Continental Divide Trail in 2020 or 2021. Interested?

[Jim Oaks]

Introduction / Land Rover:

In 1989, Land Rover took a group of Range Rovers 1,128 miles over the Continental Divide from Wyoming south to New Mexico.

You have to admire Land Rover, they know how to promote their vehicles in a way that no American automotive manufacturer has the guts to do. They supported the Camel Trophy for years with vehicles, taken their vehicles over the Continental Divide, were one of the first to do the Trans America Trail in a 4x4 instead of a motorcycle, and have new Land Rover's for people to drive on an off-road course every year at the Overland Expo. If only they made pickups...

Anyway, Land Rover celebrated 25-years of their Great Divide Expedition by doing the trip again in 2014.

http://www.fourwheeler.com/events/1501-land-rovers-great-divide-expedition-colorado-high-way/

https://www.caranddriver.com/news/a15361801/top-of-the-world-trekking-100k-range-rovers-across-colorados-treacherous-continental-divide/

A few others have done it since, but it's not something that many people have done in a 4x4.

My Interest:

Having done the Trans America Trail, I have been interested in doing the Continental Divide in either August 2020, or more likely, 2021 (my daughter is getting married in 2020). I chose August because their can still be snow at the higher elevations in mid-July, and I had way to many run ins with snow doing the Trans America Trail in June. I can't express how bad it sucks when you're 3/4 of the way over a mountain pass, and have to turn around due to the deep snow.

I anticipate this trip to take 14-15 days to complete, plus whatever time it takes for you to drive to the start of it, and then back home when we finish.

The time required to do this, and the distance you'll have to travel to do it, will rule most of you out. But if you do it, it will be a once in a lifetime experience.

There will be times that you will be at 13,000+ feet, driving on narrow roads, and it may get stressful.

This will require a reliable vehicle, and not a project that you're completing days before the trip. RELIABILITY is key. If you think you need to build a badass 4x4 with a solid front axle, you're looking at this all wrong. A mildly built Ford Ranger in top mechanical condition can do this.

I want to limit this to either Ford Ranger's or Bronco II's.

The important things you will need are:

• A reliable Ford Ranger or Bronco II
• Time
• Patience
• Navigation App on your phone or a tablet with a built in GPS
• 2-way radio for communication
• Food & water
• Camping gear

I've done (2) trips where I've traveled and camped for 2-3 weeks, and I can tell you that it's nice to stay in a motel once in a while to give you a chance to refresh, and reorganize. Therefore, we would stay in a motel at least once or twice on this trip.

If you think this is something you'd like to do, and want to join me, let's talk.

Here's some good sources to read:

https://expeditionportal.com/overland-routes-new-mexico-and-the-continental-divide/

http://www.exploringoverland.com/overland-tech-travel/2014/6/9/continental-divide-vehicle-report.html

http://www.exploringoverland.com/overland-tech-travel/2015/6/10/2015-continental-divide-vehicle-report

More Inspiration:

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[Saddle Tramp]

I don't think my 2wd could do the trip, but it looks like fun.

 

[ericbphoto]

Hmmmmm. Serious consideration going on here. I would probably only be able to do 5-7 days of it. A few days to get out there, almost a week on the trail, then a few days back. Don't know if I dare ask for more than 2 weeks off work. It would be worth asking for 3 weeks though.

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

It would be an awesome trip. I think I lack both the steed and vacation time though.

 

[gw33gp]

I am in for the entire trip. Things could change between now and then but I have a reliable vehicle, the time and this is the kind of trip I take once or twice a year. I have wanted to do this one for a while but other things keep getting in the way. Planning this far out will make it easy to schedule this into my things to do.

For a trip like this, I recommend a 2 meter ham radio. They transmit farther than a CB and are much clearer. It does require a license though. I have both but prefer the ham.

Gary

 

[97RangerXLT]

I would love to do this, at least partially. I doubt I could swing the 3 weeks vacation to do it, but I would love to do a week in the middle of the trail somewhere (meetup with you) or start with you at one end and bow out after a week.

something to think about... 2023 is the 30th year anniversary for the Ranger... we should look at doing something like this then as well..\

AJ

 

[Jim Oaks]

2023 is the 30th year anniversary for the Ranger... we should look at doing something like this then as well..\

I hadn't thought about the Rangers 30th anniversary. I hope Ford actually comes out with something unique.

 

[sgtsandman]

Time and money are my issue. It will have to wait until I can retire. Then I should be able to swing trips like this without the government complaining about lack of coverage, what kind of leave you are going to use, if you do that, who are we going to get to cover this such and such deployment that just popped up and no one wants?

 

[97RangerXLT]

I hadn't thought about the Rangers 30th anniversary. I hope Ford actually comes out with something unique.

It is actually 40th anniversary...mah math skillz are slippin

AJ

 

[Jim Oaks]

I feel old now.

 

[1990RangerinSK]

I feel old now.

You *are* old, Jim. I'm guessing from the grey in your beard you're in your mid to late 40's, or early 50's.

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

I feel old now.

Me too. I turn 40 a year after the ranger does...

 

[Jim Oaks]

You *are* old, Jim. I'm guessing from the grey in your beard you're in your mid to late 40's, or early 50's.

Damn it, I said I was going to shave it because it makes me look old, and people told me it looked 'distinguished'.

I'm 51.

 

[ericbphoto]

Damn it, I said I was going to shave it because it makes me look old, and people told me it looked 'distinguished'.

I'm 51.

You’re young in my book.

Keep the beard if you like it. Mine has a lot more gray.

 

[Saddle Tramp]

Just turned 50 myself. Part of the club.