Before/after Christmas run? (6 Viewers)

[sdnative]

Here's a post on another forum about the same trail. It has some pictures of the switchback and tries to show how narrow it is. Another picture shows what we fondly call the "man hill" (comment about the 40% slope) which bypasses the switchback.

http://sdoffroad.blogspot.com/2012/.../carrizo-gorge-overlook-december-30-2011.html

 

[landcruising]

Last time I went the brush was overgrown a bit with some good pin striping potential. Winched a fj40 up the bypass section, and almost lost a 4runner with a bad brake on the switchbacks.

 

[sdnative]

Weather forecast is 40s and low 50s with 20% chance of rain. Dress warm

 

[Bluetribal]

Weather forecast is 40s and low 50s with 20% chance of rain. Dress warm

This week has been too crazy with work, I am going to just kick back this weekend! Have fun guys, be safe, and stay warm!

Sent from my iPhone using IH8MUD App

 

[cruiser_hopeful]

Pretty sure you won't have any issues. It just depends on how comfortable he is driving on narrow shelf roads. There is one spot in particular that has a very sharp switchback on a narrow shelf road, and requires at least a 3 point turn. The longer wheelbase of the tacoma may be an issue here, but if he's a seasoned driver, I'm pretty sure we'll be able to get you through.

There may be a couple of spots with tight brush, so you may get some light pinstriping. Haven't been out there in a couple of years, so not sure what the brush is like at the moment.

Is is locked?

He is definitely not a seasoned driver and neither am I. We are both fairly new to the off road world. He is not that concerned with the pinstripe but does not wanna damage the truck since he needs to drive it to his next duty station in Oklahoma. The truck does have the factory rear locker.

 

[1FZj80]

I will be home sick
Have a great trip.

 

[sdnative]

He is definitely not a seasoned driver and neither am I. We are both fairly new to the off road world. He is not that concerned with the pinstripe but does not wanna damage the truck since he needs to drive it to his next duty station in Oklahoma. The truck does have the factory rear locker.

Well, a couple of options then.

You can join us for the more mild first half up to Elliot Mine and along the border fence. There are a couple of off-camber spots but someone can spot you. Once we get back to the highway we can part ways.

Or you can continue with us for the second half around Table Mountain. Most of this is pretty mild except the last couple of miles to the overlook. When you start to feel uncomfortable, you can park the truck and hop in with one of us since we will return the same way, or you can hang out and do some hiking/rock climbing/whatever until we return. Just need to make sure we have enough empty seats in the group, but I don't think this will be a problem.

I think you'll have a great time whatever you decide.


EDIT: I re-read your post, and must have missed it but is it 4wd? Some of these trails are ok with 2wd but 4wd makes life much easier.

 

[cruiser_hopeful]

Brother in law left me hanging. He didn't even call to cancel on me :-(

 

[sdnative]

Steve and I explored the Table Mountain and Carrizo Gorge Overlook of Jacumba today. Since it was just two of us, we decided to skip Elliot Mine and explore some new areas north of the highway. We did the usual route to the overlook, but also took some new road that we hadn't been on before. One of these took us to the top of Table Mountain. The plateau was mostly volcanic rock and had a weird spongy feel to it. Here are some pics:

Airing down:



Random landscape shots:







Steve preparing to climb the man hill:



More random shots:





The overlook:









Heading up to Table Mountain:

 

[Bluetribal]

What! No shots of Steve doing Man Hill. Just a teaser before shot! BOOO!
Well at least you guys got out and wheeled unlike the rest of us who wished we had! But I am enjoying the old Coleman floor heater we fixed yesterday it's nice and toasty in my living room now!

 

[619TOY]

What! No shots of Steve doing Man Hill. Just a teaser before shot! BOOO!

Can't figure out how to attach stupid photobucket video...

But I am enjoying the old Coleman floor heater we fixed yesterday it's nice and toasty in my living room now!

Hey, is that the same one I gave you years ago still ticking?

 

[619TOY]

 

[Bluetribal]

Can't figure out how to attach stupid photobucket video...

You could just paste the web link to the video couldn't you?

Hey, is that the same one I gave you years ago still ticking?

No, I was actually talking about my house heater, Yes it's a Coleman as I learned yesterday.
It's like this but a double version.

 

[sdnative]

A couple of videos:

http://s117.photobucket.com/albums/o67/cheme02/Jacumba_20121229/?action=view¤t=LedgeDrop.mp4

http://s117.photobucket.com/albums/o67/cheme02/Jacumba_20121229/?action=view¤t=ManHill1.mp4

http://s117.photobucket.com/albums/o67/cheme02/Jacumba_20121229/?action=view¤t=ManHill2.mp4

 

[Brentbba]

Nice use of the skinny pedal in the 2nd video. Great shots!

 

[sdnative]

Nice use of the skinny pedal in the 2nd video.

I agree, a little too much.

I am now of the opinion that the man hill is a better route than the switchback, down for sure and up if you are able to climb it without spinning the tires too much. The switchback has developed a rather large hole requiring some pretty creative (and precarious IMO) driving.