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Archived Newsletter |
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October 2001
For more trip information, see TRIPS. |
CONTENTS |
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TRIP REPORT BORREGO TO BANNER All the participants showed up on time and they included: Jim Bays with guest Jim Galbraith, Ric Jones, Bob & Pat Matula, Brad Quick and daughter Serra (age 2-1/2), and Jon & Dale Rice. My wife Carolyn awaited my return at a B & B in Julian. The meeting place was near enough to a gas station (4 miles away) that the Rices were able to go over and top off at $2.13 a gallon ($1.79 at Sunshine Summit). We went off on Highway 2 to Ranchita, to Culp Valley Road. Once on the dirt we went about 200 yards to aid down and BS. While we were doing this activity two Rangers showed up in their Cherokee with a 12 gauge shotgun on the dash. They didn't stop, but went up the road to Jasper. Then the Rangers airplane flew overhead and after making about 6 passes to look us over he went off to the northwest. You might say this was pretty heavy security. We wound our way up Jasper and stopped off at "The Slab" for a look see. After a little while we continued on the Jasper Trail. The road had washed out in a few places and we had to take a few "go arounds" while the more adventurous took the hard way. They made it fine. The trail was just full some kind of sheep tracks and dung. We speculated whether the sheep were domestic or of the wild variety. At the bottom of Jasper we took Grapevine Canyon south to Yaqui Wells. It was pretty uneventful except for Jim Bays' s Jeep stopping every so often with fuel delivery problems. He would cool off a regulator and it would run until it would heat up again, and stop. Finally it was suggested that we back track a little and pick up a short trail that goes to the highway. We hit the highway and within a few miles we were at Tamarisk campgrounds where we had lunch. We parked under the trees on the highway just outside the campgrounds and jumped the fence to eat our lunches at a picnic table. The shade was welcome since rather warm. The weather report claimed that the temperature at Borrego was 108 degrees that day. Jim decided that he had better head off home rather than try the climb up to Banner. We waved good-bye to Jim (not often do we end up with less on the run than what started). At the Scissors crossing he headed west with his cell phone fully charged, while we went east to Oriflamme and Rodriguez Canyon. We got the to the split of Oriflarnme and Rodriguez and everyone was given the option of which way to go. It was unanimous, Rodriguez, so off we went. About I mile later we caught up with a group of about twelve vehicles from the San Diego Fourwheelers lined up on the trail. Ric and I talked to the leader and he said he had been there a couple of months ago. I told him that we were there two weeks ago and the trail was pretty washed out and someone had moved a few rocks around. These guys had some real heavy duty equipment, like stuff you see in magazines. The decision was made not to wait for them and forgo this trail and head back to Oriflamme and chariot Canyon to get to Banner. We made our way up the trail without any problems, just a few stops to look and appreciate the road builders efforts in building such a steep grade. It didn't seem that steep until you look down on the trail that you just came up and realize how steep it was. We arrived at Banner about 3:00 for the "Ice Cream Social", aired up, hooked up, and headed home. When I got back to Julian I met Caroline and some gal she had met at lunch. When this gal saw me and my Jeep she told Carolyn "Gee, you people didn't look like Jeeper." I wonder what she meant. I would like to thank Dennis Sullivan for helping me on the pre-run and talking me into going up Rodriguez.
PANAMINT VALLEY DAYS DONATION Rick Schaffer picked up a Jump Starter battery pack for $53.97 for the club to donate to the Panamint Valley days raffle.
THAT TIME OF YEAR Whenever money is due we end up losing members. If you are to be one of them, please give Rick Schaffer a call to let him know before he starts bugging you for the money. Thanks!
TRIP COMMITTEE Don't like the runs we've been having? Have a location you would like to suggest for a trip? Would like to lead a trip? Here's your chance! The trip committee will be meeting soon, so call Dave Felando and let him know that you would like to be part of the committee and the planning process, Get involved!
I would like to thank everyone that has either led a run or has been the "tail gunner" this year, especially Rick Schaffer. It seems like he's leading more than his share of the runs. I would also like to thank the "rookie" trip leaders of Dennis Sullivan, Dave FeIando, and our First Lady 'of Fourwheeling Dale Rice for Stepping up to the plate and leading us through the wilderness. As leaders we've gotten a little spoiled lately. Rarely does anyone get stuck, need a strap, or break something. It sure makes the job of leading that much easier, but the trip reports a little more boring, no one to pick on. Come on guys, give me some material! I would also like to thank Jungle Jim for maintaining our website. We get a lot of guests because of it Good job Jim!
In past years we have either had the November meeting a week early, Or didn't have one. This year the meeting will still be the last Wednesday of the month. Also, a reminder that there won't be a December meeting.
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