Stony Pass

Stony Pass

BusaDave9

Always Off-Roading Jeeper
Posts
8,248
Media
360
Resources
2
Thanks
87
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.
I took my Jeep over Stony Pass near Silverton CO. This is similar to one of the trail rides we'll be doing during the Jeep-CJ trail ride. Stony Pass is the way to Beartown site and Kite lake.
I when through Silverton and continued north. Just after crossing the small bridge over the creek I turned right onto county road 2. The intersection is in this picture.
34397044594_f290f1e761_b.jpg
If I were to go strait I would be able to go to Corkscrew Pass or Hurricane Pass. I am giving more explicit instructions for anyone that might be thinking of helping me lead during the Jeep-CJ trail ride. (hint, hint)
Actually I no longer think that will be much of an issue.
County Road 2 starts off paved but turns to gravel. This next picture is of Howardsville. Howardsville really isn't much of a town I think it has one or 2 newer houses but most of the "town" is mining buildings still in use.
34430814683_e414b585a6_b.jpg
In Howardsville we approch the bridge in this next picture and take an immediate right.
34395649844_d0a9bf7bd8_b.jpg
This is a good place to lock our hubs even though we can continue for a ways in 2WD. Then I start to climb, climb, climb. It is June 10th and there is still snow everywhere.
34430812933_88989d588d_b.jpg
The temperature is not bad. This snow is melting fast. This last winter was much snowier than usual, especially in the mountains.
34395647704_378bb73b1f_b.jpg
34430811043_24ec608bfd_b.jpg
Some of the snow drifts were still over ten feet high.
34395638544_b2ac14fd89_b.jpg
Then I started to descend down the eastern side. This is the source of the Rio Grande River. I's just a tiny creek here but it's the same Rio Grande that forms the border between the US and Mexico.
35109846561_0a76b2c646_b.jpg
Then I came to Pole Creek. I remember two years ago when the 5th annual Jeep-CJ trail ride crossed Pole Creek, we didn't even get our hubs wet. But this year the water was very high and running very fast.
34395677694_4291720ca4_b.jpg
I rode to the center of the creek (relative calm in the above picture). But then it went deeper and faster. It think my little CJ5 with big tires could get pushed sideways. I decide to turn back.
Before heading back I stopped and took a short walk to the Rio Grande River.
34395645644_18e82e5742_b.jpg
35109843601_aca480f10a_b.jpg
This next picture is Canby Mountain near the summit of Stony Pass.
34395671704_e37355d396_b.jpg
I saw some high mountain flowers in this short growing environment.
35109842731_83b290d738_b.jpg
34395669214_73c167c4f6_b.jpg
34430816353_58ddabd2aa_b.jpg
After crossing the pass I continued down the western side toward Silverton.
34430830683_5e98ab15ca_b.jpg
Then I took a sidetrack to Rein Gulch where I saw this mine.
34395667534_f6421d60a3_b.jpg
34430828953_bf00d0e973_b.jpg
34395642754_0c8d084de6_b.jpg
34395664964_03f5bb44f6_b.jpg
34430826673_8f82201062_b.jpg
Instead of taking the main road back to Silverton I took a trail that used to be an old railroad grade.
34395639954_c05a9fed75_b.jpg
It followed the Animas River.
34430824773_675e6341de_b.jpg
34395660154_032dc5c90f_b.jpg
34430821593_65895a6c90_b.jpg
34395657084_7b36456764_b.jpg
34430818743_4f8e08042b_b.jpg
34395654014_734b14651d_b.jpg
 
Wonderful pictures Dave! Can't wait to see you in August!
 
Great pictures and report.:chug:
PLEASE--think it over, about going out byyourownself. :eek: I've loss 2 jeep'n buddies over the years that did solo trips.
Respectfully,
OLG
 
Great pictures Dave. Thanks. Looking forward to getting out there
 
Same deal with with the snow on the Rubicon trail, a lot of it!
Nice pic, and your 5 is still looking good!
Thanks for sharing.

Bass and OJL crossing Rio Grande River in 2015

20206368651_8ab5406083_z.jpg
 
Yes, I've been keeping a eye on the updates to that story.
 

Jeep-CJ Donation Drive

Help support Jeep-CJ.com by making a contribution.

Help support Jeep-CJ.com by making a contribution.
Goal
$200.00
Earned
$25.00
This donation drive ends in
Back
Top Bottom