• Jack-it Night: April 2024 RS Meeting Hey Guest: Wed. April 3rd is the next Rising Sun meeting, and you won't want to miss it. We're doing our annual offroad recovery equipment demonstration and trail skills training aka "Jack It Night." Meeting starts at 6:30 p.m. (early) Click here for all the details.

Triple Bypass Run 2022

RossM

Rising Sun Member
Joined
Jul 9, 2020
Messages
112
Hello all. My name is Ross Miller, I am Bruce and Barbara Miller's younger son. My family have been members and supporters of Rising Sun for over 25 years. You my or may not know, my father passed away early this year from a long fought battle with Parkinson's Disease.

In about 1998 while out camping and exploring our family came up with the idea for running 3 high mountain passes in one day. We ran a couple of iterations of our event in the making and it came to be called the Triple Bypass. @DaveInDenver has shown off his sweatshirt we made for the official event's participants that year, you may have seen it. We began with Schofield Pass, Pearl Pass and Taylor Pass and it eventually made more sense to go Italian Creek Pass, Pearl Pass and then Taylor Pass. My folks lead it for quite a number of years in a row (along with many trails for Cruise Moab, Ouray run and other club trips) and after many successful runs passed the torch to @wesintl. Wes lead the TBP for many years after and even came up with a double triple bypass.

I am bringing this run to reality to honor the memory of my father. I have asked the help of @Stuckinthe80s (as he lead a successful run) and a few others to make another successful run of it now and moving forward. Nic said he might not be able to be there due to family commitments but assured me his support and info from when he ran it a year or so ago. I am sure there will be bugs that will need worked out along the way, I truly appreciate your patience. Due to snowpack, holiday weekends and family commitments, we are tentatively planning it for the weekend of September 9, 10 and 11th and plan to camp in Dorchester Campground just like the old days.

Be forewarned, the number of trucks will be limited to 10 good mechanical condition trucks maximum and drivers will be required to have the skills and ability and confidence to keep up the fast pace to complete 50+ miles of technical offroad driving in one day. This run is NOT for beginner drivers with stockish trucks nor the faint of heart and you MUST keep moving. No dillydallying.

There is an open invitation for those who may want come out and hang out for the weekend and not be subjected to the abuse of the trails themselves. I believe my mother Barbara will be there, @Groucho and Bruce Westlund may be as well among others, we hope to see the old heads out for at least a visit if not run it with us.

Please be assured, I will watch this thread as closely as possible but might not check it every day. Again, I appreciate your patience. Please consider the requirements of this run and your own schedule before asking to be added to the list. We hope to make this a really great run!

The official communications will be via 2M HAM and an FCC license is required to operate/transmit a station-no exceptions. If you are interested and thinking about getting your HAM license, I do know that both @DaveInDenver and @Groucho have given many classes to prepare people for their exams. If we get enough interest, we might be able to get them to do another preparation session for those interested so you're able to take your exam and get your license. :)

List of participants (with t-shirt size):

1) Wes @wesintl (XL and L for your son)
2) Chris @Herring (2XL)
3) Ken @Romer (XL) 4) Mike @baileyfj40 (3XL)
5) Matt @Hulk (XL)
6) Mike @fyffer (XL)
7) Jackson @jps8460 (L)
8) Ige @nuclearlemon (2XL)
9) Ray @RayRay27

The list of hangers out or folks who want to be passengers are here:

1) Perry @bh4rnnr (XL)
2) Bruce @Jethro (XL)
3) Nic @Stuckinthe80s (2XL)

Please let me know what size shirt you need for those of us who haven't commented. We will choose for you with our "best guesstimate" if we don't hear from you by tomorrow. IF you know someone on the list who hasn't reported in their shirt size, please reach out to them and ask them to answer. We appreciate your help.

Event is full (as of August 17, 2022). We have a had a couple folks can't make it. If you would like to be added to a "wait list" please say so.


Here are a few threads from previous years running the Triple Bypass for those not familiar with the run.




 
Last edited:

wesintl

RS Moderator
Moderator
Joined
Aug 22, 2005
Messages
8,557
Location
in da house
awesome Ross! I'm a tentative. I def want to be there. The usual august date i had leadville last year and sbt gravel this year but sept is probably a go for me.
 

Groucho

Rising Sun Ham Guru
Joined
Aug 22, 2005
Messages
1,698
Location
Brighton, Colorado
Quite honestly, the fact that both events are scheduled for the same day might help ensure that those who want to commit are ready to go. Like the RS train trip, Ghost Town Run and Ouray run, having such a showing some years (Like almost 30 rigs on the GTR!) can be overwhelming for both event coordinators, the rigs and the physical trails themselves. Which, as history has shown, could be borderline unsafe. We like safe.

I will look to be there. As this an unofficial dedication run to Bruce, I may abstain from the actual run, but was thinking on being there at Dorchester CG for the end of the run with cold ones and food, potentially for all involved. Don't hold me to it just yet, but I am pondering the idea to set up a spread so that when everyone is done, all everyone has to do is eat, drink and chillax.

Pics to come...
 

gr8fulabe

Rising Sun Member
Joined
Sep 3, 2005
Messages
1,590
Location
Boulder Canyon
Quite honestly, the fact that both events are scheduled for the same day might help ensure that those who want to commit are ready to go. Like the RS train trip, Ghost Town Run and Ouray run, having such a showing some years (Like almost 30 rigs on the GTR!) can be overwhelming for both event coordinators, the rigs and the physical trails themselves. Which, as history has shown, could be borderline unsafe. We like safe.

I will look to be there. As this an unofficial dedication run to Bruce, I may abstain from the actual run, but was thinking on being there at Dorchester CG for the end of the run with cold ones and food, potentially for all involved. Don't hold me to it just yet, but I am pondering the idea to set up a spread so that when everyone is done, all everyone has to do is eat, drink and chillax.

Pics to come...
Honestly, my point was the opposite. Every year someone commits to putting forth a bunch of effort to make the rally happen, and every year the club ends up sabotaging it by scheduling other events on the same weekend. the rally takes a lot of effort, cost & attendance to be successful, and siphoning off people harms that goal. I get that this is an important event for the club, and I get that this year it is vastly more important than ever. But this happens every year, and there is a reason why we have a long history of people only volunteering to do the rally once & then passing on the headache the next year.

It could well be that this is the only date that works for this run, and certainly it should happen if that is the case. But if it can be held on a different date, it would certainly help the rally be a success. IF it can't be pushed, then I hope all have fun, and I hope Bruce is enjoying the run from somewhere in spirit. I'd love to go & honor him, but I don't have the skills as a driver just yet.
 

DaveInDenver

Rising Sun Ham Guru
Joined
Jun 8, 2006
Messages
12,942
Location
Grand Junction
IMG_0367_mid.jpg
 

3rdGen4R

Cruise Moab Committee
Cruise Moab Committee
Joined
Jan 3, 2019
Messages
1,514
Location
Littleton, CO
Id be interested in doing this again. I’ve done this with the last group. Please put me down.
 

Beach Boy

Cruise Moab Committee
Cruise Moab Committee
Joined
Jan 9, 2019
Messages
345
Location
Moab, Utah
Wish I could join you all again as I ran it several times with your dad and then again last year but I am busy that weekend. Another time.
 

Rzeppa

Rising Sun Member
Joined
Aug 24, 2005
Messages
8,217
Location
Kittredge CO, USA
My condolences to you and Barb and your family Ross, I didn't know about your dad until now. Bruce was huge contributor to Rising Sun for many years, and when I joined Rising Sun in 1999 Barb was our Secretary; she made newsletters that rivaled Henry Brimmer's Toyota Trails back then. Bruce was always a reliable and helpful trail leader at Cruise Moab back in the early 2000s. I remember the kudos being given out on the Land Cruiser Mailing list about the three Bruces, your dad, Bruce Westlund and Bruce Minney. I remember the Christmas celebration at your family farm in 2000 where we did the blindfold run in your back yard LOL! I definitely will not make this triple bypass run this year, but thank you Ross for organizing it!
 

Romer

RS Moderator
Staff member
Moderator
Joined
Aug 22, 2005
Messages
10,007
Location
Centennial, Colorado
Ross, I have always wanted to do this. I am tentative right now but likely can make it. Can I bring my camper to the campground?
 

RayRay27

Cruise Moab Committee
Cruise Moab Committee
Joined
Jun 26, 2015
Messages
1,460
Location
Thornton via Boulder
This is an awesome run and you definitely need to make sure your rig is 100% and you have energy for a 12 hour plus day (possibly) in the saddle. Also make sure you stick to the lower Reno divide trail and bypass the upper section. The upper section is super sketchy and about as wide as an ATV. I know past Rising Sun groups used to run the upper section back in the day, but just be warned if you try the upper section.
 
Last edited:

Beach Boy

Cruise Moab Committee
Cruise Moab Committee
Joined
Jan 9, 2019
Messages
345
Location
Moab, Utah
Ross, I have always wanted to do this. I am tentative right now but likely can make it. Can I bring my camper to the campground?
Yes, I have taken my truck camper and trailer (Lance) camper to the campground.
 

RossM

Rising Sun Member
Joined
Jul 9, 2020
Messages
112
Wish I could join you all again as I ran it several times with your dad and then again last year but I am busy that weekend. Another time.
Was hoping to hear from you. Bummed you can't make it. Maybe something changes and we can make it happen.
 

RossM

Rising Sun Member
Joined
Jul 9, 2020
Messages
112
My condolences to you and Barb and your family Ross, I didn't know about your dad until now. Bruce was huge contributor to Rising Sun for many years, and when I joined Rising Sun in 1999 Barb was our Secretary; she made newsletters that rivaled Henry Brimmer's Toyota Trails back then. Bruce was always a reliable and helpful trail leader at Cruise Moab back in the early 2000s. I remember the kudos being given out on the Land Cruiser Mailing list about the three Bruces, your dad, Bruce Westlund and Bruce Minney. I remember the Christmas celebration at your family farm in 2000 where we did the blindfold run in your back yard LOL! I definitely will not make this triple bypass run this year, but thank you Ross for organizing it!
Jeff,

Thank you for your kindness, it means a lot to us. He is and will be missed. Hopefully Bruce Westlund @Jethro will be able to make it down as well as Greg @Cheeseman
 

gungriffin

Rising Sun Member
Joined
Dec 4, 2017
Messages
1,027
Location
Denver
Please toss me on the list for this run. I have wanted to do this before, but I wasn't able to make the previous runs.
 

Groucho

Rising Sun Ham Guru
Joined
Aug 22, 2005
Messages
1,698
Location
Brighton, Colorado
Dorchester is very convenient and accessible to tents, trailers and popups.

Dorchester Info

Shortest route shows going over just south of Granite which is just north of Buena Vista. Smoothest route is over cottonwood pass as its paved to the top from east side and very smooth on the west side, then just head north from Taylor Reservoir. Not hard to get to.
 

bh4rnnr

Outlaw, Scoundrel, Miscreant
Joined
Aug 23, 2005
Messages
6,163
Location
Littleton
Ross,

Please add me to the list. Have never made this run but always wanted to. Planning on riding along to take pics.

:beer::beer:
 

Jethro

0
Joined
Sep 1, 2005
Messages
68
I'm going to try real hard to come and just hang out especially if Groucho is cooking.

Italian Creek 20 years ago:
18. The begining of the top oif Italian Creek.jpg


We got to stop for lunch
27. Lunch at the foot of Maroon Bells.jpg


Taylor Lake from the pass
35. Taylor Lake.jpg


-Jethro
 

HoneyBadger

Rising Sun Member
Joined
Apr 24, 2013
Messages
1,800
Location
Pine
This sounds like a lot of fun. I've been wanting to do this concept for a long time. I've done all the passes in question at one time or another, but never all three in a single day. That said, I'm probably not up for doing it with a larger group. But I hope it all goes well for you guys.

That being said, the last time I went up and over Italian and out Italian Creek, the upper road was NOT passable by full sized vehicles. I got my self into quite a tight spot and had a hell of a time getting turned around and out of there. I had to take the lower road out and it was extremely muddy at that time. This was back in 2016 I believe. But the obstructions to the upper road where substantial and I doubt anyone has seen fit to clean it up and make it passable between then and now. At that time only some one on a dirt bike would have been able to squeeze through there and maneuver around the car sized boulders.
It doesn't sound like Schofield Pass will be utilized for this trip. But just as a heads up, I just read a trail report this morning that said there was an avalanche on Schofield close to the punch bowl and that the snow is currently still blocking the path in a major way. Also there has been a separate rock slide further up the trail that is blocking passage by full sized rigs. Only ATV's are able to squeeze by it at this time. So, I'm sure the snow will be melted by September, but I'm not sure if that rock slide will have been cleared from the trail by then, or indeed will ever be cleared.
So, just and FYI.
 
Top