06.19
The trails are located west of Colorado Springs. Charles Wells describes Mt. Baldy as “an out-of-the-way alternative to Pikes Peak offering similar views and more challenge.” Eagle Rock is not listed in his book but the trail is well known to the locals “as a Saturday run without a long drive, for a killer day of 4 wheelin. We would compare it to Hackett/Longwater. But personally I prefer this trail. Not as many “yuppies”.”
Participating Yuppies included:
Chris & Beth Muniz in their 2004 Discovery
Cormac McHugh in his 1997 Discovery with a new bumper he bought from Larry
Jim Hall in his Series 1966 Series IIa 88 Beaver winch; and friend Chris
Scott Launer with his wife Stacy and daughter in the Rover green ’97 D90 automatic
Larry Grubbs in Carrie’s Discovery
Matt Schulze and Hans in the red 1995 Defender 90 topless
Peter Hope Series IIa 1970 with a hot Hummer motor
Hans & Roseanne Schulze 1995 white Defender 90
After a late start, we navigated the street construction around the historic Broadmor Hotel. Once on Old Stage Road we needed to stop several times to let Peter’s Hummer motor cool down. After the third time, Peter decided to turn back.
It’s a leisure ride to the top of Mt. Baldy altitude approximately 11,800 ft, resulting in a nice, Colorado view. The gate was closed but hikers could walk another mile to the top. Delays haunted us again. At first Jim had problems keeping the Series running but it was a quick fix and then Scott had what we think was vapor lock which took longer to repair to the point of getting him off the mountain. Scott decided to call it a day when we returned to Mt. Baldy trailhead. Chris and Beth joined him in order to honor a dinner appointment.
That left Cormac, Larry, Jim, Matt and Hans to find the Eagle Rock trailhead. Again that word, delay. We traveled over 10 unnecessary miles trying to find the trailhead, but it was worth it. The trail was challenging, not to the point of needing lockers, but challenging. The first intro to the trail is a steep mogul hill consisting of loose dirt and rock. We all attempted several lines to get the necessary traction. After many attempts, Cormac hit the bypass, and then turned back to insure his prompt arrival at work.
The rest of us found Eagle Rock challenging in spots. It reminds me of a Boulder Carnage Canyon with a steep grade. Larry wanted to pinstripe the Carrie’s Disco, but we managed to spot him out of it.
Eagle Rock meets up with Mt. Baldy trail which we opted to ride out due to the lateness of the day. Next time we should try a round trip on Eagle Rock.
