Evans Creek: August 24-26

[TORX]

TORXreport: Evans Creek with Piston's Wild & Evergreen Crawlers - August 24-26, 2012


This past May a few members of the Evergreen Crawlers made the trek down to join Piston's Wild at TSF for Memorial Day weekend. Dellstopjeepers, Chero-car, Nightfoam, and I attended the run.

They extended the invite to show us around their home turf at Evans Creek this past weekend. After having attended a past Evans run with them a few years ago, I was definitely looking forward to this run all summer.

Eric and I headed out of Woodland, around 5:00pm Friday. Evans Creek is an easy three hours away. No traffic, and almost all highway.

One of the things I love about Evans creek are the amazing views of Mt. Rainier. Heading up the gravel road, we got some awesome views of it as the sunset.

I was just happy my junk made it this far.

We arrived at the campground a little after 8:00. That's where we found the small metropolis of the Piston's Wild/Evergreen Crawler Base camp. Eric and I got the last open spot in the campground. Joe (WaXJ_Skier) graced us with his presence for the weekend as well.

We enjoyed the camp fire Friday swapping stories. Saturday morning rolled around, and after a quick drivers meeting we were lining up for the trails.

First trail of the day for our group was the 520.

The 520 is a good trail to start the day off with. It's got a few tight sections, a few off camber parts, and a good rock out cropping. Floyd was having some battery issues with the Yota, Eric pulled up to give him a jump.

Tony of the Evergreen Crawlers coming up the trail.

The LJdude.

Continued up the trail to the rocks.

The "Nail Salon" back on the trails!

After finishing the 520 with no major trouble, we headed back down the road to regroup. Some awesome views of Rainier along the way.

Regrouped at the upper staging area.

 

[TORX]

Eric being green.

The group set off for the 196 trail. Doug of the EC's running through the brownliquidfilled thing at the bottom.

The 196 starts off with a good rock face obstacle. Maureen piloting the Side X Side up it.

Dustin of the EC's.

David brought out his new project to the trails. It's a work in progress, and the 196 proved to push it to it's limit by putting it on it's side. The cool thing about a Sami is, it only takes a few people to push it back over.

LJdude.

The group pushed on up the 196. We had a total of 19 vehicles of all different capabilities. Progress was slow at times, but during the down time it was fun to visit with one another. Continuing on we got to a pretty off camber corner with a nice root off to the low side. Luckily it was dry and you could hold the line, but the stress level was through the roof watching the back window inch by the root.

Further up the trail there's a few good rock ledges to climb.

Onto the 198.

The 198 was pretty straightforward, and the group was able to cruise down it pretty quick. After a short break a few headed back to camp, while the rest of us pushed on to the 519.

The main obstacle on the 519 is the rock face.

Eric got tired of driving and tossed the keys at Joe. Firedrill run?

Wheelbase definitely helps. Tommy stuck the line, but when he lost traction he was sitting on the rear bumper.

On the cable.

 

[TORX]

Gave Eric my camera. He took a portrait of TORX.

No bubbles, no troubles!

With an open front and short wheel base, Curtis played it safe and employed the help of his "vintage" Superwinch.

After the rock face there's still a few more rocks to conquer. Douglas giving some eyes.

Once we finished the 519 we popped out on top.

This is why we say 80" max width.

Once we returned to camp we prepared for the Saturday Night Evans Creek Feast. Three dudes trying to make cheesy potatoes. Thankfully Joe knows how to cook.

Talk about a feast. We even had Ice Cream!

After dining in style, word of a night run began to spread. A few of the Evergreen Crawlers headed out to run the 311. Joe took his YJ, while Eric and I brought up the tail in the Nail Salon. Good times!

At the top of 311B we found the remains of a burned Cherokee. Those who ran the trail in the morning said it was still on fire when they passed. I guessed it burned due to electrical fire, and nobody had an extinguisher. Talk about a bad day! It was still putting off heat when we were there.

Sunday rolled around rather quickly, and we were rolling out for the 102 around 10:00. TORX was tail gunning. At least nobody was behind me.

We passed this ZJ at the bottom of the 102 featuring full float steering.

Winding up the 102.

It's not often I see glass deflect under pressure. Eric ended up taking out his window on this one.

We finished the 102, and regrouped at the top. A few people continued onto the 198 and 520, while some of us headed back to camp.

All in all, I think I came away from Evans pretty well compared to past trips. No new dents, and just a good scuff on the rear. The Dellstopmobile and the Nail Salon have matching tattoos.

It was a fun trip, and it was great to get the Jeep back on the trails. Looking forward to wheeling with the EC's again soon.

 

[FiveNdime]

I have a set of rear tinted quarter glass 20 bucks for the set if he wants them.

 

[josefxj97]

i need to my heep finished and get back up there. looks like it was a good run.

 

[98CherokeeSport]

Thanks for the invite...

 

[Bronzewyrm]

Thanks for the invite...

YA..., X2

Bronze.

 

[TORX]

I have a set of rear tinted quarter glass 20 bucks for the set if he wants them.

He's now sporting one from Jeepforceone. TORX even did the install.

Thanks for the invite...

Up for an Elbe run soon (September)? I need a guide.

YA..., X2

Bronze.

I don't cross post other clubs runs. I considered seeing if you were interested, but I figured the Bronzemobile was still down for repair.

 

[Bronzewyrm]

I don't cross post other clubs runs. I considered seeing if you were interested, but I figured the Bronzemobile was still down for repair.

eh it is, this would hae been great modivation to get er done. had i known.
oh well ill get mine eventualy.

Bronze.

 

[jeremybigs]

someone else didnt have a good weekend. dont know the story on it. i saw it in the parking lot looked great then heard later on the cb some one talking about a burnt down cherokee so had to go see it. one guy said it was his first run and he had a electrical fire under the dash but who knows. didnt see any sign of fire extinguishers. saw you guys up there but too busy fixen my shit to say hi.