Journey with Confidence RV GPS App RV Trip Planner RV LIFE Campground Reviews RV Maintenance Take a Speed Test Free 7 Day Trial ×
 


Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
 
Old 09-08-2009, 09:41 AM   #1
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Western Colorado
Posts: 1,228
San Juan Mtns./Alpine Loop

Just got back from a short 4 day jaunt to the San Juans south of where we live. We went through Ouray and up Mineral Creek. We ended up doing all of the Alpine Loop as well as a few other loops. The weather was cool and rainy every day which is the norm. Absolutely beautiful!
The SMB did great on these narrow roads. I am impressed with the capability of this bohemoth, the gearing, power, and clearance were great. For those of you not familiar with the Mineral Creek section, it is rather narrow with several interesting rocky off camber switchbacks.



A low hanging cable just scraped across the cargo box.


A view from below Engineer Pass


One of our capmsites at 11'400ft.


Another one of our campsites, this one had an amazing view and was at 12,400ft.


A little story here. So I keep my fire ring in the cargo carrier and usually just toss it to the ground when unloading. I do this because it is pretty heavy with wood and pretty dirty. So I did my usual method, which I quickly realized was not the best or brightest method for sure. Once the tub hit the ground it bounced and spiraled down the hill. With a resounding $%&@ I watched it roll all the way down to the lake below where it came to rest minus the load of firewood that was in it. It seems that the tub is effective at ejecting said firewood at regular interevals as it rolls down a mountainside. My wife of course, laughed during the entire event. This photo shows the tub and the end of its joyride and the tiny bump on the horizon is the SMB at camp. Good times!!


Oh Point! Near Engineer Pass.

__________________
Desert Solitaire
2003 7.3L EB 4x4
Timberline 4x4 conversion
saline is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-08-2009, 01:37 PM   #2
Senior Member
 
AndrewST's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: Switzerland soon back to Oregon
Posts: 733
Re: San Juan Mtns./Alpine Loop

Saline thanks for the report. Great views, just added it to my where to go list.
__________________
2009 E350 window RB 6.0 PSD Quadvan 4x4 with EB pop top
2003 E350 ambulance 7.3 PSD Quigley
2007 Jeep JK for local offroad
AndrewST is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-08-2009, 03:13 PM   #3
Senior Member
 
Ford_6L_E350's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2007
Location: Washington - Ridgefield
Posts: 4,728
Re: San Juan Mtns./Alpine Loop

Now we know round things roll downhill.

It looks like a washer tub.

Mike
__________________
Alaska to Key West, Labrador and more
Prostate cancer survivor. See Thread Prostate cancer and Sportsmobiles
2015 VW GTI 2020 Fiat 124 Spider
2012 E250 Hitop camper
Ford_6L_E350 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-08-2009, 04:48 PM   #4
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Western Colorado
Posts: 1,228
Re: San Juan Mtns./Alpine Loop

Yep! Thats what my wife said.
It is a tub out of a washing machine. They breath well, and radiate heat like crazy. Plus a standard round grill fits neatly over the top.
__________________
Desert Solitaire
2003 7.3L EB 4x4
Timberline 4x4 conversion
saline is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-08-2009, 06:42 PM   #5
Senior Member
 
jage's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Parker, CO
Posts: 7,644
Re: San Juan Mtns./Alpine Loop

That happened to me with a wheel of Gouda once...

Where do you keep it in your van?
__________________
it was good to be back
jage is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-08-2009, 06:53 PM   #6
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Western Colorado
Posts: 1,228
Re: San Juan Mtns./Alpine Loop

Believe it or not it fits in the rooftop box.
We woke one morning to find a herd of sheep going past our camp. We also encountered this sheep dog (anyone know what it is? It's huge.) that enjoyed our attention. He also enjoyed a pop tart.






__________________
Desert Solitaire
2003 7.3L EB 4x4
Timberline 4x4 conversion
saline is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-08-2009, 07:47 PM   #7
Member
 
Join Date: Jan 2009
Posts: 40
Re: San Juan Mtns./Alpine Loop

The dog looks like a skinny Great Pyrenees without a full coat or a Lab/Pyr mix. The Great Pyrenees is a very old breed, and has been used for millennia by shepherds. Thank you for posting these fine photos.
Langton is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-09-2009, 05:26 AM   #8
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: France, Europe
Posts: 617
Re: San Juan Mtns./Alpine Loop

Hi I would vote for A Pyreneean Sheep dog too...
__________________
New ride: 2000 Chevy Suburban 1500 4WD
1998 Chevy Express 2500 past project
+ 1990 Mitsubishi Pajero V6 3.0l
+ 2001 Saab 9-5 Aero Hirsch
+ 1972 Saab 96 V4 (not running)
+ fixed house (Argh)
saabman is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-13-2009, 01:14 AM   #9
Site Team
 
daveb's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2007
Location: Turlock Ca
Posts: 10,409
Garage
Re: San Juan Mtns./Alpine Loop

Great looking ridge route. Wish I was there. I quit haulin the Pit-2-go and switched to a propane fire just lately but I must admit the washin machine tub is a great device to make a fire in. Been doin it for years.
Dave
__________________
2006 Ford 6.0PSD EB-50/E-PH SMB 4X4 Rock Crawler Trailer

Sportsmobile 4X4 Adventures..........On and off road adventures
daveb is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-13-2009, 10:31 AM   #10
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Western Colorado
Posts: 1,228
Re: San Juan Mtns./Alpine Loop

Yep the tubs a quite nice.
BTW after research, we believe that the dog is a Kuvasz. Cool Dog!
__________________
Desert Solitaire
2003 7.3L EB 4x4
Timberline 4x4 conversion
saline is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply


Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off

» Featured Campgrounds

Reviews provided by

Powered by vBadvanced CMPS v3.2.3
Disclaimer:

This website is not affiliated with or endorsed by Sportsmobile SIP or any of its affiliates. This is an independent, unofficial site.


All times are GMT -6. The time now is 05:30 PM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.8 Beta 4
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.