Can I make it up Heart Attack Hill in Anza?

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AdventureBuddies

AdventureBuddies

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Hey dudes. Just looking for any insight on Heart Attack Hill as it applies to a top-heavy, lifted 80. With the Maggiolina and bridging ladders on top, I have about 250lbs on the roof - not ideal for COG.

Everything I've seen about Heart Attack Hill in Anza is the bad stuff - rolled Broncos and Jeeps breaking axles trying to make it up. Are these the fault of stupid drivers and weak build quality, or is it actually "extreme?"

The YouTube videos show trucks with a rear tire 5 ft off the ground going down hill and some rigs doing a wheelie cause it's so steep going up - which is why I'm worried about being top heavy. I know I can make it from the traction perspective, but I'm not interested in flopping end over end backwards.
 
If it's one of two 'decents' I remember from Anza, it's recommended that you only go DOWN and not up either one.
 
No you can't. It's a one-way directional trail - down.
 
Bluetribal said:
Yeah and you can't go down it unless you really want to jack up your cruiser going through the Squeeze!!!
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Yeah, I know I can't fit through The Squeeze so that's why I thought about going up it basically just to run half the trail. Sounds like the concensus is "no" so I'll avoid it.
 
No need to avoid it - go down it - lots of fun!

DO avoid the squeeze - IIRC someone took measurements and 80's have about 1 inch of clearance, not accounting for any off camber stuff! Isn't there a bypass for The Squeeze?
 
Hey Markus, when are you going to Anza? I'm heading down there on Saturday with some guys from Outdoor Adventure.

I think I will avoid this "Squeeze" in the Excursion!
 
Jon,

there seems to be some confusion, so let me try to clarify. We are not, and never were, planning on going through the squeeze or down Pinyon Dropoff (aka Heart Attack Hill). We are going to approach the dropoff from the Fish Creek side up to the base, and turn around and exit the way we came in.

Now we are going to do another dropoff, Diablo Dropoff, which is muck easier and doable with a large rig like yours. The section at the bottom can get a little tricky, but you shouldn't have any issues.

I posted a reply to your question over on the OAUSA site. Hope that helps.
 
Hey Jon. I'll be out there the last weekend of Jan. We're camping in Ocotillo Wells and planning on a trail run to the Diablo Drop-off - which I'd like to go up this time. I then thought I'd detour to the bottom of Heart Attack Hill which is why I posted the original question about going up. Anyway, we may still head over to check it out for curiosity since I haven't been over that way.
 
AdventureBuddies said:
Diablo Drop-off - which I'd like to go up this time.
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Not trying to be a jerk, but that is a one-way trail also. I know there are a lot of people that go up it, but it is down only. There are 3 directional trails in the park:

Diablo dropoff
Pinyon dropoff
Buttes Pass/ The Slot

Here's the map:

http://www.parks.ca.gov/pages/638/files/ABDSPmap.pdf


Please obey the rules, or they are just going to keep shutting down trails, like they did with Sandstone canyon.
 
sdnative said:
Not trying to be a jerk, but that is a one-way trail also.
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No worries - no jerkness interpreted. My understanding is that it's "one way only" because it's assumed that regular vehicles can't make it up the other way. Sort of like a liability warning of sorts - don't try to go up cause you won't make it and you'll have to backtrack. Afterall, in the downhill direction, Diablo Droff-off is suitable for stock vehicles - I made it in a Lexus GX470 and my buddy was in Pathfinder. Both were bone stock with running boards and low hanging pretty plastic bumpers.

What do you think would be the reason for enforcing a downhill only rule for the Diablo Drop-off?
 
AdventureBuddies said:
What do you think would be the reason for enforcing a downhill only rule for the Diablo Drop-off?
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Well, not sure exactly, but I am guessing it has to do with the sand being pushed downhill with all the tire spinning and stuff associated with trying to make it up the hill. As this happens, more and more of the top gets eaten away. I'm pretty sure the one-way only applies to the long sandy hill, and not the lower small section, although one of the secondary dropoffs at the bottom has a sign stating no vehicles. Even though, it has clearly had some vehicle activity.

Like these guys from hummer-x club. Every time I see a video form these fools I get a little tweeked. It just seems they have little regard for the rules. The section from 3:30 to 5:35 is the part I am talking about. You can see the sign at 4:08 and 5:32:

YouTube - Hummer X Club Anza Borrego HXC H1 H2 H3 Diablo Drop-off



Now, I do like a challenge as much as anyone, but I feel that if we don't obey the rules and police ourselves, our dear and loved trails are going to be shut down.

Anyway, have fun out there and enjoy some amazing scenery.
 
In regards to that Hummer video. How much freaking lights do you need to blind the guy driving the truck in front of you? :rolleyes:
I guess someone spent $$$ on putting lights on a Hummer and couldn't wait for it to get really dark. Dork.

Those drop offs sure do have tell tale signs someone was powering their way up those. I guess some people see offroading as tearing and spinning as much dirt as you can. :meh:
 
sdnative said:
Now, I do like a challenge as much as anyone, but I feel that if we don't obey the rules and police ourselves, our dear and loved trails are going to be shut down.
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So true. I'm a big proponent of obeying park service regulations. We have these kind of issues in the rock climbing community all the time.
 
I have driven up and down it in my fj40 with no problems, going down is much easier for sure, but if you take it slow it's not bad, has anyone ever driven an 80 through the squeeze? or is that suicide? just curious if it is even possible, my fj40 always slaps the side when I drive through......
 
I went to have a look at HAH... It is indeed a serious climb or descent. Pretty easy to roll I think. I don't think I'll do that one.
I did measure the Squeeze and it is indeed within about 1 or 2" or an 80's width IIRC. With the rocking looks like a sure case of significant body damage.
Note that if you approach from the other side there is a ledge to negotiate about a mile or so downhill that may not be trivial either. Probably best not to be alone for that one either.
 
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