Disabled Explorer Continental Divide Expedition July 5th-27th

[WFTW]

AMAZING pictures Lance! I'm incredibly jealous right now! Hope your adventure continues to be exciting and safe during your last few days.

[Rexsname]

It looks like Hurricane Dolly will be blowing through New Mexico and into Arizona this weekend. Be safe and watchout for flooding

See ya Sunday!

REX

[1leglance]

quick update from grants new mexico...
2 nights camping in the middle of nowhere due to recovery needs...
flashfloods took out stream crossings yesterday so we spent a couple hrs this morning with winches and pullpals to get across otherwise a 4 hr drive around...
everyone safe & sound, mud everywhere....
looking forward to anyone joning us for camping sat night...
we will meet at the Willcox Truck Plaza Cheveron I-10 Exit 340 (AZ 186 S)
Sat morning...sometime..not sure exactly but I will try to update as possible, we will leave there by noon to go into the Chiricharas (sp?)
We will caravan in and wheel/find a place to camp...after dark using the projector to show pics/video of the trip...
Then Sunday am we will return to the Willcox Truck center at 9am to depart at 10am for a dirt road caravan thru reddington, oracle, willow springs to SDHQ by 4pm... be ready for lunch on the trail.

See anyone and everyone there...
please post up your level of interest for any part of it so we have a head count...especially for the return party at SDHQ

ham 146.460
cb 16
cell 602-451-6079

someone want to locate some repeaters for the area and return trip? thx

[1leglance]

the wilcox truck plaza is yucky, we are across the freeway at the TA truck stop...having a big brunch after clearing a fallen tree that blocked 2 camprgounds....
leaving at noon to camp and see eveyone on tomorrow...
ham 146.460
cb 16
cel 602-451-6079

[1leglance]

CDE Day 8 Colter Bay to Atlantic City

What a crazy long day full of variety and great sites. We left some friends, got our first 4wd test and watched some amazing fireworks to finish the day.

We said our goodbyes to Linda, Pepper and Darrel and the excellent campground at Coulter Bay.

Gas at Coulter Bay is pricey but worth it as anything else is far away thus costing more in time.

The Grand Tetons were impressive even from the highway and we will come back to this area in the future without a doubt.



Stopping to take pictures of snow near us gave Mike a chance to go explore looking for Lost Lake.



After we didn't hear anything on the radio for a bit we got some news from Mike that maybe I should head that way with some recovery gear. Turns out Mike wasn't quite used to the heavy expedition setup and got high centered.



With a quick tow strap tug we got Mike back on the trail and we got a chance to drive through our first patch of snow







After that we drove over some amazing meadows that felt on top of the world. After that we got into Pinedale where they had a festival to celebrate the pioneer days of Native Americans meeting the Settlers in something called Rendezvous. After looking around for a bit we restocked on gas & supplies then were back on the trail. I have to say that the section from Pinedale to Boulder felt very remote and cool. You really had a sense of exploration and even though you are on a marked trail it isn't often traveled. We also got our first real 4wd section here. Short but fun.



We have seen some strange things on this trip and sometimes you have to stop just to try and figure out what they might be. We all agreed that these might be Sheep Wagons or some kind of either herd watching or hunting setup.



Our goal was Atlantic City but on the way we stopped at near by South Pass City. It was a great thing we did as a quick chat with the local firecrew on hand gave us the good news that fireworks were planned for later as July 12th is Gold Rush Days! What a lucky chance brought us there on just that day. I have to say that of all the fireworks shows I have seen this little place with a population of 7 put on one of the best & longest shows ever. Of course seeing it from the roof top tent was a hit with the locals.

[1leglance]

CDE Day 9 Atlantic City to Rawlins



We started the day thinking of gas needs for my fuel sucking beast. It should have been no problem since Iguidance showed a Conoco at the edge of town. Well not sure who check that info since the road was dirt and didn't go anywhere but to a creek crossing. Lucky for us a fine gentleman named Wild Bill is both gunsmith and gas vendor. He evidently has seen this happen before because there is a big drum and some jerry cans ready to be sold for only $6 a gallon. Which isn't really a bad price when you think of the fuel & time to drive 40 miles to Lander for the nearest station.

We have met some great people and driven by even more. But I have to say that I really wished I had stopped to take a picture of the only Continental Divide Hiker we saw. This guy defined cool. But alas we were on the move and it just didn't happen. As if that wasn't enough I also didn't get a shot of the only cycle rider we actually saw on the trail. However we did stop and talk with Moody(?) a bit. If I remember right he says he post on Advrider.com as Blaze. We will have to look him up some time, great guy.

Here is a picture though of one of the strange objects we saw. This oil drum was simply in the middle of nowhere on a rise and there for no reason we could figure out. Other than maybe to make people like us wonder about it!



We also saw plenty of these fast fellows. They would dash away only to stop and look back at us, then just stand there. I guess since we didn't stop to point a rifle at them we were ok after all.



I have to say that one of the best things about using a real USGS topo map for navigation is all the stuff listed on it along your route. From old mines, to ranches to things like this "sheep camp". You will stop often and see many cool things when reading the map.



And you will have plenty of chances to take pics just like this guy. Mike has really turned into a photoguy and you will know it when you start to see his work.



We were ready for a stop that included showers, laundry and internet access. Where better in Rawlins could we go than RV WORLD?



I mean you have to stay somewhere with totem poles and where you can camp by a bulldozer right? Not to mention we got to go swimming, have a mini-golf tournament and make new friends.

[p1michaud]

This trip is very coo. From what I read, you guys are seeing some amazing sites, meeting great people and exploring. Enjoy the ride.
Cheers,
P

[WFTW]

Great pix! All the vehicles look really good!

How was it all in terms of length spent out on the road? Were you dying to get back home, or do you wish it could have been longer?

I'm interested in hearing the "lessons learned" part. Anything you wish you would have taken, but didn't? Or anything you took but never used?

[FlyingWen]

SHDQ TODAY from 4-6pm for the Return Party

[SOAZ]

Congrats on the successful trip!!

I checked on their progress via the Spot and saw that they were just on the other side of Mt Lemon so Danica and I headed over to see if we could run into them.
Perfect timing. We ran into them right at the turn to willow springs and followed them on dirt back to SDHQ for the get together.
SDHQ made a big effort and the place looked great.
I'll post a couple pics in just a bit.