The DeTour Trip Report-As told by Blackdawg

I think what he's saying is, he really likes this chapter and he wishes he could "like" it more than once.

 

I totally read that wrong..and read it as look at lol

 

All that snow looks fun as hell! Bummed I didn't get a chance to make it back to Montana this year.

@Blackdawg do you torque and loctite your lbj bolts?

 

It was to a point haha

And yes I do. However in this case I had to think back to how my summer work went. When I pulled the diff I pulled the lbj bolts. I was working and living off site from the shop so only had about a day and a half a week to work on stuff. I was rushed a lot. I had to get the truck out if the shop and slapped Frank back together and made the mental note to do locktite and retorque. Never did. Thus popped bolts.

 

Nice report!...

 

I explored Vernal and Flaming Gorge four years ago.

Thanks for the pictures and reminder! Such beautiful country.

I do plan on returning - so much more to see. Including a tour of the dam.

 

Great area down there. I'm sure there are more secrets that place has to give up.

 

This reminds me I need to catch up on all of the blackdawg trip reports that I haven't seen since spring! Great content as always!

 

number 10 coming up.

 

here it comes

 

Bam

 

Chapter 10: It’s Never the Same​

The morning started as what was now routine for us. With Dan getting up way to early for it to be vacation. But the fruits of his labor where great capture the lovely morning sun and getting great photos to boot.


2017-09-27 - 00004 - The De-Tour - Day 11 by Dan, on Flickr

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Inspiring stuff, but not inspiring enough to get out of bed myself


Mike was up after him shortly to capture him in mid observation.


IMG_3825 by mike digirat, on Flickr


Before long we were packed up and hit the road continuing south to get to the great Kokopelli trail.


DeTour-51.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr


We passed through Dinosaur, went on to Rangely and then turned south to Loma.


2017-09-27 - 00007 - The De-Tour - Day 11 by Dan, on Flickr


This highway is super interesting to me. Looking back, I wish I’d know about the dirt road that parallels this small ribbon road. It passes through some interesting county and comes up on a small but beautiful pass which we stopped at to take photos of the fall colors.


DeTour-52.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr

2017-09-27 - 00008 - The De-Tour - Day 11 by Dan, on Flickr

IMG_3831 by mike digirat, on Flickr

IMG_3826 by mike digirat, on Flickr

2017-09-27 - 00009 - The De-Tour - Day 11 by Dan, on Flickr



Mike and I had been here before last year, almost exactly, but had missed the fall colors. Mike had brought up numerous times last year how we had missed them, so this was a nice reprieve.


DeTour-53.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr

DeTour-54.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr

2017-09-27 - 00010 - The De-Tour - Day 11 by Dan, on Flickr

2017-09-27 - 00011 - The De-Tour - Day 11 by Dan, on Flickr


From here we hit it to Loma. Mike grumbled about the over priced gas at the only station for miles as we refueled and bought some wood to burn. Crossed the interstate and we were there.


2017-09-27 - 00012 - The De-Tour - Day 11 by Dan, on Flickr


The Kokopelli!


And it was busy. The lots was full of mostly bikers as its a popular biking trail. We setup up the chairs and ate lunch in the lot getting lots of looks as we enjoyed our sandwhiches.


DeTour.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr


With lunch done we blew through the first tiny portion of dirt and stopped at rabbit valley to air down. Hopefully for the last time for a long while.


DeTour-56.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr

2017-09-27 - 00013 - The De-Tour - Day 11 by Dan, on Flickr

2017-09-27 - 00014 - The De-Tour - Day 11 by Dan, on Flickr


And then we were off! At last. No more highways for us. But we did have a long distance to cover. I had my sights set on the site we camped at last year and it was not a short distance. The pace was slow at first though as this is just too cool of a spot to not get photos. I hit oncoming and had to bail out. Dan got to pose for photos.


DeTour-57.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr


Traffic was still high through Rabbit Valley, due to the easy of access off the main road, and we made our way to get through it and away from folks quckly.


DeTour-58.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr


It didn’t take long to end up in the good stuff.


DeTour-59.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr

2017-09-27 - 00017 - The De-Tour - Day 11 by Dan, on Flickr

IMG_3832 by mike digirat, on Flickr


The light sucked, it was overcast pretty badly and seemed like it could rain any moment. But the area was still very beautiful and it was hard to stay in the truck.


IMG_3834 by mike digirat, on Flickr

2017-09-27 - 00018 - The De-Tour - Day 11 by Dan, on Flickr

DeTour-61.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr

IMG_3835 by mike digirat, on Flickr

DeTour-60.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr


We still moved at a good pace though. Or at least tried. Hard too in such photogenic spaces.


DeTour-62.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr

IMG_3837 by mike digirat, on Flickr

IMG_3839 by mike digirat, on Flickr

2017-09-27 - 00019 - The De-Tour - Day 11 by Dan, on Flickr

DeTour-63.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr

DeTour-64.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr


We weren’t even technically in Utah yet and were already hypnotized by the landscape.


DeTour-65.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr

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IMG_3840 by mike digirat, on Flickr

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IMG_3842 by mike digirat, on Flickr

DeTour-66.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr

IMG_3843 by mike digirat, on Flickr

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IMG_3846 by mike digirat, on Flickr


I mean its hard not too. Other than when we were driving and having fun in the dusty rocky washes.


DeTour-67.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr

IMG_3849 by mike digirat, on Flickr

DeTour-68.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr

DeTour-69.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr

DeTour-70.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr

The DeTour.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr

The DeTour-2.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr

The DeTour-3.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr

The DeTour-4.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr

The DeTour-5.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr


We were having a grand ole time. If only the sun would come out, I mean that’s why we drove all the way down here was to get away from crap weather!


2017-09-27 - 00022 - The De-Tour - Day 11 by Dan, on Flickr

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IMG_3852 by mike digirat, on Flickr


Fall colors haven’t fully hit down here yet though.


IMG_3854 by mike digirat, on Flickr

IMG_3860 by mike digirat, on Flickr


We kept on still happy it wasn’t snowing and warm out.


The DeTour-6.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr

The DeTour-7.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr

The DeTour-8.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr

The DeTour-9.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr

The DeTour-10.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr

The DeTour-11.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr

The DeTour-12.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr

The DeTour-13.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr


Pushing onward, I still had hopes of getting far today. Felt a little bad for Dan as the first time I’d run this I went much slower, but the light was flat so the photo opportunities weren’t as abundant. The La Sal mountains were showing the faces now, one of our destinations.


IMG_3861 by mike digirat, on Flickr

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IMG_3862 by mike digirat, on Flickr

IMG_3864 by mike digirat, on Flickr

IMG_3866 by mike digirat, on Flickr


I still think the Bikers get some of the best lines on this trail. But I didn’t envy them too much with the heat they had to endure.


The DeTour-14.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr

IMG_3867 by mike digirat, on Flickr

2017-09-27 - 00029 - The De-Tour - Day 11 by Dan, on Flickr


And then we got to a spot i had remembered being a bit tight but still easily passible. It did NOT look like that anymore, looked really tight from the driver seat.


“Craps guys we might have a problem” I radioed and got out to check.


The DeTour-15.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr


I laughed at myself.


Dan soon was there and also was like, Wtf dude, this looks fine?


“I swear to you it looks narrower when you’re in the truck!” I laughed.


Without much of a thought I jumped back in the truck and just drove on.


2017-09-27 - 00030 - The De-Tour - Day 11 by Dan, on Flickr

IMG_3869 by mike digirat, on Flickr

IMG_3871 by mike digirat, on Flickr

The DeTour-16.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr


Mike kind of captured how it looks from the seat.


IMG_3873 by mike digirat, on Flickr


Dan was next again no issues. Still funny we even bothered about it ha


The DeTour-17.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr

IMG_3874 by mike digirat, on Flickr

IMG_3875 by mike digirat, on Flickr


“That does look much tighter in the cab” said Dan as we watched Mike go through.


2017-09-27 - 00032 - The De-Tour - Day 11 by Dan, on Flickr

The DeTour-18.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr


Would have been fun in Frankenstein, super tight then!

 

The more or less fake excitement over with, we continued on to one of my favorite spots on the trail. Still a bit envious of the bike path..


2017-09-27 - 00033 - The De-Tour - Day 11 by Dan, on Flickr

IMG_3879 by mike digirat, on Flickr

The DeTour-19.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr

2017-09-27 - 00035 - The De-Tour - Day 11 by Dan, on Flickr

IMG_3880 by mike digirat, on Flickr

The DeTour-22.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr

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The DeTour-20.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr

IMG_3881 by mike digirat, on Flickr

IMG_3882 by mike digirat, on Flickr



I don’t know what it is. But this spot is just so damn Utah.


2017-09-27 - 00037 - The De-Tour - Day 11 by Dan, on Flickr

The DeTour-23.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr

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IMG_3883 by mike digirat, on Flickr

The DeTour-24.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr

IMG_3884 by mike digirat, on Flickr

The DeTour-25.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr

IMG_3888 by mike digirat, on Flickr

IMG_3890 by mike digirat, on Flickr



Life was pretty damn good right now for us. No mud. No rain. No snow. And days of unknow dirt ahead. Well, sort of. We still had to get going and get to camp. Then figure out what the hell we were going to do the next few days.


Still. Our group was pretty stoked.

IMG_3892 by mike digirat, on Flickr

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The DeTour-27.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr

The DeTour-28.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr

The DeTour-29.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr

IMG_3893 by mike digirat, on Flickr

IMG_3894 by mike digirat, on Flickr


I mean how could you not be with those views and this road to drive.


The DeTour-21.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr

The DeTour-26.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr

IMG_3886 by mike digirat, on Flickr


Would have been nice if the sun was out more I suppose. But we weren’t really complaining and hit the road again.


The DeTour-30.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr

The DeTour-31.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr

The DeTour-32.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr

The DeTour-33.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr

The DeTour-34.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr


We pause at the track and a group of motorbikes passed us. The next section I remember as fast, flat and fun.


The DeTour-35.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr

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The DeTour-36.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr

The DeTour-37.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr

The DeTour-38.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr


I stopped and told the guys to blow by me a full speed and setup a long ways down the open road.


The photos don’t do it justice at all, wasn’t what I was going for but man oh man having a taco dust you from 5’ away at 60+mph was awesome!


The DeTour-39.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr

The DeTour-40.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr

The DeTour-41.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr

The DeTour-42.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr

The DeTour-43.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr

The DeTour-44.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr


I caught back up with the guys and we all laughed. If you’re reading this you probably already understand that we are just a bunch of 6 year olds. Gotta enjoy the little things!


IMG_3897 by mike digirat, on Flickr

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Our high speed run done for the day we headed off to the next spot for fun, the Cisco wash. The weather around us constantly changing but still not bad where we were.


IMG_3906 by mike digirat, on Flickr

IMG_3907 by mike digirat, on Flickr


We got to the wash and saw the track from the bikers. It was of little surprise to see that water had run though there recently. Worried about the bottom’s conditions Dan and I checked it out. It is a pretty steep side after all..


2017-09-27 - 00042 - The De-Tour - Day 11 by Dan, on Flickr

The DeTour-48.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr

The DeTour-45.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr

IMG_3908 by mike digirat, on Flickr


The mude was sticky but not sloppy. However, I was in front and with no lockers and no winch, we all agreed that Mike should be the first one to go. He had Mud terrain tires, dual lockers, and a winch. So we shuffled the order to let Mike go first.


The DeTour-46.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr

The DeTour-47.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr

The DeTour-49.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr

2017-09-27 - 00043 - The De-Tour - Day 11 by Dan, on Flickr


With Igor out of the way and Dan, Mike dove in.


The DeTour-50.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr

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The DeTour-51.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr

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The DeTour-52.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr

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The DeTour-53.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr

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And made it up with a bit of skinny pedal.


I opted to go next. No sure why but did.


IMG_3909 by mike digirat, on Flickr

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IMG_3911 by mike digirat, on Flickr

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Alas, the soft sandy dirt was too muddy and soft. THe lack of a locker and in my opinion traction from the tires wouldn’t let me get up.


The DeTour-54.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr

The DeTour-55.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr

2017-09-27 - 00052 - The De-Tour - Day 11 by Dan, on Flickr



Not wanting to tear it up more, we opted to just winch and got Mike turned around and soon had Igor tuged up the steep climb.


2017-09-27 - 00053 - The De-Tour - Day 11 by Dan, on Flickr


Next was Dan’s turn. He had all terrains too but at least had a locker. Determined he dove into the wash.


IMG_3914 by mike digirat, on Flickr

The DeTour-56.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr

IMG_3918 by mike digirat, on Flickr

The DeTour-57.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr

IMG_3920 by mike digirat, on Flickr

The DeTour-58.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr

IMG_3923 by mike digirat, on Flickr

The DeTour.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr


So close yet so far!


Again not wanting to tear things up much and the winch right there. We hooked up Dan’s truck and a quick pull later he was up.


The DeTour-2.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr

The DeTour-3.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr

The DeTour-4.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr

IMG_3924 by mike digirat, on Flickr


This would become the debate of several campfires on why one truck made it and the others didn’t. The tires? Was it just because the first man through had better conditions? A locker didn’t seem to help? Either way. Mike was the proud guy of the moment and the rescuer of the day. Dan and I weren’t about to argue that point.


In my mind now, we were pretty close to the campsite I wanted to get too. But in reality, it was much further that anticipated...go figure


The light was fading fast now and we hit the dirt hard in hopes to beat the sunset.


The DeTour-5.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr

2017-09-27 - 00056 - The De-Tour - Day 11 by Dan, on Flickr

The DeTour-6.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr

The DeTour-7.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr

The DeTour-8.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr

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The DeTour-9.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr

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The DeTour-10.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr


We were in a rush now. But didn’t mean we weren’t having fun in the rocks. Plus the sunseting light was fabulous


2017-09-27 - 00060 - The De-Tour - Day 11 by Dan, on Flickr

The DeTour-11.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr

The DeTour-12.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr

The DeTour-13.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr

The DeTour-14.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr

The DeTour-15.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr

The DeTour-16.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr

The DeTour-17.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr

The DeTour-18.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr

The DeTour-19.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr

The DeTour-20.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr


By now it was into dusk. Mike would have to endure for the seemingly countless time yet another arrival in the dark.


The DeTour-21.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr

The DeTour-22.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr


Dan decided to leave his mark though before we got there haha


The DeTour-23.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr

The DeTour-24.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr


It had started to rain too unforunatly. Lightly for the moment but still brought back unpleasant thoughts and made it much colder. We were missing the sunny heat again.


The DeTour-25.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr


With that, we arrived at our site in the dark. Spread out and made camp quickly.


The DeTour-26.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr


It had been another very good day though all in all. With almost half of the Kokopelli done in a day, we were now within spitting distance of Moab. Castle valley was just over the ridge. We spent the evening debating traction, tires, and where we would go once we got to moab. And how crazy it was how we had gone from a very planned trip to now suddenly a whole state south of where we thought we'd be. We were in Utah! HA!


And even though Mike and I had just been here in felt like. It was so different. The weather, the trail, the energy, the dynamic. It wasn’t our first time doing repeat trails, as im sure some have notice from previous reports, but still. It is always an adventure and never ever the same.


Thank goodness.

To be Continued:

Chapter 11: Moab Mod Day

Enjoying the De-Tour story? There's more - @turbodb also wrote up a version. Check out his version of this chapter here: https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads...db-september-2017.562116/page-3#post-18753655

Read the full story:
As told by @turbodb: [Chapter 1] [Chapter 2] [Chapter 3] [Chapter 4] [Chapter 5] [Chapter 6] [Chapter 7] [Chapter 8] [Chapter 9] [Chapter 10] [Chapter 11] [Chapter 12] [Chapter 13]

As told by @Blackdawg: [Chapter 1] [Chapter 2] [Chapter 3] [Chapter 4] [Chapter 5] [Chapter 6] [Chapter 7] [Chapter 8] [Chapter 9] [Chapter 10] [Chapter 11] [Chapter 12] [Chapter 13]​

 

Love it - so many details I didn't remember in my write-up. And it was definitely a bit tighter looking around that rock from the cab!

Great chapter!

 

I find this hilarious because I literally basically just said the same thing in your thread

Its great to get 2 takes on the same thing. It is awesome.

 

So many good memories brought back by your write up!

And the pics are outstanding as always!

 

Thanks Jason!

It was a great time for sure. You could be at the next one..

 

This is a great read, thanks for sharing!

 

Excellent Report in this chapter.
So Much Off-Road fun!
I'm Glad you posted Dan's scratch marks as well.
WTG Dan!

 

Thank for reading guys!