On the highest paved road in North America

[Old Henry]

Drove "Old Henry" to the top of Mt. Evans, the highest paved road in North America, last week. Total distance 1,367 miles in three days and never opened the tool box once. (Did open the trunk once for some duct tape as you'll see later)

Why did we do it? Why does anyone climb a mountain?

Because it's there!

We started out Thursday morning headed south. Between Price and Green river I learned something. When I was going 55 mph my engine was 180° but when I went 65 mph my engine was 190°. Just one more reason to stay under 60 mph which I almost always did.

As we turned east onto I-70 at Green River the terrain was just flat desert and hot - 97°.



The strange thing was that my engine temperature soon went up to 210° and started sputtering a little like vapor lock but I doubted that since I'd turned on my electric pump climbing up to Soldier Summit (7,477 feet) earlier in the day. I eventually decided to take an exit and park under the overpass (not a tree in sight to get some shade from) and idle the engine fast to cool down a bit. Got out and took a picture.



While I was standing there taking the picture I noticed something - the wind was blowing quite hard (30-40 mph) the same direction we were going! So, that explained why we'd heated up so much going the same speed as before - 20-30° hotter - just because of the tail wind.

Soon we reached Thompson Springs, the ghost town I stopped at on the way back from Rocky Mountain National Park last year and took a little video to go along with the still pictures taken last year. The video is here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rF2EKYuQUlw the pictures from last year are here: http://s1059.photobucket.com/user/cr...?sort=4&page=1

Reached Idaho Springs, Colorado, elevation 7,526 ft., that night and stayed in kind of a dive motel to rest before the Mt. Evans assault the next day.

Friday started out early in the morning. It was 75°. Seventeen miles later we had climbed to 10,980 feet overlooking Echo Lake that we had passed at 10,626 feet.



At 12,081 feet we were above the timber line and just driving through the tundra.



Summit Lake at 12,837 feet.



Just 1,400 feet more elevation to climb to the top.



At the top the parking lot was at 14,130 feet (that's what the sign says).




When we arrived at the top we were warned about the dangers there.



But, we weren't even at the top! We had to get out and hike a quarter of a mile up 128 feet higher to the top!



If you think it was difficult for an old fat man to hike a quarter of mile up 128 feet at over 14,000 feet you are right. It was take my steps as slowly as I could then sit and rest every 100 feet or so for my muscles to get replenished with oxygen so that I could go on.

At the real top we were at 14,258 feet. (Yeah, that's my toe just to prove I was there)



And AnnaRae and Pepe sitting on the top to prove that they were there.



Looking down from the top you can see "Old Henry", the remains of the Crest House, the highest occupied building in the world from 1939-1979 when it burned up, and the observatory that is above 40% of the air and 90% of the moisture of the earth's atmosphere so the telescope can see better. More on the Crest House here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Crest_House Original photos including a 47-48 woodie here: https://www.google.com/search?safe=a...%3B2000%3B1587



Eventually we headed back down. The temperature at the top was under 60° so we were glad we brought jackets. On the way down the engine stayed right at the thermostat setting of 170°. We had no heating problems going up. Sometimes up to 200° but rarely.

On the way down we passed Lincoln Lake at 11,637 feet while our road was still at 12,571 feet.



The rest of the day we headed north over some more high passes. For dinner that night we ate at a quaint little ma and pa drive in in Sulpher Hot Springs. (Love those kind of places.)



Eventually we ended up in Steamboat Springs, Colorado and stayed in an old motel on the national register of historic places. The Rabbit Ears sign in front was erected in 1952.



Later that day, just after going though Vernal, Utah we left the highway and headed south to visit one of AnnaRae's old roommates from college that lived way off the beaten track. After our visit we headed back toward the highway. The wind was really blowing hard from our left and I noticed the hood bouncing up and down against the safety catch. I then remembered pulling the release to show the guy the engine but he wanted to see the trunk instead and I'd never opened the hood nor latched it. I figured on stopping when we got to the highway in a few miles and latch it. The safety latch would keep it down until then . . , wouldn't it??? NO it did not! Suddenly the hood opens as high as it could (I thought it would just tear off and go sailing over the car but it didn't). I, of course, could no longer see where I was going. I slammed on the brakes and started sliding sideways as all four tires squealed to high heaven. As soon as the inertia of the hood pulling forward as the car was slowing down overcame the force of the wind holding it up it slammed down and I thought latched. But no. It was still bouncing up against the "safety catch". I stopped and got out to shut it and check for damage. The only visible damage was along the back edge of the hood where it was forced over the cowl.



I tried to get the hood to latch down but something had been forced back just enough that the latch would not quite line up and wouldn't latch. Should I just trust the trusty "safety catch"? Not likely. I thought about wiring it down but the wire I had was kinda thin and I thought it might wear through and break after a while. So, what to use? I opened the trunk and there it was - the universal fix all of fix alls - duct tape! Fortunately it was black so it wouldn't be so obvious. (Got to consider his vanity you know.) So, "Old Henry" got a nice Band-Aid to hold his hood down.



But, after we had driven a ways and stopped for gas the wind was so strong I didn't want to continue trusting just one piece of duct tape so . . . racing stripes got us home.



The rest of the trip home was pretty uneventful. For the remaining 2½ hours to home we were on the same road I drove a week ago on the 400 mile round trip with just Pepe.

As some generally inquire about Pepe and how he's doing, here is the answer.
You may recall in recent road trips that he has had serious anxiety and never could relax and lay down and sleep like he used to do on trips. In fact, much of the time he was totally un-relaxed, bugging his eyes out and panting (first picture below from our Canada trip two months ago.) But, we tried him on Acepromozine (doggy Valium) this trip and he mostly relaxed, laid his head down (which he hasn't done in the car for a couple of years) and even slept (bottom picture from this trip).



9 minute video of driving the Mt. Evans road here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uDQb6VlnoLI

Prior road trips:

Canada in June 2013: https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/showthread.php?t=109872

Monument Valley in March 2013: https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/showthread.php?t=99523

Bryce Canyon in February 2013: https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/showthread.php?t=97822

Milford, Utah in December 2012: https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/showthread.php?t=93137

Nevada and Idaho in November 2012: https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/showthread.php?t=89080

Rocky Mountain National Park in September 2012: https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/showthread.php?t=83966

Yellowstone National Park in May 2012: https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/showthread.php?t=72864

Death Valley in February 2012: https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/showthread.php?t=62705

Pike's Peak in July 2011: https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/showthread.php?t=19141

Route 66 in April 2010: https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/showthread.php?t=57511

[52merc]

1637 miles in 3 days!!!!!!!!!!! thats over 500 miles per day either you were driving 12hours a day or something

[trevo]

Great trip good on you like the photos

[my4dv8]

Great adventure as always , so as 52 merc says you covered some serious miles every day.
How were ol Henry's brakes on the down hill side?

[Vic Piano]

Yes… another outstanding adventure, and proof that duct tape is a valuable tool. Our group, the “Cigar City Flatheads”, have always driven our Flatheads up to the Moonshine Festival in Dawsonville, Georgia (just under 600 miles from Tampa) in one day, usually a 10 hour trip including a stop for lunch and several gas stops. We enjoy taking extended day long (or longer) road trips in our Flatheads.

[Motorhead6]

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)

What a great road trip. Thanks for the pictures and the vicarious experience. Thank God that your lady enjoys the old car as you do. I'm sure I speak for other flathead guys that I almost got goose bumps looking at your photos and text. We love to drive and show off our flathead too. this sort of gives me an extra incentive to start her up and get going as we often do with the slightest excuses.

The trip to Dawsonville is coming up and we can't wait to get on the road. The destination is not as pressing as the thrill of just having her on the road. We avoid the Interstates as much as possible; not because she won't cruise at those speeds(it's comfortable at 70+), but because the twists and turns and hills are a lot more fun and the view is better as shown in your journal.

[Vic Piano]

Motorhead6, I hope to meet you in Dawsonville, if you'd like to join us "the Cigar City Flatheads" on our "Don't Follow Me, I'm Lost Tour" (talk about winding roads ) on Friday the 25th please PM me. Thanks, Vic

[Talkwrench]

Thanks for taking us along...

[31chevy]

I always enjoy your photo trips. Keep up the good work & thank you. (sorry about your hood)
Gary.

[Mart]

Thanks for the write up, Prof. I have driven that road two or three times, the photos are jogging my memory, thanks for that.

How were the brakes on the way down?

Mart.

[Ol' Ron]

Thanks, and God Bless you. I was at the top of independence pass with Paul Garagan. 12,000 + These old Fords work well.

[Old Henry]

Originally Posted by 52merc

1637 miles in 3 days!!!!!!!!!!! thats over 500 miles per day either you were driving 12hours a day or something

Oops. Got two numbers reversed. It was 1367 miles.

[Old Henry]

Originally Posted by my4dv8

Great adventure as always , so as 52 merc says you covered some serious miles every day.
How were ol Henry's brakes on the down hill side?

Didn't use the brakes much. Mostly just the gears.

[Old Henry]

Just added the video of the drive here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uDQb6VlnoLI

[Old Henry]

Just added the video of Thompson Springs here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rF2EKYuQUlw

[FL&WVMIKE]

Old Henry ..........................
You put most of us to shame, in the miles that you put on your flathead.
Thanks for posting ! They are always entertaining !
Congratulations on your journeys !
MIKE

[Old Henry]

Originally Posted by Motorhead6

The destination is not as pressing as the thrill of just having her on the road. We avoid the Interstates as much as possible; not because she won't cruise at those speeds(it's comfortable at 70+), but because the twists and turns and hills are a lot more fun and the view is better as shown in your journal.

One of my favorite lines from one of my favorite movies - "Cars" - was something to the effect "In those days people didn't drive their cars to make good time, they drove their cars to have a good time." That's why I drive. Many people just can not understand that.

[trulyvintage]

You Sir .....

Are The ....


DUKE OF COOL



Jim

[VeryTangled]

Hi Prof. Henry, adding my enthusiastic approval to the other comments here. As always, your photography is outstanding. Your family looks very happy. Good news that Pepe is coping better. Sorry to hear about the hood, effort, time and money will get that put right. An opportunity for flathead fun of a different type. Keep on, keepin' on.

-VT/JeffH

[Steves46]

Simply outstanding! Thanks for sharing and best wishes in getting the hood repaired.

[firerod]

What a great trip, thanks for sharing.

[Old Redneck]

Your trips are the greatest. I enjoy them very much. Keep up the good work.

[911 STEVE]

I always look forward to reading your posts and seeing your great pic's. What a great way to break in that newly rebuilt flattie. I am so jealous of you.

[TonyM]

I drove that one too. But not in an Early V-8 Ford. I used a brand new high output Pontiac.

[Motorhead6]

Originally Posted by Vic Piano

Motorhead6, I hope to meet you in Dawsonville, if you'd like to join us "the Cigar City Flatheads" on our "Don't Follow Me, I'm Lost Tour" (talk about winding roads ) on Friday the 25th please PM me. Thanks, Vic

I'm committed to the Moonshine Run on Friday with some friends. I would like to know where to find you guys at the meet, however, so I could drop by for a bit. It's been fun to keep up with some of the group comments on the Barn.

[oldford2]

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)

Thanks for the pics. Fun driving not towing these old Fords.
John

[Old Henry]

Got the hood to latch already. It was just the latch post slightly bent back, probably from the impact of the hood slamming so hard from full height (my spring knee braces are just for looks so they didn't slow it down any). Just tapped that post forward a bit and it lined up and latched. The bends at the back? Well I tried tapping those back down but, of course, the metal is stretched there so if I ever want that right it will take a pro. I'll probably just keep my hood up at car shows like I've usually done. It's one of those "from a distance" things.

[ccnelson]

Once again, OUTSTANDING!!! You are the King of Cool. Thanks for the pictures and videos. Keep them coming.

[Old Henry]

Just found some great pictures of the Crest House in its heyday. (Story here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Crest_House)



Well, would you look at that? A woodie the same vintage as Old Henry!


Any other Fords here?


Inside the gift shop in August 1949





Snack bar in the star shaped observation room







Can you guess what year this picture is?*



After the fire in 1979





As the house is now after being preserved in 1992.





*1977

[Rand]

Ouch!! on the hood. good to see all those bugs plastered on the front of it though.
I guess if those ol cars made the climb back in 49, ol Henry can do it now.
Did I see 4 cyclist's in one of your pictures up on the top??
As always...thanks for taking us along. looked like a great time spent with the miss's and Pepe lol
Randy

[Old Henry]

Originally Posted by Rand

Did I see 4 cyclist's in one of your pictures up on the top??
Randy

Watch the video (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uDQb6VlnoLI) and you'll see them all along the road. I can't understand how they can do it when I had a hard time just walking around at that altitude. Here's a pin I bought at the café where we ate at the 10,600 foot level for bikers who made it to the top.



I'm going to take the bike off and pin it to the back of my hat with my other souvenir pins of the other extreme places Old Henry has made it to.

[joel]

I've been absent for a while; I'm glad you sorted out your rebuild and Henry is on the road.gret story and pics as always. Thanks

[Old Henry]

Originally Posted by 911 STEVE

What a great way to break in that newly rebuilt flattie. .

I've put 4,666 miles on that flattie since it was newly rebuilt in June. Think it's broke in yet?

[Barry-ct]

Love the pics, like watching one of those old travelogs you see on TCM. Too bad they never rebuilt that place after the fire. Looked like a neat place in it's day.

[Sid the Maineiac]

Amazing pictures! Thank you for sharing and so sorry to see the hood "boo-boo" .It could have been worse I always figure !Looks like Pepe is enjoying the trips more now that he goes to lala land. lol !! Please keep up these wonderful journeys !

[41panelmark]

Looks like fun, you should stop in and see some of the Colorado Barner's next time.

[Old Henry]

Originally Posted by Rand

Ouch!! on the hood. good to see all those bugs plastered on the front of it though.

Yeah, if ya ain't got no bugs on the grill ya ain't been driving fast enough nor long enough to really be having fun.

[El Rat]

Outstanding!!! I'm impressed great pictures. I generally take my pooch along on all road trips! Might I add that you are fearless...

[Old Henry]

As I said I would do in #31, I took the bicycle off of the pin and put a ford emblem on it for my hat.



I liked it so much I decided to get a pin representing each of our road trips for my Gatsby style cap. I'm just waiting for the Yellowstone pin to arrive. Then I'll have one for each trip so far.



From left to right: Death Valley, Pike's Peak, Craters of the Moon, Bryce Canyon, Waterton National Park (Canada), Route 66, Rocky Mountain National Park, (space for Yellowstone), Mt. Evans.

[66f100]

Thanks for sharing the story and pictures!

[rotorwrench]

This sort of brings me melancholy as it may for many others. We miss Old Henry tales.