The trail below the Freedom turnoff is not for the faint of heart or paint conscious. It drops into the canyon bottom more than three immense ledges. The second of these ledges has a prominent rock situated next to it, and the angle of the drop guarantees that anything except the exactly correct departure line will leave at least a quarter panel planted firmly against the rock. Each unfortunate vehicle leaves its legacy here. Further challenge is added by having to turn sharply to the right while descending this off-camber spot to avoid the rock just downstream. Forget that little detail, and you will find yourself firmly wedged between the rock in front and the ledge behind and no way to move in either direction. The only extraction method available in this predicament is to winch sideways until the frontend clears the rock. Once through this delicate operation, you still have to drop off the last and the largest of the three abysses. If you drive a Scrambler, prepare yourself mentally because you are going to feel this one. Tire placement is, again, critical to keep from rolling left or right off of the jumbled pile of boulders that constitutes the final ramp leading to the canyon bottom.
Once there, it is time to relax a bit. The next 100 yards is merely rockcrawling. You will soon encounter a sign and a choice. To the right is the infamous Patriot route; to the left, the almost equally taxing Liberty trail. It is a good thing that the sign in the canyon bottom points out the Patriot choice because it would be very easy to drive right past this narrow memorial to rock mayhem. It does not even look like a trail. The Liberty route to the left was purported to be not as drastic but much longer. We steered right toward Patriot because we had invited our trail leaders to give us their best. The route along Patriot is only a couple of hundred yards but it has taken groups as long as two days to get to the top of the canyon. We hoped it wouldn't take quite that long.
We didn't bother to ask the names of all the obstacles in Patriot because it is a moot point. Suffice it to say that the whole canyon is an obstacle. Two points stand out. The first is a little exercise in articulation that the locals call the Air Hole. Hit the canyon's rock face correctly and you will create a tremendous air photo opportunity as your front right tire climbs wildly in the air. Hit it wrong, and you could very well lose an axle, your tie rod, or the paint on the entire side of your vehicle. The second true attention-getter is the final series of ledges at the top of the canyon known as Heckle Hill. Not only are the ledges steep and polished smooth from the continuing burnishing of the tires, but the exposure at the top is such that a bad attempt could result in a nasty roll down the slope. And yes, the spot is easily accessible to the public so that a cheering gallery is usually in place when you ascend.
We had all 10 vehicles back up on the mesa top (and only a few via winch cable) by 1 p.m. There was way too much quality daylight left to merely head back to camp. The lure of the Liberty trail called to us from the nearby canyon. We lost two vehicles to the need for an early end of the day, but the rest of us dropped down the Freedom trail back into the canyon. The only real intimidation the whole day had been felt on the three big ledges dropping into the canyon, and since they were between us and Liberty, we were getting ready to roll the dice on them again.
Suffice it to say that the second trip down the ledges was just as difficult, just as metal threatening, and just as noisy. Soon we were back in the canyon bottom and heading toward the Patriot and Liberty junction. This time, we made a left at the sign and headed up the Liberty trail.
Liberty is somewhat less intimidating than Patriot, but after running both, we're not sure it is any easier. The trail is much, much longer at more than a mile, and the rocks are frequent and menacing. In many respects, Liberty is the more technical of the two trails with a lot of tight, off-camber maneuvering required to pass through unscathed. It also has its obstacles, with several steep and harrowing climbs up and through narrow defiles.
It was deepening dusk by the time we reached the end of the trail and climbed back onto the mesa top. It was a short drive back to the campsite and we were tired. Running all of the available routes in the Independence Trail system in a single day had sapped our energy, but it left all rock-aholics satiated. The cost for 10 vehicles: two transfer cases; a broken steering arm; a tire; an engine mount; a couple of taillights; and miscellaneous rock rash.
The Independence Trail system is an absolute must-do if you seek rocky canyon crawls over seriously challenging terrain. The individuals who worked so hard and long to see this trail system created, as well as the club that is working hard to ensure it stays open, deserve our thanks. If you are looking to severely challenge your driving skills and the strength of your vehicle, your expectations will be exceeded.
How To Get ThereThe Independence Trail system is relatively easy to get to, but we found some mighty contradictory directions provided by various sources. Here is the straight scoop:
Penrose is located about 25 miles west of Pueblo, Colorado, on Highway 50. Take the Highway 115 exit off of 50 and head north through town. On the north side of town, the highway takes a pronounced bend. At the bend, take a left onto 3rd Street (this is also clearly marked as the route to Brush Hollow Reservoir). Turn north on E Street and follow the road north about 3 miles. You will drop down through a small valley and climb the other side where a cattle guard marks the beginning of BLM-managed land. Take the first left after this cattle guard and you cannot miss the large steel sign marking the staging area.
The trailhead is located at 38 29' 38.8"N, 105 01' 55.0"W, or 13S 0497214 Northing 4260639 Westing for those of you who prefer UTM.
Remember that this trail and all others require good stewardship of the land. Treat the trail with respect and don't leave anything behind.