Chinaman Gulch 2010 Trip Report
TRIP REPORT FOR: MAY 8, 2010 - Chinaman Gulch
We left the Safeway parking lot (where two new members joined) at 7:20 AM to head toward the Gunsmoke Truck Stop in Buena Vista, our usual rendezvous point. From there we headed to the Chinaman Gulch / Carnage Canyon trail head with 12 vehicles and 21 personnel. We met Linda from the BLM out of Canon City, who was awaiting another club for some trail work on Carnage. After introducing ourselves and giving her a director’s business card, she checked the accuracy of the BLM contact information in our club handbook, at my request. She indicated that the Salida number was OK, but the Canon City phone number (same as Penrose) would be better. Overall, she said that she was impressed with the quality of our club handbook.
By that time, the group was ready to head up the trail. So after a quick prayer, all 12 vehicles headed up Chinaman Gulch trail, lead by Directors Randy and Dave, with Randy in the lead and Dave as tail gunner. All made it relatively unscathed through the Rock Garden, except a few minor bumps and scrapes on the nearly stock Jeep Commander. Director Pete and family met us with his crew of 4 at the Rock Pile as did another XJ with a crew of 3, totaling 14 vehicles (3XJ’s, 7TJ’s, 1CJ, 1Commander, 1Suzuki, and 1 GMC) and 28 personnel.
While playing on and eating lunch at the Rock Pile, we were passed by a few Jeeps, but overall, the trail had very light traffic. We left the Rock Pile and headed up the wash toward Whale’s Tail (The Waterfall), where all made it up safely, one way or another. Most when up the middle line with a few opting for the far right. However, the most impressive display of vehicle capability and driving prowess was demonstrated by Matt and his buggied out Suzuki, which successfully negotiated the far left line. Skot’s TJ experienced a bent tie rod playing on a rock on top of the waterfall after successfully climbing the middle it. We winched the tie rod straight enough to keep moving until we could give it a more permanent repair later up the trail.
The driver of the third XJ that joined the group happened to have a spare tie rod for his XJ that fit Skot’s TJ.
So while most of the folks were playing on the Stairs (which have recently become known as “Achilles Rock” named after Pete’s war wound), we got Skot’s tie rod replaced good as new. Big thanks to his hero with the tie rod. I wish I could mention his name, but he was the XJ that joined us late, not making it onto the roster. One red TJ (I won’t mention who it was, Dave) tried several unsuccessful attempts at the far left, while everyone else took the easier far right side. The sandy bottom of the rock ledges are dug deep by spinning tires, and the white XJ (I won’t mention who it was, me) got high centered trying the middle before admitting defeat and going to the right.
The ride through the chutes was exciting for the stockers (especially the Commander) but relatively uneventful. We regrouped back at the trail head at about 6pm-ish for a group photo, then folks went their separate directions. Some aired up and immediately drove home while others stopped at the Coyote Canteen for some human fuel. The weather was terrific, while looking a little ominous to the west over the mountains in the late afternoon. From this trip leader’s perspective, the earlier prediction that there was a “100% chance of some Mad Rock Crawling” certainly came to fruition.
Trip Leader - Randy Musselman
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