Rattler Colorado 4WD Trail
The Fractured Axle Club Takes on Colorado's Newest and Toughest

by The Flatlander
with photos and videos by CRACKER, Shenman and Flatlander

Please visit our Sponsor, CLICK on the Banner above

The BLM closed Rattler on October 1, 1997.  The closure was due to the OHVs leaving the road and causing damage, so we need be sure to stay on the road(s) and remind others to stay on the road(s) on all 4WD trails.  The local club is putting together a plan to reopen the Rattler, and then work with the BLM on annual maintenance.  It needs to be emphasized that violating the closure will sabotage the effort with the BLM, and does carry a fine and possible jail time.

The Fractured Axle Club was at it again.  CRACKER had learned of and scouted Colorado's newest and toughest 4WD Trail, "Rattler".  The meeting place was at the turnoff from Hwy 50 at Wellsville, about 5 miles east of Salida just past mile marker 227 going east.  The turnoff is opposite another newer and more extreme Colorado 4WD trail, Minesweeper.  Shenman pulled up in his Dodge pickup with his Jeep "pugsly" in tow.  He had finished welding on a new bullet proof skidplate but had run short on time to fix the leak in his front ARB so would be running the Rattler open in front.  Another group of four wheelers, readying for a run on Minesweeper, stopped by and visited while we awaited our trail leader, CRACKER.

The Fork to the right into the Rattler's Mouth.

Once CRACKER arrived we were off following the a series of 4WD roads, until we forked back to the right across a creek into Rattler's mouth.  The entrance looks deceptively benign.  But the Rattler was soon to show its fangs.

CRACKER takes the first obstacle without slipping a tire.

With tires spinning I realized I hadn't turned on the air compressor for the ARBs.

Not 50 yards in the fun began.  CRACKER showed us the line and led the way up the first obstacle without slipping a tire.  Shenman, with only one locker, made it on the second try. With my heart pounding, my palms sweating and my tires spinning, I was about to back down for a second try when CRACKER pointed out that my axles weren't locked.  I had pushed both the front and rear ARB buttons but neglected to turn on the compressor.  I switched the compressor on. What a difference!  Right on up without slipping another tire.

CRACKER takes the line to the right as Shenman spots him.

The next obstacle was not much farther or easier.  CRACKER recommended the line to the right and we all got up without too much trouble. Between this obstacle and the one before, the Rattler bit off my left front fender flare.  At the next obstacle he tried for the left rear but it remained attached, flapping in the breeze. We were careful to pick up all our broken parts and detached body work in order to keep the trail pristine for other enthusiasts.

Shenman surmounts the optional ledge as CRACKER does the spotting.

The obstacle that tried to take my second fender flare is a difficult one but we failed to get a camera angle that did it justice. The one just past it is shown to the right. It is an optional ledge which we all elected to take. Taking the line CRAKER recommended the obstacle was easily surmounted by all of us.

CRACKER points out the line as Shenman contemplates one of Rattler's most difficult obstacles.

Shenman didn't have a winch so a snatch block had to be rigged to a tree with a tree saver to get the proper angle for the pull.

Finally we reached the Rattler's most difficult obstacle.  CRACKER pointed out the line as he de-rocked it. This made the difficult almost impossible.   Of the five rigs we watched try it only CRACKER made it without replacing a critical rock or two or having to winch.  Two 4x4s took the winch and two required a few well placed rocks at the critical point.

Spinning tires and racing engine get this CJ out of the tough spot.

A CJ demonstrates what some well placed rocks and momentum can do at the critical spot. Another CJ grenaded a transfer case while following us on an optional Rattler obstacle. See a Quick Time video with sound of this crowd pleasing manuever. (419 KB, approx. 3.5 minute download at 2 KB/sec).  Get Quick Time Movie Viewer)

CRACKER starts into the Rattler's last major obstacle, just around the corner to the right.

The Rattler's last major obstacle is walled by sheer rock walls.   There is no good way through and no bypass. See a Quick Time video of CRACKER making a clean run on the right side. (385 KB, downloads in a little over 3 minutes at 2 KB/sec)

If you think it looks bad from the outside - you otta try it from the inside!

Shenman took the left side.  It's not hard to imagine what would happen if a tire slipped but at least you can't roll.

I took the right side too, although the lean was far greater than I cared for, especially being that it was in the direction that I had rolled and totaled my previous Bronco II. But CRACKERS spotting was flawless and I inched my way over with only failed deodorant. Shenman went the other way.

We finished the trail 9.8 miles from Hwy 50.  Rattler's main obstacles are all on the first half of the trail.  The going gets easier and easier toward the end.  We made a right turn on a somewhat maintained road and at about 15 miles from where we started we were back on Hwy 50 in Howard just about the time it started to rain. Glad the rain waited until we got out of the Rattler's striking range. I sure wouldn't want to be in there when its wet!

Note: Rattler, Minesweeper and other extreme Colorado 4X4 Trails will be covered in Rick Russell's upcoming Colorado Off Highway Adventure Video.  Release is planned before Christmas.  For others in the series see: Rick Russell Adventure Off Highway Videos.

Colorado Trail Guidebooks, Trail Maps, and Trail Videos

4X4NOW Feature Page
4X4NOW Trail Reports | Moab 4WD Trails
4X4NOW "How-To"  | 4X4NOW Buildups
4X4BOOKS | MAPNOW

get Garmin at GPSNOW - Order by 5pm and have it Tomorrow!
Choosing | for Laptop/Pocket PC | Basic | Handheld Mapping | 2-way Radio | Automotive | Motorcycle | RV/Truck/Bus | Land & Water
Accessories
eTrex H | Legend | Vista | Venture HC | Summit HC | Legend HCx | Vista HCx
GPS 18 DLX | 60
Mobile 10 | Mobile 10 for smartphones
GPSMAP 60 | 60Cx | 60CSx | 76S | 76Cx | 76CSx | 276C | 376C | 378 | 478
MapSource City Navigator North America | US Topo | BlueChart
nüvi 200 | 270 | 350 | 360 | 370 | 650 | 660 | 670 | 680
Quest | Quest 2
Rino 110 | 120 | 130 | 520 | 530 | 520HCx | 530HCx
StreetPilot 2820 | 7200/7500 | c330 | c340 | c530 | c550 | c580
Astro GPS dog tracking system
zūmo 450 / 550
© 4X4NOW