Indeed that was one VERY long day.
I was late after having to meet with Jeff (planefixer) to drop of Raffle Jeep parts and getting a little turned around before finding the Home Depot. And then there was DutchVDub getting caught behind that HUGE parade of Fire/Rescue vehicles in town for the Emergency Vehicle Expo in the 'Springs...... the group didn't leave the H.D. until after 10am.
It's been forever since I'd been up there 'wheeling (Jeez, since my S-10 days about '92....) and forgot how long that drive up Gold Camp road is..... the washboard was hideous! Rockhounds4x4, Rokken and I decided to abandon the tow rigs about 2/3rds the way up.... the road was litterally bashing our trucks to hell!
While unloading the towed rigs, Ranger Rick found his hydraulic clutch line had burst and he had to turn back. Thanks Fred for ensuring he got back down ok! With a group this size we simply couldn't wait any longer.
Got to the trail head with most of the group around 11am and xj-grin and one other got separated from us and couldn't find us after we'd crossed the pond and gathered in the meadow. I think it was around 11:45 when we actually started the trail. Frank had been leading, but had to head out prior to that to get to his boy's football game so he missed out on all the "fun".....
Things were going fairly well until we got to the long, steep uphill climb. Nothing but very loose sand/gravel and BIG rocks - and dug out in between. I'll tell you one thing though....... I don't know who that guy in the gold XJ with the budget boost was that had been hauling Slowerthanu the video guy around but that guy knows how to 'wheel. He stayed ahead of the group for most of the run and negotiated that nasty big hill unassisted where most had to take a strap or winch. :thumbup:
That big hill definitely reminded many of us why it's so important to have solid tow points. I hated having to strap/winch that one XJ using the front axle as a tow point....... but it was the only option. The same XJ nearly cooked it's engine - the aux. fan wasn't working and the CPS was questionable, but between strapping/winching the others, Dutch, 'Stang and I got the fan hotwired and he made it to the end with the rest of us.
There were a few other sections where I was totally surprised there wasn't more carnage. That guy with the TJ spent a helluva lot of time on his gas tank and I'm glad it didn't rupture! 'Stang got sideways into a tree when we had the 3-rig straping train going but managed to NOT bust the side window. Dutch FLOGGED his rig at times and I was expecting someone to get pinged on the melon by a u-joint cap or something.....
and he did cave in his pass. door sliding into a tree. I spent alot of time on that damn rear driveshaft/rear pinion yoke - left a lot of metal on the rocks. I need a high pinion 9" third member........
It was cool to see snwy_mnt_jeep's girl get some seat time! She hung in there like a champ and didn't get frustrated as Rockhound and I helped spot her through that rough section! LOL - I even offered a pass. seat ride to SurfXJSnow on one technical section ...... and his fiancee' pretty much pushed past him to ride in the Truggy when he hesitated....... sorry brutha - snooze ya lose!
It was good to see that everyone kept up their enthusiasm eventhough the trail took forever - ALL of us were starving by the time we got to fire up the grills and eat lunch..... er, dinner actually.....
SurfXJSnow's little demonstration on how NOT to 'wheel the Colman Cooler obstacle was the perfect end to the day! :roflmao::roflmao::roflmao:
All in all - I think it was a great day! Several "newbies" got some great wheeling experiences and no one had to be towed out. :thumbup:
uke:
