Not long ago there was a discussion here about the "road" into Porphyry Basin. Todd mentioned a particularly interesting spot he so eloquently termed "Pucker Point". Someone asked if there were any photos of this section. Melissa and I headed up to P. Basin last night. Since no one has yet posted a photo of Pucker Point I felt it was my duty to do so. Thanks to Melissa for taking the photos as I navigated down the trail.
The first photo is the narrowest section. The dropoff on the passenger side of the vehicle in photo #1 is big. Very big. The photo really doesn't do it justice.
Finally, a photo that does a decent job of showing you what the sharp edge of the road looks like. That slope just keeps going and going...and going. I'm pretty sure you'd end up somewhere near the 550 if your tire placement wasn't too accurate.
Awwww, come on! You've got a good 6 inches to a foot before your vehicle would start to roll over. Do you want your Lexus to parallel park for you too?
Phil: Cold and wet. It rained heavily, the clouds rolled in and not a single ray of sunlight broke through. However, I suspect you're asking about the wildflower conditions. They weren't as good here as we saw in many other areas. I'll guess they will be quite nice in a couple of weeks, though.
Posted by Mel Ladewig on July 13, 2007 at 10:27 AM
I would like that trail. My wife would not. Thanks for the pics.
Posted by Bill Pelzmann on July 13, 2007 at 10:35 AM
I think you need some snow drifts to make it more interesting.
Posted by Todd Caudle on July 13, 2007 at 11:00 AM
In the first photo, notice how the driver's side tires are up on a little raised berm. When I went through there the first time, what freaked me out was when one side was raised a bit higher by that, and a rained out (albeit small) gully on the other side made me feel like the truck was ready to tip over. Of course, it was nowhere near tipping point, but when you're looking down that hill, having your vehicle lurch toward the downhill side of that narrow road will get the adrenalin pumping! And when the road is wet? Well, that's even more pucker power per foot of road.
BTW, when did you get the new Toy? Those things were made for roads like this.
Posted by Mel Ladewig on July 13, 2007 at 11:55 AM
Todd,
I know exactly what you mean. There is a part on Blanca Peak where the trail just leans over a little, but the hill drops for at least 500 feet below you. here. I drove over 3 foot rock ledges on the trail with no problems, but this little side hill really freaked me out.
Mel-
Posted by Scott Bacon on July 13, 2007 at 12:11 PM
Thanks for the pics! 10 days and counting...
Posted by Doug Andrews on July 13, 2007 at 12:14 PM
Hmmmm, probably won't be driving this part of the road anytime soon. Growing up in the southeast, we didn't have exposure like that to deal with. Thanks for sharing them Bret. How far a hike is it to the basin from this point?
Posted by Jesse Speer on July 13, 2007 at 12:17 PM
I love the sign too. I'd like to post a few of those in my favorite places. :)
Very cool Bret! That part of the road is a trip, no doubt! I was surprised that I didn't have any images of that spot, but I was by myself, and probably didn't want to get out of my car to shoot any! HA!
Last time I was up there (two summers ago), I ran into a photo workshop that came up in two huge, bright red Chevy Suburbans! And it was raining buckets! I almost wanted to follow them down just to see them go through Pucker Point, but I didn't! It probably would have made ME pucker just watching!
I don't what you're all talking about. I shuttled people back and forth up there in my Jeep Wrangler and it was a breeze.
Okay, so I suppose there's I chance that if I ever try this in my much larger Chevy Avalanche, my muscles might just seize up and form a permanent pucker .
Sheesh, I did it the first two times in my full-size Silverado. (The second time was with Jerry in the car. Thank goodness for automatic door locks, because he wanted out and I wouldn't let him!) I think that's about the same width as a Suburban, isn't it? That road even felt narrow when I went back up last summer in my Nissan.
It felt narrow to me in the FJ. I'd hate like hell to attempt it in a full size truck.
Posted by Scott Fricke on July 18, 2007 at 12:51 AM
I was just there on Friday morning, have a photo of the same sign, did not stop to take photos at that tight spot since I was by myself and couldn't really get out. All the roads seem a little narrower in the FJ compared to the Jeep TJ I had before. Can't believe you let Steve get away with that Lexus comment
Discussion
22 repliesThe first photo is the narrowest section. The dropoff on the passenger side of the vehicle in photo #1 is big. Very big. The photo really doesn't do it justice.
Enjoy.
BTW, when did you get the new Toy? Those things were made for roads like this.
I know exactly what you mean. There is a part on Blanca Peak where the trail just leans over a little, but the hill drops for at least 500 feet below you. here. I drove over 3 foot rock ledges on the trail with no problems, but this little side hill really freaked me out.
Mel-
Scott: I'm really hoping to meet up with you while you're there. I'm praying I don't get scheduled for court or Taser training during that time off!
Doug: From here I would say it's less than a mile walk to the basin.
Jesse: No kidding! I didn't even notice the last line until I posted the photo, "Hummers Prohibited". Too funny!
Last time I was up there (two summers ago), I ran into a photo workshop that came up in two huge, bright red Chevy Suburbans! And it was raining buckets! I almost wanted to follow them down just to see them go through Pucker Point, but I didn't!
Okay, so I suppose there's I chance that if I ever try this in my much larger Chevy Avalanche, my muscles might just seize up and form a permanent pucker