Chinaman Gulch
Thread Starter
JK Super Freak
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 1,439
Likes: 1
From: Flyover Country
Chinaman Gulch
Hey gang.
I headed out and ran Chinaman Gulch yesterday with a couple Jeep'n pals from Boulder. This trail is deceiving in spots; easygoing sandy road sprinkled with occasional rocks and moderate ascents/descents, but the major obstacles proved to be seriously difficult going.
We did Holy Cross last month and IMO the only reason it's rated higher than Chinaman (9 on the high end versus 7 for Chinaman) is there aren't bypasses on Holy Cross. We took the hardest lines on Chinaman and spent a good deal of the day stacking rocks, spooling winch cable and/or affixing straps. Got tippy, did a couple spooky wheel stands, and generally laughed our arses off.
One trail side repair was necessitated when FP's hydro steering gave up the ghost. No forced stoppages other than that, though we all took significant rash on skids, bumpers, plastic fenders, etc. I'm going to be selling my ORF tire carrier too, it simply sticks out too far for the sort of trails I find myself on most of the time (might go bobtail for better departure angle).
This is a great trail in beautiful Buena Vista, Colorado. It's as hard as you want to make it, but a stock Rubicon or an X with at least one locker would have no problem making it through if you choose less difficult lines. So if you're in the area, it's a must stop (don't forget to check out the dreadful Carnage Canyon right next door, there were two tube buggies there when we were on Chinaman).
Note: I'm in the black X on 35s; FP's in the black Rubi on 37s; Pat (LeftHandRubi) was abusing his wife's Unlimited as his Hemi powered beast remains in the shop undergoing suspension work.
I headed out and ran Chinaman Gulch yesterday with a couple Jeep'n pals from Boulder. This trail is deceiving in spots; easygoing sandy road sprinkled with occasional rocks and moderate ascents/descents, but the major obstacles proved to be seriously difficult going.
We did Holy Cross last month and IMO the only reason it's rated higher than Chinaman (9 on the high end versus 7 for Chinaman) is there aren't bypasses on Holy Cross. We took the hardest lines on Chinaman and spent a good deal of the day stacking rocks, spooling winch cable and/or affixing straps. Got tippy, did a couple spooky wheel stands, and generally laughed our arses off.
One trail side repair was necessitated when FP's hydro steering gave up the ghost. No forced stoppages other than that, though we all took significant rash on skids, bumpers, plastic fenders, etc. I'm going to be selling my ORF tire carrier too, it simply sticks out too far for the sort of trails I find myself on most of the time (might go bobtail for better departure angle).
This is a great trail in beautiful Buena Vista, Colorado. It's as hard as you want to make it, but a stock Rubicon or an X with at least one locker would have no problem making it through if you choose less difficult lines. So if you're in the area, it's a must stop (don't forget to check out the dreadful Carnage Canyon right next door, there were two tube buggies there when we were on Chinaman).
Note: I'm in the black X on 35s; FP's in the black Rubi on 37s; Pat (LeftHandRubi) was abusing his wife's Unlimited as his Hemi powered beast remains in the shop undergoing suspension work.
JK Newbie
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 78
Likes: 0
From: Westminster, CO
Those pics are great! If your going to stand on the front bumper, you need to face the other way. Then you can Rodeo the jeep. You need a stinger to hang on to though. Yee Haw!!
As long as you trust your driver, it's a blast!
As long as you trust your driver, it's a blast!
