 |
| Ophir Pass down the other side |
As we traveled west we noticed the food was changing from state to state. We also noticed the scenery most definitely had a western feel to it. We noticed too that you had more options to dry camp. With all that said, we left Lake City CO. and continued on the TAT, as we were about to cross the Continental Divide. We had two major passes to climb that day- Cinnamon Pass EL# 12,620 ft. and Ophir Pass EL# 11,743 ft. both of these passes hold spectacular views with bone chilling hairpin turns and steep descents. Loose rock and boulders made up for the white knuckle navigable trail surface.
 |
| Glacier Top of Cinnamon Pass |
As for Ophir the loose shale at the top forbid making any mistakes. Buckled in and raring to go we took to the TAT with full ambition to conquer some elevation. Elevation was in our blood that day or the lack of O2, taking each turn and switchback was with our undivided attention.
 |
| On the way up Cinnamon Pass |
The TAT trail was breathtaking either looking up or down. I think Trixie lost her breath a couple times looking down!! Our rig climbed with purpose as we ventured into higher elevation. First we crossed the Continental Divide the mark where east coast and west coast are defined. Atlantic Ocean or Pacific Ocean in which the direction rivers and streams flow. Our rig was pointed west climbing Cinnamon Pass.
 |
| At the top of Cinnamon Pass |
We did not get to take many pics going up the pass, it was all we could do to hold on at each picturesque hairpin turn. We perched ourselves on top of the mountain and found at least 5-6 other vehicles parked. 3 of which were rented jeeps. Just as I parked the rig something felt funny!!
 |
| Trail Fix Old Mine Cinnamon Pass |
We got out and basked in the glory of conquering the top of
Cinnamon Pass, while a small glacier topped off a breath taking landscape. As the
Cinnamon Pass sign post was getting a lot of attention we had to wait our turn for a photo opp! Finally folks moved away and I was ready to bring the rig around for a Pass photo.
Ooh-oh!!!, something did not feel right! The steering was fighting back and was requiring everything I had to turn the wheel and maneuver over to the pass sign (not much space on top of the mountain). I stopped the rig next to the sign and took my pics. The whole time my mind was racing on what was up with the steering!!!! I got back in and tried to steer the rig to a different spot for inspection.
" It is what it is!"....Damn!! Well the next question was how do I drive down this" Fricken" mountain with no power steering. And telling Trixie was another thing all by itself. She was not up for that much adventure and to be honest I was not expecting that much adventure either. Poised and mentally getting ready for the rough decent down off
Cinnamon Pass, I inspected the steering problem and there was not much if anything I could do, not knowing where the leak was coming from, high pressure hose, blown pump seals, or steering ram failure. I just had one thing on my mind was to get off the mountain asap as it was early- the visibility was good. Not making it a big deal with Trixie she soon realized we were in for a gang buster ride down.... White knuckled all the way.
 |
| Looking back coming down the mountain |
We started our way down with me fighting the wheel and Trixie fighting to take in air!! The trail twisted and turned, it snaked and slithered and me white knuckled "hercking" the wheel left and right, with all my attention focused on safe footing down the mountain. After about 2500ft decent we came upon a old mining settlement where we took a break. Here is where I noticed that the bike rack was falling apart... NICE!! The rocks and bumps, twists and turns created havoc for the bike rack while the bikes were tossed and rocked. Trail fix, after about 45min I had the necessary bolts and nuts from my kit to fix it. Adding support straps I cinched the bikes and rack down, good to go. Now if I was able to fix my steering problem that fast, NOT!!
 |
| Old Mining Town Cinnamon Pass |
Popping the hood and looking underneath the vehicle I noticed some fluid sprayed and dripping from what appeared to be the power steering unit, GREAT!! Further inspection the power steering reservoir was dry and with no back up fluid!
Getting a grip of the wheel we checked the map for the shortest way down to a town, we chose
Silverton CO. Pulling out we slowly descended down fighting the wheel at every turn. Getting off the
TAT we pull onto CR 110 and drop into this little western mountain town
Silverton. With an internet signal we searched for the closest Toyota Dealership 64mi away, and no an appointment until Monday. It was noon Friday. That option would not work so I went local and found an excellent mechanic
" Bearded Wonder Services"
 |
| Kevin's Shop Silverton CO. |
After talking with Kevin he was able to fit us in his schedule, can you say relived!! We left the rig with him and went to grab some lunch at his favorite spot
"The Brown Bear". This old western town was quite active with all the 4X4 and ATV trails in every direction- a hot spot for Overlanders or just 4WD trekkers. We still had some time Trixie went to explore the town and I went to the very cool public library where I connected to the Internet and did some writing for the blog.. Around 3pm our Toyota wonder was repaired!! A non pressure steering pump return hose had slipped from its hold down and rubbed against the power pulley creating a weak spot, allowing the fluid to drain out. Wow, I was so relieved that it was not more serious. In retrospect, if I had driven the 64mi I probably would have burned the power steering pump up and that definitely would cost more than the $70 bucks I was charged.
So very pleased we got back in the rig and on the
TAT headed for our next Mountain pass
Ohpir.
Heading North on interstate 550 we took the turn west on to CR679 up t
o Ohpir Pass. Feeling as though we dodged a bullet, the rig was once again in prime form taking the trail as it climbed twisted and turned.
 |
| Heaven Or Hell top of Ophir Pass |
Our senses on overload as we traversed this mountain to the top. Full of accomplishment we made it to the top EL# 11,743. The whole top of the mountain was loose black shale void of any plant material looking more like hell than heaven as we wove through the top saddle.
 |
| Ophir Pass top saddle |
Not ready for what was the other side we stopped, as a fellow
TAT rider on a motorcycle passed us. While we watched him navigate down the very steep, narrow, one lane, loose shale trail. A jeep in the distance was making its was up slowly as we started down, 4X4 low, locked.
 |
| one false move Ophir Pass |
Finding a bit of a wider spot in the trail we stopped to let him pass before we proceeded down. I was almost speechless as we were pulled down by the intense gravity decent only stopping a couple times just to breathe. This was a total adrenaline rush with some mis-haps thrown in! What an awesome adventure coupled with spectacular scenery. This part of the
TAT was incredible and draining at the same time.
 |
| leaving the high ground Ophir Pass |
We came off the mountain wiser and almost shellshocked as we rolled through
Cayton CO. and
Dunton CO. We found dry camping outside of
Dolores CO. next to a river where we just sat, breathed and reflected on the day's travel....
 |
| Dry camping outside of Dolores CO. |
Next Day we headed into
Dolores to buy supplies, eat Mexican for Breaky and make our own
TAT trail as we climbed into the beautiful
San Juan National Forest. Here a small wild fire was viewed off in the distance. As we skirted the smoke we wandered around this wonderful scenery and landed in
Dove Creek CO. just on the border of
Utah.
 |
| Barren landscape Ophir Pass |
Heading in to
Utah the place where dreams are made!!!
See you on the Trail!!.......
../\../\...🚙.../\.../\../\..
