 |
Archived Newsletter |
 |
February 2008
|
PINYON MOUNTAIN TRIP After worrying about wind all weekend, the day turned out to be really nice. The wind was down and the temps were in the high 60’s. The Kellys, Schaffers, and Courseys were camped and staying at the hotel/campground and the Rices stayed at Peg Leg with the Murdocks. All the rest drove out for the day. Meeting at Christmas Circle in Borrego Springs were the Kellys, Courseys, Matulas, Rices, Tom Pastore, Bob & Sally, and myself. Suzy stayed back at the hotel/campground to enjoy the pool and spa. Our guests were Jeff Coursey (Paul & Debbie’s son), Ryan Primosch & Cathy Fix, Mark Miller, and Mike & Sandy Murdock all the way from Bullhead City. The Murdocks are friends of the Rices and were new to 4 wheeling, and driving a Samurai. So Bob & Sally decided to take them on an alternate tour while the rest of us headed south to Pinyon Mountain. The plan was to meet back up with them somewhere between Ocotillo Wells and Split Mountain. We were airing down at the trailhead by 10 and headed out on firm, dust free trail as a result of recent rain. A few miles in we passed some mountain bikers. Normally, the trail is too sandy for that type of activity. We made it to the "Squeeze" just as a group of four Jeeps were getting through. This gave the folks who were new to it a chance to watch how important it is to watch a spotter. Since my "super experienced and excellent spotter" (my wife) stayed back at camp, Carol graciously accepted the duty. All those who followed direction did well. Nobody got any damage coming through, although it got scary at times. Mike’s Jeep, with the wide tires and rims, was a tight fit. Then it was on to the rock garden, just before Heart Attack Hill. We stopped there to hike down the wash a ways to see the view and the reason why we turn up into the rock garden instead of continuing down the wash. There’s about a 50 foot waterfall. Matula was behind me, and about half way up, he got a flat on the right front. About a 2" slash in the sidewall. We got him to semi-level ground and proceeded with the tire change, Indy 500 style. After about 20 minutes, we finished the climb and headed for Heart Attack Hill. Not much different than before. We caught up to those 4 Jeeps once again but they were already down. One by one, we all slid into the first hole at the top, then crept on down. Lots of pictures were taken. From there I figured we were pretty much done with the hard stuff, so I slipped it into 4 high and took off. The terrain is hill and gully but easy. Then we came upon those Jeeps once again. The second one in their group (in a CJ-5) was having trouble getting up a steep climb. Seems he didn’t have lockers and kept getting sideways on the hill and was at risk if tipping. After much maneuvering, he finally made it up. I didn’t remember this hill climb being that bad. There’s a deep hole against the hill on the right side about one third of the way up. You need to hug tight to the hill and straddle the hole to get up. I didn’t do that, and my right rear got into the hole. This brought my left front tire way up, and everyone thought I was going over backwards (ala Jim Bays). I was able to stay put while engaging my front locker and made it on over. Everyone else followed the right line and had no trouble. From there, it was pretty much high range all the way into Split Mtn. where we had lunch, and soon after, hooked up with Bob & Sally and the Murdocks. We then proceeded on to Ocotillo Wells and pavement. Tom Pastore, Ryan & Cathy, Mark Miller, and Jeff Coursey all took off from there and the rest of us headed over to Buttes Pass road where Bob & Sally split off with the Murdocks, while the rest of us headed for Borrego Mountain drop-off. The drop-off is similar to Heart Attack, only real sandy. Some folks with an Isuzu Trooper were parked at the top and were amazed that we all just headed down the hill without even stopping to check it out. Once we got out of the canyon and into San Felipe wash, we met up, again, with Bob & Sally. From there, we stayed in the wash all the way back to Borrego Springs and exited at the dump. For the most part, it was easy wheeling, but a great day to be out enjoying the desert. We all met for dinner back at the hotel where we enjoyed (?) "Western-Chinese" cuisine.
YOU KNOW YOU HAVE A REAL JEEP WHEN... 1. If you use a hose to clean the inside and outside. 2. You can air up your tires without stopping at a gas station. 3. When the best route from point A to point B involves a dirt road. 4.When a scratch or dent is a beauty mark. 5. You roll it over and don’t get upset. 6. Your mom and dad can’t get into it without help. 7. You judge each hill you see by how much fun it would be to climb it. 8. You get custom pin striping from trail brush. 9. When you are forced to add TJ, CJ, YX, KK to your spell checker. 10. When you have all your credit card numbers memorized. 11. When you slam the door and chunks of dry mud tumble to the ground. 12. You can’t hear your stereo over the noise of your tires on the highway.
SIERRA TREK Mark your calendar for Sierra Trek, August 7, 8, 9. Cal Four Wheelers has reserved the Cisco Grove camp grounds for the 6 through 9 of Aug Other than that no other news about the Fordyce Canyon run is available.
Please check to make sure that you meet these minimum requirements. Click here.
|
Copyright© 1999-2004 Fun In The Sun Fourwheelers. All Rights Reserved.
