Time to get cleaned up.

We left Iron City campground and headed down Chalk Creek to to Mount Princeton Hot Springs for a chance to soak in the hot water and get a shower. Mount Princeton offers a setting with both the standard hot pool as well as a section next to the creek where there are a number of springs and a natural bathing area. The hot section next to the creek is where LJ and I spent most of our time.  We worked hard to get our pool just right temp by rebuilding the dams and directing the cold water away from the pool. The creek pools are great fun for both children and adults but are not available during high water.

Once clean and dry we got underway back towards Tincup Pass. Our group stopped in St. Elmo to check out the local gift shop as well as some of the old buildings. We were finally underway and climbing Tincup pass by late morning.

Tincup pass offers no great challenges but is a rocky trip that should be driven in a high clearance or better vehicle.

The climb to the top is through a Coniferous Forest that has yet to be affected by the pine beetle problems that are being seen elsewhere in Colorado. Once above tree line there is a fantastic camping on the east side of the road then a long straight accent to the summit of the pass.

Crossing Tincup again took us to the western side of the Continental Divide. With pictures taken and a short break we were underway again. The decent took us past Mirror Lake and on to the town of Tincup.

Once through Tincup we entered Taylor Park. The park offers fantastic views of a wide valley surrounded by high mountains.  We passed by Taylor reservoir and kept moving so we would make Taylor pass and our camp with enough daylight left.

We finally arrived at the start of the Taylor pass road in mid afternoon. Taylor Lake is only about 4 miles up the road but they are very slow going and take about 2 hours. This section of road was to be our first big challenge for the 9 in 2009 tour.

 

Shifting into four low we started our crawl up to the lake. The road climbs from Taylor Park into a high valley and continues to Taylor Lake which is a beautiful Colorado alpine lake.

Taylor pass starts as a rocky climb and does not relent. After some time we entered the small valley that Taylor creek descends. The first ford of the creek was smooth and shallow, not an indication of what is to come.

We rounded a corner and then encountered what Taylor pass is known for, the creek section. For a little over 1/8 of a mile the trail goes straight up the creek. We stopped and discussed the section. It is a classic Colorado creek that is full of rock and small boulders. I also noted that we would be stopping where we exit the creek what  is a short technical climb.

 

The photos say it all about this section. In low water it presents little problem for a lifted Toyota FJ Cruiser, however I would stay away in a stock SUV.

Once at the creek exit we stopped and all the drivers came forward to inspect the final obstacle. I spent some time with George reviewing the line how to use left foot braking to better control speed through a section like this.

  

I was the first to go through the section with my trailer in tow. No problems for me. I spotted for George as he drove the section flawlessly. He exited his FJ at the top with a great big smile on his face.

Dale pulled his trailer through the section with no problems either and a big grin on his face. Once through we mounted up and finished the drive to Taylor Lake. This last section is very rocky and did require some precise wheel placement.

We arrived at the lake with plenty of time to get camp set before the rain once again moved in.

Day 4