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View Full Version : Moon Gulch, Rollinsville and Mammoth Gulch



SubaCool
September 3rd, 2009, 12:22 AM
Loch Lomond was not enough for me on Friday and Smash was talking about going out on Monday. And since Lisa was supposed to be working on Monday afternoon, I was able to talk her into letting me take the Outback and go have fun with Smash (I know, what the hell was she thinking? :eek:). Well, her schedule changed and I was no longer able to spend the whole afternoon with Smash. I've decided to head up into the hills early, run around a bit, and meet up with Smash for about an hour. Well, needless to say, it didn't go as "planned".

Check out the full slideshow at: http://good-times.webshots.com/slideshow/574458536theWtC

I drove up to Idaho Springs and took the scenic route to Central City via Oh My God Road (made it up in about 10 minutes).
http://inlinethumb28.webshots.com/42587/2532227250101960247S425x425Q85.jpg

I got to the cemetery up above CC at about noon and continued on to Apex. From there I wanted to head up the Gamble Gulch road, but ended up straying off the gravel road soon after leaving Apex. There was a nice looking trail leading up into the trees and I've decided to follow it.
http://inlinethumb41.webshots.com/26280/2104039120101960247S425x425Q85.jpg

According to the Wells book, it was supposed to take me to Moon Gulch. At one point, it split up and I took another path that ended up being an illegal shortcut to the same trail (it didn't look illegal until it was too late - my bad). It went through some tight trees and steep up onto the trail.
http://inlinethumb46.webshots.com/45485/2279752260101960247S425x425Q85.jpg

I wasn't able to get up over the ledge of the road (didn't want to tear the exhaust off and didn't want to tear up the ground either), so I had to turn around (off camber, gotta love the low CG) and go back through the trees.
http://inlinethumb22.webshots.com/33813/2311232420101960247S425x425Q85.jpg

I came back to the trail and continued on, away from Apex. I've passed the illegal section soon after and then the trail spit me out at FS 413, so I've decided to follow that North-east. It went through some tight trees and shrubs, but it was marked. After about 1.5 miles I came to an intersection with FS 290. The 413 went right, steep uphill.
http://inlinethumb03.webshots.com/42946/2588832620101960247S425x425Q85.jpg

...

SubaCool
September 3rd, 2009, 12:23 AM
The 290 went left and looked like it was slowly descending. At that point, I had no idea where I was since I couldn't find myself on the map. I've decided to stay on 413, as the climb looked fairly challenging and inviting. I drove up to the top just to find myself between trees with a tree stump in between them.
http://inlinethumb58.webshots.com/43705/2022237270101960247S425x425Q85.jpg

I was able to safely maneuver through and kept on going. Not 20 yards after that I ran into some more trees. At that point, I was frustrated as hell cause I had no idea where I was, the car was already scratched up from all the branches, and it was nearing the time I was supposed to meet Smash back at the cemetery. So I've turned around and headed back, just to maneuver over the same stump again and down the hill, back to 290, which I then followed back down to Rollinsville. It turned out to be the Upper Moon Gulch road.
http://inlinethumb22.webshots.com/42837/2704776070101960247S425x425Q85.jpg

http://inlinethumb55.webshots.com/43318/2319418510101960247S425x425Q85.jpg

As soon as I've passed the Worrick Family picnic area, the road cleared up and I started picking up speed. Then I came across the stupid drainage ditch and bent the wheel. At that point, I've realized I wasn't gonna be able to meet Smash on time.
http://inlinethumb07.webshots.com/44678/2531148580101960247S425x425Q85.jpg

After getting to Rollinsville, I went to see the East Tunnel and then headed up over Mammoth Gulch back through Apex and to Central City. That took me about 45 minutes.
http://inlinethumb08.webshots.com/19271/2421059190101960247S425x425Q85.jpg

Eventful day it was, and I was dead tired after driving over 40 miles offroad in about 4 hrs. But it sure was worth it - had tons of fun and made me more confident with what the Subie can get me into to, over, through, and out of! :thunb:

SubaCool
September 3rd, 2009, 12:24 AM
Videos go here (soon)

WINKY
September 3rd, 2009, 12:26 AM
Some goes here

huh?


And here...


huh?:confused:

SubaCool
September 3rd, 2009, 12:49 AM
huh?




huh?:confused:
Fixed. Was working on them (only 6 pics/smilies per post), you beat me to it :thunb:

WINKY
September 3rd, 2009, 02:35 AM
yeah im kinda quick... probably why im single...:o

Chris
September 3rd, 2009, 07:46 AM
:lol:

Smash
September 3rd, 2009, 07:49 AM
Nice shots!

I like that first little road you went on, Karla and I explored it for a few hours one time. Gets a bit steep and rough for my taste eventually.

SubaCool
September 3rd, 2009, 08:43 AM
yeah im kinda quick... probably why im single...:o
LOL


I like that first little road you went on, Karla and I explored it for a few hours one time. Gets a bit steep and rough for my taste eventually.
Which one? This little thing? It switchbacks up towards FS 413, not as steep as some stuff I did later ;)
http://inlinethumb41.webshots.com/26280/2104039120101960247S425x425Q85.jpg

Smash
September 3rd, 2009, 08:59 AM
Yeah that one. I don't know the names of everything. We followed that for quite a while. However, I don't want to play the who has bigger balls game, I'm glad you had a good time!

SubaCool
September 3rd, 2009, 09:13 AM
I don't want to play the who has bigger balls game
I wasn't planning on it, sorry if you got the impression.


I wish I had not gotten lost. It looked like fun up at Kingston, although I think I would had wussed out on the mud puddle. Honestly, the stuff I did was a bit too much to my liking too. Now the whole freakin car looks like it's been keyed (stupid tree branches) :mad: It sure was pretty though. Who would had thought that this area is so rich in trails and scenery? Awesome stuff!

Ok, on to getting the videos off the camera, edited, and uploaded.

Funrover
September 3rd, 2009, 09:25 AM
Glad you had a good time man!

Hypoid
September 3rd, 2009, 06:50 PM
Glad you had a good time man!
X2! I like exploring. :)