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SubaCool
October 23rd, 2009, 08:51 PM
Yesterday was a nice day so we went up to see Estes Park and ended up taking the scenic route via Switzerland Trail (http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?hl=en&ie=UTF8&msa=0&msid=102245196024416091920.000476a01d7077db7d90b&t=h&z=10). We've gone up Fourmile Canyon to Sunset and from there took Switzerland tr towards Sugarloaf Mtn, and then to Hwy 72. Shortly after Sunset we came up on a FS 235 that shortens the trip, bypassing Sugarloaf Mtn. We went up it about a 1/4 mile but decided to turn around shortly after a steep snowy climb (red line on the map (http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?hl=en&ie=UTF8&t=h&msa=0&msid=102245196024416091920.000476a01d7077db7d90b&ll=40.031755,-105.465531&spn=0.007508,0.013797&z=16)). It started getting steeper, snowier and chewed up and we didn't want to risk it, being there by ourselves, so we came back to Switzerland tr and continued on. I was very impressed with the car and the AT tires though. The steep hill was wet, slippery and loose, covered in snow, but the climb was surprisingly easy. The tires and AWD were working in perfect harmony with no slippage. At the top there was a rut that made us a bit concerned as we had no choice but to go through it (the trail was very narrow - good thing for the car being so narrow). I have taken a short video of the rut, but none of the climb. Shortly after the rut we chose to turn around. With another vehicle for support, that shortcut would be an interesting challenge to complete.

The south part of Switzerland trail is mostly facing North, so there was some snow here and there. After getting on Hwy 72 we continued N towards Hwy 7. Shortly before the intersection there's a steep climb via FS 217 that gets you to Bunce School rd (and essentially back to Hwy 7). We turned onto FS 217 as some hunters were coming down it - needless to say we got some funny looks from them. After finishing Bunce School we got back on the hwy and continued on to Estes. The day was pretty uneventful, but very pretty. Once in Estes we've walked the Main st and got to see the burned out Park Theater Mall. What a sad sight that was. Most of the businesses in Estes had a sign in the window thanking the firefighters.
Pics:


Up Fourmile Canyon
http://inlinethumb21.webshots.com/42644/2255899020101960247S500x500Q85.jpg


Snow on one side, clear on the other
http://inlinethumb54.webshots.com/46325/2994383540101960247S500x500Q85.jpg


On the FS 235 spur
http://inlinethumb32.webshots.com/15711/2849154000101960247S500x500Q85.jpg


Switzerland Tr above Fourmile Canyon
http://inlinethumb13.webshots.com/46156/2060413790101960247S500x500Q85.jpg


Snowy trail
http://inlinethumb12.webshots.com/46283/2707813700101960247S500x500Q85.jpg
...

SubaCool
October 23rd, 2009, 08:53 PM
???
http://inlinethumb21.webshots.com/45780/2869150420101960247S500x500Q85.jpg

Hwy 72
http://inlinethumb20.webshots.com/42835/2433476900101960247S500x500Q85.jpg

Park Theatre Mall front
http://inlinethumb38.webshots.com/2661/2540667260101960247S500x500Q85.jpg

Main Street Pano
http://inlinethumb40.webshots.com/45735/2287080930101960247S500x500Q85.jpg

Side by the Theatre
http://inlinethumb35.webshots.com/2594/2548942950101960247S500x500Q85.jpg


Evening in Estes Park
http://inlinethumb32.webshots.com/45343/2700372960101960247S500x500Q85.jpg


Full slideshow here: http://good-times.webshots.com/slideshow/575218318GZbhKT

cfr
October 23rd, 2009, 09:44 PM
... up Fourmile Canyon to Sunset and from there took Switzerland tr towards Sugarloaf Mtn, and then to Hwy 72. Shortly after Sunset we came up on a FS 235 that shortens the trip, bypassing Sugarloaf Mtn. We went up it about a 1/4 mile but decided to turn around shortly after a steep snowy climb (red line on the map (http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?hl=en&ie=UTF8&t=h&msa=0&msid=102245196024416091920.000476a01d7077db7d90b&ll=40.031755,-105.465531&spn=0.007508,0.013797&z=16)). It started getting steeper, snowier and chewed up and we didn't want to risk it, being there by ourselves, so we came back to Switzerland tr and continued on.

That was Bear Gulch. Short fun trail. Did you get steep washed-out hill with the tree roots? I was intimidated by that in my Wrangler when it was dry. Got up it fine, but wouldn't want to be on that in the snow.

Rob
October 23rd, 2009, 09:48 PM
That was Bear Gulch. Short fun trail. Did you get steep washed-out hill with the tree roots? I was intimidated by that in my Wrangler when it was dry. Got up it fine, but wouldn't want to be on that in the snow.

Is that on the other side of 52, where Switzerland Trail hits 52 and a trail continues on the other side? (The map isn't showing up on my screen.) The washed-out hills sounds familiar. It that's the trail I'm thinking of, it's a fun one. Short, but fun.

Funrover
October 23rd, 2009, 09:51 PM
It was all over once I saw the Power Wagons..... I love those rigs!

cfr
October 23rd, 2009, 10:12 PM
Is that on the other side of 52, where Switzerland Trail hits 52 and a trail continues on the other side? (The map isn't showing up on my screen.) The washed-out hills sounds familiar. It that's the trail I'm thinking of, it's a fun one. Short, but fun.

If you're heading from Sunset Southeast towards Sugarloaf then Bear Gulch will be the first trail off to the right. It heads mostly South and then intersects the Switzerland Trail again (where the Switzerland Trail connects Sugarloaf to Hwy 72).

Right here on google maps,

http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&q=wallstreet,+co&sll=37.0625,-95.677068&sspn=31.426353,56.513672&ie=UTF8&hq=&hnear=Wallstreet,+Boulder,+Colorado&ll=40.029627,-105.468814&spn=0.003705,0.006899&t=h&z=17

This trail has a forest service road number but I don't have my maps handy.

---------- Post added at 10:12 PM ---------- Previous post was at 10:04 PM ----------

On the Switzerland Trail in general... I'm fascinated by local history and ran across these sites when searching for more info recently.

Basic overview,

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Switzerland_Trail

a bit on Mont Alto (scroll down to the old picture),

http://www.mont-alto.com/aboutma.html

and probably the most interesting,

http://switzerlandtrail.blogspot.com/

There's also a book,

http://www.amazon.com/Switzerland-Trail-America-Forest-Crossen/dp/0913730246/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1256357507&sr=8-1

but I haven't been able to find this in my local library.

Mporter
October 23rd, 2009, 10:38 PM
Haha on your pano..there's a half ghosted car

Rob
October 23rd, 2009, 10:39 PM
Thanks. I haven't been on that one yet.

SubaCool
October 23rd, 2009, 10:52 PM
I wish I had taken more pictures on FS 235. It starts off of Switz trail on a sharp bend. FS 235 goes right, and Switz goes left. There are two big puddles in that bend and a single tree in the middle, next to FS 235. It's about a mile and a half from Sunset. We've gone 0.3 mile up the FS 235 before we turned around.

http://inlinethumb32.webshots.com/44127/2094516200101960247S600x600Q85.jpg

The red path is the part we did before we turned around. The red box is the first steep hill that was narrow. It had some roots on it, but was fairly smooth. The yellow box is the second hill that had some bypasses on it and it looked challenging (roots, rocks, ruts, etc). We've turned around at that - didn't want to get too far in and not be able to turn around.



---------- Post added at 09:52 PM ---------- Previous post was at 09:50 PM ----------


Haha on your pano..there's a half ghosted car
Kinda hard to take multiple shots on a busy street :rolleyes: My pano software did the rest. Looks cool huh :cool:

SubaCool
October 24th, 2009, 12:30 AM
Got a couple of short videos:

Splashing through a puddle

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=okW-YH_SGTw

Navigating a snowy rut on FS 235

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f-WFbtTs1h0

KnuckleHead
October 24th, 2009, 02:05 AM
nice pics you have there.... I'm with you on turning around and being safe.... I would have done the same... really like the ghost car in that one pic

Mporter
October 24th, 2009, 06:38 AM
nice pics you have there.... I'm with you on turning around and being safe.... I would have done the same... really like the ghost car in that one pic

It's some real back to the future stuff up there....:(

In a Honda Accord :thunb:

1freaky1
October 24th, 2009, 08:48 AM
Im still amazed at what you do with that lil Subi. cool pics!

SubaCool
October 24th, 2009, 11:28 AM
Im still amazed at what you do with that lil Subi. cool pics!
LOL Thanks! I'm still amazed that I'm STILL married :D jk I have a great wife. She actually enjoys our little adventures :thunb: The car is quite capable, I just wish it was a bit taller and without the "overhangs". I will get a 4x4 sooner or later for the harder trails, but the Subie won't get retired from the easier stuff. It's just way too much fun!