Section of the Florence USGS quad map showing the route we took from Hwy 50 and Hwy 115 through Penrose to the Independence trailhead. Reduced from ALL TOPO MAPS: COLORADO
"Fun" on the Independence 4X4 Trail
Near Penrose, Colorado
By Flatlander
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Section of the Florence USGS quad map showing the route we took from Hwy 50 and Hwy 115 through Penrose to the Independence trailhead. Reduced from ALL TOPO MAPS: COLORADO |
Most 4x4 trails were originally constructed as roads. Once their purpose was served they were abandoned and fell into disrepair. Famous trails like the Rubicon in California, Black Bear Pass in Colorado and the Jeep Safari Trails around Moab, Utah are prime examples. These trails present a nice challenge to stock and moderately built up 4x4s.
But in the 90s a new bread of 4x4 enthusiasts began opening 4x4 trails where no roads previously existed. These new extreme 4x4 trails typically follow naturally but severely eroded dry washes with huge boulders and tall, steep ledges. Examples included Sledgehammer in California, the Dakota Challenge trails in South Dakota, and the extreme trails around Las Cruces, New Mexico where the 1st National Rock Crawling Championships were held. Independence is such an extreme 4x4 trail.
Fractured Axle Club Charter member, Dr. David "CRACKER" Pool of Pueblo had been watching the development of Independence closely and was one of the first few to negotiate it once it was opened. CRACKER had sent me e-mails and videos so when he invited me to do Independence for our annual Fractured Axle 4th outing, I eagerly accepted. Little did I know that I'd fracture about everything but an axle and even bend one of those.
Independence is fairly easy to find. It is a little over 3 miles north of Penrose. The
turn off from the dirt road is well marked as is the trail itself. Take heed of everything
the signs say. This is an extreme trail with body damage and parts breakage highly likely.
Take something to clean up oil and grease once a hole is knocked in your differential,
transfer case, transmission, or oil pan. A group of Colorado "hard core"
4-wheelers on the eastern slope worked closely with the BLM to open Independence. (see: http://4x4now.com/trcoin.htm) It can only
remain open if all spilled fluids and debris are removed from the trail and if everyone
stays on the trail. And don't go alone. You'll need lots of help to get out once critical
drive train and/or steering components break.
 Trailhead location shown on reduced DeLorme TOPO USA 2.0 3-D map. |
 The trail is well marked. It leaves the main dirt road at N38º 29.537' W105º01.875' according to the 4X4NOW TJ's Lowrance GlobalMap 1600 GPS Receiver. |
 CRACKER negotiating the "easy" part before the Freedom Trail escape route. |
I met CRACKER and a friend, Dallas "Kip" Cooper at the Texaco Station in Penrose about 7:45 a.m. In no time we were at the trail head and made the recommended hike down the trail so I could see what I was getting into. The trail drops suddenly and abruptly from a two track dirt road into a wash full of jagged boulders. We aired down, doped up with insect repellant and headed in. By the way take plenty of water - it's HOT!
Just past the Freedom Trail (the Independence escape route for sane and
practical 4-wheelers) I noticed a skull along the side of the road. It was to be an omen
of things to come.
CRACKER's spotting was flawless. His experience on Independence (paid for with several
sheet metal mods on his vintage Bronco) was paying off.
 The 4X4NOW TJ leaves the Freedom escape route behind and begins the serious section of Independence |
 CRACKER manages the tight squeeze between the best line to drop off the ledge and leaving just enough room to maneuver around the outcrop ahead |
Soon we were to the bottom of the entry wash and
across the relatively easy bottom. The climb out of the bottom looks intimidating and can
be disastrous if the proper line is not taken, but again the spotting was flawless. And
although CRACKER performed an impressive pose in his bronco, we were through without a
scratch. We were coming to the best and most challenging part of the trail and looking
forward to it.
 CRACKER and Glenn (underneath) help change the rear drive shaft |
Then while negotiating a bunch of jagged but not particularly intimidating boulders I
heard the load crack. My rear wheels were no longer turning. It was my rear drive shaft.
Fortunately, I had a spare. Penrose resident, Glenn Wyatt of Superior Off-Road in Colorado
Springs offered to help. 
A short time later the 4X4NOW TJ was ready to roll again. The fractured
double cardan carrier was a true collectable right up there with the fractured axle still
sticking out of the hub that sits in my garage to remind me of another adventure.
After a short lunch break, protein enriched by the gnats constantly hovering around our faces, we were ready to go again. The heat was getting more and more intense and so was the trail.
No more than a few feet further up the trail was another obstacle that would stop me cold. The 4X4NOW TJ's articulation looked impressive and everything was fine until I turned into the bolder on my left to climb the obstacle. It was too much for the stock TJ steering linkage. The TJs front tires were "pigeon" toed in an instant. When I walked around and saw the sorry excuse for a pretzel shaped linkage, I knew I was through for the day. To make matters worse the extreme pressure in the right rocker panel bent it in along with the Off-Your-Rockers-Panel protector.
 The 4X4NOW TJ shows off it's articulation just before turning into the bolder that ended our progress for the day |
 "Pigeon" toed with linkage twisted into a sorry pretzel shape |
Our first attempt to straighten the steering linkage was by using my winch. But we wrapped it around too many corners and the cable just pulled in half. Now I was without a winch or steering. That $350 minimum towing fee mentioned on the sign on the way in looked expensive then, but right now it sounded quite reasonable.
We brought CRACKERS winch cable in from behind and that went a long way toward straightening part of the linkage. But we needed a cheater pipe to straighten another section. We all congratulated each other when we though of using the handle from my Hi-Lift jack. We got the handle off the jack and on the of the disassembled linkage and had Kip stand and "bounce" a little on the end of the jack handle. Something bent but it was the jack handle not the linkage. That $350 tow fee was sounding like a real bargain!
By this time Eric Olson had wondered up the trail and offered to help. He and CRACKER took his Jeep which was parked at the end of the trail into Penrose to try to find a better cheater pipe. In the meantime Kip and I tried to find some shade to escape the intense heat and battle the gnats. I had applied so much insect repellant that I could taste it and it didn't seem to affect them at all. Fortunately Eric and CRACKER found a good cheater and were back within an hour. Make shift repairs were completed and I had steering - of sorts.
Both CRACKER and I had to back down the steep obstacle we had just climbed. While backing CRACKER lost a rear tire to a sharp rock along the side of the trail. It was a struggle getting the 4X4NOW TJ down with the make shift steering but we did it. It was a relief to be turned around and facing the obstacles head on again.
 CRACKER gives direction as Kip tries to force the wheels in the right direction. |
But with the Freedom Trail escape route only yards away the steering linkage sheared completely. Now you can winch a 4x4 with 4 good wheels that turn and functional steering out of about anything. But without steering you're _______ (fill in your favorite expletive). With the escape route in site, and out of desperation, we tried winching the TJ and pointing the tires by kicking them. But it didn't work. At that point I would have been very happy to pay twice the minimum tow fee of $350!
The sheared parts were removed and off they went to Penrose in hopes of finding someone who could weld and bend them back into shape. Luck was with us and the work got done. This time the linkage held and the reassembly was near flawless. Eric winched me up the last couple of ledges and I was on my way out the Freedom trail. We thought that was it but then learned that Eric's starter failed. We dropped the 4X4NOW TJ off at Glenn's house in Penrose so that he could take it to Superior Off-Road after the long weekend to effect permanent steering linkage repairs. Then Glenn was off to find a starter for Eric.
Eric related to me earlier how he had broken a drive shaft, axle and steering linkage on Independence a few weeks earlier. Glenn later told me that another TJ lost its steering linkage the next day at the same point in the trail that mine did.
Independence is truly an extreme 4X4 Trail. What "fun" we had there. Let me count the ways:
| You don't see this too often - Right rear stock TJ Dana 44 Axle after Independence | |
 Note the bend, most noticeable along the top edge |
 The twist is obvious |
Independence inflicted more damage in a few hours than I normally see in an entire season of 4-wheeling. And we didn't even make it to the most challenging parts of the trail. I have the most extreme admiration for CRACKER who did complete the trail earlier this year.
Would I go again or recommend this trail for others? Only if you love the challenge, are willing to put up with the physical and mechanical suffering and damage, have the money to buy the parts you'll need when/if you get out, have the experience and proper equipment and most importantly - can count on a "little" help from your friends! Be sure to stay on the trail and remove any debris or oil spills.
The Colorado Rock Hoppers have adopted this trail. Rumor has it that they hope to gain approval to open additional even more difficult sections. Help them by Treading Lightly!
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