ctober 6th 2002 began with a feeling of
adventure that can only mean one thing…
The Edge was about to conquer yet another extremely challenging
trail! This time it was Kelly flats in
northern Colorado. We met in the
parking lot in front of the Radisson at 120th & I-25 at
8:00am. We had a nice sized group with
9 vehicles in all. After making our way
north to Fort Collins we exited on Highway 14 west about 25 miles to the Kelly
Flats trailhead (FR 172). We took a
moment to air down, and let the group ahead of us get up the first
obstacle. The very first climb proved
to be steep and deeply rutted with a large hole near the top getting everyone’s
attention by leaning off camber driver’s side down.
After we progressed through about ¼ mile of twists and turns ending up at the bottom of the first real obstacle, Heart Attack Hill. Everyone thought the name was fitting after hiking about half way up to pick our correct line! Our chosen line took us up the left side. Nearly half way up we turned slightly right following a deep rut to a hard left on up. This hill has plenty of challenge for just about any rig or equipment. Once we crested the hill we found a nice wide spot to park and have some lunch.
After lunch we were off to find the obstacle that everyone had been talking about “The Chutes”. After continuing through the National Forest the road turns into a graded gravel road for about 5 miles. The Chutes obstacle is on the left. As we approached the obstacle we noticed that a couple of the built vehicles ahead of us were still negotiating The Chutes. The last one through ended up tearing out the corner of his hard top on the final turn! Ouch! We looked at each other and said “This might be fun”!!! Dave was the first one to give it a go. The rocks were slick affording very little traction for Dave’s Swampers. After several nearly successful attempts, Dave decided to spare any more possible carnage. Next a vehicle from the other group gave it a go. Lifted with 33” MTR tires he gave it hell also. After taking about off about 50,000 miles of life off of his clutch he threw in the towel. Next up was myself in my trusty D-90. Locked and loaded in granny I climbed straight up. Once to the top of the first set of rocks a hard left was in order. I took the ledge on the left as high as I could to avoid the rock near the center right. I rode all the way down the ledge on the corner of my bumper! I managed to put a nice new scrape on my right rear quarter panel through the obstacle. Next was Justin in the big black TJ. He also made it up the first set of rocks no problem. The left turn got him turned a little sideways so we decided to avoid body damage by testing his Warn 9000. After getting him straitened out he also went high on the ledge to avoid the huge rock on the right. On his way down the ledge his left rear shock mount broke leaving his coil spring to dislocate. With some careful use of the winch and some positioning by hand we were able to get it put back together for the trip home. That wrapped up our day a little later than planned! It was definitely a wild ride! This trail will bite you if you aren’t careful! Ohhh Yeaaa! Cheers, Chris…
