Blue skies, sunny skies and fresh snow greet us at the beginning of Lands End Road in Grand Mesa National Forest Colorado
Lands End Road, Grand Mesa National Forest Colorado
The skies darkened and the snow deepened as we made our way up the 10% plus grade to the top of Grand Mesa.
Four wheel drive was welcomed on the muddy, slick switchbacks.
Two EarthRoamer XV-LTs slog their way through the mud bog that is the entrance to Camp 1.
Everyone had fun bouncing their EarthRoamers through the muck.
EarthRoamer owner and professional wildlife photographer Tim shows off for the camera and catches a little air in his heavy EarthRoamer!
Jeff and Jenny had picked up their brand new EarthRoamer just three days before the Rally.
Dave – EarthRoamer employee and chef extraordinaire – prepares the first of four delicious feasts.
A few EarthRoamers XV-LTs in Camp 1 at Lands End
The view from Lands End looking west. On a clear day the view from the 10,000 foot elevation mesa extends all the way to Utah.
EarthRoamer employees were relegated to winter tent camping.
Rally participants pulled out all the stops in an attempt to keep warm. Notice the original EarthRoamer ER2K in the background!
Scott Brady's Toyota based expedition vehicle wasn't as luxurious as the EarthRoamer XV-LTs, but it kept warm and dry and he didn’t have to sleep in a tent on the ground!
We are all a little surprised that the rented mess tent made it through the night - it wasn't exactly designed for mountain winter camping!
The mess tent provided a welcome reprieve from the blowing snow and cold temperatures outside.
The next morning we awoke to several inches of new fallen snow.
Two EarthRoamers make their way out of Camp 1 on the snow covered mud bog.
EarthRoamer owner Barry concentrates intently on his driving
Three EarthRoamer XV-LTs make their way out of Camp 1 on the snow covered, muddy trail in near white-out conditions.
The trail was easy to follow as the last of the EarthRoamers depart Camp 1
The EarthRoamers prepare to make their way through the snowstorm and off of the Mesa
EarthRoamers make their way through the snowstorm to Camp 2
It was near white-out conditions as we made our way eastward toward the Grand Mesa visitors center.
The EarthRoamer Owners group rally photo is very different from last year’s group photo. Last year, everyone was wearing shorts in Monument Valley!
What a difference a mile in elevation makes -- at around 5,000 foot elevation the snow ways gone and we were enjoying smooth roads and beautiful fall foliage.
EarthRoamers snake their way through the beautiful golden aspen groves.
The climb up the west side and back down the east side of 8,763 foot McClure pass is one of the most scenic drives in Colorado. Notice the rocks in the road. Falling rocks on Colorado mountain roads is an ever present danger, especially after storms.
EarthRoamer Rally Camp 2 was located at the Bogan Flats national forest campground near Marble, Colorado. There was no water or power available, but this was no problem for the fully self-contained EarthRoamers.
A patch of blue sky hints at better things to come
Scott Brady teaches a class of EarthRoamer owners about inspecting their vehicle and preparing for an expedition.
The ongoing struggle between fall and winter resulted in spectacular displays of color and snow.
The last of the snow melts off exposing vibrant fall colors.
Scott Brady of Expeditions West leads a class on vehicle recovery and winching techniques.
Scott Brady of Expeditions West leads a class on vehicle recovery and winching techniques.
Beaver Lake was a photographers dream!
The entire area was both a four wheelers and a photographer’s paradise.
With the drivers rear wheel buried to the axle, we were stuck. The Warn 16.5 winch enabled a speedy recovery.
Some of the rally participants at the last night’s dinner.
A warm fire and tales of adventure kept us entertained late into the night.