My Wife and I spent 2 weeks exploring 4x4 trails in Colorado last month in my Samurai.
Check out my pictures at:
http://www.web-pub.com/libraryThe "Trail Conditions" photos are HDV video frames taken from a Zuk mounted camera. The "Colorado Trails" are regular still digital photographs taken from the indicated trails.
I don't use the usual photo hosting sites because their policies give them permission to use your photos for whatever they want. Maybe it's just my professional photography background, but giving away my rights is against my religion.
Since we would be wheeling alone, I wanted to be prepared. There was always the chance that we would get stuck or break down. I did bring spare drive-shafts, axles, alternator, wiring harness, ignition, etc., and a whole bin filled with repair-recovery stuff. I have a winch attached to a receiver mount that can be used from the front or the rear of the truck. I carry a high-volume air pump and a backup, receiver tow mount, and tow straps. I installed a twin-battery setup with an isolator before I left so I would not drain the regular battery if I had to winch. I also replaced the stock alternator with a GM, replaced the brake drums, and installed a line-lock.
After much research, I bought a new tent advertised as a three man tent; they must use Asian midgets to determine this. It has a kind of triangular shape, so our queen-size inflatable mattress would not fit. I found exposition individual ones that were perfect, but started in price at a c-note. We ended up using $2.99 inflatable pool mattresses, which worked just fine. This tent has a top which is entirely made up of a thin invisible type of screening, so that you can lie in bed at night and watch the stars. The tent has two doors, each is huge and unzips the whole side of the tent. Two people can each have their own way to go out and pee at night without climbing over the other. You just roll out. See the camping photo.
You can see the receiver storage unit hanging off the back of the Samurai. This, and one bin inside the truck, was all camping gear. I even bought a shower enclosure which used solar-heated water (my Wife MUST have her shower), and a porta-pottie.
We arrived in Colorado Springs, and it was raining. Our plan was to do the Denver area before the hordes of Democrats descended upon it. However, the forecast was for more rain, except for the SW. So we headed for the dry Black Canyon of the Gunnison, where we set up camp on the remote north rim. After two days, my Wife decided that she'd had enough camping. I reminded her that the first couple of days of camping, while acclimating to the conditions, was the worst. She was unconvinced.
She'd heard about Yurts available for use at Ridgeway State Park. She is interested in Yurts, so we headed there, only to find them full-up for the foreseeable future.
We settled up the road in Ouray, a quaint mountain town nearby many of the trails that I wanted to do.
On the way back from Imogene, I came across a broken down tour Heep, and the fellow who was on his way to rescue the Heep. He asked if I had a hose clamp. Of course I did, but I could not find it on short notice. I did come across some bailing wire which he borrowed. Turns out he is the owner of a historic hotel-restaurant in Ouray which also gave Heep Tours.
While we were exploring town the next day, we passed his establishment. He was out on the patio, saw us go by, and flagged us down. He gave us beer to drink and offered us dinner, but we had just eaten. He offered to exchange services if I would work on two of his tour Heeps. He needed to replace the radiator hose that he patched, and need a fuel filter replaced on another. He had tours scheduled and his mechanic was unavailable. So, I repaired his Heeps, and the next day we had great dinners, beer, wine, and desert at his restaurant. He also offered us a free room at his Hotel, but my Wife liked where we were. He also invited us to join him in on a Red Mountain III tour. This is private mining property unavailable to tour otherwise; very pretty.
On the way home to Kansas, we did the "primitive" Medano Pass in the Great Sand Dunes National Preserve. Signs make it clear that only the prepared and experienced need try this one. Soft sand in many places. A dozen river crossings where Medano River repeatedly crosses the trail. The sign warns "Minimum Towing Charge $400". A very pretty road. I especially liked the cascading beaver dams. There were many attractive camping sites along the way, complete with "bear-safes" to keep your food. My wife was uninterested. She gets to a point on vacation that all she wants is to go home.
We did not get stuck and did not break anything for 2,400 miles. We were scared shitless more times than I could count. What fun. We're planing next year's trip...
[I'm also posting this on Zukikrawler.com to give it more exposure.]
