05.16
Johnson Village, Colorado – Unlike last year, when Rich Dekker was democratically voted into responsibility at the gas station, this year Ralph Bradt took it upon himself to lead the “new” and “improved” Chinaman’s Gulch Trail. New and improved because an obstacle has been added to the backside of the oval course, but access to the lake has been blocked by large boulders and a cable.
But the trail remains pleasantly scenic especially at the squeeze which renders pictures of your vehicle maneuvering the obstacle, and snow capped mountains as the backdrop. Ralph pointed out the collegiate peaks made up of Princeton, Yale, Harvard, and Columbia located in the Sawatch Range which contains fifteen 14′ers, including the highest point in Colorado , Mt. Elbert at 14,433 feet.
Participants included: Ralph Bradt – 1970 Series IIa 88”, Jim Hall – 1966 Series IIa 88”, Cain Kobert & Patricia Linville – 1997 D90, David Whitney – 1974 Pinzgauer, Jennifer & Charman Brown – Jim’s 1987 Range Rover, Marc Richardson – 1992 Range Rover, William Taylor & Alison Kusler – D90, Joshua White – 1997 Discovery, Hans & Roseanne Schulze – 1995 D90.
Since it was the maiden voyage for Jennifer, Ralph, and especially Jim, were coaching, coaxing, and cajoling Jim’s ’87 Rangie which needed a little adjustment on the trail to cure the rich gas odor. At the same time Dave Whitney had to reseal a valve cover on his Pinz. He said it’s a common trait on these vehicles, like…Land Rovers leaking.
Other repair sessions included Will Taylor replacing a spring retainer after going through the rock playground and Jim replacing the steering relay while situated on the rocks. This is the same problem that required him to leave the II on Golden Spike overnight last year. Due to the awkward position of his vehicle during the repairs, he couldn’t quite get it right, because after strapping him off, full left turn was mostly straight ahead. It was an easy fix for Jim.
The other interesting happening at the rock playground was the Pinz, of course. We were ready with our cameras anytime Dave tried something difficult…just no flex. And he got a little air which excited the crowd.
At the waterfall, we waited while the big wheeled v8′s with monster tires were attempting the vertical. Will aired his driver’s side front tire and Dave’s trip was a Pinz adventure, but everyone else took their lines with comfort.
Rock sliders came in handy at The Shelves, the new obstacle, and you could make your approach as hard as you wanted to. Thanks for the show, Dave. Gotta love those Pinz’.
The last interesting obstacle required a far right, up hill approach that resulted in an off camber fall toward the driver’s side. Kudos goes to Josh for persistency without lockers. He made it. Ralph wanted to test his ability to keep his vehicle on all fours by straight arming a boulder growing out of the ground to his left. It was decided that maybe a little pushing lift from the downhill side would get him off his differential and keep him upright. Dave drove straight up the alley without worrying about undercarriage damage due to his height advantage, and Jim drove his Rangie like he stole it, without stopping.
Fun trip. And since I met new trailers, they have too. I leave you with Jennifer Brown’s tip: If it has tits or tires, you’re gonna have problems. Thanks Jenny.
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