Originally Posted By sherrytodd Last weekend, we decided to head into the mountains to enjoy the fall colors. Our plan was to backpack up to a lake and then head back the next day. We got to Buena Vista and for some reason we decided to scrap plan a and go for plan b which was to climb Mount Antero the next morning. That gave us the full day on Saturday to mess around. Sitting at a little local's joint eating breakfast, we came up with the brilliant idea to do a loop 4x4 drive which went over Tincup Pass, Cumberland Pass and then Hancock Pass. We've had the Xterra for over a year now and have yet to take it up 4 wheeling. We stopped at a little shop so we could pick up marshmallow for DS to roast that night and set off. We started out in St. Elmo which is an old town. Most of the buildings are privately owned so you can't wander around that much, but it's a neat little town. From there we started up Tin Cup Pass. The road really wasn't that bad. It got a little rocky toward the top, but nothing major. On the way up, I was looking at the map and discovered that the Continental Trail passes through this area and follows this road a little way. Down on the other side of Tin Cup Pass was another old town called Tin Cup. It's much the same as St. Elmo, old buildings that are privately owned. On the way out of town I noticed a sign on the side of the road that pointed to Tin Cup cemetary. I talked DH into stopping. It was really a neat old cemetary. Many of the tombstones were made of wood, so they have weathered to the point where they are falling apart, but there were some marble headstones from the late 1800's. We were checking out the cemetary when it started to rain. DS and DH went back to the car. I wanted to check out the other side of the cemetary so I headed over there. It was pretty neat in a slightly creapy sort of way. All the graves over on that side were wood and were falling apart. So next on our trip was to head over Cumberland Pass. The road was pretty good over this one. Toward the top we started seeing a ton of old mines. We checked a few of them out, but then started to notice that it starting to get later. We wanted to see the Alpine Tunnel, which is an old narrow gage tunnel that was built in the 1800's. We turned off on the the Alpine Tunnel road. After a few miles, I noticed that the old road was a lot different then the previous roads. The grade was very gentle and they were narrow, but solid. I made the comment to DH that it seemed like we were driving on an old railroad line. Then around the corner, up pops an old water tower. It had been restored and was just out there in the middle of nowhere. Further up there were signs talking about the history of the railroad and there were some places where the track was left. Yep, we had been driving on what was the old railroad line. To get to the Alpine Tunnel, the road heads to the left. From here it was really narrow with really high drop-offs. The road had not been widened and it was still the width that was carved out for the narrow gage trains. I drove up this VERY SLOWLY. We got to the Alpine Tuneel. It was really interesting. There were some restored buildings and then some non-restored buildings that were falling apart. It was starting to get windy and pretty chilly, but we decided that if we came all this way, we had to walk over and see the Alpine Tunnel. So off we treked. We could see where it was right around the corner. We headed on up, rounded the corner and then saw nothing but a big pile of rocks where the entrance used to be. It was very anticlimatic. By now it was getting really late and we still had one more pass to go. We headed down the Alpine Tunnel road and got to the start of Hancock Pass. At the start of the road there was a sign that said, "4 Wheel Drive Recomended." We decided that it must not be that bad, since 4 wheel was only "recomended" and not required. Boy were we wrong. It was the worst pass of the day. Huge rocks that you had to crawl over. There were several areas where DH had to get out of the car and act as a spotter. The we got to a hill that looked impossible to me. I started heading up with DH as a spotter, but there was nowhere to stop on the hill that kept going and DH was soon behind me. I couldn't stop so I had to continue up without a spotter. It looked like I had it done, when I slid off the rock I was heading up, and then heard the horrible screach of a rock under the car. DH caught up and said many words that I cannot print here. A rock, that really wasn't that big had rolled when we slid back and lodged under the car. We spent several minutes trying to come up with a game plan. I crawled under the car and started the dig out the dirt under the caught rock. Then after it was loosened, I was able to bang on it with another rock and finally was able to knock it out. With a little difficulty, we were able to get going again and up the pass we went. The other side was no better. We crawled on down and when we hit the trees, it was heaven. The road greatly smoothed out. So we had made it over the passes, but there was so much that we had to stop and look at that it was getting dark and there was no way we could drive up to the camp on Mt Antero to get our start in the morning. We decided to just find a place to camp that night and then check out some other mines in the area the next day. The plan was, DH was to set up the tent, and since we promissed DS a camp fire, he and I went looking for fire wood. I was heading back to the camp with a load of wood in my arms, when I fealt a sharp shooting pain in the bottom of my left foot. I fell to the ground while simultaneously screaming for DH to bring the first aid kit. I had stepped on a fallen log with a branch sticking up that had broken of. It had gone through my Teva and into my arch. The weird thing was, it really didn't hurt much. Got it cleaned up and bandaged and DH wanted to pack up camp and take me to an emergency room. I refused as I was so tired by then and wanted to go to bed. I got through the evening with several Excederins and two shots of whisky (this was the west after all). Unfortunately over night, my foot swelled up and the next morning I could barely walk. We decided to head back home while dropping me off at the emergency room. While I was sitting, it really wasn't that bad. DS and DH really wanted to go to Southpark City (yes this is the place the show is named after). It's a bunch of old buildings that had been restored. I told them that it would be fine and they could check out the buildings while I read. The we headed back to town where I had to face reality. At the emergency room, I discovered that the stick had gone through the skin and into the foot muscle. Worst thing was they were going to have to clean it out and probe (shudder) for anything caught in there. I then experienced the most painful thing in my life. To numb my foot, the Dr. had to inject my foot four, yes four times. Of course I screemed and cried. She cleaned it out, but that's as far as she would go and said I had to get in to see a foot specialist. Got in the next day and good news, I could feel my toes so it doesn't appear there was nerve damage, but bad news, it will take five to six months to heal and I can't hike or ski. =( Now I am trying to get around the house on one foot and not doing very well at it. Here's some photos... <a href="http://www.kodakgallery.com/Slideshow.jsp?mode=fromshare&Uc=uyt3znl.8lw88jyp&Uy=m8hml2&Ux=0" target="_blank">http://www.kodakgallery.com/Sl ideshow.jsp?mode=fromshare&Uc=uyt3znl.8lw88jyp&Uy=m8hml2&Ux=0</a>
Originally Posted By smedley OMG sherrytodd!! I am glad that you're 'ok' but what a bummer that it's going to take such a long time to get better! Can't see piccies as I'm at work, but I'm sure if you're going to be laid up that long then it's pretty bad
Originally Posted By friendofdd What an exciting adventure. I haven't crossed all of those passes, but have done a bit of motorcycling in the area. The Collegiate Range is one of the most beautiful areas in the west. Please, next time, consider exploring with somebody else along. It can be very hazardous going with just one vehicle. I've been to East Tincup many, many times, BTW. But to Tincup only once many years ago. Hope you foot heals rapidly.
Originally Posted By chickendumpling Beautiful pictures, sherrytodd! Most excellent report. Sorry to hear about your foot. Does kinda make you an easy target for me though seeings as how you can't run away no more. Good thing I'm good and not Eeee-vil like *some* people 'round here. I wish you a full and speedy recovery and good "pain relief" in the interim.
Originally Posted By sherrytodd <<<Please, next time, consider exploring with somebody else along. It can be very hazardous going with just one vehicle.>>> Unfortunately there were plenty of other people doing this loop so we really weren't alone. I just try to get the pictures without anyone else in them. Plus we had packed for an over-nighter backpack so we had more then enough survival gear. Looked the passes up in our 4 wheel Colorado guide and they were rated moderate. I've hiked up some of the difficults and they are INSANE! We started packing up one a few years ago when a jeep club was heading up. We beat them to the top walking and we stopped and watched them a few times. Lots of body damage and one broken axel.
Originally Posted By Pixie Glitter Ow, ow, ow, ow, ow! That sounds nasty. I'm glad you won't have permanent damage, but I'm sure it is frustrating to have restricted activity for so long.
Originally Posted By LuLu Your adventure is freaking me out! To say nothing of your horrible wound. What would happen if someone was coming the other way on that extremely narrow road with high drop-offs - go in reverse back down?! =:-O Argh, I'm glad I'm not adventurous! I'm off to see your pics. Get better soon!
Originally Posted By sherrytodd <<<What would happen if someone was coming the other way on that extremely narrow road with high drop-offs - go in reverse back down?! >>> Legally the uphill person has the right of way. Where they could put small pullouts they have. You just make it a point to really try to look ahead down the road before entering a tight spot. Worst case scenario, yes someone has to back up.
Originally Posted By trailsend My Goodness!!! This is truly an adventure. What beautiful pictures and you poor, poor thing!! So sorry you hurt yourself! I could just feel that pain while reading all you had to go through. Bless your heart! The pictures are awesome. Thanks for sharing and this means you can't moonwalk anymore.
Originally Posted By beamerdog Thanks for sharing your adventure and the wonderful pictures. Take care of that foot!
Originally Posted By Kennesaw Tom What incredible pictures Sherry. Thanks for sharing. Sorry to hear about your foot. I hope everything is going to be ok. I have never been to that area of Colorado so I really enjoyed your pictures. Oh course being a train buff the history you provided was great too. <starts looking for steel heeled boots for sherrytodd>
Originally Posted By Lisann22 Beautiful pictures! Sorry about the foot, that was tummy twisting to read.
Originally Posted By TiggerPooh1973 Wow great pictures! You are one adventurous lady......and I am so....not. Hope the foot heals quickly.
Originally Posted By Mary Poppins Thank-you for sharing your adventures. You have very scenic photographs. That's too bad about your foot. You take care of it now. I grimaced at your discussion of the pain, you poor thing!!!
Originally Posted By amazedncal2 >> two shots of whisky (this was the west after all). << Like LuLu, I kept thinking "what would happen if someone were driving down?" Narrow roads just creep me out. Thanks for sharing your adventure with us! I'm so sorry about your foot, ugh! Your pictures are beautiful and I love the captions! Made me laugh, especially the tiny town
Originally Posted By sherrytodd Did a little diggin' (pun intended) and I found some information on the Tincup Cemetery. The cemetery was seperated into knolls. The largest by far is the Protestant knoll. The other knolls are Catholic, Jewish and Boot Hill. Graves were seperated by religion with the Boot Hill area reserved for mainly people who died violent deaths. This is the area that I went and looked at by myself in the rain. All the markers were wood, and were falling apart. There are no records to indicate which grave is which save one, but they have been able to determine who is out there... "Burials in BOOT HILL, Tin Cup Cemetery (This knoll is east of the Catholic knoll.) BOWMAN, E.aged 68 yrs, died Feb _____. CAMERON, "BLACK" JACK "He drew 5 aces." Southeast corner. CHADWICK, FRED died 1908. An assayer and chemist, educated English gentleman. CHRISTOPHER, BUD died ____, 1879. Killed by T. Lahey. CONLEY, WILLIAM R. died in the spring of 1903. Shot and killed by John Lynch. Considered self-defense killing. Lynch died about a year later in a horse and buggy accident and was buried in Buena Vista. EMERSON, FRANK died 7 Jul 1882. Town Marshal shot and killed by Tom Leahy 100 - 200 feet east of the present town hall door. Leahy sentenced to 12 years in Colorado State Penitentiary. GREGG, CLANSON died 1886. Shot and killed by Charley Wahl in a Tin Cup store on Washington Avenue. Wahl was exonerated. His attorney was Thomas Patterson. HARBURT, A. died 1906. Killed in Robert E. Lee # 2 mining shaft accident. HOGAN, FRANK HUGHES, JOHN (JACK) H. JAMISON, ANDREW age 27 years, died 5 May 1883. Town marshal who was shot and killed by William Taylor. Taylor was convicted and served 4 years in the Colorado State Penitentiary. JAMISON, JAMES age 52 years, died Mar 1890. Killed in a mining accident while inebriated. Uncle of Andrew; buried next to Andrew. JONES, DEACON died 8 Sep 1903. Reported to have been the "peeping tom" of Tin Cup. Also a good judge of whiskey. MAXIMER, SHANG died 1880. Shot and killed by James Dempsey. "PASS OUT" A dance hall girl who lived out her life in Tin Cup and is buried on Boot Hill. RIVERS, HARRY died 7 Mar 1882. Shot and killed by Charles LaTourette, saloon keeper. Rivers was the town marshal at the time of his death. There are several conflicting stories as to how he was killed. LaTourette appeared before a "kangaroo court" in Tin Cup. Case was dismissed --LaTourette acted in self-defense. River's grave is located in the center of Boot Hill."
Originally Posted By chickendumpling These are fantastic, sherrytodd. I don't mean to sound creepy but I find cemeteries completely fascinating. We have quite a few "pioneer" cemeteries here and the history you can glean from the markers is remarkable. These markers you've posted are really something and made a very interesting read. Thanks for taking the time to share them.
Originally Posted By smedley Yes thanks for sharing sherry, sounds like town marshall was a dangerous profession lol!!
Originally Posted By t1lersm0m Wow, your foot is a bummer! Where were you? I don't recognize any of the names of places.
Originally Posted By t1lersm0m Never mind, just saw Kennesaw Tom's post....(Colorado). I've never been there. HOpe your foot is ok!
