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La Plata Mountains 2014

La Plata Mountains 2014

BusaDave9

Always Off-Roading Jeeper
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Location
Durango, Crawlarado
Vehicle(s)
1979 Jeep CJ5 with 304 V8, T18 Transmission, Dana 20 Transfer case with TeraLow 3:1 gears, 4.88 axle gears, Detroit Locker up front and Ox Locker in back with 1 piece axle shafts, 36" SuperSwamper SX Tires, Shackle reversal, MileMarker Hydraulic winch, MSD 6A ignition.
It's spring so I took my Jeep into the LaPlata mountains. Actually it's very early spring at the higher altitudes so snow stopped me before I could reach the passes.
LaPlataMtsMay4-2014-12_zpse518ea55.webp

LaPlataMtsMay4-2014-2_zps1d79e2a1.webp

LaPlataMtsMay4-2014-16_zpsc082520f.webp

I reached the stream thinking I would cross here (above picture). I could have crossed but the snow on the next bank would have stopped me. That's a steep slope and it's covered with snow.

This next pic is from the same spot, just looking back upstream.
LaPlataMtsMay4-2014-21_zps8c423b1a.webp

Later Koda found this porcupine.
LaPlataMtsMay4-2014-Koda-vs_zps3f6576be.webp
I called Koda back before he got himself into trouble.

LaPlataMtsMay4-2014-11_zps1c991b44.webp
 
Fantastic pics, I'm glad Koda healed. Those pines can be very bad!

porcupine.jpg
 
Thanks for that Dave, the Colorado high country never ceases to amaze me. Glad to hear Koda did not end up like the pic CJ sent.
 
Great pics as always Dave.
CJ, that just looks painful even from here!
 
Thanks for sharing Dave great pics, glad your dog didn't need a trip to the vet.
 
Thanks for the pic's.
Glad your dog listens better than mine.
 
Great pics as always. Like all the other dog lovers glad Koda kept a safe distance. Hes all grown up now and that is one good looking pooch. :chug:
 
Nice Dave!

I like to think I could have called Babygirl off before she ended up like CJ's Pic...

That poor Pup's (in CJ's Pic) probably like "next time I'll get that sucker"

:notworthy::chug:
~ Jr
 
I went into the La Plata Mountains again today. Instead of creating a new thread I added to this one.

The road into the La Plata valley starts off paved. Then it turns to gravel. It gradually gets rougher until ye get to a sign saying you need four wheel drive to continue.
I went to the end, Kennabec Pass. 02CumberlandBasin2014_zpsf1ad4e8e.webp
I came up those trails in the distance above.
Then I went on that narrow trail on the right in the next picture.
01CumberlandBasin2014_zpse0811f9a.webp
The end of the road is at the "Cumberland Notch" between Cumberland mountain and Snowstorm Peak.
19CumberlandGap_zps285b17bb.webp
I took the above picture last year.
12CJattheNotch2014_zpsb1cae556.webp

06CJattheNotch2014_zps4da4163f.webp

It's a big dropoff if I drive too far
10JunctionCreekValley2014_zps0462b064.webp

To continue on you have to go on foot.

08beyondtheNotch2014_zps93635de9.webp
It looks wide in the above picture but it gets narrow from rock slides. These trails don't get much maintenance.
You can see the notch on the left in this next picture.
23SnowstormPeak2014_zps0b0b3c8f.webp

21NorthLaPlataMts2014_zps4225b1be.webp

Next I went up into Tomahawk Basin.
24TomahawkBasin2014_zps98a81b82.webp

28TomahawkBasin2014_zps4df6ece6.webp

31TomahawkBasin2014_zpsc676d9e0.webp

33TomahawkBasin2014_zpseadfc31e.webp

34TomahawkBasin2014_zpsa85b659d.webp
 
Great pics now I got to plan a jeep trip along with my next elk hunt. Dumb flatlander question the frt marker pole on your bumper is used to navigate those sharp switchbacks or CB radio?
 
Dumb flatlander question the frt marker pole on your bumper is used to navigate those sharp switchbacks or CB radio?
I think I can answer that for him CB radio.
 
We cheat and using marine VHF radios down in FLa sometimes but good ole CB are still the best for running dogs and hunting JMO but we seem to be a dying breed :) We run ant on the back bumper but for some of those trail pics you guys got I need a spotter:notworthy::notworthy:
 
I took my CJ6 back into the La Plata Mountains. I explored a trail further than I have before. Here's some pics.
44-LewisMt_zps3a4d59c3.webp

47-MaddenPk_zps7fe88363.webp

54-4X4LaPlataJuly2014_zpsad9ec866.webp

57-CJ5MtMoss-July2014_zpsc79f0aa9.webp


60-4X4LaPlataJuly2014_zps059ec8d7.webp

63-LewisMt_zps548d4792.webp

66-MtMoss-July2014_zpse632a6c2.webp


70-4X4LaPlataJuly2014_zpsb0dfc087.webp
 
They look more like paintings pictures. :notworthy:

Yep, at least two of those are outstanding. I never get tired of mountain pics. Thanks Dave!
 
BusaDave, your pics are amazing!! More trail reports please! I picked up my first ever 4wd&Sport Utility magazine 23 years ago, and in it was Blanca Peak, and the Alpine Loop. And i fell in love with Colorado then. It's still on my list of must visit places, once my boys are a bit older. I just spent several hours reading your trail reports, ignoring everyone elses. Man, amazing!! Thanks for sharing.
 

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