Pie for pre-breakfast. Not a bad way to start the day.
When I first saw the sign post I immediately wondered how it was going to get to Odom Point. This was a substantial sign post. I was also wondering how it was going to get erected. I was pretty sure digging a hole was not part of the plan and I was sure there was a plan. Big John was going to bring the materials in his jeep. To factor for the speed difference we were going to ride Ophir Pass on the way over to Silverton while JD would take a more direct route.
We loaded up and zipped into town for a good New England farmers breakfast in a Mexican restaurant. I brought the syrup and left the bottle with Big John. Personally I think direct trade between Colorado and New England would be a good thing.
I had heard a few different things about Ophir Pass. Early chatter had mentioned it was easier than the other passes and it was going to be a nice scenic diversion. It was nice, very scenic but one comment overheard at the top was “it’s much different than last time.” It was big rock and very loose which made it by no means easy but it wasn’t a ball buster either. We relaxed for a bit and I tried tossing a few snow balls which is a lot harder to do than you might think when you’re wearing riding gear and a camelbak.
Clockwise from left: Rick Giroux, Larry Reed, Rob Nye, Capt. Ben Profitt and Blair Young
Stephen Gregory photo
We got to Silverton, gassed up and checked the status of the passes.
There’s some good advice on that wall.
We headed up to Engineer Pass via Animas Forks. It was dusty and there was traffic. There was a Land Cruiser Jamboree in Silverton and the trails were thick with Land Cruisers. Sadly most were the new FJ which is but a shell of the FJ40 of my youth. I owned a modern FJ and was underwhelmed. I was reminded of the challenge of wheeling without locking differentials as we passed a modern FJ that was stuck on a hairpin all because of limited slip differentials. This must have been some sort of guided tour as the guy who appeared to be the expert was bouncing on the bumper trying to bring the lazy wheel into contact. Think of your worst group ride on a motorcycle except do it in a not quite capable truck with other people who are also in not quite capable trucks. That’s the FJ Jamboree.
Speaking of trucks one of the things I just love about riding around out west is the variety of vehicles you’ll see. Everything from six figure Defenders, perfect old broncos to wicked cool home built rigs wander around in this dry climate and the winches, big tires and hi-lift jacks are put to real world use.
Meanwhile Big John was still chugging along.
Photo by Jim Bean
We gathered at the designated spot and set about erecting the sign. Big John had a perfect plan and the materials to execute it. Rather than dig a hole for the post we were going to use a wire basket and fill it with rocks. An absolutely perfect zero impact way to leave a sign in such a spot. John had prepared a wire basket; yesterday we prepared the pole for the sign. The plan was to center the post in the basket and fill it with rocks.
L-R Larry Reed, Big John Davis and Jim Bean prepare to stand the post
Stephen Gregory photos
We got it done. Stacking rocks at 12,000′ isn’t easy for a flatlander either. Something of an achievement, getting a group of guys together from all over the country to erect a wonderful tribute to a departed friend. I believe there was a small nip consumed with the bottle placed among the stones. It was a moment.
It’s been said you can judge a person by the quality of the company they keep. I thought of this as a group of riders came together to do something that took coordination, effort and teamwork to accomplish. I thought about how this was no group of “average joe’s” These were all solid people; as fine as fellow humans can be and this is what they decided to make the focal point of their summer vacation. I was deeply honored to bear witness and even participate to a degree. I’m sad for their loss and quite sure that by the company he kept Mr. Odom was a hell of a guy.
Billy Odom.
Jim Bean Photo.
Our ride leader, Jim Bean. Mr. Odom was richer for having this man as a friend.
Stephen Gregory photo
L-R Chris Jones, Capt. Ben Profitt, Chad Warner, Big John Davis, Jim Bean, Rick Giroux, Larry Reed, Rob Nye, Stephen Gregory
We hung out for a bit and took in the view, the day and our handiwork. Other people started filtering in and as expected some started taking photos at Odom Point. This group had no idea they were the very first to pose with the new marker.
Should you wish to visit the coordinates for the marker are:
N 37.96989
W107.89405
We finished up and said our goodbye to Big John. We had only one challenge and that was reconnecting with Blair. Blair had gone ahead to his truck which was in Lake City to retrieve something he wanted to place at the marker. Unfortunately he had not returned yet which was cause for some concern. The concern while mild as Blair was clearly one of the strongest riders in the group but he was fighting some medical challenges which were made worse by heat. We split off into two groups to cover the only options Blair could have chosen with the plan on meeting in Lake City. We met in Lake City and did not find Blair. After further investigation it was determined that his medical issues forced an early exit and the local challenges with cell service meant we didn’t get the word until late. This put us back in Lake City for a late lunch.
It also meant that the original plan of spending the night outside of Telluride after two more passes was no longer feasible. We decided to camp in Lake City. I remembered from the other day that while there is a very pretty lake with plenty of camping opportunities the camping I did see was primitive, not that isolated and being on a lake full of flies. I also remembered chatting with Scotty about his cabins on Main Street. These were across form the Aloha Moose Cafe and a short walk to the bar. I made a deal for two cabins and we had a wonderful night swapping lies around the fire.
Our ride for the day:
Thursday, July 20, 2017 7:33 AM MDT
Distance: 117.2 miles
Duration: 9 hours, 22 minutes, and 40 seconds
Average Speed: 12.5 mph
Minimum Elevation: 6346 feet
Maximum Elevation: 12966 feet
Total climb: 10427 feet
Total descent: 8181 feet
Next: ToHellYouRide