3 Tons of Fun! Littles' Build, Travel, and B.S. Thread

Thanks!

 

Quick update:

5/25/18- Last weekend at Yankee hill with @johnsoct




We went over to Alice and hiked St. Mary’s glacier.

We watched a guy snowboard down the left side while we hiked up. You can see his line coming down.

Looking back at St. Mary’s. You can see the end of Yankee hill.


Today, I knocked a few things off the to do list. Installed closed cell foam with mass loaded as a sound barrier finally and test fit the molle panel.


Cut to size 22.5”x49.5”

Apply velcro to MLV and cut CCF to make holes for Velcro

A few dabs of vinyl cement

And slap that bitch in the truck

Cut some holes for the molle panel screws. Still need to do the bottom.


Makes a noticeable difference in sound reduction.

Also got the oil changed, RTT on the truck, and threw the kitchen in the back. And now we are pretty much ready for camping

 

1. Updating to do list:
   1. DONE. Post pictures of the White Rim/Moab/RockTherapy trip from back in October before I forget all the details.
   2. DONE. Strip, prep and repaint sliders with POR15
   3. DONE. Inspect, prep, and treat frame for rust with leftover POR15
   4. Done. Prep and repaint shackle hangers.
   5. Done. Fix drive shaft launch vibe.
   6. Done. Install sound deadener in rear of cab.
   7. Done. Install molle panel in rear of cab.
   8. Buy molle accessories to organize bullshit in rear of cab.
   9. Done. Finish aux fuse panel wiring harness.
   10. Done. Wire and install 6 switch panel and harness for cab
   11. Done. Install aux fuse panel in engine bay.
   12. Fiinalize wiring for compressor in bed.
   13. Relocate back camera
   14. Order new brackets for RTT.
   15. Cut moar from driver side cab mount.
   16. Fix clips holding on driver front fender flare.
   17. Buy new Jerry can or fix pin hole leak.
   18. Mount 2nd spare tire on spare rim.
   19. Figure out permanent install of truck fridge in rear of cab.
   20. Re-wire outlet for fridge in rear of cab.
   21. DONE. Wire PIAA lights that have been on my truck for 6 months just for looks.
   22. Install lights in topper. Also see 26.
   23. Wire and install 4 switch panel in bed.
   24. DONE. Re-run CB antenna cable
   25. Done. Run power to CB from new aux fuse box
   26. Done. Run power to PIAA lights from new fuse box
   27. Done. Fix flyback diodes on aux fuse box

 

Totally not build related, but I got to catch up with my wonderful Mom and my dear old dad today in Salt Lake City...my first ever visit to SLC.

Dad just retired from 20 plus something years working in child welfare back in PA (where I grew up), and is currently 5 weeks into a 7 week long cross country trip towing a teardrop trailer behind a Ford Focus, loaded up with kayak and mountain bike and a lot of ambition to see the country. He’s been stopping to visit friends and family along the way, and fortunately for me I’m both. I flew out to SLC to meet them last night and hang out for a few days.

Today we went to Antalope Island so my dad could say he swam in the great salt lake. No pictures of him swimming because no ones wants to see that. It smelled terrible, there were billions of flies, and I don’t know why anyone would want come to beach for the purpose of enjoying the lake. Shittiest lake I’ve ever been to.

The island though, despite the smell, was pretty cool. Lots of Buffalo, deer, and other wildlife to check out. I convinced my rents to hike up to the highest peak on the island, Frary Peak at 6,596 feet and 2,336 feet of elevation gain over 3.6 miles (7.2 round trip). The sign lies and says 3.2 miles. The last traverse from the 3 mile marker at the antenna is closer to .6 miles (not .2) of steep, challenging terrain that will take the wind out of you. It sucks. It took 2.45 hours up and 2 hours down and a lot of perserverance. It was one of the more challenging hikes I’ve done recently, but it’s worth it.






Mom heads home to Philly tomorrow morning on a plane and dad is driving me back to Denver by Monday via Moab. Undecided on Arches or Canyonlands or both. It’s been a great visit so far. I just wish I had my truck here for the next leg of the journey.

 

Had a great time hanging with my old man on his trip.

Here's a shot of his "rig"



After leaving Salt Lake City, we headed down to Moab for some quality time at Arches and Canyonlands. I've been to Arches four times and still haven't seen everything, but I did see some new stuff this time.



I finally went to check out the windows section and saw Turret Arch as well as the North and South Windows. We walked the primitive trail behind the windows and then went over to Double Arch. Of course we also saw the Dunes, Balanced Rock, hiked to Delicate Arch and Skyline Arch, but those are all in old posts from previous visits. The only sections I have left to do is Devils Garden and I'd like to get a permit to do Fiery Furnace on a future trip.

Turret Arch



North and south windows




Views from the primitive trail on the back side:

Double Arch:
Keyholes next to Double Arch


We finished out our afternoon at Canyonlands in the Island of the Sky District. Since we were in a Ford Focus we obviously had to stick to the paved roads up on the mesa. While it was still beautiful and there were some neat hikes, it really just doesn't compare to seeing the park via White Rim. Plan ahead, get a White Rim permit, and enjoy the park the way it's meant to be enjoyed...in your truck down in the canyon. If you are stuck seeing the park via the paved roads on the mesa, I highly recommend hiking to Mesa Arch and Aztec Butte. Upheaval dome was also a cool hike. The shortest hike down to White Rim was over 5 miles one-way, which we didn't have time for. It was also cool to see the same formations I saw back in October from a different point.

Schafer Trail



Hard to see, but the left most of the two forward formations on the left of the photo is washerwoman Arch. Behind her is Airport Tower.


Love this canyon shot.


Aztec Butte- there’s a smaller butte with what is believed to be primitive storage for food

View from atop the larger butte:

Upheaval dome. Believed to have been formed by meteor impact or weird pressure that forced salt through the red rock



These are the last few viewpoints we hit on the north end

 

Got my decked installed late last night!

@TheDECKEDGuy

Installation was not difficult, but it took about 4 hours without help and could probably have been done in 3 with a second set of hands as recommended in the instructions.

Loaded up and taking it for a test run this weekend!

 

I’ve seen these in person before. Quality piece. Very nice.

 

Worked great for camping this weekend with Drew and Bella! It was her first time camping and both of their first time off road.

We ran Moon Gulch around to the old shaft house but couldn’t get back to Gamble Gulch due to a fallen tree.



Then we went up Rollins Pass which was open to Yankee Doodle Lake, but the drift here was still to big to punch through, and it was too cold for us to hike to Needle Eye Tunnel. Bella’s favorite part was hitting mud puddles at high speed and covering the truck with dirty water...every time she giggled and cheered.



We came back down via Jenny Creek Trail. I didn’t take a picture of the snow drift at the top, which we were able to slide down the 15-20 feet, but you definitely need to winch up.

We camped off Moon Gulch at a BLM site with an outhouse...really nice to have with a 5-year old!

 

Awesome.

 

Hey Littles! Sorry sir, I did not see the notification you had posted us up in here! Looking good. Hope you are still loving it!

 

Hey @Littles PM me your address and I will send you a cool new thing to try out when we get them!

 

Over 4th of July I took an epic trip to southwest Colorado and drove almost every major pass between Telluride, Ouray, and Silverton, including the Alpine Loop. I camped for 3 nights and drove for 4 days logging over 1,000 miles.

Day 1
Ridgway to Telluride via Last Dollar Road
Telluride to Silverton via Ophir Pass

Day 2 - Alpine Loop
Silverton to Lake City via Cinnamon Pass
Lake City to Ouray via Engineer Pass

Day 3
Ouray to Telluride via Black Bear Pass
Telluride to Ouray via Imogene Pass
Ouray to Ouray via Poughkeepsie Gulch / Hurricane Pass

Day 4
Yankee Boy Basin

Here's a screenshot of my tracks, which I can send if anyone is interested:



Day 1 - Wednesday July 4th

Denver to Ridgway via i70
Ridgway to Telluride via Last Dollar Road
Telluride to Silverton via Ophir Pass

I left around 5:30 or 6am, took a nap at Glenwood Springs rest area, and got to Montrose about noon to have lunch with @kashtyaatsi

From there I headed down to Ridgway and started out on Last Dollar Road over the smaller range to the northwest of Telluride. It’s a nice easy drive that drops you in right behind the airport.



Next I headed south to Ophir Pass, which is the road that made me fall in love with Colorado about 5 years ago before I moved here. It was every bit as breath taking and exciting as the first time. It’s hard to see in the first pic, but if you zoom in you can make out the faint slanted line that is Ophir Pass in the mountains in the distance.

After coming back to hwy 550 above Silverton, I headed back up north a short ways and made camp at the start of Black Bear Pass at 11,600 ft. The trail splits off to the left before going up the pass on the right. There were a bunch of great spots off this spur.



To be continued...

Next up is the Alpine Loop

 

Didn't know we had a decked rep up in the hood!

One big suggestion i would have preferably as an accessory for old models and something for new models is a way to lock the drawers, either fully out or at some intervals.

@TheDECKEDGuy

And mine seem to still slide around a little in the bed and i don't want to overtorque the hold down bolts and end up breaking the plastic. Not sure how much movement is acceptable/normal.

These are in a 2018 Tundra short bed.

 

I'm currently reading Desert Solitaire by Edward Abbey... Awesome book to read after spending so much time in Moab.

 

Sounds like an interesting read. I just added it to my Amazon cart to read after I finish this riveting book from the ARRL I've been reading.

 

Just showed your post to Bon - She says Hi!

 

Yeah it's a good one. I've been told his monkey wrench gang book is cool as well.

On our memorial day camping trip thus year we had the pleasure of a few hours of talking to a camp host who had experiences just like Edward Abbey and also knew him. Best part of the trip hands down.

 

Tell her I send my love!

 

Southwest Colorado trip
Day 2 - July 5, 2018

Alpine Loop - Silverton to Lake City to Ouray




As I started my drive, I could see all these cool mining roads going up into the mountains, which were speckled with piles of rock from various mines. I remember thinking myself it would be nice to explore them.
After looking at the map and seeing another route to Animas Forks, I decided to add a little more adventure to what I expected would be a pretty low key day in terms of difficulty.

So, after passing Eureka Gulch and Eureka Mine, I took the next left up Picayne Gulch, and it did not disappoint. Picayne is a longer, more scenic route up to Animas forks, which takes you by another old mining town and down the front of Gold Prince Mine. Looking back at my GPS, I may have missed a turn here but I'm fairly confident I was on a legal, legitimate road that eventually connected back to Picayne Gulch by Treasure Mountain Mine.



How would you like that little house up on the hill?






For second time I remember thinking to myself, “man it would be cool to drive through there!”



Sure enough, it quickly became clear I was headed right down the front of the mine.




Important note here: The trail on the right takes you to the Sound Democrat Mill and dead ends, even though my map showed the trail continuing. Maybe it did at one point, but not anymore. Initially I thought I was going to have to turn around and go all the way back, but I could see the road higher up on the hill so I came back and explored the left trail and while it wasn’t on my map, thankfully it rejoined did take me to Animas Forks.



The Sound Democrat Mill



Animas Forks

This is a pretty cool little town with a lot of restoration work that has been done so that we can see how people used to survive in the mountains.



This was a really fancy house with the shitter attached to it. Luxury living at the time.




After leaving animas forks it was up and over Cinnamon Pass



After coming down Cinnamon, I did not take many pictures between the pass and Lake City until I started coming back up Engineer Pass toward Ouray. It's not that it wasn't beautiful or interesting, it was just a lot of similar stuff to what I had seen and I needed to get a move on! So the rest of this is basically just a photo dump of me finishing the loop.



Coming down Engineer towards Ouray


The last little mining town I stopped at before I finished the Alpine Loop was Mineral Point. I spent at least a half hour playing around and driving the roads through town. Another neat little area.


I made camp back at the base of Black Bear Pass again, just a little further up this time. I'll include pictures of that in my next post since I'm at the 50 picture limit per post!

Next up is Black Bear Pass to Telluride and Imogene Pass back to Ouray.