Montero Club Summer Colorado Rally

The Montero Club:
Summer Colorado Rally Details

Http://www.4x4wire.com/mitsubishi/events/co_2000/

Short Cuts

Author: Joe Micciche July, 2000

The Montero Club will be enjoying the Colorado High Country in August!

The time is drawing near for the Montero Club's annual Colorado Rally! This annual event, hosted by Lloyd Swartz and The Montero Club, promises incredible scenery, interesting side trips, and moderate to challenging trails for all Mitsubishi SUV and truck owners.

The Summer Colorado Rally participants will meet in central Colorado on Tuesday, August 29th, at the Hancock Townsite (a ghost town), which is on Route 162 West off of Highway 285. This exit, south of Buena Vista and north of Salida, mostly traverses a graded road, with one major fork. Go left at the fork to Hancock (going straight will take you to St. Elmo). Be sure to stock up on supplies before hitting the graded road, as most of the Rally will involve camping along the trails.

From the Hancock meeting site, the Club has the following itinerary:

Expect incredible scenery and secluded areas.

Wednesday, August 30: The club will head for Williams Pass, a trail which is open infrequently; the easy Hancock Pass, and a visit to the Alpine Train Tunnel is scheduled. The day will conclude with a trip up to the amazing Grizzly Lake.

Thursday, August 31: On Thursday, the club will make the ascent to Mt. Antero, a 14,000 ft. peak with unparalleled scenery. Along the way, the Club will stop to do some rockhounding and mineral exploration (Lloyd advises that rubies, emeralds, opal, and more could be found). The day will end with a ride over Tincup Pass.

Friday, September 1: The day's trails will include the moderate Italian Creek Road and the easy Gunsight Pass.

The trails will be moderate to challenging, and the trip is planned for all driver skill and vehicle levels.

Saturday, September 2: The Club will see one of the most photographed structures anywhere - the famous water wheel - as they pass through Schofield Pass and the Crystal River trail. A trip through Lead King Basin may be done as well.

Sunday, September 3: Sunday will have the club working over the difficult Pearl Pass, and coming out at Aspen. This will allow participants to resupply, and will also serve as an opportunity for others to meet up with the club. On Sunday evening, the Rally will be checking in to the USFS Gold Park Campground, where those who wish can meet the Montero Club for the remainder of the event.

To reach the Gold Park Campground, approximately 3.5 miles north of Leadville on Route 24, take the turn-off for Forest Road 703, and drive on FR703 until you reach the campground.

Monday, September 4: Monday promises the most difficult trail of the event, the Holy Cross City trail. This trail should take all day. For those not interested in attempting this trail, alternate arrangements will be announced at the event.

Tuesday, September 5: A stop at the Mining Museum will be scheduled for Tuesday, as the club makes it's way back through Leadville and over Mosquito Pass.

Wednesday, September 6: The group will be tackling Red Cone on Wednesday, with everyone probably getting the adrenaline flowing as they crawl one of the most notorious shelf roads anywhere. After the Red Cone descent, the group will take off to Webster's Pass and to visit an old cabin, with camping in the Breckenridge area.

Thursday, September 7: All good things must come to an end, and Thursday will be the final day of the Rally. The last trail will be the difficult Wheeler Lake course. Just after lunch, it's expected that everyone will bid farewell (until the next event), and head on home.

Colorado offers great 'wheeling and unmatched scenery.

As always, your host for the Mitsubishi Summer Colorado Rally will be Lloyd Swartz, and interested parties may email Lloyd or call him at (505) 246-9430. Lloyd asks that everyone who plans on attending confirm with him prior to the event (the sooner the better) so he can account for everyone. And as with any wheeling trip, be sure to pack appropriately for the Colorado High Country (bring plenty of warm clothes, blankets, jackets, water, food, and medicine if needed), because the weather can change instantly and most of the rally will be truly off the beaten path.

Be sure to check in with the Mitsubishi Section and the Forums for more event details, changes, and general discussion. And look for event coverage once the event concludes in September!