Fall colors in San Juan Mountains

[pmatusov]

We seem to have far more build threads than travel in this section, so it may be out of place.
This is our first trip to San Juan Mountains in the Grenadier: https://3rj.org/Colorado.2024/

To the admins - let me know if it is better to post it here with photos than an external link.

 

[landmannnn]

We seem to have far more build threads than travel in this section, so it may be out of place.
This is our first trip to San Juan Mountains in the Grenadier: https://3rj.org/Colorado.2024/
View attachment 7876604
To the admins - let me know if it is better to post it here with photos than an external link.

That looked a great adventure!

 

[[ Adam ]]

Fantastic!

 

[Jeremy996]

That looked stunning - and the steam train pictures were excellent. I would love to travel on that railway, ever since I saw a documentry by Chris Eden-Green,

View: https://youtu.be/TdfF8zxTWFI

 

[Zimm]

To answer the questions Peter.... both! Yer gettin' old, and its wide(r). My fj60 is set up with an 1" of tire outside the fenders, and it sits wider. I find the view is a little obstructed with the substantial A and B pillars, and the low window line. Placement seems to require more looking around. The greehouse isnt as greehousey but on the upside, I'd much rather roll in this than a 60.

 

[pmatusov]

Fantastic!

Thanks!
It was a good trip. For me, these trails are sort of a gauge of both the vehicle and the driver. None of these is really technical, but moving along at a brisk pace takes both.
We've encountered multiple vehicles that turned around - I remember a 4Runner and a rental JK that could definitely make it but the drivers were terrified.

That looked stunning - and the steam train pictures were excellent. I would love to travel on that railway

Oh the steam train. My grandkid made me play this video to him a couple of dozen times. I'd absolutely love to ride on it - but we're always traveling with a hundred-pound Airedale that just could not be passed as a service dog

 

[pmatusov]

To answer the questions Peter.... both! Yer gettin' old, and its wide(r). My fj60 is set up with an 1" of tire outside the fenders, and it sits wider. I find the view is a little obstructed with the substantial A and B pillars, and the low window line. Placement seems to require more looking around. The greehouse isnt as greehousey but on the upside, I'd much rather roll in this than a 60.

I beat up the fuel tank skidplate more than a fair amount. Maybe there's also the hard habit of having the diffs on the passenger side - going up on Mineral Creek it would definitely help.

 

[Zimm]

I beat up the fuel tank skidplate more than a fair amount. Maybe there's also the hard habit of having the diffs on the passenger side - going up on Mineral Creek it would definitely help.

That fuel tank .... sucks. I don't think its "you". Since the 25g aux tank is coming out, I've considered scrapping my plans for a rear winch in the muffler location, mounting the spare kit and plumbing it as the main, to ditch the current tank. It's a result of the Steyr Gwagon really steep departure angle philosophy that isn't my favorite. I can't recall the last time I couldn't avoid using the jerry on a truck in the east, let alone needing 50 gallons. Not having the tumor hanging down in the middle of the breakover would be sweet though. I won't be doing any serious stuff with this until spring to find out how it affects my placement.

And more on topic, I'm envious of the trip. perfect timing.

 

[pmatusov]

That fuel tank .... sucks. I don't think its "you". Since the 25g aux tank is coming out, I've considered scrapping my plans for a rear winch in the muffler location, mounting the spare kit and plumbing it as the main, to ditch the current tank. It's a result of the Steyr Gwagon really steep departure angle philosophy that isn't my favorite. I can't recall the last time I couldn't avoid using the jerry on a truck in the east, let alone needing 50 gallons. Not having the tumor hanging down in the middle of the breakover would be sweet though. I won't be doing any serious stuff with this until spring to find out how it affects my placement.

And more on topic, I'm envious of the trip. perfect timing.

Funny you should bring up the steep departure angle philosophy - I think it is more of the "equal approach and departure angle" thing.
It also baffles me a little - I haven't had too many problems in the past with departure angle being at best 2/3 of the approach.
The timing was perfect indeed; we've been there a year ago at the same dates, but barely in the beginning of the fall colors.

Want a silly idea for the Grenadier? Air shocks. Have something to lift you up 2" temporarily, then air down for highway. I planned this for my Classic, not sure if it ever happens.

 

[Rok_Dr]

We seem to have far more build threads than travel in this section, so it may be out of place.
This is our first trip to San Juan Mountains in the Grenadier: https://3rj.org/Colorado.2024/
View attachment 7876604
To the admins - let me know if it is better to post it here with photos than an external link.

Thanks for posting. Nice to read and lovely photos. Our season changes aren’t as marked down here.

Cheers
Steve

 

[Karearea]

We seem to have far more build threads than travel in this section, so it may be out of place.
This is our first trip to San Juan Mountains in the Grenadier: https://3rj.org/Colorado.2024/
View attachment 7876604
To the admins - let me know if it is better to post it here with photos than an external link.

Awesome journal thanks for sharing. We have spent lots of time in Ouray and Ridgway area but always in winter. Looks absolutely stunning at this time of year!

 

[pmatusov]

Awesome journal thanks for sharing. We have spent lots of time in Ouray and Ridgway area but always in winter. Looks absolutely stunning at this time of year!

Thanks!

 

[angstorms]

@pmatusov you have to let me know when you up in Durango, I will take you out for Beer or drink. It area I love since I was kid I remember coming up in the early 70's as kid, I was Southern Cal Kid, went San Dieguito High School in Encinitas, so Roberto and Juanita run would be fun as well as comming down to see Agile. Love road tripping in the truck.
View attachment IMG_0552.jpeg

 

[vtgrenadier]

@pmatusov you have to let me know when you up in Durango, I will take you out for Beer or drink. It area I love since I was kid I remember coming up in the early 70's as kid, I was Southern Cal Kid, went San Dieguito High School in Encinitas, so Roberto and Juanita run would be fun as well as comming down to see Agile. Love road tripping in the truck.
View attachment 7876669View attachment 7876670

In Vermont, we call it 'past peak.' Is that what I'm seeing... quaking Aspens?

I had the good fortune to take one major road trip. It was 2015 or 2016 and I had just bought a Tacoma TRD Pro (a new model that year), with the last factory supercharger available. I towed a 16' Airstream Bambi and made Durango our home base for a week... Ouray, Moab, etc. were within a short day trip. Hoping to recreate the joy in our Grenadier!