Broken Arrow Trail

On my way down from Colorado Springs to Phoenix Arizona for Christmas I made a quick stop in Sedona, Az to run an old favorite trail of mine 'Broken Arrow'. Needless, to say the 'Broken' part was upheld since I broken my passenger side CV midway though the trail but still able to drive out with a horrid noise. Despite the little mishap in was great to be back on this trail once again.

The staircase which becomes kind of a big slide when it is wet.

 

Kin Ya'a, New Mexico

A little over 8 months I paid a visit to Chaco Canyon and within the timeframe that I had was able to visit the ruins witin the park and the outliners with the exception of Kin Ya'a. I wasn't quite sure when or if I'd be able to make it back but a few months later I decided that I would make the drive from Colorado Springs, Co back to Phoenix, Arizona to visit my family for Christmas and take the chance to visit the ruin.

My original plan was to visit Kin Ya'a but also Guadalupe Ruin just outside of Alberque, New Mexico but due to a lack of sleep (due to work) and road conditions coming down (roads between Pueblo, Co and Rantan, NM were bad) I made the call to skip it and just head to Kin Ya'a. When I arrived at the road that lead back to the ruin I found the gate closed and a 'private property' sign up. Not wanting to tresspass I gave the park service a call at Chaco Canyon to verify that the road back was still open and that I could open the gate. After chatting with them for a few moments I undid the rope latch and headed on back.

Medano Pass to the Great Sand Dune National Park

Since I didn't do the much in the way of traveling in October besides some mountain biking around Colorado Springs I started to feel the need to get out and explore some. Earlier in the year I had visited the Great Sand Dune National Park in Southern Colorado but didn't spend much time there due to the limited time I had. So I decided to head back via Medao Pass.

I meet up with a fellow 4-wheeler in Pueblo and after a short chat about the trip we headed on out.

The view and the beginning of the trail.

One of the many water crossings.

 

Into the Great Sand Dune National Park

A man and his dog. Just how small you really are out there.

Blanca Peak, on the 1-10 scale this one rates somewhere between a 7 and 8. I wussed out on this trail and rode along with the other individual.

Jaws 1, to the left theres a narrow area where you can go around the large rock slab in the middle. Take the wrong line however and down the side of the mountain you go. On the other side of the rock slab theres a good 2'-3' drop and to take the upper right hand side would put you in a off camber stituation.

Needless, to say we didn't try it since it was getting dark and no other vehicles where around to assist.

After this we parted ways, both us headed back into the park to take the pass back over. I lagged behind and tried a few night shots.

 

Had a nice surpise Sunday morning when I woke up. Apparently, somewhere along the line I managed to get water sucked up into my front diff causing two seals to go out which lead to this.