Moon Gulch, Rollinsville and Mammoth Gulch

[SubaCool]

Loch Lomond was not enough for me on Friday and Smash was talking about going out on Monday. And since Lisa was supposed to be working on Monday afternoon, I was able to talk her into letting me take the Outback and go have fun with Smash (I know, what the hell was she thinking? ). Well, her schedule changed and I was no longer able to spend the whole afternoon with Smash. I've decided to head up into the hills early, run around a bit, and meet up with Smash for about an hour. Well, needless to say, it didn't go as "planned".

Check out the full slideshow at: https://good-times.webshots.com/slideshow/574458536theWtC

I drove up to Idaho Springs and took the scenic route to Central City via Oh My God Road (made it up in about 10 minutes).

I got to the cemetery up above CC at about noon and continued on to Apex. From there I wanted to head up the Gamble Gulch road, but ended up straying off the gravel road soon after leaving Apex. There was a nice looking trail leading up into the trees and I've decided to follow it.

According to the Wells book, it was supposed to take me to Moon Gulch. At one point, it split up and I took another path that ended up being an illegal shortcut to the same trail (it didn't look illegal until it was too late - my bad). It went through some tight trees and steep up onto the trail.

I wasn't able to get up over the ledge of the road (didn't want to tear the exhaust off and didn't want to tear up the ground either), so I had to turn around (off camber, gotta love the low CG) and go back through the trees.

I came back to the trail and continued on, away from Apex. I've passed the illegal section soon after and then the trail spit me out at FS 413, so I've decided to follow that North-east. It went through some tight trees and shrubs, but it was marked. After about 1.5 miles I came to an intersection with FS 290. The 413 went right, steep uphill.

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[SubaCool]

The 290 went left and looked like it was slowly descending. At that point, I had no idea where I was since I couldn't find myself on the map. I've decided to stay on 413, as the climb looked fairly challenging and inviting. I drove up to the top just to find myself between trees with a tree stump in between them.

I was able to safely maneuver through and kept on going. Not 20 yards after that I ran into some more trees. At that point, I was frustrated as hell cause I had no idea where I was, the car was already scratched up from all the branches, and it was nearing the time I was supposed to meet Smash back at the cemetery. So I've turned around and headed back, just to maneuver over the same stump again and down the hill, back to 290, which I then followed back down to Rollinsville. It turned out to be the Upper Moon Gulch road.

As soon as I've passed the Worrick Family picnic area, the road cleared up and I started picking up speed. Then I came across the stupid drainage ditch and bent the wheel. At that point, I've realized I wasn't gonna be able to meet Smash on time.

After getting to Rollinsville, I went to see the East Tunnel and then headed up over Mammoth Gulch back through Apex and to Central City. That took me about 45 minutes.

Eventful day it was, and I was dead tired after driving over 40 miles offroad in about 4 hrs. But it sure was worth it - had tons of fun and made me more confident with what the Subie can get me into to, over, through, and out of!

 

[SubaCool]

Videos go here (soon)

 

[mr turbo]

Sweet trip report SubaCool, can't wait to see the vids.

Regards
Mr Turbo

 

[Smash81]

Very nice, I like that first trail you listed although it gets steep and rough eventually if I remember correctly.

 

[carljwnc]

Slide show is great!!! Can't wait for the vids.:ebiggrin: