Mt. Antero, Colorado day run

[mizedog]

Ok, I've had my XJ since late October and this was my first chance to take it on the trail (except for driving through the winter blizzards). I know, I know it's sad but I've got a few more trips planned for this summer yet. Anyway, Mt. Antero is near the Collegiate range just southeast of the ghost town of St. Elmo. It's know for semi-precious gemstones like aquamarine. My friend knows someone who got $5,000 for one he found. His two grandsons found one on this trip that was about 1.5" long! The Jeep did fine, but was a little rough. I didn't disconnect the swaybar and now my back is thrown out! It tossed me side to side pretty badly. I didn't even have swaybars on my CJ and am still learning this whole coil spring thang...
Attempt at HDR photo:
http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y272/Mizedog/Jeep%20pics/Mount%20Antero%20trip/Anterocamp_pregamma_1_fattal_alpha_.jpg
Pano of Mt. Antero's peak (14,269 feet above sea level)
http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y272/Mizedog/Jeep%20pics/Mount%20Antero%20trip/MountAnteropeakpanocrop.jpg
http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y272/Mizedog/Jeep%20pics/Mount%20Antero%20trip/MountAnteroviewcrop.jpg
On the way up at about 12,500 ft.
http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y272/Mizedog/Jeep%20pics/Mount%20Antero%20trip/MtWhitepanocrop.jpg
http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y272/Mizedog/Jeep%20pics/Mount%20Antero%20trip/P1010017.jpg
This stock Grand Cherokee did great on street tires (traction control, 5 speep auto, yada, yada...)
http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y272/Mizedog/Jeep%20pics/Mount%20Antero%20trip/P1010020.jpg
http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y272/Mizedog/Jeep%20pics/Mount%20Antero%20trip/P1010064.jpg
Flowers were eveywhere! The higher in elevation, the smaller they were
http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y272/Mizedog/Jeep%20pics/Mount%20Antero%20trip/P1010074.jpg
Fresh mountain goat tracks
http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y272/Mizedog/Jeep%20pics/Mount%20Antero%20trip/P1010086.jpg
http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y272/Mizedog/Jeep%20pics/Mount%20Antero%20trip/P1010098.jpg
http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y272/Mizedog/Jeep%20pics/Mount%20Antero%20trip/P1010101.jpg
http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y272/Mizedog/Jeep%20pics/Mount%20Antero%20trip/P1010117.jpg
Chalk Creek along the road to St. Elmo. I saw nice trout swimmy around in there.
http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y272/Mizedog/Jeep%20pics/Mount%20Antero%20trip/P1010143.jpg
It got chilly enough Friday night to see our breath and caused lots of condensation in the tents. Day time temps at the peak were great! Probably in the 70's.
In the next two months I'll be doing the Miner's Loop (Hancock Pass, Tin Cup), Medano Pass to the Great Sand Dunes, Alpine Loop (trails around Ouray, and Silverton), Wheeler Lake, and maybe one more. Check out www.traildamage.com for interesting reading on these trails.

[queenb2850]

Kurt,
Wow! These pics are beautiful. Thank you so much for sharing them with me. I am looking forward to seeing your next trips. Have fun, be safe and disconnect next trip!! Hee Hee
Blessings
Nancy J

[Mudderoy]

Very nice. Great shots. This is one of the reasons I enjoy forums so much, you get to see things you wouldn't normally be able to see. :popcorn:

[Melissa]

Absolutely gorgeous pictures!!!

:drool:

[Dirt Dogg Rydas]

nice pics!
i live next to the franklin mountains but they're not nearly as nice as the ones in colorado

[mizedog]

nice pics!
i live next to the franklin mountains but they're not nearly as nice as the ones in colorado

Come up! There's plenty of room for ya. Just remember to bring some of that good BBQ!

[BlueXJ]

Extremely nice pics.

[Dirt Dogg Rydas]

I wish the only reason I've been up there was to pick up my daughter, and i only made it to trinidad and back. long trips like those are just not in my budget right now

[queenb2850]

Jeef and I will be there to see you some day. Hopefully in the near future. :o)

[N1TZU]

Awesome place to be and camp....Great pics there mizedog....You and yours are blessed to have sites like that near by....Thanks for sharing......Bob....

[COSXJFAN]

Nice shots!! I've ran just about every other trail up there but that one, looks like I need to get to it!!

[jugbutt]

Man I got to go there someday!!

[alwaysxj]

looks great. i want to move to co so bad but i have to convince my wife looks like fun

[Audio222]

I have always wanted to go there, maybe one day I will get to.

[mizedog]

looks great. i want to move to co so bad but i have to convince my wife looks like fun

It's possible! I got my wife to move from California to Colorado and she had lived in Riverside her whole life! Cleaner air, safer roads, neighborhoods, shools, more relaxed atmosphere, the kids are not only allowed to but encouraged to say the Pledge Of Allegiance in school, and we actually get seasons. She loves it.

[alwaysxj]

It's possible! I got my wife to move from California to Colorado and she had lived in Riverside her whole life! Cleaner air, safer roads, neighborhoods, shools, more relaxed atmosphere, the kids are not only allowed to but encouraged to say the Pledge Of Allegiance in school, and we actually get seasons. She loves it.

well i'm from logan utah so my wife wants to get away from the snow. but i did talk to her about it and she said in about five years we can move to colorado. can't wait. what is the best part to move to for wheeling and just a good place to be? i have been to denver but don't know if i want a big city.

[mizedog]

what is the best part to move to for wheeling and just a good place to be? i have been to denver but don't know if i want a big city.

Most of Colorado's population is along the front range from running north and south. East of there it quickly turns to the high plains. I'm only 8-10 miles east of Colorado Springs and it's grassland as far east as you can see. But, the mountains are only 15 miles west. I've read that Colorado Springs is somewhat conservative and Boulder is way on the left. South of the Springs is Pueblo which has a much more southwest flavor, not as many jobs. I've read that Fort Collins north of Denver is really popular for families like the Springs. Pick your flavor. The western slope like Montrose is more small town, but I here the economy's not terrible there (more building happening). The Springs is a nice compromise between small town and city.
COSXJFAN, any other thoughts...? Don't you work in Woodland Park (which is a pretty town)?

[alwaysxj]

sweet thanks for all the good info. hopefully i will get to wheel with you one day if i ever get to move to co. if you ever come to utah let me know and i can show you some good trails.