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Sierra and Sand Dunes - TR
We took a quick trip north the week before Easter. Camped only two nights but what wonderful sites we had. Stayed one night near the Buttermilks west of Bishop and another night at the Eureka Sand Dunes in the northern part of Death Valley National Park. Here are some pics from the trip.
Here is the rig in Independence, CA with the mighty Sierra in the background.
https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-IS9ZOAK7Gvc/UVYfeRLO5PI/AAAAAAAAGnQ/kOSsiW8xKiU/s640/IMG_4632.JPG height=640 width=640
View of Mt. Tom (13,652') from our campsite at about 7,500'.
https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-BDFuKUguv0w/UVYYYRfMPGI/AAAAAAAAGfk/uLWQpbwgeMo/s640/DSCN5627.JPG height=640 width=640
Sun setting behind Basin Mountain (13,181') from camp. The mountain to the left is Mt. Humprheys (13,986').
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-bzXVGKWKtd0/UVYYcVXjywI/AAAAAAAAGfs/Vbsf_NSu6HE/s640/DSCN5631.JPG height=640 width=640
Sunrise from camp.
https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-R_UkcVVXLdk/UVYZp0lK6SI/AAAAAAAAGgU/1NWrA_4g484/s640/DSCN5672.JPG height=640 width=640
The next day we hiked the closed road up to Lake Sabrina. Look way in the back and you can see the lake (still frozen). This pic is from the dam so you can see we need more snow to fill this lake this summer.
https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-6-agcDT6OBk/UVYZzlQU0-I/AAAAAAAAGgk/bJcIoua0lHc/s640/DSCN5681.JPG height=640 width=640
Then drove down to Big Pine and east to the Eureka Sand Dunes. To get to the dunes you go about 28 miles on pavement then 20 miles on washboard but it is so worth it. These are the tallest dunes in California and also sing if the wind is just right. When we got to the dunes there was a nice wind blowing and a pretty good dust storm.
https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-j3IDn-n9NSw/UVYaXWJylGI/AAAAAAAAGgw/D5C2-76CB-4/s640/DSCN5685.JPG height=640 width=640
Picked a site on some hard pack to diminish the sand blast. We were looking east to the Last Chance Mountains.
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-4gCIMQ_8gNs/UVYajjqG8ZI/AAAAAAAAGg8/JZU3wCDKEhI/s640/DSCN5688.JPG height=640 width=640
And to the west we had a view of the dunes.
https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-QR7LQnCuDrw/UVYdYl05rRI/AAAAAAAAGi0/h2dyRm5fzoo/s640/IMG_4803.JPG height=640 width=640
Before leaving we hiked up the dunes and it was fantastic. Here is looking south toward Saline Valley.
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-dlXU2BPWpoE/UVYdvFD4kpI/AAAAAAAAGjE/A3tqYyos7Ws/s640/IMG_4824.JPG height=640 width=640
Looking north up the Eureka Valley from the dunes.
https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-XugF6dsDQyg/UVYdzJqTNwI/AAAAAAAAGjM/L4wm3AjUhNs/s640/IMG_4828.JPG height=640 width=640
And looking back to the east to the Last Chance Mountains from the dunes.
https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-mCAu1ftADBg/UVYeMzVGe4I/AAAAAAAAGjk/-7pElEzzztA/s640/IMG_4840.JPG height=640 width=640
I'll end with a pic of Wylie. He seemed to think the sand dunes were snow and had a blast.
https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-pU0IgxeHc-8/UVYb39QcRtI/AAAAAAAAGhk/oX_EZSfXsJg/s640/DSCN5721.JPG height=640 width=640
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hikerdmb
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04/01/13 06:12pm |
Truck Campers
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RE: Sequoia/Kings Canyon Camping Suggestions
A great day hike is to the Mist Falls on the Paradise Valley Trail from Road's End at the end of the road down in King's Canyon. Also try to find the rock where John Muir gave talks. It is called Muir's Pulpit and it is great fun to jump off of and into the river if the water is right. It is very close to the end of the road. You should be able to find lots of info on these with a Google search. It does get hot down in the valley in summer so be prepared and have a great time. Sorry I don't know which campground is better than the others down in the canyon. Up in Sequoia try Dorst Campground if you really want to see bears in and around the campground. Hope this helps.
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hikerdmb
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02/17/13 07:27pm |
Truck Campers
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RE: Death Valley, A weekend trip-part2
Nice job getting your rig down Lipincott Road. I have been down that a couple of times but not in my camper. Last time to the Racetrack we camped on the slabs by the mine. Great views from up there.
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hikerdmb
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12/30/12 02:22pm |
Truck Campers
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RE: Anza Borrego Video Trip Report
Nice video Bertram. I love that area!
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hikerdmb
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12/29/12 01:39pm |
Truck Campers
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RE: Bryce Zion Trip Report
Great trip! I agree that it is nice to camp in the national park campgrounds sometimes. Off season is definitely the way to go. Love south eastern Utah. Thanks for sharing.
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hikerdmb
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12/18/12 10:53am |
Truck Campers
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RE: Whazoo's Thanksgiving at the Cosmic Ashtray/Golden Cathedral
I need to get out more often. You inspire with your trips and pics.
Thanks for sharing your adventure. Can't wait to see the rest.
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hikerdmb
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12/13/12 05:37pm |
Truck Campers
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RE: Whazoo and Dadwolf's Excellent Adventure
That is a great trip! Excellent work getting in and out of there safely. And great pics as usual!
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hikerdmb
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11/16/12 05:31pm |
Truck Campers
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RE: Campin with cow dogs...how many TC people..??
No cow dog, but we do have a 105 lb. Golden Retriever who gets the lower bed all to himself.
https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-rr3_bJsmE7Q/UCFou-e7bkI/AAAAAAAAFxI/7vNyrdSmZX4/s640/IMG_3522.JPG height=640 width=640
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hikerdmb
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11/12/12 02:50pm |
Truck Campers
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RE: How many TCers here?
#108
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hikerdmb
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10/21/12 07:53pm |
Truck Campers
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TR - Fall in the Eastern Sierra
Took off for our yearly trip up to the Eastern Sierra Nevada in California after work on Thursday. It had snowed all that day in the high country. We made it to Lone Pine and headed up into the Alabama Hills to find a campsite. It was late and dark but we found a nice secluded spot. Woke up to a beautiful morning surrounded by amazing hills.
https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-lOBYP7epfB8/UISTBJbtfbI/AAAAAAAAGG0/pWTRBHaLR8E/s640/DSCN5523.JPG height=640 width=640
Here is the view from our campsite looking across the Owen's Valley to the snow covered Inyo Mountains.
https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-v0rXWm4Wv98/UISTDepf-yI/AAAAAAAAGG8/fNa_tlG82R0/s640/DSCN5519.JPG height=640 width=640
After breakfast we headed north, stopping at the Indian Casino in Independence and happily paying $4.35/ GAL for gas. That was about .50 Cents cheaper than in southern California at the time. Continued on to Bishop and then turned west and south toward South Lake. We found some nice color on the road up to South Lake.
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-GRTH-ihv9zQ/UISTGbLRpmI/AAAAAAAAGHE/ykxJgJGEl_c/s640/DSCN5525.JPG height=640 width=640
On our fall trip 2 years ago we hiked up toward Bishop Pass but this time we went to the right and hiked up toward Treasure Lakes.
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-GpD_cyTYVyk/UISVQJpGvWI/AAAAAAAAGIE/BpJ61W8awss/s640/DSCN5545.JPG height=640 width=640
Wylie had a great time on the hike.
https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-CXYKVjyvHNs/UISTw4wMZrI/AAAAAAAAGHY/5CavgPjmdKY/s640/DSCN5529.JPG height=640 width=640
Since it had snowed the day before we were the first on the trail after we split from the Bishop Pass Trail. We made our way through 4-6 inches of new snow up toward the lowest Treasure Lake. We did follow some coyote tracks for about a mile.
https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-TqEyIKVPGvU/UISTzI6I6pI/AAAAAAAAGHg/fDfZ9_Esyp4/s640/DSCN5534.JPG height=640 width=640
Made it up to Treasure Lake and we were rewarded with wonderful views in all directions.
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-X8Phv9nQgaY/UISUsPce4nI/AAAAAAAAGH8/AhwbcZheh3w/s640/DSCN5539.JPG height=640 width=640
https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-s7yBc1jh8es/UISUa9NEr2I/AAAAAAAAGHs/Okr_JbsbJbQ/s640/DSCN5537.JPG height=640 width=640
After the hike we headed lower to spend the night. Had great views of Mt. Tom
https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-PeYaOd4I_vI/UISV6aC_1DI/AAAAAAAAGIg/6KC6bfPd3BI/s640/DSCN5547.JPG height=640 width=640
and Mt. Humphries.
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-jVBopS9aolo/UISWO2nboaI/AAAAAAAAGIs/IpY__YVBNF8/s640/DSCN5552.JPG height=640 width=640
We found a little color in other places above Bishop but we were about a week or so late this year on our trip.
https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-VbrkMivN1VY/UISYRLiIW-I/AAAAAAAAGKc/f-62Ac-D5Jk/s640/DSCN5562.JPG height=640 width=640
Seeing the level of Lake Sabrina after the low snow last year was very sad. Here it is from Ocotober 13, 2012 on this trip.
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-9YdpzXpjGac/UISaBLLCkGI/AAAAAAAAGM4/pQ0Ii_XQwlQ/s640/IMG_4038.JPG height=640 width=640
Compared with a pic from almost the exact same spot from Oct. 7, 2011.
https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-7MzUYD94NPE/TpT9RM48MbI/AAAAAAAADcA/v4-ZQNbemqM/s640/IMG_1052.JPG height=640 width=640
On Saturday we headed north and hiked to the Eastern Brook Lakes in Little Lakes Valley. We found lots of new snow and no people on this hike.
https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-cpS6Jl9j0hU/UISZ78V4J-I/AAAAAAAAGMw/7FlosuQYs40/s640/IMG_4041.JPG height=640 width=640
We spent our last night near the Wild Willie Hot Springs near Mammoth where we had a nice fire and enjoyed a great sunset.
https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-FQF5ZH8VfsE/UISalgNWxfI/AAAAAAAAGNk/bdA91TN56-Y/s640/IMG_4066.JPG height=640 width=640
Sorry to say our site was invaded by a group of people apparently afraid to camp by themselves. Even though we are in the middle of hundreds of square miles of land open to camping they literally pulled up within 15' of us to camp. I just don't get it.
https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-KOP1m2PU4eQ/UISZHPzH_5I/AAAAAAAAGLs/SvxEok85EEc/s640/DSCN5572.JPG height=640 width=640
Awoke Sunday morning to 20 degrees and by the time we were home Sunday afternoon it was 91 degrees.
https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-i_bUVNtUqzE/UISZE-G8dII/AAAAAAAAGLk/cvYYZPAcugI/s640/DSCN5573.JPG height=640 width=640
Hope you enjoyed the pics and TR.
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hikerdmb
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10/21/12 07:39pm |
Truck Campers
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RE: San Juan Mountains trip report
Excellent TR and great pics. We were there just a few days before you. Unfortunately we could not take our Jeep on our trip. I have to get a bigger truck so I can tow my jeep. The truck goes lots of places but Jeeps go pretty much anywhere.
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hikerdmb
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08/25/12 11:03pm |
Truck Campers
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RE: SoCal to Colorado and Back - TR with lots of pics
Thanks for the feedback.
Whazoo and dakonthemountain I can assure you I did not run over Wylie. Here he is not quite so laid out.
https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-1QRipsUGvW0/UCFlDEsbItI/AAAAAAAAFuU/tHiazzJB00s/s640/DSCN5405.JPG height=640 width=640
And riding on his platform so he can see out the window.
https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-7jIwDRQGhhA/UCFrEDIyGVI/AAAAAAAAFzI/calqiDHg9Ok/s640/IMG_3682.JPG height=640 width=640
He made it home in one piece.
Jefe 4x4... I think this is the same bridge you call 51a that is upstream from Trout Lake. Just a different angle and a bit greener. I like your scale models. Very cool!
https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-IFgUt2HXgkA/UCFqrkd52QI/AAAAAAAAFys/Kvwg1HwldGw/s640/IMG_3645.JPG height=640 width=640
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hikerdmb
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08/13/12 06:07pm |
Truck Campers
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SoCal to Colorado and Back - TR with lots of pics
We just returned from an amazing two week trip from San Diego to Colorado and back. We made a nice clockwise loop and saw some of the most beautiful country in America.
Our trip started like most of our trips with a drive north on highway 395. We spent the first few days of this trip in Tuolomne Meadow in Yosemite NP with some friends. We were treated to a great sunset our first night out.
https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-DVAvL0eIRGA/UCFnm-TYdVI/AAAAAAAAFwY/rfJyyIBPKeQ/s640/IMG_3481.JPG height=640 width=640
We took some great hikes while in the park (Dog Lake, Lembert Dome, May Lake) and also a couple of hikes just east of the park boundary (Conness Lakes and Shell & Fantail Lakes). Here are the falls just below the Conness Lakes.
https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-eh_F1dtUDJg/UCFYdqtdXeI/AAAAAAAAFmk/jm-mEJWVyUU/s640/DSCN5107.JPG height=640 width=640
The Conness Lakes get their water from the melting Conness Glacier and you can see this in the color of the lake.
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-PeIuiogSZgE/UCFoFBmRv6I/AAAAAAAAFws/ErwUL6kZH0M/s640/IMG_3499.JPG height=640 width=640
After leaving Yosemite we headed east on highway 6 across Nevada. I know highway 50 in the loneliest highway in America but I don't see how it could be any more remote then highway 6.
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-PDWX27XA2Po/UCFcTKedWCI/AAAAAAAAFpA/CAA3m6HG5WU/s640/DSCN5164.JPG height=640 width=640
We spent a night at the KOA in Ely so we could shower up and then headed east again into Colorado. Our first night in Colorado we spent near Lost Lake between Paonia and Crested Butte. This was our first of many great campsites we would have in Colorado.
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-9CHMHo8GROo/UCFpLE6R7-I/AAAAAAAAFxo/CmJ4TMQblNg/s640/IMG_3540.JPG height=640 width=640
https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-fViMFb3tT-8/UCFpK0No-tI/AAAAAAAAFxg/xGy1DyP5_dI/s640/IMG_3547.JPG height=640 width=640
We left our camp early and headed over to Lake Irwin to check it out. We camped here lots of times when we lived in Gunnison and couldn't believe the changes. Kebler Pass is paved on both sides of the pass for a few miles and there were giant "cabins" across the lake from the campground. We continued on south through Crested Butte to Almont and then headed north up Taylor Canyon to Taylor Park. From here we would reach our high spot for this tour as we went up and over Cumberland Pass and down through PItkin to Gunnison.
https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-1s-89NtLLwo/UCFdxosV-SI/AAAAAAAAFp8/EXYoZpVOGAo/s640/DSCN5222.JPG height=640 width=640
https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-LIimlYDqI18/UCFdkMa4vpI/AAAAAAAAFps/ygDnVk0057U/s640/DSCN5217.JPG height=640 width=640
https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-TEixkuCLHDU/UB8h-16plRI/AAAAAAAAFk0/yL9AEZM1YCo/s640/IMG_3558.JPG height=640 width=640
After a late lunch in Gunnison we headed on toward Lake City and found a great campsite just outside of town a few miles.
https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-8bnR1lYuvCs/UCFey_i1MdI/AAAAAAAAFqY/DvoWyngrlTg/s640/DSCN5233.JPG height=640 width=640
The next day we went south on 149 and then headed west through Durango and up to Siverton where we found another wonderful campsite.
https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-IX9dhD7dgQw/UCGEWYB6igI/AAAAAAAAF8c/wI26DMVCInM/s640/IMG_3604.JPG height=640 width=640
From here we headed up and over Red Mountain Pass. A great ride for sure, with huge drops, no shoulder and no guard rails in many places.
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-V3pJYhlrYrI/UCFiK_-C8II/AAAAAAAAFsg/0AXtJt0n7vs/s640/DSCN5333.JPG height=640 width=640
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-4iM_Qkrx7vY/UCFijNrB_cI/AAAAAAAAFso/hDL4ScYukLI/s640/DSCN5335.JPG height=640 width=640
https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-6bgQLQhYty0/UCFjcCreYhI/AAAAAAAAFtM/rv_bmrPjCQo/s640/DSCN5351.JPG height=640 width=640
We spent the day in Ouray and went up the Camp Bird mine road a ways before calling it a night. We actually spent a night in a hotel just so we could have a nice shower and watch a bit of Olympics to catch up. It was worth the money for sure!
We then headed north to Ridgeway and took a couple of dirt roads for more fantastic views.
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-2KyAJk2QYqA/UCFjc79eLFI/AAAAAAAAFtU/Xi6nP1Pov6Q/s640/DSCN5354.JPG height=640 width=640
From here we headed on toward Telluride. It was pretty in Telluride, but I have to say we ran into the rudest people in that valley. Unlike the people we met everywhere else on this trip.
The next part of the trip going south through Ophir and around the Trout Lake area and Lizard Head Pass was amazing. We had been through this part of Colorado before but only in the dark. We camped below Yellow Mountain and again had a fantastic site with solitude and beautiful views in every direction.
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-4YuOXQ__Tv8/UB8iv3AgN8I/AAAAAAAAFlE/yhjFTCcs3dg/s640/IMG_3672.JPG height=640 width=640
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-ogXRXh6v8Ew/UCGEWnwLBkI/AAAAAAAAF8g/w1Y5wsH68zY/s640/IMG_3660.JPG height=640 width=640
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https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-kIC2RleZfcY/UCFrZBAlaGI/AAAAAAAAFzY/y6kWoY1Y87o/s640/IMG_3700.JPG height=640 width=640
https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-SFUt03TXbn4/UCGDOZBJcsI/AAAAAAAAF7o/dGvdG9JuVSQ/s640/DSCN5374.JPG height=640 width=640
This was to be our last night in Colorado and we left sadly through the four corners and on to the Grand Canyon. It was amazing and we had our first campsite on pavement here. The views are great but it was tough to be in a "campground" after all the great sites in Colorado.
https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-MdY4nOdRxuw/UCGEUDR4xoI/AAAAAAAAF8U/1Cc_VzuLlYo/s640/DSCN5434.JPG height=640 width=640
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-a4A4BWaxjL0/UCFrtqJzqcI/AAAAAAAAFzs/BzEM-UgzyxU/s640/IMG_3739.JPG height=640 width=640
From the Grand Canyon it was south through Flagstaff and then a little detour through Happy Jack and Long Valley to see the Mogollon Plateau before heading west to Prescott for our last night. The follow morning we made it to a freeway and then found our way back to southern California.
It was a fantastic trip. If you liked the pics and want to see more please check out my Picasa page here.
Thanks for taking the time to read and look.
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hikerdmb
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08/07/12 04:47pm |
Truck Campers
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RE: So what did you do to your Truck Camper today?
Cleaned it inside and out after a 2 week trip around the west.
Here is a pic from our high spot of the trip.
https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-TEixkuCLHDU/UB8h-16plRI/AAAAAAAAFk0/yL9AEZM1YCo/s640/IMG_3558.JPG height=640 width=640
And one from near the end.
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-4YuOXQ__Tv8/UB8iv3AgN8I/AAAAAAAAFlE/yhjFTCcs3dg/s640/IMG_3672.JPG height=640 width=640
Trip report coming soon.
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hikerdmb
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08/05/12 07:55pm |
Truck Campers
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RE: Trip Report: a 26-day scenic drive in SW Colorado
Thanks for sharing. Your pictures are wonderful. I used to live in Gunnison and we camped many times up at Lake Irwin and always counted the days until Kebler Pass opened. Did you see the movie cabin across the lake? It is from the "Mountain Family Robinson" movie from the mid 1970's. I think it is used as a ski hut these days. Can't wait to get back up there.
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hikerdmb
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07/20/12 09:04pm |
Truck Campers
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