Texas Rovers’ Continental Divide 2002 Trip

Sunday, August 25^th, 2002 my 4^th annual Texas Rovers Continental Divide trip began. This year the vehicle of choice was my 1996 Range Rover 4.0. For the first time ever, I used a rover that was slightly more capable then stock. The addition of some 265/75/R16 BFG 32” Mud Terrain tires and an air suspension lift modification allowed for slightly greater capabilities. As you will see, I ended up with a huge collection of pictures this year.

Enjoy,

Jack Poehlman

The trip began with a caravan from Denton, TX, staying over in Albuquerque, NM, and ultimately ending up in Ouray, CO. Kevin Didion showed us the off-road route over the last set up mountains to Ouray.

Ride out pictures

Day 1 began with a highway drive passed Telluride to get to Ophir beginning our off road journey. Black bear pass was next leading down into Telluride. Then onto the Tomboy mine and Imogene Pass arriving back in Ouray for Sunday night.

Day 1 Pictures

Days 2 started with Engineer pass, Slumguillion pass, and Los Pinos pass. Then for the first time in 4 years, we were able to navigate the route on the high mesa from Los Pinos pass east to Sargent crossing Cochetopa Pass. As described by many, this route had some very diverse scenery different from the rest of the trip. Day 2 ended at Rita’s last resort in Crested Butte. Day 3 became challenging when the air suspension system of the Range Rover decided to error out due to a cold weather related leak in one of the air spring. I headed out to Colorado Spring Land Rover to have the error cleared while the rest of the group continued on to White Pine, Tomichi Pass, and Hancock pass arriving in Mt. Princeton Tuesday afternoon.

Day 2 and 3 Pictures

Day 4 departed from Mt. Princeton through Tincup and Tincup pass and on to Romely. Taylor pass was the first pass after lunch, then while on the way to Pearl pass, navigation got a little skewed and the group ended up taking a 3 hour detour. Pearl pass was concord just as the sun was setting making for an extended journey down the mountain to Crested Butte. We finally made it into Crested Butte around 9 PM Wednesday night making it difficult to find a place to eat in the great little town.

Day 4 Pictures

Day 5 was a day off from planned trails this year for the first time ever. Several of us decided to take a hike up to a really cool water fall, that required a vertical scale down about 150 feet. The hike was a lot of fun for the group. I then returned to Crested Butte to pick-up a replacement air spring for the Range Rover that was then changed in the parking lot. Day 6 left Crested butte behind over Scofield Pass.

Day 5 & ½ Day 6 Pictures

Day 6 continued with with Hagerman Pass, Mosquito Pas, and lastly over Hosier pass to arrive in Breckenridge. The last day of the trip, Day 7, we left Breckenridge and headed up Georgia pass. Then on to Webster pass and through handcart Gulch, before concurring the infamous Red Cone Mountain. Day 7 Ended with the remaining group racing up Pikes Peak. A few remaining soles caravanned back to Dallas ready to clean up and prepare for next year!

Day 6 and 7 Pictures

This year’s Panoramic picture from the top of Engineer Pass turned out really well with a great view of the entire group.

Check out the full size view