BF Goodrich Mud Terrains! First impressions -- I can't believe how quiet they are. The MT/Rs started quiet -- for a mud tire. The BFGs are quiet. Period. Less sidewall give in turns so they seem to handle better, too. Very pleased thus far.

Thanks again CarDomain and Discount Tire Company!!

Meanwhile, I'm leaving for Ouray on Wednesday. The spring bushing was insanely hard to get installed but I finally got it and it made a big improvement in steering precision and ride quality, and no longer does the suspension make noises going over bumps or making turns. When I get back I am going to go ahead and order a complete set of bushings for the front. That should last me for the next 10 years.

TC is about 50% packed for Ouray. To make it easier to inventory spare parts and such, I put letters on the ammo boxes where I keep spare parts and now on my packing checklist I put what box the part/item is in, and then all I have to do is inventory which boxes are loaded. Just need to put in tools, fly rod & gear, and clothes -- the essentials.

I didn't quite get to everything on my to do list, but all the important stuff is taken care of except an oil change and topping off fluids.

Next week is the big Ouray trip! But with a lot of irons in the fire, I've had to drop a lot of things I thought I'd get fixed on TC before the trip. Forget A/C, forget window tinting. Just the essentials.

Like a new stereo... Not to mention new amp for the sub.

And tires and spring bushings. You may recall that with the help of FSJers everywhere, I won a set of tires from CarDomain and Discount Tire -- thanks again!!! The time is right to claim the prize.

The front spring bushings are almost 10 years old and are a "little" worn (see pic)... eek!

Unfortunately, finding new ones is way more difficult than I expected. Fortunately, Scott came to the rescue and is loaning me spring bushings out of a set of lift springs he had on hand. So it is a matter of installing the bushings and putting TC back together so I can go get those tires today or Saturday.

Facing some busy days ahead: in addition to some final prep work on TC and packing, I've got the robot contest tomorrow, midterm due Tuesday, and lots of hours to get in at work.

No problem...

...?