Kingston Peak / Yankee Hill Sunday 9/17

[Java]

This coming Sunday we're (finally) going to run Kingston Peak and hike to the James Peak Lakes, about 1 mile each way. The hiking trailhead is about 1/4 of the way into the trail at the incredible overlook after the mild shelf section, you can see it in the videos below. An old lady does it in the video, aside from the initial hill it's semi-flat. After Kingston Peak Yankee Hill is right there and makes a great loop back. Stock vehicles can do these trails. We should get to the cemetery area around 10:00, anyone interested?

Good video but it ends at the Rock House



the whole trail



the hike

[Getaklu]

Definite possibility, I will keep an eye on the post.

[Java]

it's posted, meet here https://www.google.com/maps/place/Wi...4d-105.5348839 @ 10:00 Sunday

[Brad]

Last I did Kingston peak it was not really stock friendly on the flat section up top. We saw large ruts in the trail. My lifted 98 Disco flexed out pretty hard.

[Java]

Lots of stock rigs do these trails. That section is rutted, but I didnt think it was any big deal. A group did a bunch of work on that section last year too, maybe it's just changed. The hardest part, IMO, is the hill after the James Peak Lakes hike, and it's not hard. In this video one of the FJ Cruisers is stock and picks a bad line on the hill, backs up a bit and is GTG. In the second one the 5th Gen 4runner looks stock to me (bunch of Rovers pass him after 5:00, maybe you?)

solo stock run of Kingston http://www.frontrange4x4.com/forums/...k-solo-run-9-2

[open_circuit]

Looks like fun. I had a little trouble with clearance this weekend at Argentine pass. This rail is rated the same, so I assume I'll generally be OK here also?

Since my Jeep is new (to me) and I am dumb, I did not realize the previous owner had installed sway bar quick disconnects, which I found yesterday. I'll use these next time!

[Java]

Its all about the line on trails like this. I don't want to post a ton of videos, but there are Subarus, Jeep Liberty, Jeep Cherokee Trailhawk, all sorts of vehicles that have videos going over Kingston. Here's a video from 2015 (when you could still park at the cemeteries!) of us going over Yankee with a Cherokee Trailhawk along. It took a while, but he made it without damage.

[FINOCJ]

Ran this about a month ago with a couple of forum members - we ran it from south to north. One of the rigs was an F150 with 31s - and it did fine even with its length and lots of overhang. I would say a stock jeep or solid SUV will be fine with some care in a few spots. It will definitely flex the suspension though...I think my old stiff cj springs even flexed a bit in spots! The rutted section above the stone house to the top is not as bad as it was a couple years ago (I think I ran it with Brad then as well and had some issues with keeping all four in traction and wheel spin - but its better now). The worst spot for clearance is just above the switchback at the lake hike trailhead. Heading down, it was a bit of a step down and only the f150 had a bit of a clearance issue hitting a low hanging door step. I think that could have even been avoided with a bit of spotting - but Phillip has the 'go for it' mentality! Going up (which I think is Paul's plan) should be easier on clearance, just be aware of front approach angles - good placement of tires should avoid any issues. Open Circuit - the step up isn't any more difficult than the step going up Argentine- its possible you might brush the cross-member skid if the line is a bit off but take it slow and get a spot if needed. Great trail - if I chicken out of Red Cone on sat I might run Kingston again with you guys as its such a great trail - especially when you combine it with parts of Yankee to make a loop.

[Bob]

What clearance problem did you have?

[FINOCJ]

Bob previously posted:

[Java]

There's a caveat to that, the TJ / LJ shovel (nickname for the crossmember).

[open_circuit]

I also scraped a few rocks in that boulder section at the start down the creek trail. I don't seem to have suffered any damage from the rock garden, but I was a bit nervous after scraping the ledge on argentine pass earlier in the day. I found it challenging to pick a line in the large boulder field -- probably lack of experience. I followed Bob down, and was impressed with the clearance his GC afforded him in that section.

[Jim]

1) The learning begins
2) The jeep drove out
3) No visible damage found

a good day

[Bob]

open_circuit previously posted:

[FINOCJ]

open_circuit previously posted:

[Bob]

Very good explanation and advice, James! Thanks for the complement on my driving but I hardly stack up with you more experienced folks.

One caution about following my GC: Because it has independent suspension, I may choose to put an obstacle under the center of the GC because that's a high clearance area for it and it has Mopar skid plates. Since it doesn't have rock rails yet I'm reluctant to put some obstacles under the tires - I'd rather take a scrape underneath than crunch the rocker panel, especially on a unibody frame.

[open_circuit]

Bob previously posted:

[FINOCJ]

Thanks for the clarification Bob - I forget about these fancy new vehicles that don't have solid axles (at least in the rear). I wheeled and DD'd a 2000 GC before I got my tacoma and really liked it - but it still had solid axles under it in those days. As Trent mentioned - he already recognized the difference - have to find someone with solid axles to follow and put the sliders to use!

You don't want to follow me as I don't have sliders but have a very very short wheelbase, both my diffs are offset to the right (which gives a nice tunnel for stuff to pass under) and and my wheel track is so narrow I take some unusual lines compared to others - I only need the right half the trail to wheel on. Its nice as when i come down its like a different run on the other side!

[Tom]

FINOCJ previously posted:

[Java]

Looking forward to this! I've been reading about the hike and I think that part is going to be a game-time decision. This write up http://www.thedenverchannel.com/weat...ames-peak-area talks about how it was 98 is Denver and 60 with wind at the trailhead; we're just out to have fun, if it's not the right day we'll get it next time. They also make a big deal about the 500' drop, to which I say Welcome to Colorado.