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The Storm Trooper Off Road Adventure Leadville, Summit Area (Very Pic Heavy)

15K views 30 replies 22 participants last post by  EasyStreet 
#1 · (Edited)
The Storm Troopers 1st Off Road Adventure Leadville, Summit Area (Very Pic Heavy)

My first off road trip with the Ridgeline and yes I am one of those people that takes and posts a billion pictures of their vehicle I hope you enjoy. First off let me say I am very pleased with its performance, smooth, quiet, comfortable ride the entire trip and more than adequate off road clearance and traction. Having driven everything from lowered Subarus in places they shouldn't have gone to a lifted fully locked CJ I know my way around the ring pretty good as far as choosing a line, tire placement, and staying out of trouble. I found the Ridgeline to be a great way to see the sights and enjoy the scenery as well as providing reliable capable transportation. Overall I encountered minor wheel slipage in a few areas and got to try some obstacles with and without the VTM4 lock engaged. I found the most effective climbing combination to be VSA on, VTM4 locked, in 1st gear and smooth consistent throttle application, allowing the systems to do their work. I find a lot of people see that their wheels are spinning and just jab the throttle, this is not necessarily the best way to clear an obstacle. Of course in deep sand, mud, and snow techniques are different. Not that I am trying to tell anyone how to drive I'm just sharing what seemed to work for me.

A shot to get us rolling.



This was a 320 mile round trip from my house with 43 miles on dirt and/or off road conditions. Colorado Springs to Leadville to check out the old mining area. Then Leadville to Camp Hale for the fun roads and ruins, back on the highway for a few more miles to No Name Rd taking you to Homestake Reservoir (closed at the moment for dam maintence through 2013) Back down No Name, back on the highway a few more miles to Red Cliff. From there taking Shrine Pass which dumps you out right on top of the rest stop on Vail Pass. And from there home through Breckenridge and Woodland Park. A great trip for the Ridgeline, it could be a one or two dayer depending on your pace, lots of camping, and hiking in the area. Also some more mining areas at the base of Mosquito Pass near Alma. All family friendly and tons of beautiful sights and sounds. Some of my trip was burdened with smoke blowing up from the wildfires in New Mexico (hope those are out soon) but it was still great.

A map with the general roads I traveled.



The first stop is at what is often a massive mud hole, dried up at the moment.


On top of a levy.


The family pooch checking it all out.


Headed up the road toward one of the larger mining buildings.


Had to stop and pose.






Mosquito Pass still has to much snow for driving. Probably a little intense for the RL anyway. Goes from Alma into Leadville


Inside one of the buildings, a massive pulley system the roof has collapsed from the massive amounts of snow this area gets in the winter.






Love this shot.


Some sort of sifter machine except huge.


"Obtaining a load of Ore"








Paying its respects to a long neglected machine.
 
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#28 ·
For the record, the OEM tires are Michelin LTX MS, not the MS2 tire. It is not made in the OEM size for some reason.
 
#29 ·
You are correct. I have made this mistake before as the M/S Photos on the tire sites do not have the texture on the side and the M/S2 photos do. Being that my tires have this it goofs me up. They do specifically state M/S on the sidewall. Texture must have been a update or refresh of the tire. I will correct my post. Thanks speedlever.
 
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