The Wellens Family loved inviting their family and friends on thrilling visits through the Pikes Peak region. So it was a natural fit when they decided to start Adventures Out West in 1973 with one CJ Jeep and one balloon. Fast forward to 2026, Greg Wellens, one of the original sons, has taken the company to trailblazing new heights so guests can experience the Pikes Peak area with flight in their four balloons or fly across a scenic canyon on a zipline, roll through the Garden of the Gods on a Segway, or ride on one of the specially built 1909 or 1910 Trolleys. But maybe guests are up for something more physical, like a guided hike or a bike tour? We have that too. But what about those Jeeps that sound more like the adventure you want?
Just to make sure we are all on the same trail, “off road” means “off the pavement” or asphalt. Leaving the pavement behind is where the true magic and sights begin, and you need specially designed vehicles that can handle the terrain. Rugged road is where the wildlife and unspoiled nature can still be found, seconds from town. Once the word got out that we could take you to the backcountry without risking your car, our Jeep tours filled up fast. But the CJ Jeeps hold only five people. We needed “bigger boats”, uhm, I mean “Jeeps”. Actually, finding the bigger Jeep, known as a Gladiator, turned out to be the easy part. We needed a genius in metal fabrication that could help us adapt such a ‘fun machine” to safely carry ten, maybe up to twelve guests? Enter Blake Sanders, aka “Dr. Frankenstein.”
Blake Sanders is a native of Colorado, but fortunately for us, his father, a Detroit Gearhead, raised Sanders with a wrench in one hand and a welder in the other. At 44, he has won countless awards for his designs in hot-rod and rat-rod fabrication. His prior company says it all: “Why Not” Customs. His designs were featured in the SNAP-ON TOOL Calendar and dozens of car design enthusiasts’ magazines.
In only five years’ time, Blake has redesigned seven Gladiators, customized a ’56 Willys Jeep, and reinforced the suspensions on all the other CJs! Oh, and in his spare time, he restored the1909 style Trolley and built, yes, BUILT, an additional Trolley from a 40-foot Ryder Moving Truck. Why the year 1909 style? Because the 1909 style was duplicated from a photo of a touring group rolling through the Garden of the Gods Park. So, you can ride our Trolleys today, see, and feel history as the original visitors did in our beautiful area.
When a fabricator decides on a vision. Obviously, safety is the top concern. They have to know how to impact the frame and suspension can endure by adding weight, not only by the number of guests on board, but also by the driver, the seats, seat belts, and extra water, because the vehicle will twist and flex as it is driven over rough terrain. Then, once the vehicle is deemed complete, it undergoes a full inspection by a third-party, ASE-certified mechanic to meet State Regulations.
Oh, I almost forgot to mention the other amazing thing we bribed Sanders to do. The road to our Zipline course is an “adventure” and has chewed up Jeeps as a testament. Of course, Sanders fought back with two military HUMVEEs. His customization of those vehicles would impress the most seasoned soldier, and the Zipline hill has not claimed any Jeeps’ lives since.
We are forever grateful for all of Sanders’ dedication and expertise to Adventures Out West. We are proud that our large-capacity off-road vehicles and moderate-sized vehicles reduce environmental impacts, such as air pollution and trail ruts, from continued use. Our fleet now contains forty-one vehicles!