Hey guys, I'm hoping I can get some of your opinions on a trip I hope to do in August of 2009. It's early, but I've found some free time over the Thanksgiving break to do some planning. I'm planning on doing it camping/expedition style, sleeping in the back of my '96 Bronco at night and wheeling/sight seeing during the day.

I'm asking Santa for the tent Sixlitre has been such a proponent of, so I'll be spending my nights above all the creepy crawlers. As of now, the bronco is pretty stock. I'm running 31x10.5 BFG AT tires, and I've installed a pushbar with some KC Daylighters up front (thanks aurorabusa). The 302 is exhaling into a pair of shorty headers and 3" exhaust, and I've done the sixlitre tune up, so I should never be starved for power. Clearance would be my only concern with the (relatively) small tires on the trails I'm looking at running. I have time to save some pennies for an upgrade, and if I were only able to do one, would a luchbox style locker for the rear be my best investment? Would any of you consider it a dangerous trip to do in one vehicle? What attributes should I look for in companions?

I have created a presentation (http://docs.google.com/EmbedSlideshow?docid=dcj88ncp_23m96cjtfh)outlining the trip, and the major trails I am looking at are Red Cone, Jenny Creek and Slaughterhouse Gulch. I've also included Rocky Mountain National Park, Guanella pass and Mt Bross as other destinations. The timeline I've created gives me 7 days to complete the trip, and I think I would have time to also do some fly fishing, but I don't know where/if there is a good river to do do so that would fit my route.

If you get a chace to view the presentation (which is still a few slides and numbers short of completion), what are your reactions? I'm not too familiar with google docs, but feel free to make annotations directly on the slides if you are able to do so. What alterations would you make? Am I biting off more than I can chew?

Thanks!

Hey man. Hows your Dad doing? We missed you guys on the trip to Bill Moore this year.

As far as a single modification goes to make you more capable...a rear locker would be a good investment. Don (bronc_1131) has one in his 86, and drives it daily from Ft. Collins to Boulder. As far as I know, it isn't a problem on the road. I am sure he will respond here, and give you his .02.

Your presentation link goes to google email login page. As far as the few trails you listed and are thinking about running, they might be a bit much for your pretty much stock truck...especially if you're going alone. There is a thread around here about a meet and greet a few months back where everyone ran Jenny Creek. I remember it looking pretty difficult and a few members here sitting on 32 BFG M/T's were having a rough time. I have also heard slaughter house can be a tough trail.

slaughterhouse could be rough in a section or 2 and i have never run jenny creek. If your really lookin to get away from everything there are some areas above red feather over to the paoudre canyon that would do well for ya(that area also offers great fishing and packing opportunities.. a lunchbox is good through 33's but you may want to look at the possibility of a used detroit as well. I might recomend you find a buudy with a truck to do the trip with you as well.

Didn't we just do Jenny Creek this summer? If I recalling correctly your stock rig would take a beating trying to get up the rocks just past the creek. this has evidently changed from the past. With no traction aids and 31's and no lift, without a winch and no one else with you, you'd not make it past here, and it would be a PITA to turn around on such a tight trail.

As far as a "companion" vehicle and what to look for.....well, I'd like a nicely built rig, fun person, female, that wanted to play every night, ohhhh, and actually could wrench with the best guys.

Hey james, yeah we did miss you this year. I ended up having to work, and my dad was helping a buddy move. All's been well with us, yourself? How's school? I'll have to figure out the presentation bit, thanks for letting me know about the broken link...

It's good to know these trails would be a bit much for a solo stocker, I have a buddy with a jeep that I could talk into tagging along, and another buddy with a built early bronco. I think we could all use one of those shadofax :twotu:

Here's this summer's trip report...get to like page 2 or 3 and that was our trip:

http://www.fullsizebronco.com/forum/showthread.php?t=130433&page=3

as usual pics really don't do the rock area after the creek justice. The dodge walked up it, as I did for the most part, but we were both fully locked with large/agressive tires. The big superduty's made it too, but took a bit longer, and I think what worked for them was the long wheelbase. wileec had trouble here with a small lift, and 32's and in the end had to winch. Firefox made it and a toyota made it.

the trail overall is pretty easy, and very nice, though kinda tight. But this spot is a showstopper for a stock bronco alone.

Red Feather Lakes is an incredible area. Johnny Park and Pierson Park off of Hwy 36 are great trails for a stock rig and also awesome for camping. Anywhere in the Poudre is great to camp. Try to stay in Roosevelt National Park, you can camp anywhere in there for free.