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July TX --> Colorado trip (lots of pictures)

BDinTX

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I'd been kicking around the idea of upfitting my RAM 2500 for light offroad / camping duties and ended up getting a JLUR with 2.0L eTorque instead. Within 3 weeks of purchase we went for a road trip to Colorado and made it back a few days ago.

Tue 7/28
Left the Dallas area enroute to a BnB in Taos NM with lots of wide open spaces in between. Averaged about 19.5 MPG heading NW.
Jeep Wrangler JL July TX --> Colorado trip (lots of pictures) 1597087602756


Jeep Wrangler JL July TX --> Colorado trip (lots of pictures) 1597087681628


The BnB was really cute and they had llamas...
Jeep Wrangler JL July TX --> Colorado trip (lots of pictures) 1597087768416


Jeep Wrangler JL July TX --> Colorado trip (lots of pictures) 1597087734937


Jeep Wrangler JL July TX --> Colorado trip (lots of pictures) 1597087893062


Wed 7/29
We found some side roads to explore while working our way into Colorado.
Jeep Wrangler JL July TX --> Colorado trip (lots of pictures) 1597088017067


Jeep Wrangler JL July TX --> Colorado trip (lots of pictures) 1597088078599


Jeep Wrangler JL July TX --> Colorado trip (lots of pictures) 1597088114566


Jeep Wrangler JL July TX --> Colorado trip (lots of pictures) 1597088179609


I Christen thee: "Nipple Mtn!"
Jeep Wrangler JL July TX --> Colorado trip (lots of pictures) 1597088265735


Jeep Wrangler JL July TX --> Colorado trip (lots of pictures) 1597088310435

Finally got to Black Mtn Lake and set up camp for two days.
Jeep Wrangler JL July TX --> Colorado trip (lots of pictures) 1597088694897


Thur 7/30
Woke up to some noise across the lake. Was afraid it was a bear but thankfully it wasn't
Jeep Wrangler JL July TX --> Colorado trip (lots of pictures) 1597088919012


Fri 7/31
Packed up and headed up trail 518 - Carson thinking 1) that it would be easy and 2) that we'd be able to make it across Engineer Pass to the campsites on the Poughkeepsie Gulch trail.
Jeep Wrangler JL July TX --> Colorado trip (lots of pictures) 1597093108490


Jeep Wrangler JL July TX --> Colorado trip (lots of pictures) 1597089396325


We had a bit of a scare with the Jeep though (high altitude, high angle climb engine dies and the voltage starts to plummet) so we aborted to Lake City which, by the way, is a really cute little town. While there I scoured the interwebz and found (on this forum of course) that the electrical issue wasn't unique to us. The resolution is to restart the engine a second time after the initial restart. The computer tells the charging system to stop screwing around quit discharging the batteries the second time.
Jeep Wrangler JL July TX --> Colorado trip (lots of pictures) 1597089568035


Sat 8/1
Since we knew what the resolution was we decided to proceed across Engineer Pass. The problem occurred 3 more times during the trip.
Jeep Wrangler JL July TX --> Colorado trip (lots of pictures) 1597089693538


Jeep Wrangler JL July TX --> Colorado trip (lots of pictures) 1597089736765


Jeep Wrangler JL July TX --> Colorado trip (lots of pictures) 1597089774100


Jeep Wrangler JL July TX --> Colorado trip (lots of pictures) 1597089819256


Jeep Wrangler JL July TX --> Colorado trip (lots of pictures) 1597089874330


Jeep Wrangler JL July TX --> Colorado trip (lots of pictures) 1597089893408


Jeep Wrangler JL July TX --> Colorado trip (lots of pictures) 1597089984250


This house is for sale btw
Jeep Wrangler JL July TX --> Colorado trip (lots of pictures) 1597090021287


Jeep Wrangler JL July TX --> Colorado trip (lots of pictures) 1597090128706


Jeep Wrangler JL July TX --> Colorado trip (lots of pictures) 1597090071199


and found an awesome camp site
Jeep Wrangler JL July TX --> Colorado trip (lots of pictures) 1597090413698


Sun 8/2
Attempted Poughkeepsie gulch and got a harsh reminder about being overconfident. We were following a couple of stock jeeps and in my head was thinking well, if they can do it I can do it too. So I was going faster than I would have had we been on the trail alone...
Jeep Wrangler JL July TX --> Colorado trip (lots of pictures) 1597090703373


...and cut a sidewall. Doing a trailside tire swap but thankfully no other damage.
Jeep Wrangler JL July TX --> Colorado trip (lots of pictures) 1597090848776


Jeep Wrangler JL July TX --> Colorado trip (lots of pictures) 1597090892339


Spent the rest of the day reflecting on my mistake, drinking local craft beer, and trying to enjoy the camping.

Mon 8/3
Called all the tire shops in the area and the closest place I could find that had a replacement was about 2.5hrs away in Rapid City. While calling around I found out that trail rated jeeps (which includes all Wranglers) have 2 years coverage by Jeep Waves and the tire was going to be covered! Wow, nice! Got back to camp and spent the rest of the day doing camping things.
Jeep Wrangler JL July TX --> Colorado trip (lots of pictures) 1597091135432


Tue 8/4
Did Ophir pass (sort of blah and super rocky on the Telluride side)
Jeep Wrangler JL July TX --> Colorado trip (lots of pictures) 1597091410609


and Imogene pass (more bueno!)
Jeep Wrangler JL July TX --> Colorado trip (lots of pictures) 1597091481073


Jeep Wrangler JL July TX --> Colorado trip (lots of pictures) 1597091506404


Jeep Wrangler JL July TX --> Colorado trip (lots of pictures) 1597091549128


Explored the ghost town of Tomboy
Jeep Wrangler JL July TX --> Colorado trip (lots of pictures) 1597091615742


Jeep Wrangler JL July TX --> Colorado trip (lots of pictures) 1597091650794


Jeep Wrangler JL July TX --> Colorado trip (lots of pictures) 1597091678600


I'm not gonna lie, I was scared to drive all the way out on the rock...
Jeep Wrangler JL July TX --> Colorado trip (lots of pictures) 1597091733215


Coming down into Ouray we came across a young lady on the trail with a 3 month old baby. She and her husband had been trying to get up to a cabin and he decided the road was too rough. When trying to back down the hill he got hung up on a log and stuck so we got around and winched him off the log.
Jeep Wrangler JL July TX --> Colorado trip (lots of pictures) 1597093510828

Afterwards we left the way they had come in. I kept thinking I don't know how they had made it as far as they had. The road had several shelves and large rocky obstacles.
Jeep Wrangler JL July TX --> Colorado trip (lots of pictures) 1597087681628


Wed 8/5
Packed up and headed out a day earlier than planned. Even though we were camped next to a stream the cold sponge baths just wasn't cutting it and we wanted a hot shower. We had Thursday reservations at Black Mesa BnB in the panhandle of OK. Figured if they could move us up a day great, if not we'd find a hotel somewhere along the way. The vacation Gods smiled upon us, and they had a cancellation so we could slide up into the newly opened spot.
Jeep Wrangler JL July TX --> Colorado trip (lots of pictures) 1597092021789


Coming into the Black Mesa Bnb from the North put us on gravel roads for about 45 minutes. We passed the time by joking that the proprietors were probably cannibals...
Jeep Wrangler JL July TX --> Colorado trip (lots of pictures) 1597092155110


Thankfully this was NOT it...
Jeep Wrangler JL July TX --> Colorado trip (lots of pictures) 1597092221420


Vicky and Monty were great hosts and breakfast was exceptional. Highly recommend them if you're passing through the Oklahoma pan handle. http://www.bmbb1.com/
Had to get these the next morning.
Jeep Wrangler JL July TX --> Colorado trip (lots of pictures) 1597092569507


Jeep Wrangler JL July TX --> Colorado trip (lots of pictures) 1597092289383


Jeep Wrangler JL July TX --> Colorado trip (lots of pictures) 1597092380198


Thur 8/6
HOME! A little dirtier but what a memorable trip!
Jeep Wrangler JL July TX --> Colorado trip (lots of pictures) 1597092460608

While in the mountains our MPG came down to about 15 which still seems really good considering all the time spent in 4L. Coming out of the mountains we got up to 21.5 and then it settled to around 19 MPG as we got closer to TX. When I was driving I'd go about 2 MPH less than the limit, my wife likes to drive about 2 MPH over...

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Myron

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Looks like an awesome trip! Could you explain a little more about your persistent electrical (starting) failure? I'm not sure I understand what your Jeep was doing.

Also, I'm wondering what bumper and winch you have? Great looking Jeep!

Thanks,

Myron
 
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BDinTX

BDinTX

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Man we probably j waved at each other!
 
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BDinTX

BDinTX

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Looks like an awesome trip! Could you explain a little more about your persistent electrical (starting) failure? I'm not sure I understand what your Jeep was doing.

Also, I'm wondering what bumper and winch you have? Great looking Jeep!

Thanks,

Myron
Not sure I’m doing this right... this is the thread talking about the charging issue:

https://www.jlwranglerforums.com/fo...k-battery-wasn’t-charging.34494/#post-1207851

got the ARB Bondi deluxe bumper and the Warn Zeon 10k winch

https://arbusa.com/jeep-wrangler-jl...EvuzWfInItmJQKU1IDqxpadYabbJYEshoC07kQAvD_BwE

I like them but it is a little challenging for a new-to-winches type (me) to get the rope to go on right since you can hardly see the spool. =/
 

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Sounds like an amazing trip, and some great photos!

thanks for sharing
 

Myron

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Not sure I’m doing this right... this is the thread talking about the charging issue:

https://www.jlwranglerforums.com/fo...k-battery-wasn’t-charging.34494/#post-1207851

got the ARB Bondi deluxe bumper and the Warn Zeon 10k winch

https://arbusa.com/jeep-wrangler-jl...EvuzWfInItmJQKU1IDqxpadYabbJYEshoC07kQAvD_BwE

I like them but it is a little challenging for a new-to-winches type (me) to get the rope to go on right since you can hardly see the spool. =/
Thanks Brad! Regarding your charging issue, were you turning the ESS system off while off-roading?

Love your bumper and winch setup. I'm getting ready to choose my own and it's always good to hear from others.

Myron
 
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BDinTX

BDinTX

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Thanks Brad! Regarding your charging issue, were you turning the ESS system off while off-roading?

Love your bumper and winch setup. I'm getting ready to choose my own and it's always good to hear from others.

Myron
Hey Myron, you know I’m not certain but ESS was probably enabled. Climbing a hill would be a horrible time for the computer to decide to shut off the engine though. At a stop light it tends to restart the engine as soon as you take your foot off the brake.
 

Dkretden

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This sounds like a terrific trip! Congrats! Now, go find a new spare tire!
 
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BDinTX

BDinTX

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This sounds like a terrific trip! Congrats! Now, go find a new spare tire!
Lol we went and got one the next day. I was nervous as a cat in a room full of rocking chairs until we hit pavement though. Was very pleasantly surprised to find out that Jeep waves covered the new tire so it only cost us a tank of gas and some sight seeing.
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