Mine Sweeper Trail
Salida, Colorado

by The Flatlander for

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The local club has been working on this one since Memorial Day. They have reopened an old mining trail which has been washed and eroded so severely most 4WDs cannot negotiate the first obstacle. Our trail leader had to catch a ride to lead the trail since he broke his transmission on the trail yesterday. Patrick Fagen (4 to 1 transfer case conversions) tries taking his well equipped Cherokee up Winch and Go.

Only a few CJs were able to make it without winching. Their short bumpers and big tires allowed them to drive right up the ledge on the left side. Other rigs had to carefully work over to the right as they neared the top to avoid it. But don't get too far right! The rock slopes to the right and will suck your rig into the cliff face as some paint marks will attest to.

Here's the view from the other side of the obstacles. This is one of those rare shots where the camera DOES capture the steepness of the rugged slope that must be negotiated.

This is the way most of us got up "Winch and GO". Salida Fire Chief and Mine Sweeper Trail Leader, Pete DeChant, runs out the cable to winch another one up. Pete and his club have thoughtfully placed some well embedded winch anchor points just for this purpose.

Once you clear Winch and Go you don't even get a chance to catch your breath before having to pick a line through Single Jack and Double Jack - formidable obstacles with lots of opportunity for sheet metal and undercarriage damage but a welcome change of pace when compared to Winch and Go.

After negotiating the first 300 feet of the trail which included Winch and Go, Single Jack and Double Jack it was way past lunch time so we took a break in the shade. Several commented on the aroma of my freshly smoked clutch. :-)

The rest of the trail is relatively easy and includes some wooded washes. The 2WD road on the way back to the highway had some interested rock formations that jetted out over the road.

Pete tells me that Mine Sweeper is still being developed and there is another fork with more challenging obstacles that will be added. Pete and his club in Salida have their eyes on some other ravines that promise additional World Class 4-wheeling challenge. Contact Salida Fire Chief, Pete DeChant, at the Salida Fire Department, 120 E Street, 719-539-2212 if you'd like to bring your club down and do Mine Sweeper or some of the other trails they may be opening.

Mine Sweeper is just a few miles east of Salida. Turn right just past mile marker 227. Take a left at the Y about a tenth of a mile in and then a right that will bring you into the Canyon with Winch and GO which is maybe another tenth of a mile. This obstacle is dangerous and there is substantial chance of vehicular damage and personal injury. Don't go alone and do be careful.

'96 ALL-4-FUN

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