CS - History - Colorado Scramble

Middle St Vrain, Nederland 2006

Colorado Scramble History

Back in the early 2K's I went to an event down in Silverton known as the San Juan Scramble. It was hosted by a fellow named Mark Wekmiester from Arizona. It lasted for 6 years I believe in which I attended 2 of them. After wheeling with mostly the same folks for these 2 years Morgan and Tommy brought up the idea they would like to see some different area's of Colorado when they came out. I piped up and said "yeah there are a number of different places we could visit." Well being from here I kind of got the eye and we have done it every year since. The year after this was the first year we did the Colorado Scramble and was the last year they did the San Juan Scramble, which I didn't go to due to starting this. The first couple years we actually held it for 4 days instead of the current 3 days now. It turned out to be just a little more than every one wanted. As well the first couple years were held over the weekend Friday through Sunday (Mon). I purposed that we hold it during the week so we would have easier access to the trails and that met with every one agreeing and wanting to use the week end to get home. And has now for some time been held Wednesday through Friday.

Each year we have had a pic-nic on the last day which always falls on Friday. My other half and I buy the food before the event and ask for donations for the pic-nic to cover the cost of food other wise the event doesn’t cost anything. In recent years I have had a few people step up and assist in the cooking duties and help set up ect...

The Colorado Scramble is run independent from any Groups, Clubs or Associations. Thank you all very much, with out you folks it simply wouldn’t be.

2014 - One more time we found a new place to get together and wheel. We went to Fairplay, CO on the high altitude plains and surrounding massive 12,000 FT peaks. Over all we had 12 Scramblers, 8 the first day, 7 the second and 10 the last day. Perfect size groups for the trails. We had odds and ends go wrong along the way but no real issues that kept us to long. I chased a couple gremlins in my fan wiring, Ryan blew a power steering line and (brown) Jason dropped a u-joint on his rear drive shaft. And of course the pic-nic yet again in the rain was lots of fun any way.
Trails – Mosquito Pass (with north and south London Mines), Twin Cone and Wheeler Lake.

2013 - After a 4 year absence once again we were in Buena Vista. This area always seems to be a favorite for all and has very different variations in scenery and trails. Not a high volume year but very good none the less. The first 2 days saw us travel with 8 rigs while on the last day we had 10. Chinaman Gulch saw the most carnage with a number of different break downs but only one that was ultimately unfixable.
Trails – Mt Antero, Baldwin Lake, Chainman’s Gulch, Grizzly Lake & Iron Chest.

2012 - For the first time we all met in Leadville, CO. This just happens to be my new home town. Ironically enough I set this as the site for this years event well before i knew I would be moving here. Also for the first time we went the whole event with only Scramblers in attendance. While the group was small with 8 rigs the same 8 ran each day and we had a blast. No major vehicle issues to speak or with only minor stuff popping up from time to time. On Friday for the picnic it rained on us most of it which made cooking and eating a small challenge but just before we were done it stopped and started to warm up and really enjoyed the afternoon and evening taking the picnic up to around 7pm. We were able to secure the picnic area at the Leadville fish hatchery so that added to the enjoyment of it.
Trails - Poachers Loop, Halfmoon Creak (South & North branches), Mount Zion and few for Mosquito Pass.

2011 - Once again we were in Idaho Springs, CO which just happens to be my current home town. Ken Adams of Thayer, KS selected this year’s location. We had our biggest group to date with 23 plus we had a few non-Scramblers join on different days. We changed the Pic-Nic day to the last day this year to make it a send off rather than just ending at the end of the last trail. For the first time also we had our Pic-Nic catered rather than grilling, it was great food, very affordable and nice not to have to cook or have others cook. Changing the Pic-Nic to the end of Friday will be something that we take into the future.
Trails - Bourbor Fork, Devils Canyon, Red Elephant Hill, Bill Moore Lake, Sheridan Hill, Kingston Peak and Spring Creek.

2010 – We went back to Silverton. Our crowd was a little smaller this year and judging from the emails and calls I received before and after it seems it is a direct reflection on our economy. None-the-less we had 11 Jeeps and a very good time. As always the pic-nic was quite fun and of course we had a blast on the trails.
Trails - Imogene & Imogene Pass, Ophir Pass, Mineral Creek, Red Mountain Mining Area, California Gulch, California & Hurricane Passes.

2009 – We once again traveled south to Buena Vista. Bueney (as known locally) is simply a really cool place to visit and wheel. Once again the majority of us stayed in the same place The Pinion Court Cabins located directly across the street from the park where we met each morning and had our Thursday pic-nic. That made things very convenient. For the first time I had lots of vehicle problems and had to let the group move on with out me on 2 of the 3 days. This year had a little different and good feel to it in that it was a very easy and slow pace where everyone just kind of waited for all and no one was even remotely in a hurry. Basically we ran the trails when we got there.
Trails – Grizzly Lake, Polmeroy Lake, Iron Chest and Old Chainman’s Gulch. Once again there were no extreme trails held officially during the event but at the end of the last day 3 Scramblers ran Carnage Canyon.

2008 – Back to where we started, my home town of Idaho Springs. This was another very special year as a member of ours Tom Barger set it up for us to have Trent McGee of Rock Crawler Magazine ride with us to do a full 6 page feature in the magazine he works for, “Rock Crawler Magazine”. The article was awesome and had some really great pictures. I can not thank Tom and Trent enough for doing this for not only myself but all that attended. Of course this is always a little easy for me because I get the fringe benefit of staying in my own house…lol. While it’s not quite as vacation-ish as the other places we go all that come out make it a vacation for me.
Trails - North Chicago Creek, Jenny Creek, Kingston Peak, Bill Moore Lake, Mill Creek Loop, Cascade Creek and Spring Creek.

2007 – We went to, in my opinion, the most beautiful area not only in Colorado but on earth. Silverton . Again most all stayed in the same place, the Red Mountain Inn and Cabins, All the years I have gone to Silverton I have always stayed at this place, the owners are just super and are very open to all that come. It’s a little more spread out and while it didn’t have quite the family porch feel it was quite awesome. The owners also allowed us to have our pic-nic on property in their own pic-nic area. They are very friendly and open.
Trails - Poughkeepsie Gulch, Imogene Pass, Ophir Pass, Mineral Creek, Corkscrew Gulch, Red Mountain Mining Area, California Gulch, Picayne & Placer Gulches and Hurricane Pass. You simply can not visit a more scenic area, it’s truly Gods country.

2006 – This year we went to Nederland, CO. It’s a small mountain town located a short ways north of my home town of Idaho Springs. This was with out question one of the most fun years I think we have had. 80% of us all stayed at the same place and some what took it over. We were all in a row and hung out on the long front porch of the place, it gave a very family style look and feel and I think it was enjoyed very much by all.
Trails - For the first and only year we did an official “night run” to Jenny Creek. I had a family member of the Adams’ extended family, Todd, from Oklahoma drove my rig, I think he had a very good time with that. Other trails we ran here were; Carnage Canyon (Boulder, now closed), Left-hand Canyon, Eldorado Mountain, Caribou Flats, Rainbow Lakes, Middle St. Vrain, Cooney Flats, Pennsylvania Gulch and the Switzerland Trail.

2005 – We went to Buena Vista, CO. This was a very special year for us. I was very fortunate in being able to get Brad Smith from Superlift Offroad Productions to come and cover us for their Television show “Superlifts Offroad Adventures” which at that time was shown on the “Outdoor Channel? On cable TV.
Trails - Grizzly Lake, Polmeroy Lake, Iron Chest and Old Chainman’s Gulch. While there were no extreme trails held officially during the event at the end of the last day a group of 8 ran Carnage Canyon.

2003 & 2004 – The first 2 years of this event were held in my then home town of Idaho Springs, CO. There are a number of local trails that range from easy to fairly difficult.
Trails – Devils Canyon, Lochloman Lake, North Chicago Creek, Jenny Creek, Kingston Peak, Bill Moore Lake, Mill Creek Loop, Cascade Creek and Spring Creek.

Bunea Vista 2009