Hey Guys and Gals,

Currently I am planning a trail run for Labor Day weekend that will be suitable for stock vehicles. LOST Rockies (Liberty Owners) are also being invited. I'm hoping this will be a big turnout and have already had positive feedback from many LOST members.

I am seeking out trails within two hours West of either CO Springs, north to the Boulder area. The trail(s) we hit will range from unmaintained forest service roads to moderate (2-3 rating) trails. Some participants may be interested in camping and we may make this a multi-day event with different grade trails for different skill and equipment levels. I'm SURE some of the LOST guys would be happy to show off their rides and what they can do.

This will be a family friendly event for responsible off-roaders. If you're interested in attending, please PM me your email address so I can add you to the list.

I've got a lot of people interested in this trip. I believe the weekend will go as such...

Saturday - Light to Moderate trail run for everyone, bone stock on up. More of a scenic back-country tour with some rough spots, but nothing a stock Patriot (FDI) cannot handle. This may seem boring for some, but this day will be more for getting to know others and as an introduction to off-roading. We will still need experienced rigs and drivers however for spotting, and to share stories and experiences.

Sunday - A range of trails from moderate (FDII) to difficult (Lifted, etc.). This is a day to push the limits of your Patriot, or ride along with the LOST Liberties, or Wranglers who are coming along. I personally hope to revisit the Kingston Peak trail on which we will use skid plates.

The objective is to find a suitable area with varying trail difficulties nearby, with a place to camp large enough for a moderate sized group. If you have any suggestions, or would like to be added to the email list for this event, please feel free to PM me. A finalized .PDF plan, including campsite location, trail options, and checklist will be emailed out the Wednesday prior to the weekend.

Again, this is a family-friendly event for responsible drivers. Illegal trail-usage and drinking while driving will NOT be tolerated.

Ouch, 700 miles away. Thought about it for a second though. Looking forward to seeing the pics.

I like the idea of going a little further North, between Empire and Estes Park; suggested by a LOST member. If you look at Trail Damage (.com) there are a plethora of trails up that way with MANY different levels of difficulty. I think this is the area we'll focus on.

I am going to Michigan for the weekend and won't be back till Tuesday evening next week. I will be checking online every day except Friday and Saturday, so feel free to post your trail selections along with TD ratings. Remember, we're doing a stocker friendly trail Saturday so we can all meet and greet and talk Jeep, then Sunday we can all break up and do a rougher trail for you lifted guys and mild trail for us FDII Patriots and stock Liberty's. Those with stock patriots can ride along on either trail.

Also send along any suggestions for a campsite suitable for multiple people. Doesn't have to be a campground, could be National Forest, BLM, etc.

By Wednesday I'll have the trails figured out and campsite and will post a .PDF with all the info online.

Thanks for your help guys!!!

Dawson, I would like to join. I gave my Patriot FDII a shakedown cruise of some pretty ugly side trails that have stymied my brother-in-law's '64 Landcruiser. I took on one hill that was a real bast@rd and eventually got over it. For what our little Jeeps are made, you can get yourself into a whopping bit o'trouble/fun. It is a really capable 4x4, probably almost as good as a real truck if driven with skill.

I have determined that the "low" setting is invaluable, but doesn't result in a truly lower gear than when you manually downshift in 2WD. They say it is good for "rock crawling," and it is low enough to get the job done, but it won't get the engine into the power range where you can whale on steep hills unless you get a run at it first and bring the RPMs up. Also, you will want to turn off the ESP by holding the button down for 5 seconds until it is completely off. The first hill was impossible for me to get over; I turned off the ESP and got stuck at the same spot by being traction-limited - the ESP had been sensing slip and reducing power/grabbing slipping wheels. With the ESP off, tires were spinning in that same spot. It's definitely NOT the transmission, which seems well able to overdrive the bejeezus out of the tires without the interference of the ESP.

The impression I got was that this little lifted car was quite nearly as capable as anything I have ever driven off road, although I am admittedly NOT a guy to take a perfectly good vehicle I have spent $22k+ on up a rock-ledged streambed. Driving skill is an issue here as well, as I think I am probably somewhat above the norm in picking a line and making a vehicle go up an ugly stretch. The place I fought my battle was a wavy rising hill 60+ feet tall at probably 25 degrees, with two lumps that approached maybe 40 degrees. It looked like it was bloody straight up at several points for 10-12 feet, which were covered in loose sand and gravel over granite and hardpack. You wouldn't want to walk up it, I assure you. Nevertheless, I was able to struggle up the right side by laying on the gas. My old Toyota Tacoma was able to scramble up the right side with no drama, but the left side was a show-stopper. My brother-in-law's Cruiser wouldn't go up either side. I was never able to get up the left side in any vehicle, but the closest I came was with the Patriot this last time. I would have made it on attempt #3 if I hadn't jumped off the gas trying to avoid a big rock that was sticking out in my path.

As far as going DOWN impossible hills, I will never want to be in anything that does not have Hill Descent Control. It works with such phenomenal precision a 6-year-old child would be able to drive down the scariest hills.

Awesome! I'll be sure to send you the PDF, and I'll post it online next Wednesday. What trials did you hit?

Also, you will want to turn off the ESP by holding the button down for 5 seconds until it is completely off. The first hill was impossible for me to get over; I turned off the ESP and got stuck at the same spot by being traction-limited - the ESP had been sensing slip and reducing power/grabbing slipping wheels. With the ESP off, tires were spinning in that same spot. It's definitely NOT the transmission, which seems well able to overdrive the bejeezus out of the tires without the interference of the ESP.

Another thing you might try, according to Scott Brady, is to lightly touch the brake pedal with your left foot to disengage the traction control system. Not enough to actually do any braking, but enough to light the brake lights. When you lift your foot the traction control will go back on. This way you can control wheel spin with your left foot, engine throttle with your right foot, and still keep bith hands on the wheel.

I've selected Rollins Pass West for the Saturday stocker run. The trail head is near Winter Park. A .PDF is located at http://www.preamprod.com/laborday.pdf with all the meeting details. Hope to see you there!

Dawson,
Just to let you know... your cell phone probably won't work in Rollinsville. I live 5 minutes from there and most don't get reception.

Hope you guys have a good weekend !!

Thanks Annie.

So, are you coming out for the Saturday run?

I didn't make it, I was over near Buena Vista visiting the hot springs. I can't wait to hear how the weekend run went!

Actually, you weren't the only one who couldn't make it Annie, my buddy Darryl (Liberty) and I were the only ones who did. I was a little disappointed in the 0 turnout, but realize it is a tough weekend to get people together. Darryl and I did run Rollins Pass East, which is nothing more than a dirt road. There was one mile of semi-rough terrain to get to the Needle Eye Tunnel but nothing a stock Patriot couldn't handle. After that we ate at Millie's in Central City and headed toward Tolland. We camped at the intersection of CR 353, 176 and 183. Had breakfast at the Savory Cafe in Nederland and waited for anyone who may want to do the Kingston Peak run. Since Denise and I were in our Patriot over 50 hours last weekend on a road trip to MI, we and Darryl opted to head home and hang out for the day.

Hope we can get together some other time!