A group of seven vehicles ended up for Bunce today. I had two guest vehicles. Trent had one guest vehicle. Shane had one vehicle at the trailhead ask if they could tag along - certainly! Eddie (sp?) in a silver vehicle.
The seven of us headed south on Bunce with a goal of the southern gate. From there, depending upon conditions, we'd look at Ironclads. I was in front to start and once we came to the Ironclads intersection there were no fresh tracks in the snow - first tracks since the last snowfall (last night). At least I could reasonably expect to not meet someone coming out. Snow on Bunce was perhaps about the same in Fort Collins - three inches??? All of us progressed to the southern gate in easy fashion.
Heading out from the gate, to Ironclads, we encountered two or three side-by-sides and one jeep. Everyone was at least a bit curious to see Ironclads so all of us headed to the first pull out / camp area to talk about it. Trent's guest decided to sit out while the the silver vehicle wished to see the ledge. We chose to drive clockwise, if we could. Five of us made it up the ledge - at the extreme easy end as there was no snow filling in the low side of it. The silver vehicle looked at it and chose to leave.
The five headed up. The ice chute area after the ledge was not icy and everyone made it up easily. It wasn't long before the 120 deg turn came to us - and it was another decision point. Trent and Mike turned back while I, guest, and Shane made it up. Once at the top (an easy trek) we started down the other side. It wasn't slippery and we didn't meet anyone coming up. Back to the beginning of Ironclads, who was left stopped for a quick chat before each heading out. I and one guest went out via the east trailhead.
With full sun and near zero for breeze, it was a nice day.
Highlight photos here with a full set at this link:
www.JimWilliamson.net/automobile/2020-12-13--trail--bunce-school-road--ironclads/
The silver vehicle that joined in...