Date: Mon, 3 May 1999 01:46:32 EDT
From: Dan4runr85@aol.com
Subject: RE:Forest Service Road BC#109
Hey guys,
As a matter of coincidence, Gold Coast Cruisers has just pre-run BC #109
today. This trail is located off of Lockwood Valley Road at Dome Springs
campground east of Camp Schiedeck. This trail utilizes the creek bed to run
on, and yes, as the article says you may entertain yourself to any extreme
you like. I drove up Oil pan Alley a bit but we had to depart for domestic
duties, so we weren't able to discover the whole trail. We will return next
Saturday to complete the pre-run.
Any one else is welcome to come along with us. The trip today had a 1970 IRON
PIG and a 69 FJ40 and my 85 4Runner.
E-mail me direct for more directions or to meet on Saturday.
Danny
------------------------------
Date: Mon, 03 May 1999 01:29:03 -0700
From: "Shawn H. Ooi" <moomba@worldnet.att.net>
Subject: Re: Forest Service road BC #109
Yeah, I saw that web-site too and my group of 'wheelers have been
thinking of running that trail too. We just haven't found it yet!!! If
any of you find out more info, please share and we should plan a run
there...
Shawn Ooi Los Angeles, CA moomba@worldnet.att.net
1991 Toyota 4Runner SR5 200k Rear EZ-Locker K&N Filtercharger
TJM T17 bumper Eibach 2" lift 2" b/l RS9000s 32" Dueler M/Ts
http://members.tripod.com/moomba4rnr/index.html
-----------------------------------------------------
J & J Skaggs wrote:
>
> http://www.4x4now.com/trcabc.htm
>
> >"BC #109 is located less than two hours North of Los Angeles in the Los Padres >National Forest."
>
> Anyone been here? I just read the story and they wouldn't give directions to it.
>
> Sounds like it could be a good place. Chris, Shawn, Leo, Jim, Luke, Scott, any of you guys been there? Any of want to go sometime?
Date: Wed, 5 May 1999 12:24:59 -0700
From: "Dave Buchanan" <swamper@jps.net>
Subject: Re: Looking for a wheeling spot
How about Cow Mountain in Ukiah? It's off of the Talmadge exit
about 7 miles east. BTW, where's Knoxville?
Dave Buchanan
Mill Valley, CA
Ken,
Your closest legal wheeling option to Marin is Knoxville SVRA. If you don't
mind heading 100 miles south, you can try Hollister Hills SVRA. If you need
directions to either of these places, let me know.
Honestly, if you haven't wheeled Moab before, there isn't much you can do to
mentally prepare for it. White knuckler on the "Behind the Rocks" trail or the
Rockpile and Rocker Knocker obstacles in Pritchett canyon will leave you wide-
eyed.
We ran these trails (plus Spike) last week in light rain. Total breakage for
two mini-trucks and one cruiser: two starter motors, two Doetsch tech shocks,
permanently bent (and broke one leaf) in custom Alcan spring set - not just one
side, but both, rear CV driveline, V6 third w/5.29 and ARB, Marfield - outer
axle, Birfield, broken front axle HOUSING at knuckle weld. We repaired or
replaced all broken parts, then drove the 900 miles back home. Wow, what a
trip!
Coolest thing about Moab...you are never far from a Taco Bell or a Motel 6.
Phil37 email phil_linker@cohr.com
From: Thom Singer <cbovee@dock.net>
Subject: Trip report: Lockwood/Miller (So. Cal)
Posting this again, as I was having trouble the first time around.
Sorry if its a repeat.
Took my truck solo through the trail. Some of you may have run across my
friend who rode shotgun out on the trails. He put a Toyota 4AGE in his
hard top Samurai. That's a Twin Cam, 1.6L, 16 valve engine used in the
first gen MR2's and Corolla GTS' for those of you not familar. He and
his rig (called "Toysuki") have been on all the west coast toughies save
the trails in AZ/New Mex. (Jees, I keep having revise that sentence with
qualifiers) Moab, 'Hammers, Rubicon, Surprise Cyn, Colo, etc. He
usually runs them solo with a shotgunner. He currently rates Pritchert
Cyn as the toughest he's done so far. I felt confidence in his abilities
as a spotter, etc.
Anyway, the two of us went up to the trailhead and aired down. This was
to be my first time driving a 4x4 off-road for any distance. I did drive
that T-100 down the waterfall in Santiago Cyn some time back. I should
say that I've driven my fiberglass dunebuggy (2.0L, 5.38 R&P) off-road
for about 10 years. Most of that time was around the Calico Ghost Town
area, but I have done the Swamp Lakes Trail (Clean BTW, no winching, no
straps, no body contact) and went about 1/8 of the way UP Thompson Hill
on the Dusey-Irshim. Meaning I've done Chicken Rock and it's backside
both ways ! Compared to the DB, 4x4's suck in the turning radius
department. The concept of being able to back-up at will anywhere on the
trail is cool though. My 84 Xtra cab came to me with 31's, 4.88's, a
Detroit in the rear and a Lock-Rite in the front. Well anyway, the truck
did most of the work on the trail. I only killed it once, on Kabob hill.
Is that supposed to be a tough spot ? Did I just get lucky ? It wasn't
too big a deal. I drove this trail once in the DB before the re-route. I
like the re-route though I think calling it Lockwood Valley Trail now is
a misnomer. You only see about 300 yards of the whole valley, most of
the time on the trail you can't even see where the valley is, much less
see what it's like. I may have to come down from school for FrightNite.
Running it in the dark might be interesting. If it's sloppy, the first
mile or so would be interesting. My shotgunner reported sliding off the
trail in the snow once.
My opinion of Miller Jeep Trail, formed the day I drove the DB up it,
hasn't changed. It's still a boring, dusty uphill slog. The top of
Alamo Mtn, at 7000-ish feet, is a nice treat though. Pt. Mugu 4x Club
was doing trail maint. when we came through. A rep from CA4WD was with
them. Sorry, I've forgotten his name (Dave ?), he told us of a spring
just off the road down off Alamo Mtn. Never knew it was there. For you
non west-coasters, springs in this area, made of up-tilted old sea
floor, are not very common though I won't go as far as to say extemely
rare. It's also purt near to spittin' distance from the San Andreas
Faultline which tends to screw up any underground water flow. At that
point it was getting late so we bailed down the hill into Hungry Valley
OHV Park. Didn't have to dodge any cab-over chainsaws on the way
through. It was about BBQ time...
OBTW, if anyone wants to go to the Calico area and wants a person
familar as a guide, there are some cool things (hard rock mines & vistas
to name a few) not on the Sidekick map.
- --
TS
ntsqd@mail.csuchico.edu
My opinion is worth what you're paying for it.
>I moved to San Diego to do some summer school and Im looking for some
>trails to explore.
>Can anyone tell me of some close by trails and how to get to them.
There's not a whole lot real close but here's some:
1. Jacumba -Take I-8 East until you get there and then turn off at the
Texaco then head down the road until you see dirt on the left then head
out. Free! Not a lot of challenge out there.... Approx 45 mins from
downtown SD
2. Los Coyotes Indian Reservation- Warner Springs, take I-15 North, 76
East to 79 North. LEft on the 79 and about 10 mi you come into warner
springs, look for the sign for the reservation. about $8 day use $10 to
camp. Very fun lots of great trails... Approx 2 hours from downtown SD
3. Trukhaven- Out near Salton City, this one you should look up on a map
to find as there's lots of ways to get there. Very fun as well. Approx
2-2.5 hours from downtown SD
4. Ocotillo Wells OHV area- Out near Salton city and Anza Borrego desert
state park. fun area. another one you'll want a map for. Approx 2
hours from downtown SD
5. Glamis- all the sund dunes you could want! Way out in the desert,
damn near Aridzona! Another map one. 2.5-3hrs? from SD
6. Mexico- San Felipe and other places. I couldnt tell ya about this
one never been myself. Know some folks that go though.
Hope this helps a little...
Anywhere I can. Around San Diego I like Los Coyote Indian Reservation the
most. Also Buckman Springs, and, as a boring old standby, Anza Borego State
desert or Ocotilla Wells.
Date: Wed, 28 Jul 1999 13:14:22 -0700
From: "D. Merrick" <dmerrick@biointerventional.com>
Subject: RE: Anyone need an excuse to go wheeling Aug.8? CA6
Carnegie does not have much to offer 4X4s. They do have a small obstacle
course area, but nothing compared to Hollister. It is also very crowded with
dirt bikers on the weekend. Hollister will be very hot and dusty, but should
still be lots of fun for stock trucks! There's plenty of shade in the trees!
Go for the Tank Traps!!!
Lake Pillsbury takes forever to get there(or so I've been told!). Single
lane switchback for many miles!
Frank Raines is fun, but is small and pretty gnarly trails. I think Roger
Brown did a write-up on Frank Raines.
Prairie City is small and flat, has some man-made obstacles, but I would
only recommend going there when it is really wet. Lots of fun in the mud!
Cow Mountain is pretty large, but I've only been there once several years
ago on a dirt bike.
Tell your friend with the '98 TRD Tacoma to pull off his mudflaps before
going to Hollister! Otherwise, he'll end up tearing them off!
Dan
'98 TRD Limited V6 Xtracab, custom mudflaps (trimmed 4" shorter)
Carnegie is east of Livermore. You can reach by going through Livermore or
if your coming from Hwy 5 from Westley. What you have been seeing is a dirt
bike area that is at the top of Bernal road. You would have to turn onto
Bernal from Monterey Hwy and follow it to the top.
Rich Fox
85 xtra cab
Date: Fri, 30 Jul 1999 15:57:08 -0700
From: "D. Merrick" <dmerrick@biointerventional.com>
Subject: RE: How to get to Carnegie
You can get to Carnegie by taking 580 east to Livermore. Take the Vasco Road
Exit and head South on Vasco for about 3 miles. You will make a left on
Tesla Road for about 2 miles until you encounter a 4 way stop intersection.
Continue straight through the intersection and the road becomes Corral
Hollow. Carnegie is another 8 to 10 miles past this point. The road gets
pretty windy for a small section. You will see Carnegie on the right hand
side of Corral Hollow. Their phone # is (925) 447-9027.
The place that you are driving by in San Jose is the Santa Clara motorcycle
park. They don't have any provisions for 4x4s. Their phone # is (408)
226-5223, and the info hotline is (408) 972-0810.
Dan
'98 TRD Limited Xtracab V6
Subject: RE: Moab, Col., S. Dak. trip
> On Sat. I will be leaving on a trip from northern MN. to the Black
> Hills/ Badlands, Colorado, and Moab areas and would really like to get
> some good info on which trails would be best suited for my 4runner.
> Also if it is possible to get an opinion on which trails offer more
> breathtaking views, it would be much appreciated.
Justin:
As for Moab, the Moab Rim Trail is great but very difficult (challenging),
nice view of the town. Porcupine Rim trail is also kinda nice, eventually
you come to a gorgeous canyon view. Unfortunately, it doesn't go all the way
thru, so you have to turn around at the end and drive it back. Figure a few
hours for that one. If you're in for a long drive, the White Rim Trail is
great, but it's about 100 miles long, possible to do it in one day, but be
absolutely sure you bring plenty of water for everyone to drink (at least a
gallon per person). I believe you might need a permit to get on this trail,
check at the Ranger's Station. It's an easy trail, most stock vehicles could
do it if you're careful and don't have running boards.
No matter where you go, it will be pleny hot out there this time of the
year.
- -KLF
Subject: Dusy Trip (Looong)
Left Roseville at 6:30 PM on Wednesday, headed to Madera, CA. Spent the
night at the Gateway Motel (NOT RECOMMENDED) Got up the next morning, and
headed to Shaver Lake Marina. Unloaded my buddies truck and left to top off
the tanks. The only gas station at Shaver Lake did not have any gas. Headed
toward the trail, Stopped at Dinky Creek Inn and topped of my tank ($199.99
per gallon, Oh well it was not $2.00). Headed to Courtright Res. and the
start of the Dusy. This is a 32-mile long trail and the first couple of
miles are very mild. Then you come to a place called "Chicken Rock". This
rock slab looks like it goes straight up for a quarter to a third mile. I
looked at my wife and said, "what do you think 1st, 2nd or 3rd". She said
"2nd" so off we went in 2nd gear. When we got to the top I said we could
have done that in 3rd gear, (I love my Marlin and V-6). Headed out on the
trail, this was not real challenge, just a lot of mild rock crawling. Drove
about 5 or 6 miles found a nice place to camp, setup and spent the night.
Got up the next morning, eat breakfast, broke camp and hit the trail
about 10:00 AM
and headed out for another day of rock crawling and the famous "Thompson
Hill". About a quarter mile before "Thompson Hill". I am climbing over some
up hill boulders on a 90-degree turn and I get hung up. My wife gets out to
look and says, "I think you are leaking something BIG time". I get out and
look and all of my rear diff. Fluid is all over the trail. I had knocked out
the rear drain plug. Drive to a flat spot, climb under to check the damage.
Take the filler plug, put it in the bottom and the stripped plug, file, and
hammer it the fill hole until it threads in. Clean up and back on the trail.
My buddy gets a head of me a bit and the next thing I know we are on
"Thompson Hill". This is supposed to be the one of the toughest parts of the
trail. I get there just in time to see a tree take out a brand new taillight
lens on my buddies' truck. I get out, check out the trail, and take a
bit of
a different line and take "Thompson Hill" with no problems. We continue on
to Summit Lake and made camp for the night. I check under the truck to see
if I am leaking. I must have hit the diff. Again because the drain plug is
almost pulled out. We unscrew the plug and drain the diff. into a gallon
size baggie. I take the already damaged plug, work it over with a file and
get it to screw into the drain, put some fluid in to see if its going to
leak. Work over the other plug with the file and get it to screw back into
the fill hole. Another successful trail fix.
Broke camp the next morning and head for Ershim Lake where we are going to
spend two night. More of the same wheeling a lot of mild rock crawling. I
have changed my style and am trying to keep my diff. off the rocks. Arrived
at Ershim Lake, set up camp, fired up my buddies homemade on board shower
and settled back for a couple of days of relaxing.
Broke camp on Monday morning, our destination was Camp Lake and our last
night on the trail, more of the same rock crawling. Some places tough and
others not so bad. Just plain good wheeling and no damage except I slipped
off a rock and cut a front tire. Damn it had to be one of the new tires that
America's Tire had just replaced, not one of the ones that already has a lot
of wear on it. Got to Camp Lake and set up camp for the night. While sitting
around heard some rigs coming in and it was three rigs, to Toyotas and a
full K-5 Blazer. You could tell by the Toys, they had seen many a trail. Got
to BS'ing with them and the subject got around to cutting tires. One guy
came over, looked at my tire, and said he could fix it. He put four
plugs in
to it and did the "starter fluid" trick to seat it. It worked; I had my BFG
MT back on the truck.
Broke camp the next morning and headed out to hit the pavement. Only had
about four
miles to go. I think that this was the hardest part of the trail, lots of
climbing over rocks, off-camber stuff. At "Divorce Corner" I had a bit
of a
time getting around it. Took the wrong line the first time and if I would
have kept going I would have rolled it and it was a long way to the bottom.
Through this whole trip, I had no body damage. But on the last day, guess
what? I smacked the driver's side a good lick. Not once but twice, so the
old dents have new dents on them. Oh well when it gets bad enough I am going
to build a "flat-bed". Until then, it's "Hammer Time" and Bondo with red
oxide primer.
Would I do this trip again, you bet. We plan on doing it again
Is it a tough trail, depends on how your rig is set up.
Total damage and broken parts for two rigs, both Toyota PU's, one a "84" one
a "90".
One damaged diff. plug
One broken tail light lens
Couple of new dents in the old dents
Amount of gas used;
"84" One Tankful round trip Shaver Lake Marina
"90" One Tankful + 5 gallons
Setup on rigs;
"84" Name "Mad Max" 35" BFG MT, Stock Gears, Detroit Lockers front and rear,
Marlin gear change, 4" suspension lift, no doors, tired 4 cyl. 22R
"90" Name "OPP'S!" 33" BFG MT, 4:88 gears, ARB Rear, Tru-Trak front, Marlin
Gear Change, 4" suspension lift, 3.0 V-6, IFS (not for long)
This part was taken from another web site.
The Sierra National Forest rates the Dusy-Ershim OHV Route as "most
difficult." It is recommended for advanced drivers. They say the trail
"requires a high degree of skill and challenge to travel." It is not
recommended for full size pickups, long wheel base vehicles or for traveling
alone. I'll go on to say that you would be gutsy or nuts (or not care about
your rig) to take a full size pickup through it. There were Several place
where it was "mirrors in" on my Jeep to get through the trees and narrow
places. One thing to keep in mind if you decide to try the Dusy, it is a
designated route through two wilderness areas (John Muir and Dinkey Lakes),
so it is imperative to follow the rules and set a good example for others.
These are the kinds of trails that we like to hold up to our legislators to
show that four wheelers can also enjoy the wilderness experience without
ruining it for backpackers and others.
I Agree!!!!!
Real Wheelers Are Built, Not Bought" "Tread Lightly"
David Fritzsche O.R.V.D., 1990 V-6 Ex-Cab, Roseville, CA
,otto@inreach.com TLCA#8056
From: "Sandy and Terry" <santer@ix.netcom.com>
Subject: Re: The West Coast Host Run Is Done - and you thought summer was hot...
Just got back today from the run and had a great time. On Monday Allen
Dickenson riding shot gun and I ran the Sour Grass trail off of Hwy 4, which
is a pretty mild trail, and had lunch at the end of the trail. We then went
up to run the Ramsey trail. Ramsey has a few spots that are quite
challenging for even a slightly modified rig. We camped at the bottom for
the night. It was very scenic camping along the river. In the morning we
broke camp and headed up to meet Roger Brown, Leo D., and Alan Green.
The Slick Rock trail was very scenic. Only problem was Alan's rear springs.
My favorite obstacle on this trail is still the climb up the granite slab.
We then headed for the Deer Valley trail head at the Hermit Valley
campground. We noticed the forest fire as we went over the 8000' summit and
dropped into Hermit Valley. In the campground were a few forest fire rigs.
As we were locking our hubs a fire fighter was coming down the trail on
foot. He said there was a crew "managing" the fire about a mile up. One of
the most difficult obstacles is only 50' past the OHV sign. We all made it
through quite easily, even Alan Green with open diffs and a sagging rear
made it look easy. As we were stopped on the other side of the obstacle the
same fire fighter had two heavy water jugs and assorted gear was starting
back up the trail. The first few miles is all up hill. We offered to give
him a ride but he declined saying something about being employed by the
federal government and didn't think he could accept. He passed us a couple
of times when we were stopped on the trail. Poor bast*rd was looking
pooped. He finally relented and climbed in the back of Alan's truck for the
last 1/4 mile. The heat from the fire was quite intense. The burning brush
and trees were right up to the trail. It was a bit scary when the smoke
made it impossible to see the trail. I just followed the breaks in the
trees hoping I was still on the trail and not driving into the fire.
Fortunately it was only about 50 yds before it cleared some. We also heard
Leo on the radio, who was bringing up the rear, that he had gotten high
centered in one of the hot spots. Fortunately he was able to free himself
and catch up to us. The rest of the trail was pretty uneventful. When we
got to Hwy 88 the rest of the guys aired up their tires. Alan's 3 caddy air
compressor is pretty tricked. Allen D. and I headed for Lake Tahoe to spend
the night and rest of the guys headed home. Paid my respects at Harvey's
at the crap tables and almost lost my butt. Made a huge come back at the
end and left with a few extra dollars in my pocket.
Had a great trip. I think the other guys enjoyed it as well. Looking
forward to running the Southern Edition of the West Coast Host run on Friday
with a few from the list.
Terry Johnson
'89 XCab SR5 V6
> From: Alan Green <AlanGreen@jps.net>
>
> Well....the West Coast Host Run is done (Hey, I'm a poet...) and we had a
> Smokin' good time....literally! (I can still smell the smoke in the cab of
> my truck....)
Leo wrote:
what alan forgot to add was that we ventured into a trail that had a
sign that a week ago a small forest fire around the area started
because of lighting. of course the sign didn't mention that the
control burns they were doing was using the trail we're running as
the fire break!!!
so as we get deeper into the trail, the trees and bushes to the left
of us are on FIRE. you really can't notice how hot a fire is until
you get with a few of a wall of fire... of course, i get high-
centered on rock with a flames next to me. normally you stop, get
out and check out the situation. i think if i opened the door, it
woulda burned...
and then a section of the trail gets so smokey that i think there was
less than half a vehicle's length visibilty... lucky we didn't run
into a burning tree or something... otherwise, it a was a great, but
tiring day of wheelin... a long day... just enough miles in a day
to prepare for the dusy next month...
Death Valley
Trails
Date: Mon, 4 Oct 1999 22:44:35 -0700
From: "Sandy and Terry" <santer@ix.netcom.com>
Subject: Re: Where To Go?
Mark your calendar for President's Weekend in Feb 2000 for my 7th annual
Death Valley run. The trails we
run are usually mild to moderate. The
scenery is fantastic and your friend may appreciate that we stay in
motels
that time of year versus camping out on the frigid night. It will also be a
chance to meet other listers and other wheelers.
Of course it's still 4 months away.
In the mean time there is Oceano Dunes
on the coast, you might try some of the milder trails around Shaver Lake
before the snow starts to fly.
Also, depending on where you are, Hollister
Hills is pretty close and offers alot of terrain for the beginning
wheeler.
Don't forget about the 3rd annual Day after Turkey Day Run coming up next
month at Hollister. Should be
alot of listers this year. (How many Scott?
+/-30 or 40?)
Roger Brown has a lot of trail info on his web page at:
http://reality.sgi.com/rogerb/4x4/4x4_trips.html
Date: Tue, 5 Oct 1999 21:35:21 -0700
From: "ward" <ward@lemoorenet.com>
Subject: Re: where to go
Red lake/cyote lake trail is an excellent trail to start learning to rock
crawl. with some finess you can
make it to red lake with open difs and 31"
tires, if you rig has a locker or
two and the trip in to red lake was easy,
you could try going on to cyote lake.
red lake/cyote lake trail is located east of fresno, past shaver lake on
168. better do it soon, snows
gonna start fly'in soon. (its about 7000'
elv) good luck
Mike Ward,
82 sb, 22r, header, 2.25"flowmaster, k&n,
35x12.5 muds, 4.88's, detroit locker/trutrac.
Date: Tue, 5 Oct 1999 23:55:28 -0700
From: "Brian Murdock" <vhsviper@earthlink.net>
Subject: Where to go
Isn't Folsom lake fairly central as well? there should be almost any
variety of fun to be found out there.
Not to mention extra people in case
they get stuck..
Brian
Trails to do:
Agressive trails: Dishpan springs (West to East starting at Deep
Creek) and John Bull trail.
Moderate trails: Silver Mountain and Gold Mountain.
Y'all know which trails I'll be voting for...
We had 8 vehicles participate this weekend on the Death Valley run, 5 were
from the list.
1) Roger Brown - '85 4Runner
2) Chris Geiger w/wife and son - '93 4Runner
3) Jack Geiger - '89 Std Cab
4) John Skaggs w/wife, Thunder, and Lightening - '85 4Runner
5) Me w/friend - '89 XCab
6) Mike from work - Fullsize Bronco
7) James from last years trip - Fullsize Bronco
8) Mike, James' brother - CJ7
We left Ridgecrest Sat morning and picked up Roger and Jack at the Trona
Pinnacles turnoff. Our first stop was at the Ballarat general store.
"Ballarat" Louie was out of T-shirts and only had a limited number of maps
this year. We aired down our tires and locked our hubs.
Our first assualt was going to be the Pleasant Canyon - South Park Canyon
loop. This is a 30 mile trip that starts at 1200' in elevation at Ballarat
and rises to 7100' at the top of Pleasant Canyon. The going was pretty easy
at first. I was using my new 2WD Lo option which allows me to use low range
without engaging the front locker. (Another poor man's ARB?) In past years
the trail was mild enough to get through the majority of the trail in 2WD.
The storms from last year added a few loose spots and one minor rock ledge
obstacle which was fun. There was also an underground spring which had
water running down the trail in several spots. One of the Bronco's had a
tough time here. Some rock stacking and momentum was needed to get him up.
Open diffs, street tires, and not airing down contributed to the difficulty.
A little further up the trail Chris Geiger had a problem with his right
front brake caliper coming loose. A couple of stripped bolts was the
culprit. We then stopped for a bit at Clair Camp. This was a mining town
earlier this century. There is an old leaning water tower anchored to the
side of a mountain to keep it from toppling over. There are some old rusted
out buildings, vehicles, and machinery. There is also two huge blast
furnaces which must have been fun to drag up to the site even if it was done
in pieces. Near the top we went through a pine tree forest which is unusual
in a desert environment. At the top we stopped for lunch and had a peak of
Death Valley to the east and several mountain ranges to the west.
After lunch we crossed a steep ridge and went across a meadow, up over
another ridge and a second meadow on the way to South Park Canyon. It was
here in the second meadow we saw some wild burros. As we entered the canyon
we encountered some tall brush which sheltered the ground where there was
running water and ice. Shortly after we came upon the one obstacle in the
canyon which I have heard called chicken rock. It is high up on a narrow
ledge and requires a downward left turn around the wall with a slight lean
toward dooms day. There is chain link fence wire on the ground to help
prevent further erosion. It was plenty wide (another 4') even for the
Broncos but can be intimidating if you've never done it before. 100 yards
farther down is a narrow wooden bridge which was rebuilt several years ago.
At the bottom of the ledge was a couple of cabins were being inhabited. A
little beyond the cabins we got a great view of Panamint Valley from 3000' -
4000'. We got back to Ballarat around 4:30 p.m. We were hoping to get back
early enough to go up to the base of the 1st waterfall in Surprise Canyon.
We will have to put it into next years itinerary. Here is where we had to
say goodbye to Chris Geiger and family. (His wife had to work on Sunday.)
The rest of us drove the approx. 90 miles to Beatty, NV to spend the night.
In Beatty we pigged out on plenty of cheap food. After dinner many were
pooped and headed straight for their rooms. At least one individual braved
the casino and came out ahead on the craps table.
Sunday morning we split into two groups. The Broncos and CJ headed for
Titus Canyon and the remaining 4 toyotas went up to Chloride City. This is
another old ghost town in the mountains east of the Death Valley floor. We
came upon an old shack with a mine entrance directly behind it. Just to the
left was a grave sight probably of some poor old miner. There were several
mine shafts in the area. We took a trail that brought us to the edge of the
Chloride Cliffs. We were at 5200' and had an amazing view of the entire
valley floor below us which is below sea level.
We then drove down to the valley floor and explored some of the canyons near
Stove Pipe Wells. Grotto Canyon is a short 2 miles from the paved road.
Here we ate lunch and explored the canyon. Jack Geiger said his goodbyes
here and got an early start home. Next we went to Marble Canyon which is
about 18 miles north of Stove Pipe Wells all of which is dirt roads except
for the 1st half mile. We saw some petroglyphs but we weren't sure they
were original indian markings. Some of them looked too new. When the trail
ended for vehicle traffic, we hiked up a ways while looking at the unusual
rock formations.
By the time we returned to Stove Pipe Wells it was dark. We aired up our
tires and said our remaining goodbyes. I drove to Lone Pine and spent the
night there. Got an early start on Monday and headed north up Hwy 395. Got
into some rain near Minden which turned to snow when I got close to Lake
Tahoe. I paid my respects at Harvey's and won enough money to pay for the
trip. Finally got home about 7:45 p.m. last night.
Hope all who went had as much fun as I did. Next year the trip will most
likely be moved to Presidents B-day weekend in Feb. So mark your calendars.
Terry Johnson
Pleasanton, CA
'89 XCab V6 SR5
I am forwarding this. From the looks of this message, this is a MUST for us
all to write!
David
DRM033@aol.com
************************************************************************
Pass this on to your members and clubs.
Please write or e-mail your congressman immediately telling them to support
"Helen Chenoweth's (R-ID) Forest Roads Community Right-To-Know Act". This
is a very important bill for us! (More than I can tell you at this time.)
If you have never written a letter before......write it now. It will be
introduced next week. So don't hesitate.....write now.
Thanks David
Helen Chenoweth's (R-ID) bill is called the Forest Roads Community
Right-To-Know Act. It
>requires the agencies, when implementing permanent closures (longer than one
>year) of roads (any road maintained by the FS or BLM that is suitable for
>vehicular traffic), to notify local government officials, publish the notice
>of closure in the local paper, and give a 90 day comment period.
4x4x4x4x4x4x4x4x4x4x4x4x4x4x4x4x4x4x4x4x4x4x4x4x4x4x4x4x4x4x4x4x4x4
Southern Four Wheel Drive Association, Dir. of Legislative Affairsx
East Tennessee 4WD Club visit us at: www.cococo.net@~kf4kuf 4
National Rifle Association (Life Member) x
Blue Ribbon Coalition 4
United Four Wheel Drive Association x
United 4WD Nominee For Environmental 4-Wheeler of the Year '96 4
Member of the "Land Use Network" x
United 4WD Environmental 4-Wheeler of the Year '98 4
4x4x4x4x4x4x4x4x4x4x4x4x4x4x4x4x4x4x4x4x4x4x4x4x4x4x4x4x4x4x4x4x4x4
Date: Mon, 01 May 2000 00:36:55 -0400
From: Ken Flesher <ken.flesher@unh.edu>
Subject: Re: moab trails
Try the Porcupine Rim trail. It's not very long, a decent day outing, and
challenging for a stock vehicle, but nothing too wild. There's one spot where
you can stop that has an awesome canyon overlook. The only thing I don't like
about this trail is that you have to turn around and come back out the same way
you went in.
- -KLF
Date: Mon, 1 May 2000 17:40:28 -0600
From: "Johnny-Wild Yoat's Toyota" <John.Tale.Bree@worldnet.att.net>
Subject: Re: Moab Trails
Tyler, here are some of my favorite trails.
Gold Bar Rim- a challenge for a stock vehicle, some by
passes. Great scenery, lots of slickrock steps.
Fins N Things-Fun trail, nice combo of everything, not
to hard at all. (rated 3 1/2)
Hells Revenge-(4 plus)Killer scenery, almost all slickrock, looks worse
than it is, some by passes.
Kane Creek-short trail (2 or 3 hrs), kinda boring but fun river crossings,
about 52 of them! 2 harder obstacles
Poisen Spider Mesa-One of the funnest, nice combo of
everything, fun trail
All of these trails have been done in either a stock Toyota or a heavily
modified Toyota, they were fun and challenging either way. Have fun!!
Johnny
<><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><>
Johnny Lange-Founder "Wild Yoat's Toyota 4x4 Association", S.L.C., Ut
81 SR5 Ultra-bobbed (19.5) project truck. Marlin, Detroit,
Skyjacker, Doetsch Tech, Downey, Big-O, etc.
TLCA, U4WDA, Blue Ribbon Col.,
Wild Yoat's web site-> www.geocities.com/johnnylange/
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