 |
Archived Newsletter |
 |
April 2005
|
RED ROCK REVISITED With a strong possibility of rain in the forecast we needed two different scenarios for the Red Rock run March 19, 2005. We needed a plan "B." We didn’t want to be caught climbing up a canyon during a strong rainstorm, but we run of the proper duration with some degree of difficulty and maybe, "high" ground to enjoy a rainy day. Luckily, Thursday there was no rain, so I decided to prerun the first leg, and possibly the wettest part of our journey. With an old friend along in his Rubicon, we tackled Last Chance Canyon. The canyon hadn’t changed much since last year except that there were a number of rocks that had to be removed from our path. and midway the road had been partially washed away. With all the stops and the advance foot travel it took nearly 2 and ½ hours to complete this leg. On Friday, with the sun still shining, we took on scenario number 2. We picked up the trail where we left off on Thursday and designed a run to stay on high ground in case of rain. Saturday came and at precisely 9:00 am we had 6 Jeeps and one Cherokee ready for the day’s adventure. Even the Sullivan/Vique clan was on time. We waited until 9:15 AM to see if we had any stragglers and began our journey. Joinging Casey and I on this month’s adventure were the Sullivans James, April, Brooke, Devyn, and Tyler (Travers), the Viques Andy and Matthew (Elaine stayed back to care for 7 week old Jacob), the Metulas Bob and Pat, the Franks, Steve, Michelle, Steven, and Ashley, Ric Jones and guests Mike and Allie Nieto. There had been light rain of Friday night and the forecast
was for more of the same but it hadn’t started yet, so up Last Chance Canyon we
ventured. There were many puddles of water in the canyon but noting serious
enough to stop out FITS group. One Blue Jeep tried (unsuccessfully) to go over a
very large rock and had to be rescued but aside from that the entire group
successfully made the accent to Cudahy camp. After a brief stop we backed tracked about a mile and a half and proceeded south on EP11. A quick right turn south after the intersection with EP26 then another about a half mile further south led us to some very interesting mountains and a gnarly hill climb. Two small mountain s later we came onto a plain and another camp. We had never seen Holland Camp before and thoroughly enjoyed the scenery and old structures still on the site. We continued down EP11. I thought we’s be to the Randsburg Road soon but there in our path was a 2 wheel drive Explorer sport trak across the trail and buried to his frame. The mountainside was on one end and a large rock on the other. Without some FITS help he wasn’t going to be able to move soon. After some digging, the release of some air pressure in his rear tires, and just the right placement of rock, we had him put it in reverse. While seven FITS members pushed, tires spun, and large rocks flew over our heads, the car moved in reverse. It Worked! The Explorer was free. With many a thank you from his group, he took off out of there and down the hill to the highway. We finished our trip on EP11 and the RedRock-Randsburg highway at about 2:45 and aired up. Some of our group proceeded home and some to the General store in Randsburg for a cold, frosty root beer float. Several of our FITS members have told me that this was the best Red Rock trip yet, and I encourage all of you to come along for the fun in 2006.
THE CHEROKEE IS BACK? Jeep has announce their new model the Commander for ‘06 but it sure looks like the old Cherokee! While the Commander may look like the old Cherokee, it’s larger and has seating for 7.
HOW GREEN IS MY DESERT? How green is the desert? VERY!!! Besides being very green there are wildflowers everywhere. If you haven’t had a chance to get out and see it, you should do it soon, you never know when you’ll see it like this again.
BOOK REVIEW Because of peoples differences in reading preferences I generally hesitate to recommend a book, but there is one you might enjoy, it is anti environmentalists and "global warming" but is still a very interesting adventure novel, it’s titled "State of Fear" by Michael Crichton, of Jurassic Park fame. The Ribbon Coalition did a very good write up on it, that I’ve included in the printed newsletter. After about 5 -7 miles it dropped out of the mountains into the valley and the going got easier. We ended up making it to the highway at about 1:30, a short run.
Please check to make sure that you meet these minimum requirements. Click here. |
Copyright© 1999-2004 Fun In The Sun Fourwheelers. All Rights Reserved.
