The 2006 Sportsmobile Rally

Our camp spot at Molas Lake. We are at lower left. The Burgess' are far right. The Badgers are 4th from left, in the distance.	Alan and Liz at the Tuesday morning all-hands meeting.	The group listens to Alan talk about the upcoming event.	Molas Lake was a fantastic location for the event.
Each morning Alan would shepard the vans into lines for departure on trail runs.	The staging area was next to the camgpround office.	Queing up for a trail run.	Of all the sights, sounds and smells of the week, no one will forget the pit toilets...
Ready to go.	We did the "Short Mine Tour" up California Gulch on Tuesday, which was the last group to leave that day.	Alan and Liz were our guides this day. Note the vans on the distant mountainside...	Our group of 11 vans heads up the mountain.
A fellow named Hans was leading another group and he didn't follow his route plan. We met his group here.	We were asked to be "tail gunner" on this run. The van ahead of us was owned by a full-timer (live in) named Len.	Time for a break while the two groups converge.	Off we go UP the pass!
Circling the wagons at the top of the run. Lunch and a quiet moment with inspiring words were held here as well.	Vans lined up on "Main Street" in the ghost town of Animas Forks.	Several buildings still stand in Animas Forks.	Back in Silverton to top off the tank at the Conoco station. The guy who owns this station loved the Sportsmobile rally!
Our first catered dinner is served.	Jonathan, Liz, and Alan were ready first thing Wednesday for another day of trail runs.	Morning light on the peaks around Molas Lake.	There were vans and mountain peaks everywhere we looked.
Wednesday we did the Alpine Loop, going up Engineer Pass and down Cinnamon Pass.	Big Red follows us up the switchbacks while Chris from ARB and Jay from Ford watch.	Some of the switchbacks required three point turns, while most could be made with correct wheel placement.	The view from the trail was spectacular.
A rocky spot along the trail.	Great Alpine scenery was everywhere.	The summit of Engineer Pass.	The road passed through rare Alpine Tundra.
A miners cabin.	A brief rest stop.	Chris from ARB (yellow shirt) talks four wheeelin' with SMB owners.	Jay Mento from Ford enjoying the scenery.
The tour passing the remains of one of the many mines in the area.	Lunch was had at Lake San Christobal, near Lake City.	An intense hail, rain, thunder and lightning storm hit us after lunch. The thunder shook the vans!	A group of Sportsmobiles on the east side of Cinnamon Pass, CO.
With our group, the other SMB's, and bunch of SUVS, and some Jeeps following us, it was suddenly crowded here.	Descending Cinnamon Pass.	A marmot poses.	The group split up at Animas Forks, with some staying for sight seeing at the ghost town.
A mine between Animas and Silverton.	Wednesday evening Bill Burke presented a winching clinic.	Jack Burgess offered the use of his van and winching kit. Bill had great fun pointing out that most of the kit needed upgrading.	Thursday morning and the last day of trail runs are being prepped.
We went solo on Thursday and headed for South Fork Cement Creek basin. Here's a view of Silverton.	Cement Creek Basin, north of Silverton, CO.	Water coming from one of the many former mines in the basin.	Our Sportsmobile in its element.
A composite panorama of the Cement Creek basin. Note the van at the right edge of the photo for scale.	Lush greenery under stark rock.	Heading down from the Cement Creek Basin, CO.	Well, it had to happen sooner or later. My first flat tire in many, many years.
We toured the Old 100 mine Thursday afternoon. This was fascinating.	This was not a tour of old stuff behind glass. The tour guide fired up the air drills to show us how they worked.	Looking up at a 45 degree angle up a mine shaft.	The tour guide talks about life in the mines.
The former railroad right of way between Silverton and Animas Forks would make a great inspiration for a model railroad.	It was fun to imagine narrow guage steam trains rolling through this canyon.	Thursday night was a "Western Theme" night and raffle time.	Hey! We won big at the raffle!!! That white box holds a $900 Superwinch winch!!! Thanks to SMB and Bill Burke!!!
Alan and Liz say their "Thank You's" for the rally. THANK YOU to Alan and Liz from us too!	Thursday night entertainment.	Bill Burke started his clinic Friday morning by going through all he carries in his 4x4 for back country survival.	Bill's Land Rover and some Sportsmobiles line up at the clinic location.
Bill points out where some yahoo tried to drive up a talus slope in the past...	Bill demonstrates winching techniques with a Hi Lift jack and our van.	Bill's Land Rover heads down the switchbacks.	The Sportsmobiles follow down the switchbacks.
Bill held a map and compass class as part of his clinic.	Colorful southwest Colorado!	Early morning light from our camp spot above "Chattanooga".	A composite panorama looking over the San Juan Mountains from our camp spot in the morning.
Brian, Kelly, Laura and Geoff in front of the vans on Saturday morning. It was great to get to know them better. Keep in touch!