A Drive to Mt. Evans | FerrariChat
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A Drive to Mt. Evans

Discussion in 'Rocky Mountain' started by furmano, Jul 2, 2007.

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  1. furmano

    furmano Three Time F1 World Champ

    Jul 22, 2004
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    #1 furmano, Jul 2, 2007
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
    I am putting together a drive to Mt. Evans on Saturday, July 21. What started out as a kind of 328 GTB get together has morphed into an any Ferrari drive.

    If you don't know, Mt. Evans is the highest road in North America and if you drove up in a Ferrari you would be in a rare group. I would bet no one in the world has driven a Ferrari higher than 14,200 feet.

    Currently the group is made up of 328's but I would love to have any model Ferrari join us.

    The tentative plan is to meet somewhere in Evergreen in the morning, the earlier the better (I'm thinking around 8:00), drive up to the top. Take some photos along the way. Come down and have lunch and drinks out or at my place in Evergreen.

    Highway 103 to Mt. Evans road is a blast and Mt. Evans road, mostly driven at moderate speeds, has it's own breathless quality to it.

    PM me if you are interested.

    -F
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  2. Matt308

    Matt308 Formula Junior

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    #2 Matt308, Jul 3, 2007
    at 14,000', breathless is the key word! Especially for my little 2v!

    Sounds like a hoot, count me in... I think. I'll be gone for a couple weeks, then I'll need to put my car back together, but I think I can do it. I'll let you know for sure when it gets a little closer.
     
  3. don_xvi

    don_xvi F1 Rookie

    Nov 1, 2003
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    #3 don_xvi, Jul 3, 2007
    I wish I was out there, that sounds like fun! I've been up there a few times when I went out there for work. Just keep the goats away from the paint on the Ferraris! :)
    P.S.- of course, that's highest PAVED road in N. America, isn't there a more famous, higher 14000 footer out there with a more famous non-paved road? ;)
     
  4. PhilNotHill

    PhilNotHill Two Time F1 World Champ
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    Jul 3, 2006
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    #4 PhilNotHill, Jul 3, 2007
    A suggestion:
    Get to the summit before noon. It rains (or snows) in the afternoons on 14ers, Mt. Evans being no exception. I few years ago we took some friends from Illinois to Mt. Evans on July 5th. It snowed. Not enough to stick or mess up the roads. They still talk about it.

    Also, there is a huge herd of elk up there in summer. If they are on "their" road they just ignore cars.

    Then there are the bicyclists on the road from Evergreen to Squaw Pass. They think they own the road. A biker who couldn't stop ran into a friend who lives up there. After my friend helped him recover, the biker got mad for the truck being in his way, even though the truck was in the proper lane doing the speed limit. The raod from Idaho Springs has less bikers and some places to pull over next to the stream.

    When I lived in Evergreen, I used to take the road during the week to avoid all the bikers on weekends. It is one of the most scenic roads in the state and the fall foliage is spectacular. Enjoy.
     
  5. Bryan

    Bryan Formula 3

    Nov 1, 2003
    1,310
    Montrose, Colorado
    #5 Bryan, Jul 3, 2007

    excerpted from Colorado Springs Gazette

    Colorado is the undisputed capital of high roads in the United States, with the nine top-altitude spots plus many more that top the 10,000-foot mark.

    The highest paved road, highest paved-through road and highest unpaved road all are in Colorado, according to travel expert John Cletheroe, whose Web site chronicles high-altitude driving throughout the world.

    The Mount Evans Byway is the highest road in the United States. Also called Colorado State Highway 5, it runs for 27 miles, starting in Idaho Springs near Interstate 70.

    The highest paved-through road is the Trail Ridge Road running through Rocky Mountain National Park.

    Colorado is also home to the highest unpaved road, the Mosquito Pass, which runs between Leadville and Fairplay. The road summits at 13,186 feet.

    Another legendary Colorado road is the Pikes Peak Toll Road. Drivers enjoy paved road for just the first seven miles of the 19- mile drive. The rest of the way it's mostly gravel, described by Cletheroe as "wide, mostly smooth," but without guardrails.

    Pikes Peak tops out at 14,110 feet, with the road coming near the summit. The road is usually open May to October.
     
  6. ddemuro

    ddemuro Formula 3

    Nov 16, 2006
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    #6 ddemuro, Jul 4, 2007
    Presuming you are referring to Pikes Peak, the answer is no - Mt. Evans stands at 14,264 and Pikes Peak at 14,110. I summitted both (admittedly in my family's 2003 Mazda Tribute) and can tell you that while Pikes Peak was fun, Mt. Evans is the better drive: the road is better, there are less tourists, the drive is shorter (which is a good thing in this case because the reason the Pikes Peak drive is so long is the rough road and the rental cars).

    Do remember though that the Mt. Evans road never reaches the top and requires a 300-foot walk up about 50 feet to fully summit. Very few people do this but it's worth it because you get to sign your name in the ledger!

    I will probably be on Mt. Evans on Saturday July 21 but for completely unrelated and coincidental reasons - I hope to see some Ferraris up there when I go!
     
  7. furmano

    furmano Three Time F1 World Champ

    Jul 22, 2004
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    #7 furmano, Jul 19, 2007
    If everyone who has responded shows up we will have 10 Ferrari's driving up to the top.

    If anyone else wants to join us let me know and I'll add you on the list.

    -F
     
  8. hardtop

    hardtop F1 World Champ

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    #8 hardtop, Jul 19, 2007
    What time would we be meeting? If I can get rid of visitors early enough........

    Dave
     
  9. James in Denver

    James in Denver Formula 3

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    #9 James in Denver, Jul 20, 2007
    Talked to Dave Helms today, and based on his advice, I'm definately not going on the drive, still getting to know my car. But I'm going to try to make it up to the meeting point by 7am or earlier to meet everyone and say hi.

    James in Denver
     
  10. furmano

    furmano Three Time F1 World Champ

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    #10 furmano, Jul 20, 2007
    Everyone is to meet at the start of Squaw Pass Road between 7:30-8:00 am. I'm trying to beat car and bicycle traffic and bad weather with the early start time.

    -F
     
  11. Matt308

    Matt308 Formula Junior

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    #11 Matt308, Jul 20, 2007
    See you tomorrow!
     
  12. furmano

    furmano Three Time F1 World Champ

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    #12 furmano, Jul 20, 2007
    Bummin'. But I would trust Dave. Hope to see you there even if you aren't driving a Ferrari.

    -F
     
  13. James in Denver

    James in Denver Formula 3

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    #13 James in Denver, Jul 20, 2007
    Ah, let me restate, if I can get up early enough (and my girlfriend doesnt kick me out for getting up early), I WILL be there in the 308, but I wont go on the drive.

    I talked to Dave, and my car needs the coolant system to be "burped", well thats what we think, cause its running just a tad hot at this point. I dont want to chance a spirited run until I'm sure the car is 100% (or as close to it as it can be).

    So, I'll meet everyone, in Bella, but I'll probably drive home as you guys head out to Mt. Evans. This is my plan anyway.

    James in Denver
     
  14. hardtop

    hardtop F1 World Champ

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    #14 hardtop, Jul 20, 2007
    Furman,
    Unfortunately, I have no shot to make it that early.

    James,
    A Mt Evans drive will expose any cooling weaknesses because of the climb and high altitude so better to wait.

    Dave
     
  15. sherpa23

    sherpa23 F1 World Champ
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    #15 sherpa23, Jul 21, 2007
    Okay who's got pics?
     
  16. Mike328

    Mike328 F1 Rookie

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    #16 Mike328, Jul 21, 2007
    I've got a bunch!!!!!!!
     
  17. Matt308

    Matt308 Formula Junior

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    #17 Matt308, Jul 22, 2007
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
    Just a few of the pics... There were much finer cameras than mine there, where are those photos?!
    I wish I had a picture of the torrential rains I drove home in! At least my car was finally running nice and cool.
    Big thanks to Furman for getting this going and for being a great host afterward. And thanks to everyone who came for sharing their beautiful cars!
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  18. James in Denver

    James in Denver Formula 3

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    #18 James in Denver, Jul 22, 2007
    Hey Gang,

    I'm really sorry I didnt make it. I do appreciate the advice about the coolant system and I hope I'll make the next drive. Looks like fun though. Was the Cop shot staged or did someone get "an award" from the local yocals?

    James in Denver
    PS I should be at the FCA/RMR BBQ, but might got go on the drive depending on how the car is doing.
     
  19. Matt308

    Matt308 Formula Junior

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    #19 Matt308, Jul 22, 2007
    We're sorry you didn't make it too. Next time!

    Supposedly there were a couple compliants of speeding vehicles (I didn't see any) on our way up to Mt. Evans. There was a huge bicycle race going on, so we were not able to reach the summit. Some of the bikers must have called in. State patrol were at the top and waved us all to the side, chastized us, then took a few minutes to chat and look at the cars. No one got tickets, but it made for a good photo opportunity!

    So, what's going on with your cooling system? I think I have a bad overflow tank cap, evidenced by my car taking a leak all over poor Furman's driveway. Dave is right, these mountain roads will put the cooling system to the test!
     
  20. sherpa23

    sherpa23 F1 World Champ
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    #20 sherpa23, Jul 22, 2007
    Matt, great pics! I forgot to tell you but of all the cars there, I felt that your car is the one that hand the nicest look out on the road.

    Police picture definitely not staged. We were in real trouble as when I turned the corner and all those officers pointed for me and Dan to pull over, they were not happy. They are actually very nice and great sports. We assured them that weren't anything other than totally safe (which is 100% true) and that was what they needed. They did get a good chance to cool down between the time that the first two of us got there and the rest of the group arrived.

    All in all, it was spectacular. Great job by Furman in coordinating all of it. Hopefully, there will be more.
     
  21. James in Denver

    James in Denver Formula 3

    May 23, 2006
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    #21 James in Denver, Jul 22, 2007
    Sorry about your overflow tank cap. I'm probably going to get the 1.1 bar cap (stant? aftermarket) just as a precaution.

    However, as far as my cooling system, heres the thread:
    http://www.ferrarichat.com/forum/showthread.php?t=159871
    I'm not sure anything is wrong yet, and if so, what is wrong. I may just be panicking. Any advice would be appreciated.

    James in denver
     
  22. RonnieRenaldi

    RonnieRenaldi F1 Rookie

    Aug 16, 2004
    2,687
    #22 RonnieRenaldi, Jul 22, 2007
    Nice pics...looks like a great day for a drive!
     
  23. furmano

    furmano Three Time F1 World Champ

    Jul 22, 2004
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    #23 furmano, Jul 22, 2007
    The goal of reaching the top of Mt. Evans was not met and in reality, was doomed to failure before the drive was originally planned. A bike race that’s been held around the same date for only the last 25 years or so closed the road. Go figure. Another attempt will likely be made before it closes for the season.

    But with help from other participants, particularly Mike328, a fantastic alternative route was planned and mapped.

    The variety of cars was great. In the end it was a V8 affair, starting with a 308 GT4, ending with two great looking F430’s. Fchat member berthoud32’s Silverstone F430 with yellow calipers, was subtle and sophisticated while member dbh’s Black on Black with red stitching looked absolutely evil, belying the owner’s sweet southern personality. More about that shortly.

    The first part of the drive up Squaw Pass Road was spirited. I was near the front of the pack and I did everything I could to keep up with the black F430 and Sherpa23 (aka Mario Andretti) in his black 328 GTB. I have a feeling it was my driving that may have caused the complaint(s) from biker(s). Of course the only way to catch a swiftly moving vehicle ahead of you is to be driving at a higher rate of speed and as a result my engine was screaming most of the way up.

    As the group reached Echo Lake, pulling over to rest for a moment, several officers walk up to our cars from different directions with serious looks on their faces. They tell us to wait until our whole group assembles and that “when you drive like that there are serious consequences”. My head starts to race, what is about to happen? As the rest of the group assembles, things do not look good, the officers are very serious and they keep referring to the trouble we are in.

    As the seriousness starts to set in, dbh (black F430) approaches the officers and in a genuine and warm southern accent, states that he is sorry if we offended bikers on the way up and that we want to comply with what the offices have to say, ending with “that’s all I’m going to say right now because sometimes you can say too much and get yourself in trouble”, which caused a nervous laughter to go through the group, breaking the ice. The officers kept their front up but it seemed to soften. They gave us a warning, got pictures in front of the cars, and sent us on our way. Which we generally kept cool.

    It’s worth noting, one leg of our trip, the Central City Parkway, a four lane highway, felt like what I would think the autobaun would feel like. Open, well laid out, and for the brave, very, very fast. But of course this isn’t Germany, it’s America, and though we saw no patrols on that stretch of the highway, I hear it’s usually heavily patrolled.

    All in all it was a fantastic drive and the group was as good as you could get. Some new owners, some old, some young owners, some older. But everyone was an enthusiast and it showed.

    We’ll do it again soon.

    -F

    <standby for images>
     
  24. furmano

    furmano Three Time F1 World Champ

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    #24 furmano, Jul 22, 2007
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
  25. furmano

    furmano Three Time F1 World Champ

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    #25 furmano, Jul 22, 2007
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
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