Well - I think that the trip turned out to be a success. I for one had a blast. For being the first time for myself to be on the trail, and the second time that my Scout has ever seen any type of off-roading, since it rolled off the manufacturer's floor in 74, at least that I know of. Over all, I'm happy how my rig handled, except for carb issues at that elevation. Kept on stalling at the steeper inclines, trying to climb over a few of the larger boulders. I know - get efi - but money is too funny at the moment to consider it right now.
Thanks for the hospitality. And, scoutaddict, thanks for the loan of the bumpers, even though I didn't find the need to put it to use, since I didn't get stuck or brake anything. I'll return them prolly with in a few weeks once I get my winch mounted. Better to be safe with it and not need it than need it and not have it. If I didn't have the carberation issues, I would have gone furthur in the trail.
Edit***
on the drive up, in my Scout, and crawling around on the trail, I never had any overheating issues. Safe to say that I drove my rig up there, drove it on the trail, and then drove it home (3 -4 hour drive each way), all in one piece with no broken parts. But did ened up 2 battle scares, but ya gotta really look for them to see them - lol