So I have been thinking about Red Cone trail and the possibility of taking the Bronco down it this summer, I did it on a Polaris Sportsman 500 this past summer. On our ATV's the trail seemed very step and the butt end of the ATV was sliding around us and made it very intense. I don't know if this was caused by the EBS (Engine Break System) brakes, it seemed to lock the rear brakes on its own when there was not much weight on the rear axle. There was a slight dusting of snow on the trail so maybe that was the issue, no ice it was just snow. It was the last day the trail was open in 2010 before a foot of snow hit the next day. But it has made me think twice about trying it in the Bronco. So who out there has done it in their Bronco and what is your gearing. I have to believe with the Bronco it would be better, because of the longer wheel base compared to an ATV. Then again the butt end on a bronco is pretty light and can start to slide and I would hate to get sideways on that trail. I just don't want to be going down it if I'm going to have to stand on the brakes because my gearing is not low enough. So tell me your experience with Red Cone, tell me if I'm just being over cautious.

P.S. I have a 76 bronco with power everything, c4 and 4.11 gears and no lockers. Here are pictures from ATV trip. thanks. Sorry if this tread is in the wrong section of the forum did not know where to put it.

That looks like it has a pucker factor of +9!

When I was 9 to 10 years old my dad took us down red cone and has always made a major imprint in my mind. Major pucker factor. I have never done it myself but I would consider it if we did a trail ride.

Just what Dan said. the short wheelbase of the EB can make it a little hairy. I want to drive it so bad. Been over it many times as a passenger. Im ready to drive it. Along with BlackBear.

---Zillacon, thats what I figured on letting the engine do the speed control through gearing, I'm not sure how much 4.11's will hold back the speed in low gear. I'm sure it will have to be a case of let it roll with the occasional tap on the brakes but then let off to keep it straight. I have heard that Red Cone was much more intense in the past but then it was smoothed just a little for safety. I understand the passenger thing. I have been in places where my passengers said stop I'm getting out/off and walking and thats when I say great take some pictures while your at it. haha

---76fordbronco, it really is a huge pucker factor. I'm sure even the guys with big, stable, rigs with experience still get a little. I mean who wouldn't one wrong move or failure and you take the fast way down thousands of feet of mountain. I know when I did it I was very nervous and I'm not normally that way. There is a lot of intimidation with those steep cliffs and little room for error

----coberlyshane, That sounds fun. I trail ride would be great, of course we would let the guys who have done it before go first and show how its done. maybe late this summer. I have heard there is tons of snow up there this year.

---ZOSO, I feel your desire. I have had the bronco up there before and up webster pass and all over but just haven't gone down it as I have always been with just my family on camping trips. There is some great camping on hall valley trail at the bottom. It would be a great place to have a CCB camping trip. there are tons of trails up there. Black Bear would also be fun. I haven't done it yet but I have seen lots of youtube video of it.

Great responses guys. keep them coming. I know we have some more guys with stories and pictures.

You can keep that hill. I'll stick to jumping out of planes.

When I was up there this summer there where two jeeps going down webster and I followed them on the ATV. They went through the washout and gave it some gas as they went through. It was the correct way but as high as they had to get on the wall to go through was enough to make me nervous for them. I thought I was going to witness a 2000 foot roll down the mountain. There was a roll that day on the mellow side of Red Cone, its on CO4X4.

i would love to do that trail as well this summer. my dad took me in his bronco in the early 90's. would love to take him and compare pictures

Red Cone is easier than it looks in a vehicle. I have been down it many times without any problems. Just let the vehicle do the work. No pucker factor really anymore as it is alot smoother. First time I went down it was 15 + yrs ago, when it had the ruts. That was alot worse. JUST DO IT!!

Thats what I was thinking Cracker. I figured a vehicle would be better than an ATV. I think this trail sounds like a good one for a group trip this summer. How cool would a row of broncos look on top of the peak. Sounds like we have a couple guys who would go and show off their knowledge and skill. Palmer I would love to see those pictures of you and your dad's trip in the 90's. feel free to post them up on this thread. As a matter of fact anyone who has pictures of their bronco on those trails (Red Cone, Wedster, Radical Hill, Swan River, S.O.B Hill) up there feel free to post them here. Pictures of Red Cone when it was rougher on the steep section would be cool. I hope to do some good exploring in this area this summer.