Adventurer
I've been interested in the Colorado Mtn passes for some time....this one looks very reallistic for me and my stock rig!! I've been so interested in Engineer Pass but I'm doubtful I could make it out without breaking quite a few bits and pieces on the daily driver
Thanks a lot for sharing everybody!!
My rig named Ariadne
Adventurer
Mosquito isn't difficult, however, coming from Leadville to Alma is much easier than Alma to Leadville. The East side is very rocky, undercarriage damage is possible, if you don't have skid plates I would not recommend it. It will toss you around inside the vehicle quite a bit, the West side is a dirt road.
'00 Dodge Dakota, modified gibson exhaust, AFE intake, Cobra CB, Astro Topper/Yakima rack system, Winch Ready front bumper, Milemarker E8000 winch, 4.10 gears, ssbc rear disc conversion, a few extra lights and a build that will never end.
'00 Dakota
New project, 2009 Kawasaki Versys, will be more of a street oriented expo vehicle, but it's still in the planning stages.
Observer
your rig will be fine on most of them.. get one of the Colorado guide books/backcountry trail books off Amazon and start your planning.. I took my FZJ80 over Engineer pass with wife and a 6 month old in the back seat.. can't wait to get back to that part of the country..Originally Posted by Snafu
Expedition Leader
How long did it take you to drive the pass?
Great pictures. I've been on Mosquito Pass three times now, but still have yet to complete in Eastward. Everytime I have been up from the Leadville side, it has been blocked right after the summit. It is definitely a good trail to run, as are many up there. If you get a chance to run Birdseye Gulch, it's worth the time. In relation to your statement about weather changes at 13,000', here is a picture from my first time up. It was nice in Leadville, but the snow started shortly after the first switchback.
Observer
Engineer isn't bad. I've done it in several vehicles. One of which was a 2500 dodge pickup with a long bed. If you have 4x4 you can make it. Just take your time and be careful. Oh, and be sure to use your 4wd so you don't shred the road. That way we can all continue to enjoy it! We don't need any "I did it in 2wd" heroes.
Expedition Leader
I love that area. I have not made that entire trail. Maybe soon! Thanks for the pics!
'92 Range Rover
'93 Range Rover LWB
'71 Mercedes 220 Diesel - The daily Beast
Observer
Mosquito Pass last week
here's a few pics from a 4-day camping/trail trip that my wife and I took our kids (age 3 and 1) on last week...
ruins on the Alma approach side, downslope from the London Mine:
201208 mosq pass ruins (small).jpg
201208 mosq pass ruins 2.jpg
201208 mosq pass ruins3.jpg
wife liked the floor plan in the house... timely moment as my son looks a bit scared of the roof's integrity
201208 mosq pass ruins kaz kids.jpg
201208 mosq pass ruins view.jpg
on the way up:
201208 mosq pass cruiser 1.jpg
so, you can see why they are the "Rocky" mountains..
201208 mosq pass cruiser 2.jpg
I'll admit that this road is not technically difficult, but it is a bruiser.. trying to take it slow and easy to keep a 1 year old pacified in the back seat, it took us several hours to get over (including a picnic break at the London Mine), but the road does wear on your patience. By the time I got to Leadville I was ready to kiss the first asphalt we saw. There are also several additional trails on the west side above Leadville, but we were so ready to hit the road (driving all the way back to Co Springs to be home that night) that we didn't get to explore the, nor Leadville, which is a shame since it's a neat town.
201208 mosq pass sign 13185 ft.jpg
obligatory sign/truck shot
it honestly took me a few minutes to even see the correct route to get down to Leadville (there are two trails that continue N and S, further uphill to radio towers from the pass sign, but the route down is such a drop off that you don't recognize it as a road... this shot is a bit lower than that after I dismounted and walked around a bit to find it..
201208 mosq pass drop off.jpg
Last edited by Bushmaster6; 08-12-2012 at 11:01 PM.
Observer
photo-stiched pano pic
stitched together 4 or 5 pics to get this SE view from near the Pass.. my photo skills are not great, but you could clearly see all the way to Pike's Peak from the Pass, which is impressive as it's a two hour drive away... beautiful day
201208 mosquito pass southern pano.jpg
Expedition Leader
Dang I knew I should've explored those structures.
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