Twin Cone
The day went as well for us as the weather did. Twin Cone usually gives us all four seasons, but today was different. The weather and wheeling were perfect all day.
Four Jeep Rubicons and a Land Rover made the trek up Kenosha Pass. At the trailhead, we aired down and disconnected. After a bit of conversation and catching up for some, we were off.
At the first set of rocks, Dave tried to make it difficult. No luck -- Dave breezed right through. The same went for Walt and Bill, and they both walked right through.
Andy in the Land Rover did have a bit of difficulty. He has open differentials in the front and rear, and he took a couple of attempts to finally wiggle his way through.
Bob got to watch the rest of us go through, and he walked right up. The obstacle wasn't as tough as we thought it was going to be.
Next up, we definitely had an obstacle. A group of rocks on the left side of the trail make you do a little work. Dave started right at the middle of it. His rear tires spun into a gap, causing him to get hung up on his belly pan. Backing up, he changed his line and angled a little more to the left. That proved to be effective because he climbed up and over.
Walt was up next, and he too tried the middle. Like Dave, he had to back up and try the far left. With a little work he climbed right on through.
Next up was Bill. He was originally going to go to the right side, which is the bypass. With very little coaxing, he ended up trying the left side instead. He was apparently paying attention, because he walked it.
Andy came up next. We all thought he would take the bypass, but we were wrong. He climbed up the right side. Well almost -- he came within inches of making it. One rock wouldn't let him up. He backed up and then drove around the right side.
Bob was up next. He again walked through like he drives this trail daily. Riding in the back, he watches everyone else and sees which lines work and which don't. This seems to be the reoccurring theme of the day.
The next set of rocks are just a prequel to the second obstacle. While the rocks looked interesting, we all breezed on through. The second obstacle was something completely different.
Dave came at it and found that his right front tire kept sliding off a rock and he would lose his line. He backed up, then found his line again, and with a little more skinny pedal he got over.
Walt came second and a little wiser after watching Dave. He saw the better line and came right at it, but with just not enough gas pedal. Backing up to get more room gave him the opportunity to get enough momentum to get over the boulders.
Next up was Bill, and he too was a little wiser for watching the ones before him. A steady pedal and good choice in lines got him through without delay.
The Land Rover came next with Andy driving. He decided the rocks were too big and took the bypass that was still pretty tough. A couple of attempts and some spotting from Bill got him through.
Again, Bob was last but not least. He came right at the obstacle with tons of confidence. We were hardly able to get any pictures of him, he was so quick through the obstacle.
The last obstacle for the day was the big hill. It is a rocky slope that is 200 yards long with a 17 percent grade, and small rocks and boulders make for a long obstacle.
First up was Dave. He took a deep breath, hit the switch for the rear locker and hit the gas. He was determined to make it to the top of the hill without backing up or slowing down for that matter. He made it to the top as planned without a hiccup.
Dave dropped his wife off at the top of the hill to take pictures while he drove up further to park and come back down to get some video footage. Walt waited for Dave, and then performed without fail.
Bill came next and made short work of the hill. Andy decided that unlike last week when he was on this trail, that this time he would try the hill. Bob told him "there is no try only do," and these were his encouraging words over the CB. Except for a mid-size boulder, Andy almost made it. Unfortunately, he became pointed at an angle to the hill that was dangerous. Bill came back down the hill to provide a winch point for Andy. A little tug from the winch, and Andy was pointed up and finished the hill. A short distance up the trail behind some trees, we stopped for lunch.
The trees gave us great protection from the pounding winds at this altitude. The views and company made for a great, short lunch break. Seeing the top of the North Twin Cone summit from our lunch spot only made the end more desirable. Off we went, and a short time later we were standing at 12,348 feet up admiring the 360-degree views. "Spectacular" is the only word that can come close to describing the views.
After a short time at the cold windy top, everyone climbed back in their vehicles and headed down to warmer weather. A short time later we were at the trailhead airing back up while recounting the tales of the day. The weather certainly was great today.
Reports from Other Days: 6
Use the arrows or dots to flip through the previews of the other reports for Twin Cone. Click one of them to read more and see all of the photos from that day.
