Spur of the moment: Rollin's pass, 10-1-11

[Hypoid]

I've always wanted to run the West side of the pass, from Highway 40. Yesterday, the stars aligned for a quick run...or so I thought.

The entrance isn't marked all that well. I drove past it once.

Most of the color was at the start, the Aspens made a canopy over the road a couple times.

There was logging further up, taking the beetle kill.

Most of the color was done by the time I reached the trestle bridge.

The tundra above timberline was already dead. I want to go back next summer when the blooms are popping.

15 miles of dirt road, a stinkin' Subaru can do it.

Oops! I overshot.

Sign at the top.

What is left of the buildings.

View from the pass.

 

[Hypoid]

The last mile or so, was over the Boulder Wagon Road.

I'd hate to get off trail here.

Maybe half way over, the road started getting rocky, and a little off camber.

The parking area above Yankee Doodle Lake. The views were spectacular!

Since I didn't make the end of the trail until 5:30, I made hast getting down. Somewhere below the trestle bridge, the fuel pump started howling. I felt that I was losing fuel pressure, so I planned on going to the gas station in Fraser for a look-see. After pulling on to Highway 40, I goosed the gas pedal to see what would happen. The howling stopped, so did the engine.

An hour or so later, the AAA tow truck was scooping me up for the ride home. This year, I'm getting my money's worth from them.

 

[fireLt.]

Sounds like an interesting trip. Nice pics!

 

[Hypoid]

Thanks! I'm easily entertained. Next trip, I'll poke around the ghost town for some relics.

This trip cost me $150 with the gas. It would have cost more if the tow driver had to come up the dirt road.

First time I've seen a fuel pump fail this way.

 

[Kiefer316]

Awesome trip report... Sucks that it ended in a dead pump.

 

[DutchVDub]

You should've had that Subaru tow you down.