Leadville 4WD Adventure... The Plan

[pangaea]

I've made a bunch of calls over the past few days to the various Forest Service Ranger Districts around Leadville to get an idea for what trails will be open this weekend. The exact trail plan is still up in the air, but I'll let everyone know when I know more. But in short, bring a shovel. We'll probably have to bust one or two snow drifts if we're going to attempt any passes.

Ideally, the plan will be: Glacier Ridge area of Breckenridge Sat AM, do Mosquito Pass in the afternoon and hit a couple of mines on the way down into Leadville. Camping will be around the Twin Lakes area of Leadville, near the trailhead for Mt. Elbert. But of course this all depends on what happens with the snow in the next week.


DIRECTIONS TO FRI NIGHT CAMPING SPOT:

Directions for the Fri night camp From I-70:

Take the Dillon exit south to Keystone ski area (Hwy 6).

Take the Gondola road exit right (should be signs for skiier parking) and take an immediate left. (follow the signs to Montezuma Road).

Take a right on Montezuma road and go about 5 miles into the town of Montezuma (go slow, the locals REALLY dislike people speeding through town). - 38º 34.951' N 105º 52.122' W

Go straight through the town and follow the signs to Deer Creek Pass. Go straight at about 1 mile where the turn off is for Webster Pass.

Stay on the main road following Deer Creek sign.

At the trail fork, take a right 39º 32.538' N 105º 52.349' W

After 50 meters, trail splits, take the right fork.

Campsite is at 39º 32.587' N 105º 52.539' W

[pangaea]

Does anyone have any preferences for food and cooking in Leadville this weekend? Communal effort vs. on our own?

Unless there are any objections, I was planning to cook breakfast for the group on Sunday AM... biscuits and gravy. Any takers?

[BajaTaco]

Cool!

I would be happy to have just a little of the biscuits & gravy Sunday, but I will be avoiding a heavy meal just before the hike. Also, I think we will be departing camp super early, so not sure if we will even be around when you get around to makin' gravy :D

I'd be happy to do a group meal for Friday night. I just need to know exactly how many to feed. Will we be able to grill over coals? Or are there fire restrictions? If so, I am sure I can use Scott's cool new stove ;)

I am trying to calculate my driving time on Friday, and figure out what I can and can't do on Friday in order to meet with the group. Can you establish a meeting time & place for Friday?

Thanks :victory:

[pangaea]

Not sure on the fire restrictions. I heard on the news last night that the state is expected to make some broad restrictions sometime this week. I'll keep you posted....

As to the trails, a friend and I are going up tom AM to do some prescouting. I'll let ya know what I find out. We're planning on testing out the main trail, and two backup routes... Hopefully one of the three will be open. :elkgrin:

[gjackson]

Chris,

My understanding now is that we are not camping on Fri, but are meeting on Sat. I'm getting lost with all the changes, but that was last I heard. Nathan, Scott?

I guess you out-of-towners will be camping regardless, but I dunno of any group plans yet. . .

cheers

[BajaTaco]

OK, well I will just keep an eye on the thread. Nathan, I left my phone number on your voicemail if it is easier to call. I will just plan on being in the Leadville or Breckenridge area sometime Friday afternoon or early evening.

[Scott Brady]

Camping Friday night and Saturday night as a big group. Sunday night will likely be a smaller group.

Details are developing, but I have been incommunicado for the last three days. Trying to catch up.

everyone just plan on camping Friday night and Sat. night near Leadville somewhere. :smilies27

[bh4rnnr]

While in Leadville, be sure to stop by and check out the Mining Museum. A lot of great info on the days of old in Colorado. Also stop by while in breck and grab a cold one at the Breckenridge Brewery. Lots of good:beer: . Can also stop by the art gallery (forget wich one) and see some of my dads work. It would be on the left side of town as your headed up to the pass. Next to the photography gallery(dont like his frames). have fun out there. Tread Lightly and take lots of pics!

[BajaTaco]

While in Leadville, be sure to stop by and check out the Mining Museum. A lot of great info on the days of old in Colorado. Also stop by while in breck and grab a cold one at the Breckenridge Brewery. Lots of good:beer: . Can also stop by the art gallery (forget wich one) and see some of my dads work. It would be on the left side of town as your headed up to the pass. Next to the photography gallery(dont like his frames). have fun out there. Tread Lightly and take lots of pics!

Thanks for the great suggestions. I will be sheddin' a tear as I pass by the brewery - no brews or drinks for me for quite awhile now. Too much peak baggin' and hikin' goin on. :p

[bh4rnnr]

Thanks for the great suggestions. I will be sheddin' a tear as I pass by the brewery - no brews or drinks for me for quite awhile now. Too much peak baggin' and hikin' goin on. :p


No worries. I'll drink a few for ya:D . In the middle of one right now:beer: , Wish I was going with you guys.. Hope to soon wheel with you guys :beer:

[goodtimes]

I'm in Colorado now (Lafayette to be specific), visiting family.

As some may have seen in the other thread, I didn't bring my jeep due to mechanical problems. Instead I am driving my (stock) Dodge. Due to this, and the fact that I am getting ready to sell the dodge (hopefully with no major scratches or dents/dings from this trip), I am trying to get some things worked out.

I need to find room for me, my dog, and my gear in someones vehicle. I travel light, but will have the typical tent, sleeping bag/pad, clothes, etc. I can leave my truck at relatives in Golden (couple blocks off of 93). Obviously, I will need to get back to it as well.....can pay in beer.

Next, is anyone staying at camp Sunday, not doing the hike? I have not decided if I am taking the mutt on the hike, so I may need a dog-sitter. She is super-friendly, quiet, doesn't bark or get in much trouble. She has a 6 month old knee injury, so it may prevent her from hiking the distance required. Again, will pay in beer.

One other option (question for those who know the area), would it be possible to get my truck (keeping in mind I don't want to do much 'wheeling in it) to the campsites, via a easy 2-track or improved road? This would allow me to have it there, then catch a ride with someone else for the off road parts of this trip. This will also make it much easier for me on Monday, when I head out. I'll only have occasional internet access this week.....so it may take me awhile to reply.

Thanks all, I'm REALLY looking forward to this!

[DaveInDenver]

One other option (question for those who know the area), would it be possible to get my truck (keeping in mind I don't want to do much 'wheeling in it) to the campsites, via a easy 2-track or improved road? This would allow me to have it there, then catch a ride with someone else for the off road parts of this trip. This will also make it much easier for me on Monday, when I head out. I'll only have occasional internet access this week.....so it may take me awhile to reply.

The road up Hagerman is not difficult in the strictest sense, doable in a stock vehicle. But it's also not an improved road, so the chance of under carriage scrapes is still there. There are a few places that I recall as being fairly snug, particularly for a full sized truck, and pinstripes are also a possibility. I'd put the risk as mostly low, but still a consideration.

[BajaTaco]

GT, glad to hear you made it to CO!

I have no idea about the trails, other than I know that Glacier Ridge has "SOB Hill" which you won't want to take the dodge on. Mosquito pass will probably be fine, but you better verify with the local guys here. I will have an open seat, but no place for Cherokee. Also, getting you to Golden would be a problem for me. So in short - I have a seat for you, but it's pretty limited. Sorry pal.

[BajaTaco]

You can see info and pics of Glacier and Mosquito on Darren's most-excellent website HERE (http://www.mycolorado.org/trails.html)

[pangaea]

I just got back from a full day of pre-scouting with a friend, Josh, who is not on the forum, but will be joining us for the weekend. I'll post some more info tomorrow after I download some pics and GPS data from my nav computer. In the meantime, here's the scoop:

Overall the trails look pretty good for this time of year, but definitely bring a shovel if you've got it... Its still early season and that means pesky snowdrifts at high altitude.

Webster Pass and Radical Hill are definitely a no go. The Webster gate is still locked, but judging by the other drifts that we saw (see below), there should be at least one significant drift per trail.

Mosquito Pass is almost open (much earlier than normal) except for two snow drifts at North London Mine. The bad news is that both of those drifts are about 100-150' long and 7-10' deep. The snow should melt them off in the next few weeks, but there's WAY too much snow to have any hope of crossing it this weekend.

We picked out a good camping spot for Fri. night in the Glacier Ridge area. Nice and out of the way, with a great fire ring area already set up, but it's at 10,500 feet, so we'll all need to bring some wood for the fire (no burn restrictions in Summit County YET).

It looks like our best bet is to run either Deer Creek or Saints Johns trails up to the top of Glacier Ridge on Saturday. We ran most of deer creek and there is only one drift at the top of the trail. It's only 30' long or so and a couple of feet deep, so digging should be quick and easy... I nominate Scott and anyone else doing the mtn climb on Sunday, under the thinly veiled guise of "conditioning".

:shakin:

We'll head across Glacier Ridge and down into Breckenridge. I believe that we'll have one more snow drift to contend with at the top of Middle Fork of the Swan, but it will be on a downhill part, so we'll have gravity on our side. :victory:

From there, we'll head over Hoosier Pass into South Park and then over Weston Pass into Leadville. Hoosier is paved, so no biggie there, and Weston is not much more than a bumpy dirt road, but it should get us into Leadville in time for either a leisurely afternoon at camp, or a quick tour of some of the mining ruins around Leadville. We might even have a go at Bird's Eye Gulch, a fun one for any fans of mud. (translation for you AZ folks: Mud = dirt + water :) )

The planned camping spot for Sat night is north of Twin Lakes in an area called Half Moon valley. Its just a couple of miles from the trail head for Elbert, so the climbers will be able to get an early start...

Bring some insect repellent, the wet spring has made for a good hatch of Mosquitos... Also, we'll all have to keep an eye on the weather. Supposedly a front may move in this weekend, making it a bit wet and cold.

That's all for now, I'll post more tomorrow, including some GPS coordinates and directions to camp on Fri.

[BajaTaco]

Thank you for pre-running :bowdown:

[BajaTaco]

Does anyone have any preferences for food and cooking in Leadville this weekend? Communal effort vs. on our own?

Unless there are any objections, I was planning to cook breakfast for the group on Sunday AM... biscuits and gravy. Any takers?

I'm headed out today. Since no one has spoken up on this, I will assume that everyone will be taking care of their own meals.

[pangaea]

I'm headed out today. Since no one has spoken up on this, I will assume that everyone will be taking care of their own meals.

That's my assumption as well. I may do the biscuits and gravy thing for everyone on Sat Morning instead...

Are you going to make it up to the San Juans on the way up here? If so, you ought to go check out Yankee Boy Basin. Some of the best wildflowers in the state, and this should be peak season for them...

[pangaea]

A couple of quick photo updates from yesterday:

At the bottom of Deer Creek Pass, we saw this little mishap. Appearently, the Disco rolled a couple of days ago up on the trail and the hauled it out to a little parking area.

[pangaea]

The snowdrift at North London Mine on Mosquito Pass. As a size reference, that building is a 3 story ore house.

[pangaea]

The snow drift at the top of Deer Creek Trail. We'll actually only need to dig out a route for the uphill tire. There's already a path for the downhill tire that bikers have been using for the past week or so.

[pangaea]

Last one from the trip: Should be good wildflower viewing. A patch of columbines on Mosquito Pass.

[pangaea]

A better view of the Deer Creek snow drift

[pskhaat]

Isn't hoosier pass going to be closed this weekend?

[PCRover]

Wish I would have found this trip sooner, that area is on my short list of exploring.


A couple of quick photo updates from yesterday:

At the bottom of Deer Creek Pass, we saw this little mishap. Appearently, the Disco rolled a couple of days ago up on the trail and the hauled it out to a little parking area.

That doesn't look to good, hope the driver wasn't hurt to bad. Looking at the rig, it might have been someone who shouldn't have been driving out there....

[durango_60]

Thanks so much for the pre run, I'm not gonna get any work done for the next day due to the anticipation.

[pangaea]

Isn't hoosier pass going to be closed this weekend?

Not that I know of. The construction signs up there indicated that it was going to be closed from 9pm to 6am every day for a while, but I wasn't aware of a weekend closure.

If it is though, we can always cut across to Boreas Pass which will drop us in South Park a few miles north of Fairplay.

[pangaea]

Wish I would have found this trip sooner, that area is on my short list of exploring.

Come on, you can make it. Skip out on whatever other obligations you have planned... }:)



That doesn't look to good, hope the driver wasn't hurt to bad. Looking at the rig, it might have been someone who shouldn't have been driving out there....

Sure didn't look good to me either, but I don't think that anyone was seriously hurt. I suspect that the vehicle rolled on the Deer Creek snow drift (above), since there was a bit of broken glass around there. I think it was someone who just got in over thier heads and made a costly mistake.

[BajaTaco]

Are you going to make it up to the San Juans on the way up here? If so, you ought to go check out Yankee Boy Basin. Some of the best wildflowers in the state, and this should be peak season for them...

Nice! Yea, the plan is to camp there tomorrow night with durango_60 and pskhaat's brother.

:camping:

Great pics. Huge bummer on the Land Rover. ouch.

[pskhaat]

This still leaves the big question, where are we meeting on Friday for the drive up?

[DaveInDenver]

Not that I know of. The construction signs up there indicated that it was going to be closed from 9pm to 6am every day for a while, but I wasn't aware of a weekend closure.

If it is though, we can always cut across to Boreas Pass which will drop us in South Park a few miles north of Fairplay.

Last I heard they were trying to work at night and so the pass would only actually be closed overnight. They are doing the one lane alternating thing during the day. All of that only during the week, weekends I think it's regular 2-lane. BTW, the work is supposed to run all summer, so weekday traffic is mostly going to be a pain.

[pangaea]

This still leaves the big question, where are we meeting on Friday for the drive up?

We haven't really discussed it yet, but for those coming from the Front Range, I would say somewhere easy to find like the Dino lots off of I-70 (just past the first hog backs as you're heading West into the mountains from Denver, or somewhere near Colorado Mills Mall (ie a Starbucks or some other place where folks can kill time if they get there early).

[pangaea]

Last I heard they were trying to work at night and so the pass would only actually be closed overnight. They are doing the one lane alternating thing during the day. All of that only during the week, weekends I think it's regular 2-lane. BTW, the work is supposed to run all summer, so weekday traffic is mostly going to be a pain.

That was pretty close to my interpretation as well. Here's the latest from CDOT on the Hoosier Pass work (its about a quarter of the way down):

http://www.dot.state.co.us/TravelInfo/CurrentCond/ClosuresNWSW.htm

Scott, if you've heard something else specific about Hoosier Pass for this weekend, please let us know...

[pskhaat]

Scott, if you've heard something specific about Hoosier Pass for this weekend, please let us know.
On our way up to DEN from PHX, I just kept seeing a bunch of electric road signs stating Hoosier Pass closure, but don't remember for what dates :( But what you have from the CDOT is probably exactly what was stated.

[Ursidae69]

The planned camping spot for Sat night is north of Twin Lakes in an area called Half Moon valley. Its just a couple of miles from the trail head for Elbert, so the climbers will be able to get an early start...


I think I can find this, sounds easy enough. I should be there Saturday evening. One of you guys should keep a 2 meter on in case I can't find you guys. :arabia:

[BajaTaco]

One of you guys should keep a 2 meter on in case I can't find you guys. :arabia:

I will try to remember to turn mine on - 146.460

Glad you plan to make it Chuck!!! :luxhello:


Well, I am owta here. Hopefully I can reach Scott Brady via cell phone on Friday. We'll be driving all the way from the southwest, so probably hook up with you somewhere around Montezuma I guess (?)

See ya! (Nathan, I will send u a PM)

[pskhaat]

I may try to meet the gang on the way up at Floyd Hill. Hopefully one of you will have Ham 6m/2m/70cm?

[Scott Brady]

Camp One: Keystone N39 32.587 W105 52.539 (WGS84)

Nathan is going to provide more details soon.

Regarding Thursday night, can we get a headcount?

I know Graham, Nathan and I will be there. Unless I can bug-out of the conference a little early, I will be there at about 6:30

[Scott Brady]

Chuck! Chuck! Chuck! Chuck!

Glad to hear you are on the way...

[pangaea]

Directions for the Fri night camp From I-70:

Take the Dillon exit south to Keystone ski area (Hwy 6).

Take the Gondola road exit right (should be signs for skiier parking) and take an immediate left. (follow the signs to Montezuma Road).

Take a right on Montezuma road and go about 5 miles into the town of Montezuma (go slow, the locals REALLY dislike people speeding through town). - 38º 34.951' N 105º 52.122' W

Go straight through the town and follow the signs to Deer Creek Pass. Go straight at about 1 mile where the turn off is for Webster Pass.

Stay on the main road following Deer Creek sign.

At the trail fork, take a right 39º 32.538' N 105º 52.349' W

After 50 meters, trail splits, take the right fork.

Campsite is at 39º 32.587' N 105º 52.539' W

[gjackson]

Nathan,

Thanks for all the info!

cheers

[pangaea]

I think I can find this, sounds easy enough. I should be there Saturday evening. One of you guys should keep a 2 meter on in case I can't find you guys. :arabia:

Give me a call or PM me with your phone number and I'll give you directions or GPS coordinates for the camping area on Saturday, since I won't have them until the day of.

The basic directions are:

South out of Leadville on HWY 24. About a mile south of town, the road doglegs to the left, and their is a gas station called Saturdays on the right. Just past that, take a right on CO Hwy 300. After about a mile or so take a left on CO 11 (there's a sign pointing to Half Moon rd). About 2 more miles down the road, take a right on FS road 110. (I think that there is a sign pointing to Half Moon Campgrounds). I believe that we'll be camping on a FS trail that you get to through the Half Moon West campground.

[goodtimes]

I see 2 options for me right now.

1: Drop my truck off in Breckenridge, catch a ride back to the trailhead, run the trail as a passenger, pick up my truck in Breckenridge and finish the trip with it.

2: Meet the group Saturday when you come into breckenridge, and proceed from there.

Anyone up for running shuttle?

Nathan, what are the roads like getting back to Saturdays campsite? My little sister might come in for the hike, but will be driving a 2wd subaru.

[Ursidae69]

Give me a call or PM me with your phone number and I'll give you directions or GPS coordinates for the camping area on Saturday, since I won't have them until the day of.

The basic directions are:

South out of Leadville on HWY 24. About a mile south of town, the road doglegs to the left, and their is a gas station called Saturdays on the right. Just past that, take a right on CO Hwy 300. After about a mile or so take a left on CO 11 (there's a sign pointing to Half Moon rd). About 2 more miles down the road, take a right on FS road 110. (I think that there is a sign pointing to Half Moon Campgrounds). I believe that we'll be camping on a FS trail that you get to through the Half Moon West campground.

Thanks for the info, I should be able to find this okay. I'll drop you a PM too with my number, GPS cooridnates are always handy too. :elkgrin:

I'm going to try and throw together a cd or DVD with some highlights of my Brazil trip. Hope one of you guys has a laptop. :lurk:

Goodtimes, I think KC will be calling you shortly with an option 3.

[pangaea]

Thanks for the info, I should be able to find this okay. I'll drop you a PM too with my number, GPS cooridnates are always handy too. :elkgrin:

I'm going to try and throw together a cd or DVD with some highlights of my Brazil trip. Hope one of you guys has a laptop. :lurk:

Goodtimes, I think KC will be calling you shortly with an option 3.

I should have mine with me, and you're more than welcome to use it... Downside is that its a Mac

[PCRover]

Come on, you can make it. Skip out on whatever other obligations you have planned... }

If it wasn't a full two day drive out there from the left coast, I would be there! I'll definately make it if this or a similar trip ever happens again... Have a great time!

[pangaea]

I see 2 options for me right now.

1: Drop my truck off in Breckenridge, catch a ride back to the trailhead, run the trail as a passenger, pick up my truck in Breckenridge and finish the trip with it.

2: Meet the group Saturday when you come into breckenridge, and proceed from there.

Anyone up for running shuttle?

If you wanted to do that, I'm sure that we could find someone to help you out with either option.





Nathan, what are the roads like getting back to Saturdays campsite? My little sister might come in for the hike, but will be driving a 2wd subaru.

Honestly, I don't know, since I haven't prerun all the way to the campsite. But she could easily make it to the Half Moon camping area, and leave it there. Or we could send someone into Leadville to pick her up, since we'll only be about 15 mins away from town.

[goodtimes]

OK, I think this is my plan.

I'm going to meet everyone in camp Friday night. Then I'll either drive around to the far end of saturdays trail and meet everyone there, or get someone to bring me back and run the trail in someones passenger seat.

Little 'sis may come up Saturday and camp with us, saving her a super-early morning. Not sure yet. But that won't affect the groups plans at all. So I'll figure that out today.....and see everyone tomorrow night!

[kcowyo]

This still leaves the big question, where are we meeting Friday for the drive up?

We haven't really discussed it yet, but for those coming from the Front Range, I would say somewhere easy to find like the Dino lots off of I-70 (just past the first hog backs as you're heading West into the mountains from Denver, or somewhere near Colorado Mills Mall (ie a Starbucks or some other place where folks can kill time if they get there early).

I'm going to sneak in on this trip. :camping:

I'll be leaving tonight around 6PM. I'll probably camp near Steamboat Springs tonight and drive in to meet up with the group Friday morning.

Is there a confirmed meeting place and time for early morning Friday yet? I could meet up late tonight (midnight-ish) near Evergreen, if that would be easier.

Looking forward to seeing everyone! :beer:

[pskhaat]

Is there a confirmed meeting place and time for early morning Friday yet? I could meet up late tonight (midnight-ish) near Evergreen, if that would be easier.

Well, what time would you estimate in Evgrn? I had planned on meeting folks at the Floyd Hill exit on I70 (very near the Evgrn exit) at some time Friday (not sure exactly at what time yet).

[bigreen505]

Pskhaat, please post back when you figure it out. I'm sailing tonight so I can't make it to the BBQ.

On a separate note, does anyone have room in their rig for one more? I really want to join on the trip, but have a dying axle shaft I have not been able to replace yet.

I have never been on the trail before so there is a possibility that I might be fine running 2WD most of the trip.

[durango_60]

I'll have an open back seat in my 80, feel free to join. Course that means your gonna be the man with the snow shovel...

[gjackson]

Got a back seat (narrow & minus seat belt) in the 110 if you want to risk it. Unfortunately not so comfortable and no place for GTs dog! :smilies27

cheers

[kcowyo]

Well, what time would you estimate in Evgrn? I had planned on meeting folks at the Floyd Hill exit on I70 (very near the Evgrn exit) at some time Friday (not sure exactly at what time yet).

I think I'll just plan on catching up sometime Friday around Keystone as you suggested Scott. Gives me more time to spend enjoying the drive down from Steamboat Springs tomorrow morning.

So is there a trail run somewhere Friday or is everyone just meandering into camp during the day?

[gjackson]

I think people are just meandering into camp during the day. Check Nathan's post for the waypoint. We may be leaving Denver at approx 2pm, but that is just an estimate.

cheers

[Scott Brady]

I am sure we will have good open seats. I should have one in my truck, and know of several others. It would be great to have you along

[Scott Brady]

Big thanks to Scott for the BBQ tonight!

[pangaea]

Pskhaat, please post back when you figure it out. I'm sailing tonight so I can't make it to the BBQ.

On a separate note, does anyone have room in their rig for one more?

I believe that Josh, the guy that preran the trails with me will have a spare seat. I'll confirm with him tomorrow AM, and let you know.

[pangaea]

I think people are just meandering into camp during the day. Check Nathan's post for the waypoint. We may be leaving Denver at approx 2pm, but that is just an estimate.

I put the waypoint and directions up on the first post on the first page so that you can find it easily.

The plan right now is that we'll all head up the hill from Golden around 2-3pm on Friday. Anyone who needs to get a hold of us can either call Scott on his cell or me on the Pangaea number (it will be forwarding to my cell all weekend) 303 772-7207

[pangaea]

Big thanks to Scott for the BBQ tonight!

Agreed. Thanks, Scott, for inviting us all over to your great house. Had a great time.

[gjackson]

Big thanks to Scott for the BBQ tonight!

3x!! Had a great time. Thanks for the food and for hosting the BBQ!

cheers

[bigreen505]

Thanks for the great trip everyone! I should have some pictures later this week and will try to share them.

Sorry I missed everyone on the Elbert hike. I got some wrong directions from someone at the trailhead and wound up doing the entire loop, taking the trail from the main lot down to the south trail, up Elbert, over the summit and down the north trail. It was a much longer day than I planned and everyone was long gone by the time I got down. I hope the rest of the group had a great time.

[gjackson]

Thanks for the great trip everyone!

I second that. Connie and I had a great time. Nice to put faces and names together!

cheers!

[goodtimes]

Indeed a great time....save for possibly the method used to remind me how much wider the dodge was than anyone else (insert snow-drift pic here). Of course, even that wasn't too bad, other than having to crawl in/out of my window because the drift was deeper than the door (thankfully I was faster than Scott's camara).:shakin:

[pangaea]

I'm going to start a thread in the completed trips for stories and pics...