The Road Ahead
September 20,2026
170 Trails Was the Plan. Colorado Had Other Ideas.
Two weeks in Colorado brought 144 mapped trails, plenty of rain, a few mechanical problems, and one wildlife sighting we'd been waiting a long time to see.
We headed to Colorado for two weeks with a goal of mapping as many as 170 trails for onX Offroad. We came home with 144 completed, which we're pretty happy with considering how the trip went.
It rained almost every day, but the weather wasn't our only challenge. The mounting hardware for our new rooftop-tent setup came loose and damaged the threads. With the tent no longer securely attached to the truck, the ratchet straps came out to temporarily secure everything.
That wasn't the end of our problems. On several trails, the brakes were getting extremely hot during the downhill sections, to the point that it seemed like they were trying to catch on fire. Then, on the drive home, the Power Wagon developed a death wobble that kept us from driving much over 60 mph. We haven't diagnosed the cause yet, so we have some work ahead of us.
144 Trails and a Different Side of Colorado
Despite the problems, we found some great trails that we're looking forward to sharing once they're live in the onX Offroad app. We also got to experience a completely different side of the Ouray and Telluride area.
The wildlife made the trip even better. We saw several bears, moose and deer, and after hoping to see one for a long time, we FINALLY saw a mountain goat!
Videos from the trip are already in the works, so there's much more Colorado coming.
Subscribe to Dirt Rock Team on YouTube to follow the trails, trips and everything we learn along the way.
Between the trails, wildlife and scenery, there were plenty of reminders of why we make trips like this, even when the equipment doesn't cooperate. Videos from the trip are already in the works, so you'll be seeing much more of Colorado on Dirt Rock Team Youtube
A Change of Plans in Gearbox Garage
Things are moving in Gearbox Garage too, although right now we're waiting for parts.
We've decided to use aftermarket FiTech fuel injection on both the Camaro and the 1991 GMC rather than trying to make the factory harnesses and ECUs work for these projects.
The bigger change is coming to the old GMC. It's finally getting a new heart. We have a 2007 6.2-liter LS that will be paired with the 4L80E transmission we already have.
Once the fuel-injection parts arrive, we'll be able to start moving forward with both projects.
Subscribe to Gearbox Garage on YouTube to follow the Camaro, GMC and the rest of the projects happening in the garage.
Depot Days and Something New
Old Soul Adventures has been busy too. On August 15 and 16, we headed to Depot Days in Cheyenne, Wyoming, where Levi had the opportunity to spend some time talking with Ed Dickens.
They talked about several things Levi can focus on as he continues improving his videos and building Old Soul Adventures. Opportunities like that are one of the reasons we enjoy attending events like Depot Days. There is always something more to learn.
Levi has also continued working on his regular videos and Depot Discoveries. His latest video featuring the Mena Depot in Arkansas went live Friday, and now something new is coming.
Introducing Whistle Stops
Whistle Stops is an idea Levi developed while we were traveling through Colorado. The series will focus on locomotives that have been preserved on display but aren't necessarily part of a railroad museum.
Instead of passing those locomotives by during our travels, Levi will stop and focus specifically on them. It's another opportunity to document and preserve pieces of railroad history that can sometimes be easy to overlook.
The first episode of Whistle Stops will be out this Friday.
Subscribe to Old Soul Adventures on YouTube to follow Whistle Stops, Depot Discoveries and Levi's other railroad adventures
The Road Ahead
There's plenty happening across all three channels right now. Colorado left us with new trails, videos to make and a Power Wagon that needs some attention. The Camaro and GMC are waiting for parts, and Levi is continuing to find new ways to document and share railroad history.
That's why we created The Road Ahead. It gives us a place to keep you caught up on what's happening across Dirt Rock Team, Gearbox Garage and Old Soul Adventures, while the individual channels let you follow the stories you're most interested in as they unfold.
Thanks for coming along with us.
We'll see you next week.
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