The heat. Like it, hate it or just tolerate it. Summer is here and Denver is really starting to swelter. Fortunately, the mountains just west of us are much cooler.
 
Yankee Hill. Since 2008, Laurie and I have run Yankee Hill nine times. It remains one of our favorite front range trails.
 
After enjoying another wonderful breakfast at Marion's, eleven (11) Jeeps, (9 Patrol 2 rigs and 2 guest rigs invited by Keith and Sharon) embarked for Yankee Hill. Led by the venerable Richard Dillon, his wonderful wife Sherry and Bonnie the Wonder Dog, Patrol 2 crossed "Oh My God" Canyon and aired down at the cemetary north of Central City.
 
Attending today were guests Dan & Kim and Chuck & Debbie, invited by Keithy and Sharon. They told us they truly enjoyed the day. They were a blast to wheel with and we sincerely hope to ride with them again.
 
Keith & Sharon, Richard & Sherry, Vic & Grandson Marcos, David, Janice and Connor, George & Ann, Fred Weick, Rick & Dana, Galen Burkhardt, along with your humble correspondents Don and Donette Ameche, capably represented Patrol 2.
 
We had so much fun. From air down to air up six hours later, Patrol 2 experienced Yankee Hill with a different twist. Richard & Sherry brought along their ATV wheeling book. After several miles of driving, we finally reached the Yankee Hill trail, located where Fred kindly sold his Wells book to some seriously lost Illinois Jeep wannabe's in 2008.
 
Just before heading up FS 175.1 (the official Yankee Hill route), Richard suggested we take an alternate route. It was a great idea! The route allowed us to first traverse and then climb Yankee Hill on a 4-5 difficulty road none of us had ever traveled. It was a blast! Dan, Kim, Chuck and Debbie really enjoyed it.
 
We had lunch near the top of this alternate route. Our Monthly Patrol 2 Meeting took place during lunch. The idea for such was originally presented by David McDaniel during our April Patrol 2 Monthly Meeting. It was a great idea and it also allowed David (MHJC Land Use Chairman and Patrol 2 member) to share important MHJC activities. Our Patrol 2 August Monthly Meeting will also take place on a trail. John Clark has a great idea and more fun details will be forthcoming.
 
After lunch, all eleven (11) vehicles climbed the steep and fun Yankee Hill. Kodak moments abounded.
 
Descending Yankee Hill, Fred Weick then led us to 94, a former mining site above the beautiful town of Alice. The camaraderie was awesome, the natural air conditioning was in the low 70's and it was sublime. Fun. Jeeping is so much fun.
 
Yankee Hill is 4-5 difficulty. Patrol 2 Meetings are required. Combining the two was priceless.