mizedog
07-13-2009, 08:05 AM
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.
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.