If this is your first Summit, read this first!

[Well-Strung]

JohnB_CO you should be fine with a stock vehicle and tires on most of the trails at the Summit. Poughkeepsie would be the one trail that would be questionable for stock, and that depends on your tolerance to trail damage.. ie nicks and scrapes to your undercarriage.

[Ace Brown]

FJ in PDX previously said:

Brilliant idea! They probably won't do that though out of fear someone will get all butt hurt.

No, it is a good idea and used at other events I go to. Cruise Moab actually awards best trail leader annually. Not sure where the props come from cause I've never seen any kind of ranking card. But obviously if trail leaders know they are being evaluated they will do their best. They should anyway, but the ranking will push them to their best behavior.

Ace


Sent from my iPhone using AutoGuide.com App

[Treymtn]

Ace Brown previously said:

No, it is a good idea and used at other events I go to. Cruise Moab actually awards best trail leader annually. Not sure where the props come from cause I've never seen any kind of ranking card. But obviously if trail leaders know they are being evaluated they will do their best. They should anyway, but the ranking will push them to their best behavior.

Ace


Sent from my iPhone using AutoGuide.com App

That makes total sense. Hopefully the organizers consider the change for 2013.

[Old Sarge]

It was either my first or second year that I had a trail leader, who once got off the paved road pulled over so his son could drive, and for whatever they drove at a fast pace even leaving some of us behind who had to help a couple of guys on dual sports up the mountain. At the end they pulled over and changed drivers and didn't even say thanks, enjoyed it or anything else. I complained to the organizers about this "leader". I don't think he has lead anymore trips. If you have an issue with the trail leaders please let the organizers know. If they don't know then they can't do anything about it.

and Yes Woodsman, you do one hell of a job leading the trails, both that the Summit and Moab! Thanks for steping up!

[Woodsman]

Old Sarge previously said:

It was either my first or second year that I had a trail leader, who once got off the paved road pulled over so his son could drive, and for whatever they drove at a fast pace even leaving some of us behind who had to help a couple of guys on dual sports up the mountain. At the end they pulled over and changed drivers and didn't even say thanks, enjoyed it or anything else. I complained to the organizers about this "leader". I don't think he has lead anymore trips. If you have an issue with the trail leaders please let the organizers know. If they don't know then they can't do anything about it.

and Yes Woodsman, you do one hell of a job leading the trails, both that the Summit and Moab! Thanks for steping up!

Thanks Sarge. I realize that we ask alot of the organizers but maybe they should also hand out a sheet explaining what is expected of the trail leaders in terms of: pace, restroom stops, photo ops, lunch stops, meeting spots after lunch stops, etc.

[Vegas_Nick [OP]]

Woodsman previously said:

Thanks Sarge. I realize that we ask alot of the organizers but maybe they should also hand out a sheet explaining what is expected of the trail leaders in terms of: pace, restroom stops, photo ops, lunch stops, meeting spots after lunch stops, etc.

You know, establishing a standard would be great if people would adhere to them. We heard many comments about how one leader or the other was better or worse than the other. Everyone does have their own style. I lead many many trail runs out here and I am sure that in someone's eyes, I suck at it.

Just being in such a beautiful and historically rich area around Ouray, it just never occurred to me that we'd be blasting through like we did. No one on our runs even knew the history of the area.

Again, I want to be clear that I was not bashing, just wanted future attendees to be primed for the event.

[ocr14a]

Well-Strung previously said:

Don't expect to get to stop much for pics even on the Photo Trail Runs. I only picked Photo trail runs in 2012 and I was suprised to say the least. We even saw a bear and the leader just kept going. The first day we were done ahead of non-photo trail groups, actually passing them on the trail. He also skipped an entire trail and wasn't bothered that he lost half of his group. Many who were new to the state and offroading.

The second day we were unfortunate enough to have the same leader. This time it started better but then again leaving the group without communication and lots of confusion. Because he didn't "feel" like running the second half of the day. He needed to get back to Ouray, buy more raffle tickets and drink.

I know for a fact these events led to some people going on there own and getting lost and others damaging their vehicles due to not having a spotter/leader...

Wow. What a bummer. I assume if the organizers knew that someone was going to be like that, there's no way they'd let em lead a trail run.

I mean, some of the stuff that people will complain about from time to time is questionable, and we could go back and forth about it, but this kind of thing is totally unacceptable. I know you're a big boy and can handle it, but sorry that it was like that for you, man.

Well-Strung previously said:

...I appreciate this is a volunteer role. But, I do wish they had a section on the site that shows who is leading each run and their "style" or member reviews. So you know who/what you are getting into.

Great idea!

FJ in PDX previously said:

Brilliant idea! They probably won't do that though out of fear someone will get all butt hurt.

Perhaps, but maybe they should only list those that had positive reviews so that no one can complain about being called-out.

JohnB_CO previously said:

Hi All,

New to the FJ and just bought one with the 'Off Road' package, wanting to do the Alpine Loop. Not to sure if the stock tires will hold up to it or not. I realize that if I want to climb over large rocks and boulders, one needs the big knobby ones, but I'd appreciate it if someone has done the loop with the standard tires.

Cheers.

As for trail difficulty, a totally and completely stock FJC won't even notice most of it except, as mentioned, the winch wall on Poughkeepsie Gulch (which we did completely stock in 2009). That said, there is one thing that everyone should take note of, regardless of their vehicle's level of mods...the trail section from 550 up to Mineral Creek that we go on to get up to Poughkeepsie, and California, and the Alpine Loop is very, very bumpy with lots of sharp rocks. Not to say it's 'dangerous' for your stock vehicle at all, but just that you should be careful. Best thing is to air down and just go nice and slow through the more rocky sections, and you will be fine.

Woodsman previously said:

Thanks Sarge. I realize that we ask alot of the organizers but maybe they should also hand out a sheet explaining what is expected of the trail leaders in terms of: pace, restroom stops, photo ops, lunch stops, meeting spots after lunch stops, etc.

Another good idea.

[Ace Brown]

Woodsman previously said:

Thanks Sarge. I realize that we ask alot of the organizers but maybe they should also hand out a sheet explaining what is expected of the trail leaders in terms of: pace, restroom stops, photo ops, lunch stops, meeting spots after lunch stops, etc.

They do. At the leaders meeting all of those types concerns are discussed and an info sheet is handed out. It also should get covered when the trail leader meets the drivers before their start. But there can be issues with best laid plans such as leaders arriving late or not at all. They are all volunteers so you can't horse-whip them. :-)

Ace


Sent from my iPhone using AutoGuide.com App

[ocr14a]

Ace Brown previously said:

...They are all volunteers so you can't horse-whip them. :-)

Agreed. However, just because we trail leaders are volunteers, it doesn't mean that there can't be any requirements. There are many things in life that people volunteer for that still must be done right (whatever 'right' is for the given activity).

[Woodsman]

Just another note for first timers, although on a bit of a tangent, that there are many other things to see and do in the area and I will just mention a few here.

-Check out Box Canyon Falls up the road to the west if you walk from SUmmit HQ. Kinda cool and only cost a few bucks.
-Spend some time walking the town rather than just driving from building to building
-Check out Silverton, especially the main drag and keep an eye open for the cool trains coming into town from Durango (the Durango and Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad)
-Check out Durango. You can also take the train mentioned above to Silverton and back. Great scenery and neat experience. Also check out their railroad museum.
-Mesa Verde National Park is just west of Durango and worth spending a day there
-Spend a little extra time in Telluride walking around. Take the lift up to the ski resort. You can bike back down if you bring a bike.
-Check out the hot springs and take a soak
-Don't be a loner. Talk with people, make friends, hang out, have a great time.
-There are many other trails in the areas of Mesa Verde, Ouray, Silverton, Telluride, and Montrose that are worthy of exploration.