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Mt Antero on a whim...

PhillyB77

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Dec 1, 2021
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231
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Bailey, CO
So we were out checking out St Elmo today in the 4 Runner, driving back we saw an entrance to a trail and some trailers where side by side's had been hauled no doubt. We stopped and walked up to the sign, Mt Antero eh? We didn't have our trail book but from the looks of things, could be a challenge. "Experienced 4WD Drivers only." I suppose that's us. I was a little hesitant, girlfriend was full send. "We can make it." Ok then.

We didn't have the compressor but I figured we could air up at a gas station so I aired down the tires. We did have all sort of other every day carry stuff, even stuff for camping or recovery / food and water / communication so why not. We set off up the trail.

I had the 4 Runner in low, A trac on, TC off for the entire way up. On the way down it was 1st or 2nd gear and I tried the loose rock mode, should have tried that going up. It was around 1 hr 45 to get to *almost* the top, and an hour roughly to get back down. Lots of rocks, the skid plate took a few shots, once I had some tire spin and had to back up and hit the obstacle at a different angle to get past it. We only saw side by side's up there (4 of them) and a couple 4 wheelers.

Once through the rocky part it got steep and narrow and by that I mean narrow with your death just over the edge. The tight switchbacks were super tight, a few times I had to stop, back up a bit, then go again...not great but the only way through. We got almost to the top and it appeared to get really sketchy beyond that. Upon reading my trail book (back at the house) it said only SxS's can do the last 1/2 mile. I'm not sure but we decided to call it and head back down. Overall a really fun day and the weather cooperated.

It's encouraging knowing a stock vehicle can handle a trail like this. I would have wished for a bit more ground clearance but otherwise no big deal.

Nice shot mid way up.

IMG_7514.JPG

Not sketchy at all

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The way up (heading down)

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Where we decided to turn around

IMG_7533.JPG
 
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Telly

Rising Sun Member
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Jan 4, 2008
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1,329
Location
Monument
Looks like the aspens are turning. Thanks for sharing and that is one nice looking T4R.
 

PhillyB77

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Dec 1, 2021
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231
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Bailey, CO
Thanks much! Love the 4R, a do it all vehicle that although dated...still looks great.
 

damon

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Cruise Moab Committee
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Nov 28, 2018
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Arvada, CO

Pz10420

Trail Ready
Joined
Jun 21, 2020
Messages
363
I was camped up there at 11000 at the junction with the creek crossing that day. Camped up there a couple of times this summer and its been great both times, although did get woken at about 3am by a sxs or atv one night.
 

krice118

Trail Ready
Joined
Apr 1, 2016
Messages
305
Location
Jackson, WY
4runner sales by year - old platform hasnt seemed to hurt sales. Look at the explosion from 2013 to 2016,
Year sold
2005 103,830
2006 103,086
2007 87,718
2008 47,878
2009 19,675
2010 46,531
2011 44,316
2012 48,753
2013 48,735
2014 77,006
2015 97,034
2016 111,952
2017 128,296
2018 139,694
2019 131,864
2020 129,052
2021 144,696
2022 84,577

sorry for getting off topic.... Looks like a great day OP!
 

PhillyB77

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Dec 1, 2021
Messages
231
Location
Bailey, CO
In that vid I posted, Doug makes some great points (and they apply to my 2016 Tundra as well). Simple, big knobs, rugged, it just works.

That's the appeal.
 

PhillyB77

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Dec 1, 2021
Messages
231
Location
Bailey, CO
Also quick question: do you guys turn traction control OFF on these trails? I had it off, I swear I was shooting large rocks 20 feet in some areas, thought they might hit the side of the rig and damage it. OR, do you let the computer do its thing?
 

Pz10420

Trail Ready
Joined
Jun 21, 2020
Messages
363
My trucks don't know what you mean when you say "traction control", they are older and simpler...and don't have enough power to send a pebble 6 inches let alone 20 feet. :)
 
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