Colorado B.S. Thread

I had not heard...
http://data.pitkin-news.com/HTMLFiles/TunnelRoadDamage.html

 

Well, that sucks. Is that above or below Hancock Pass turnoff?
I've always wanted to do Mt Princeton...maybe Mt. Antero too. Both along the same stretch outside of St. Elmo after running Tin Cup Pass.

 

@Squeaky Penguin ,
I bet you want to run Iron Chest with them new tars don't you..

 

It's on the short out and back section to the tunnel. Shouldn't effect travel on Hancock pass, Tomichi Pass, or whatever you call the road out to Pitkin. Still want to hit Williams Pass that James and I missed out on last year, but don't know the status on that. Usually only open for the month of August.

I've heard that trail beats you up. Don't know if I'm intrigued enough. Otherwise I've run most of the trails in that area.

 

Williams will open next weekend...conditions permitting. We will be a week too early.

It looks rough for an in and back out trail. The mine structures would be cool to see though.

Supposedly the roughest part is the 1st half mile. After that it's a piece of cake. Trail is only 2.5 miles long. However, trying to run it on a weekend may be ridiculous due to both the difficulty and popularity. I've seen Heeps' and what-not lined up on the county road before waiting for a turn to go up.

 

If that slide on Alpine Tunnel is below the entry to Williams Pass, I wonder if they will open Williams at all? It may increase traffic on a trail that is already extremely fragile, in an attempt to see the Alpine Tunnel itself.
Williams is extremely wet with lots of large, round, loose boulders and alpine meadow on both sides. I can see tards driving off trail. That trail was closed for like 10 plus years before it was allowed to be reopened for one month a year.

 

I believe the slide was below the start of Williams.

And that's why we missed out on it last year. It was closed for the first time in my liftime because it was too wet and the 4wd club that got it reopened and maintains it kept it closed.

Really though, I have no idea what the current status is on the Alpine Tunnel road, probably wouldn't hurt to call and ask.

 

I bet it's at least open to the original train trestle loop. If they are going to re-build the Palisades back to original, using 1800's methods, it may be closed indefinitely.

 

The focus of the weekend for me is to avoid the heatwave, and gain some altitude. Drink beers and cook some form of dead animal on my little grill. Maybe fish a little. Maybe grill some fish if I catch any.

 

I haven't heard much about this alpine tunnel stuff. Hopefully its not closed for good.

 

this has absolutely nothing to do with colorado since its in oregon, but my friend just posted this. this is the type of stuff we like to do, and what we look for prerunning. i know im an outcast here since im a raptor owner, but we do use our trucks, and we invite anyone along..... including you yota guys. haha.

oops. forgot video
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HFwvuE5vKS8&feature=youtu.be

 

If it wasn't for some dipshit that works for me forgetting to place an order, I'd be on the way up right now. I'm at the mercy of UPS and they usually don't show until 4ish.

 

If a bunch of guys with hand tools could build it back in the 1800s, than surely the government organizations in charge or restoring it should have no problems.


Realisticly though, there's some private Alpine Tunnel group that restored the buildings up at the tunnel, they might push for and help getting it fixed.

 

Unfortunately they would have nothing BUT problems. Red tape and BS makes something simple into impossible. AKA Needle's Eye Tunnel... all Boulder County would have to do if they wanted it open is say they did...

 

http://data.pitkin-news.com/HTMLFiles/TunnelRoadDamage.html

This is between the tunnel and the turn for Williams, so Williams should still be accessible.



http://www.bushducks.com/tripreps/passopen.htm#tunnel

This mentions damage at Woodstock, which is on the switchback below the Palisades, so you could conceivably still connect Williams from either Tomichi or Hancock.

 

May just have to go check it out and see for myself. Woodstock is the little town I was thinking may be the current end of the trail.

 

I could get some eyes on it this weekend and report back

 

When do you think you will be in the area? I'm planning on leaving here in the AM and heading up. If I time it right, I should be in Buena Vista in time for a burger and fries at K's.

 

I wont be up till afternoon/early evening. I'll sit on CB/FRS radio if you'll be over there! Old lady can't get off work til 2-3 so that's holding us back from leaving earlier.

 

I haven't been there, but Woodstock looks to be on the left fork, as coming from Hancock, and the right fork goes towards Alpine and Williams, with the slide after the turn to Williams, but before the tunnel area, if you can visualize that.