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PAGE 1 OF THE SECOND ISSUE OF CAMPFIRE TALES
In the beginning, Campfire Tales had no pictures.  Just the story.  Keep in mind this story was written in 1985.  The trails have changed a lot since that time.

This issue includes
Taylor Pass

Pearl Pass

 

PEARL PASS EATS OUR TIRES -  ANOTHER OF THE MANY ADVENTURES OF PASS PATROL

 

 
 

Pass Patrol's second trip began Saturday, August 31 of 1985 but it was called the IT Patrol at that time.  This is the story that was written upon returning from that trip on Tuesday, September 4, 1985.

 
 
 

Shortcut to Crested Butte

Labor Day weekend started out quiet enough.  CJ and his family, Mike from CS, my two boys and I all met at our usual spot in Johnson’s Village.  We used Cottonwood Pass to get into Taylor Park.  That pass is more like a superhighway than a backroad. From there we zipped on over to Taylor Pass. 

Mike had some problems with getting his truck up the rocky road, but nothing serious happened.  We reached Taylor Lake early in the afternoon and set up camp.  Mike immediately proved his fishing talents by taking the lead in catching brook trout for dinner.  CJ and I took his Jeep up Taylor Hill.  That is the final climb to the crest of the pass and it is a challenge.  His Jeep made the trip with no problems at all.  There is a bypass for anyone unable to make the climb.

The next day, Sunday, I tried three times to get my Bronco up the near-vertical hill, but each time I slipped off into ruts left by other vehicles that didn’t make it either.  All I could do was back down.  Rick and I chose to explore some other trails while Mike and Kathy fished.  The kids panned for gold.

We spent several hours watching other 4wheelers attempt to climb the big hill.  Its sides are gravel and are so steep, it is difficult to walk up with falling.  Everyone ended up on the bypass.  By late afternoon, I decided my Bronco was going up that hill and took off with renewed determination.  I found the secret.  The way I got through had nothing to do with staying out of the ruts.  It’s all in the speed of the attempt.  After that, I was going up and down the hill as easily as cruising down a highway.

Later Sunday, Nissan Leader arrived with his son just in time for a good fish dinner.

 
 
   

Copyright (c) 2016 Lone Writer, LLC. All rights reserved.

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