FJ ROCKS ARIZONA (FJ Cruiser Team Run) Saturday, June 10th

[crawler#976]

Prescott National Forest Enters Stage III Fire Restrictions
June 7, 2006
PRESCOTT, AZ - Prescott National Forest will increase fire restrictions on Thursday, June 8, at 8:00 am. Since the forest-wide fire and smoking restrictions went into effect May 11, 52 illegal and abandoned campfires have been found. “With forest visitor use increasing, along with illegal fires, temperatures and dry conditions; we have decided to increase our current fire restrictions”, said Forest Fire Management Officer Curtis Heaton.
The following are prohibited on the Prescott National Forest:

• Building, maintaining, attending or using a fire, campfire, charcoal, coal or wood stove. The use of pressurized liquid or gas stoves, lanterns and heaters meeting safety specifications are allowed.
• Smoking, except within enclosed vehicles or buildings.
• Use of explosives.
• Operating a chainsaw.
• Welding or operating acetylene or other torch with open flame.
• Possessing or using any motorized vehicle on Forest Service OHV trails, including Hayfield Draw, Sheridan Mountain/Smith Mesa, and Alto Pit OHV areas.
• Possessing, discharging or using any kind of firework or other pyrotechnic device.
• Discharging a firearm, air rifle, or gas gun.
• Dispersed Camping is prohibited on all Forest Service land with the Bradshaw Ranger. .

The following closures are in effect on the Verde Ranger District:

• Forest Trails 114, 108, 105 and 104 which begin on the rim of Mingus Mountain and end on Forest Road 413
• Beginning from the junction of Highway 260 and County Road 75, west to Forest Service Road (FSR) 132; northwest along FSR 132 to the section line between sections 25 and 26, Township 15 N, Range 3 East; north along the section line to FSR 413; north on FSR 413 to Highway 89A northeast to the Forest boundary; follow the boundary east and southerly along the private property boundary to the intersection with Highway 260; south on Highway 260 to the junction with County Road 75.

EXEMPTIONS:

• The residents and guests may enter the closed areas when traveling directly to and from their private properties.
• Camping is permitted at the following developed recreations sites on the Bradshaw Ranger District:
  • • Lynx Lake Campground
    • Groom Creek Horse Camp Campground
    • Hilltop Campground
    • Upper Wolf Creek Group Campground
    • Lower Wolf Creek Campground
    • Yavapai Campground
    • Granite Basin Group Campground
    • White Spar Campground
    • Hazlett Hollow Campground
    • Turney Gulch Group Campground

• Discharge of firearms permitted within the Granite Basin shooting area.

The restrictions will remain in effect until forest officials determine that conditions have changed sufficiently to reduce the risk of a human-caused wildfire. Violation of these prohibitions is punishable by a fine of not more than $5,000, imprisonment of not more than 6 months, or both.
The public is reminded that day-use and developed recreation sites forest wide will remain open. Dispersed camping will be allowed on the Chino Valley Ranger District and the Verde Ranger District, except in the closure area. Please help keep our forests free from fires for the duration of this fire season.
For current information on fire restrictions, closures or wildfires on the Prescott National Forest, call 928-777-5799.
For further information about fire restrictions on public lands in Arizona and New Mexico, call toll free 1-877-864-6985 or visit http://gacc.nifc.gov/swcc/ .

[RokCrawlinToy]

Hey everyone,
We are looking forward to wheeling & meeting everyone tomorrow!!

Ron Q

[inkpot]

HELP! I just found out that the bearing caps in the yoke have spun loose in my rear drivehsaft. I can't get it fixed before the FJ trip. Anyone got any empty right seat? John Bricker

[crawler#976]

Well, it was an interesting day!

Ended up splitting into two groups from Mayer. We had 19 in the group for the "easy" trail run. They got to tour a good portion of the mountains south of Presott. We took a trail from Humboldt/Dewey to Walker, then over Mt. Union, and then headed south to Crown King on the Senator Hyw. Ended up getting to Cleator in time to see a few of the DeSoto group. The trail offered everyone the opportunity to use low range and the traction control system on the FJ's. I was quite impressed with the traction control system! We ended up covering about 80 miles of dirt.

I didn't get more than 2 or 3 photos - I was a bit busy...

[JABS]

New to the FJ'ing, we were in that second group from Mayer. It was a great run, until the end--the leader forgot the 'trail ettiquete' & the front of the group ran off & left the second half---then we ladies had to stop for a 10-100 (pit stop) & another group ran off & left & three of us (including the tail runner without a CB) were left not knowing where they had turned. We just came back in the Senator Highway to Prescott & came on home----but abit of a downer---not getting to visit more with the group. Runs should really have a couple of stops for both genders & a lunch stop --up in the pines would have been awesome & always remember to watch the guy behind you--if you turn, wait for the next guy to show them the way. T'was fun to see what the FJ would do.

[crawler#976]

JABS,

Please accept my sincere apologies. I am ashamed that you were left behind.

While it is no excuse, I didn't hear your request for a pause. We stopped past the junction of Mt. Union and the Senator Hyw for a moment so that those not heading to CK and Cleator to turn, so I made an assumption that you had headed into Prescott. Indeed I was not prepared to lead a run - it was a last minute decision to avoid overloading the DeSoto trail. Ordinarily I would have had one of my buddies along to bring up the rear.

As a side note, the stock or slightly lifted FJC's that did finish the DeSoto run took some major damage. I know of two rear trailing arms that were bent, and one rear bumper that was badly damaged.

[ShottsUZJ100]

WOW! What a day this turned out to be!

#1 is to thank Toyota's FJ Cruiser Trail Team to answer my invitation to Arizona. to FJ TT!

The Trail Team asked me to promote this trip to attract as many people as possible. Man....50+ vehicles....they got their wish alright.

The attendees were split into 2 groups....2 LARGE groups, which made the typical "socializing" a bit difficult. Group one ran DeSoto and group two hit Mt. Union and Senator Hwy.

So, the day was long for everyone. There was some major damage to one FJ on DeSoto. Other than that I heard issues were fairly light overall. Brush wasn't trimmed as much as we all thought. Bummer on that. Double bummer to a new FJ Cruiser.

#2 is to all whom attended: THANKS for showing up and making this event a HUGE success for Toyota. While most didn't experience the normal "sweet day on the trail" due to the huge crowd, it sure was nice to be a part of such an event!

to all the attendees!

PICTURES OF THE DESOTO RUN ARE NOW POSTED ON MY WEBSITE:
http://shottscruisers.smugmug.com/gallery/1559148