CSC is invited...12/30 TRAIL RUN

....to a place you've never been.

Details:
https://forum.ih8mud.com/showthread.php?t=125356

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OK folks, I'll bet nobody on this forum has run the trail we're running on the 30th? It's the perfect winter run. It gets even more interesting if it's wet. Run it BEFORE they close it. It took Becky and myself THREE scouting runs to even find the way through the mountains. Details on trip below:

Trail Run: Tortolita Mountains from Catalina to Marana (east to west)

Meeting place: Catalina...McDonalds

Meeting time: 10:00 AM...Pull-out at 10:15

Trip length: 4-5 hours

Trail rating: Mostly a 2.5, some 2.0 in and out of the mountains, some 3.0 up in the mountains and along a side-trail. There also is one very steep and optional hill climb. All Land Cruisers are capable to complete this trail though stock ones will take a few of the bypasses. A wet day will increase the trail rating (and fun) on this trail.

Brush: Mostly light. There is an optional side trip in the mountains that has a few brushy spots though we cut down most of it when in there in our 100-series.

There has been some talk about closing these roads. Let's experience the mountains while we can? We're talkin' remote country.

Directions from the Phoenix area to Catalina:

EAST VALLEY: Go through Florence then down to Oracle Jct. Catalina is 4 miles south of the Junction on AZ77.

WEST VALLEY: I-10 to the Red Rock exit. Exit and go LEFT onto WEST-bound I-10 frontage road. A mile down the road (back toward Phx) turn right onto Park Link Drive. Follow this for about 18 miles to AZ79 (the road that connects Florence and Oracle Jct). Turn right onto south AZ79 then right again onto AZ77 at Oracle Jct. and follow to Catalina.

IF YOU PLAN ON COMING PLEASE LET ME KNOW VIA EMAIL...OR ON THE FORUM SITE. THANKS!

I would like to go on this one...sounds cool...how high is the elevation? Any chances for snow?

The roads hit about 4000 feet. Down here 4000-feet can be snowy for sure. Will it snow on the 30th? IT'D BE COOL!

CSC: You should have joined us. It was an awesome trip. DON'T MISS JOE CHOTT'S near rollover video:

This turned out to be a super trip! Perfect weather and a great group for four-wheelers! Becky and I drove the Lexus, then we had 4 80-series Cruisers (Walt and Tammi, Joe Chott, Brad and Alice Musil, and Richard and sons), one in a FJ62 (Steve), Chuck in his Jeep Wrangler, and Randy in a new-series Tacoma. Thanks to Randy we veiwed some petroglyphs. And thanks to Joe Chott for his rock-crawl session...can you say "near-rollover?" Joe's and expert driver though this obstacle put him close to being on his side...DON'T MISS THE VIDEO. The trip is very scenic, the side trip offered some nice challenge, and overall the run was a success. Trail rating today...mostly a 2.5 with some 3.0 sections.

THANKS TO EVERYONE WHO ATTENDED!

All pics are here: http://shottscruisers.smugmug.com/gallery/2297352

DO NOT MISS JOE CHOTT'S KILLER VIDEO IN THE ROCK CREEK:
http://shottscruisers.smugmug.com/photos/120295035-O.mpg

Pics:

ShottsUZJ100 said:

CSC: You should have joined us. It was an awesome trip.

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I saw a CSC member's rig in the picture.

medtro said:

I saw a CSC member's rig in the picture.

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Yes, though I said this because I invited the Club before the rest ever planned the other 12/30 run. (Which is A-OK)

ShottsUZJ100 said:

Yes, though I said this because I invited the Club before the rest ever planned the other 12/30 run. (Which is A-OK)

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BS John, Mr Baggins post for the Gap was on 12-05-06, 06:11 PM, vs this one at 12-13-06 11:54 AM, but as you said it doesn't matter. I would have liked to make both, but some from here needed to be home early on Sat. and I couldn't swing two trips to Tucson in one weekend. What matters is it looks like everyone had a good time on both runs and more selection, choices is a good thing, good job by everyone involved!

PS, Joe's rock-crawl couldn't have been too hardcore, he is running those wimpy Nitto's and we know they cant wheel!

Tools R Us said:

BS John, Mr Baggins post for the Gap was on 12-05-06, 06:11 PM, vs this one at 12-13-06 11:54 AM, but as you said it doesn't matter. I would have liked to make both, but some from here needed to be home early on Sat. and I couldn't swing two trips to Tucson in one weekend. What matters is it looks like everyone had a good time on both runs and more selection, choices is a good thing, good job by everyone involved!

PS, Joe's rock-crawl couldn't have been too hardcore, he is running those wimpy Nitto's and we know they cant wheel!

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Why is this an issue Kevin? How does it matter?

Alvin picked the Gap for the 31st.

Then later, on the other thread (Holiday Wheeling) folks were discussing what to do on the 30th. I even posted a reminder on that thread about my AzLCA run on the 30th. Nobody responded to that and others later decided on a run by Phx. That's OK.

Tools R Us said:

PS, Joe's rock-crawl couldn't have been too hardcore, he is running those wimpy Nitto's and we know they cant wheel!

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Joe Chott....good thing you put the smiley faces. He's the best off-road driver I've ever witnessed and he keeps blowing my mind. (No offense to anyone)

In fact....while on topic....I think we need to get off our a**es, ready-fy our trucks for possible hurts, and just DO IT! Do what?

RUN ELVIS! RUN IT SOON!

Here's a pic of Joe from Elvis. So far, he's the only one I know who's run it in a 80-series.

ShottsUZJ100 said:

Why is this an issue Kevin? How does it matter?

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It doesn't matter. There was a full schedule of holiday wheeling (a good thing) and most couldn't make all of the runs, that's life.

ShottsUZJ100 said:

Joe Chott....good thing you put the smiley faces. He's the best off-road driver I've ever witnessed and he keeps blowing my mind. (No offense to anyone)
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I didn't say or mean to infer anything about Joe's driving ability. I simply made a joke about his tires, the same tires that I and several others here run and catch grief about being wimpy.

Tools R Us said:

It doesn't matter.

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Exactly.

I actually thought it was cool that there were multiple trail runs going on over the holidays. The PHX run 12/30 wasn't meant to be competition, but was due to me needing to put my truck in storage in Fountain Hills by Saturday 6 p.m....

ChaseTruck said:

I actually thought it was cool that there were multiple trail runs going on over the holidays. The PHX run 12/30 wasn't meant to be competition, but was due to me needing to put my truck in storage in Fountain Hills by Saturday 6 p.m....

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Yes. It's been a while since I've seen so much excitement in a short period. Now if we only get a huge snow storm. We'll be at Chiva daily.

ShottsUZJ100 said:

...Now if we only get a huge snow storm. We'll be at Chiva daily.

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Negative . Snow = skiing; Keystone next week. Snow in forecast starting Friday. Kinda hope they close I-70 AFTER we make it up there...

ShottsUZJ100 said:

CSC: You should have joined us. It was an awesome trip. DON'T MISS JOE CHOTT'S near rollover video:

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he looks pretty stable to me, but then again the camera never does it justice. looked like a great day there shotts