Three JL Rublicon Unlimiteds went West from Michigan Pic and Video heavy...

[wibornz]

About a month or two ago, we started talking about gong west with our JLURs. Two of us bought teardrop type campers and one bought an air mattress that was designed to fit in the back of the JLU.

On Sept. 9th, we left the Lansing Michigan area.

Our first stop was on the other side of Chicago for breakfast and gave a chance to take our first pic on the trip. I know its in a parking lot, but this gives the chance to do a small introduction. All three JLURs are 2019 with the Rancho 2 in sport lift put on by us in my driveway. All three have beadlock wheels and 37x12.5 R17 Cooper STT PRO tires. The Stingray JLUR is Phil. He averaged 19+ mpg for the tirp. The white JLUR is mine. I averaged 14.1 for the trip. Note, I carried all the tools, and my camper is taller than the Jeep and is about 1800 pounds. The Punk'N JLUR is Bill. He averaged 16+ mpg and his camper in not taller than his Jeep and weighs 1300 pounds.

We made it into Nebraska the first night and found a great free camp site from the IOverland app. It was along a rived and pond. It was very clean and quiet. What a great find.

Two vids of the free camp site just so you know what can be had for free. Note this is the second time I have flow this drone.



With a nice sunset

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[wibornz]

Then next day we made it to Colorado in the afternoon and ran Webster's Pass and Red Cone. Both had parts that were touch and go and unnerved us a little being from the flat land of Michigan. But we made it off the mountains alive and in the dark.

This was super tight right here. The picture does not do it justice out the mirror, but our tires scrubed on the rock face on the passeger side and our driver side tires were knocking rocks off the cliff.

The trip up to Red Cone Pass was very rocky. and a bunch of fun

We did the top part of Red Cone in the dark. I would not recommend this.

But we made it out and camped at Walmart. Zero fucks given when we parked at night. The pic is from the morning. Nobody bothered us all night.

 

[wibornz]

On the 11th, we did Holly Cross or at least part of it. We did not have alot of time as I had to drive back to pick up my wife and a friend from the Denver International Airport that night.

On the way out to Holy Cross.

A little drone flight over the bridge and past a beaver dam.

 

[wibornz]

On the 12th, we did traveled to Ouray, dropped the campers and started collecting the badge of honor trails in the area. The first pass we did was Imogene Pass.

My wife Carla was fearless, she did not get scared during any of the trip.

Still snow on the pass.

Made it off the pass as darkness fell.

More to come......

 

[Kheroux]

Beautiful photos! I was born in Colorado and cannot wait to go make it out there with the Jeep, pup, and girlfriend to show them the beautiful place that Colorado is! Super jealous that you made it in only two days... I think from Connecticut id be a 3 or 4 day trek to let them out to pee and stretch their legs and not live in the car for two days but it would be so worth it. Looking forward to the rest of your story and pictures. The drone videos are a cool touch too!

 

[wibornz]

The next morning we ran Black Bear Pass. The previous night, an old guy tried to talk me out of going stating how dangerous it was and that people crash and die on the pass. I did not listen. It was beautiful up there. I though the pass was a easy drive up to the summit. The steps down to the first waterfall was the worst part. There was of chamber to the stream and it was tight and rough going. The main switch backs were a smooth trail, tight at times, but smooth. I think they say the switchbacks are the dangerous part because there is NO room for error and the hight of the fall is tremendous. Good thing it is smooth. Stay focused, stop if you want to look around and you should be fine. We were.

Representing for my local Jeep Club back in Michigan at the entrance to Black Bear Pass.

The drive up to the summit is very easy and could be done in a 2wd high clearance vehicle. So not much for pics on the way up.

The town of Tellurite is at the bottom of this pic.

The pic that I think everyone that does Black Bear Pass takes. Yup, that is snow to the left side and Tellurite at the bottom. This is where I think the biggest challenges are at.

The first big waterfall.

It was a little tight here. My passenger tire was on the edge and If you look in the mirror, I am over just about as far as I could go. This is the exact spot that my wife said, "I don't think that I would trust anyone other than you to drive down this!" Mind you she has been riding ATVs, and SxS, and Jeeping with me for more than 30 years......

And Just like magic, we are in Tellurite.

I will follow up with some drone vids later from Black Bear Pass.

 

[wibornz]

Up top of Black Bear Pass


Flying up the Falls at BBP


back over


Bear with me. I bought the drone the day before we left to go west. So I am a new at this drone thing.

 

[wibornz]

After Black Bear Pass, we did Ophir Pass. This was an easy pass with great sights.

 

[wibornz]

Our last day in Colorado, we did the Alpine Loop from Ouray, over Engineer Pass to Lake City and back by going over Cinnamon Pass.

Fucking Idiots ruin it for everyone.

Three years ago, I set a goal to drink Black Rifle Coffee on top of a mountain pass. Goal achieved....

Headed into Lake City.

Up on Cinimmon Pass. The pic does not do it justice.

Then passed a deer on the way back into Ouray.

 

[wibornz]

We still had one day left to wheel before getting my wife and friend back to the Denver Airport on Monday. We decided to break down camp at 6 am on Sunday and head to Moab to do top of the world. The distance from Ouray to Denver vs Moab to Denver was about nine miles. So off we went.

I show you this so that others will know that the Top of the World Road is not the Top of the World trail. The Top of the world trail is about five miles behind us and we are headed the wrong way. This is why we did the Rose Garden and Onion Creek.

The Rose Garden and Onion Creek was rough. I ended up having to use my winch to pull myself off a ledge.

After going three hours out of our way, we are headed in the right direction. This sign should be moved out so you can see it while on the road.

 

[wibornz]

Drone flights at Top of the World. I was flying the drone and did not realize that my bud was not putting the Jeeps in the COOL spot.






This video was driving the bats and birds crazy.


pic of having to winch off a ledge on Onion Creek. Onion Creek was the most difficult trail I have ever been on. I wish I would have taken more pics, but I was busy trying not to damage or die.

 

[UKCATS]

Looks like an awesome trip! Thanks for sharing.

 

[wibornz]

Cost break down
Camp sites 160 in Ouray. We stayed all the other nights in free camp sites

gas 732.37 I paid as low at 2.12 a gallon for gas and paid as high as 3.55 a gallon for gas

We bought groceries like we were at home so I don't count that as we have eat no matter where we are at.

We did eat five meal out so that was less than 100 dollars. More like 80 dollars as I won a bet from Bill for a free steak dinner...BONUS.

I took 600 in cash and came home with 480.

Overall not bad for being gone for 9 days,

3395 total miles

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