Benson Cabin
We started the day on Shrine Pass, accidentally driving by the Benson Cabin trail the first time. Then we did Lime Creek and headed back to find Benson Cabin. Heading up the trail, we came to a hill with rocks on it. Dave sent his mountaineering wife ahead with the camera and he ascended the rocky steps. He focused on finding rocks that would combine with his Jeep into a good picture. Content with his posing, he drove further up the trail to make room for Patrick.
Patrick used a combination of tires and his skid plate to find the right pose for the pictures. He continued up the trail after his photo shoot. Bryan chose the path of least resistance, easily gliding between the larger rocks. Bill came next. He followed Bryan's line, but he wasn't paying much attention until a rock bumped him sideways. A quick spot from Dave was all that was required, and then Bill went right up the hill.
After passing a few ATVs we reached the end of the trail. We all got out to find the short hike to the view of the Mount of the Holy Cross. Everyone piled out and scrambled across, around and under a large number of downed trees. Not knowing the correct direction to the view, we hiked up a short distance and then decided that was not the correct path. We then headed down the hill a slightly longer distance and decided the only view we were going to get was through the trees. We changed course and finally found the big view.
Pictures taken, we headed back to the Jeeps. Dave was congratulating Bill on driving his 99th unique trail with the group, when he joked that we should head back down Shrine Pass yet again to finish the last mile or so for Bill so he could collect his 100th trail. It was a huge milestone to be sure, as only a few others before him had passed that mark. Bill then suggested a Mexican restaurant in the town of Minturn. The thought of a Margarita proved too much for anyone to resist.
Loaded up and ready to go, we all turned around and headed back down the Benson Cabin trail. Reaching the end, we turned left to finish the last mile of Shrine Pass and headed off to Minturn.
Report from a Different Day
