The morning started with a hard rain. We got the fire started after the rain went through and started drying the gear out. We shared the cooking between the 3 parties on the trip so we each were given time off from meal prep. The morning fire was wonderful and the skies clear with Colorado Blue Skies.

Once underway we started the climb up to the top of Tomichi pass. The rest of the climb was ruff and rocky so it was a slow grind. Shirley, Nancy and LJ took off early to walk the rest of the way to the top.

We passed a wetland area where the ATVs have been going off road and tearing up the landscape. The area has been blocked off with large logs and I hope this keep the ATVs out. There are a few tight switch backs as the road winds past Sawmill Hill. The FJ Cruisers with the M416 trails in tow did just fine. The trailers tend to track inside the FJ line.  George was having a great time driving our Rocky Mountain trails.

Shirley hitched a ride to the top with Dale and I passed Nancy and LJ as they worked their way up the pass. We topped out to a spectacular view back down the Tomichi creek drainage as well as west towards the Alpine Tunnel.

After the token group picture I was time to head down the west side of the pass. This section of road is very narrow with few pull outs. The entire section is visible from the top so we were sure there were no uphill vehicles.  The road is cut through the talus slopes and has a soft outer shoulder.  Keeping to the inside was important.

 

We crossed a wetland area where some volunteers have constructed a rock road surface which provides a solid path through the area without any more damage being done.  After the wetland area the road narrows even more with a few areas where the left tires roll just a few inches from the edge. We also encountered a small rock slide that had to be cleared before we could continue down.

Passing the right to Hancock pass we continued on to the Alpine tunnel. The road up to the tunnel follows the original rail grade and is a fantastic drive. The road is cut out of the cliff in place and in others is built with rock walls.

At the tunnel parking area we encountered a large group of Toyota’s from the Rising Sun chapter of the Toyota Land Cruiser Association.  It was fun looking at the wide variety of modified Toyota’s.

The tunnel is collapsed but there a number of historic structures that exhibit fine rock laying as well as an old turn table and station house.  We took our time here to have lunch and let the other vehicles clear out.

Once away from the Alpine tunnel we proceeded over Hancock Pass. Hancock winds up to the summit on the west side following a small ridge line. At the top we encountered a nicely restored FJ 40. The owner was also from Colorado Springs and was out for a camping trip with his daughter.

Once again on the eastern slope of the Rockies we descended Hancock pass into the Chalk Creek drainage. The descent offers a number of rocky sections, however there is no really exposed sections.

We finished the day at Iron City campground near St. Elmo. We were able to get 2 nice sites where we could hear the creek running all night long. After a nice meal and our daily rain it was off to bed for an early start the next morning.

Google Earth KML File

Day 3