Charouleu Gap FJC all the way

[TrAiLbUs1]

Just finished the Gap from the golder ranch side, man I had no idea how long that trail is. So appreciative that the Rough Riders have maintained this trail so that it hasn't been closed down, I wish there were more trails that long and abusive in the Tucson area . Have to get film developed will post Monday or Tuesday. Did the whole trail in 6 1/2 hours just my girlfriend and I (4 rolls of film later). Probably the first almost stock FJC to do the whole trail.?? Got hung up once in the "Car Wash" on my rear link for a few minutes but was able to get out of there unscathed, thank god, because we did not see another soul after that point (camping anyone). I need rock rails before I do that one again (close call).
FJC sunfusion MT six speed
16" black rockcrawler wheels
285/70/16 bfg allterrain
Rear link mod (supped up)
Atrac in conjunction w/ rear diff lock
Front body mount chop (for clearance of larger tires)
Stock suspension no mods

 

[ShottsUZJ100]

Didja go up the Step?

 

[desertdude]

Have to get film developed

that is something you don't hear to often - old school

 

[TrAiLbUs1]

Didja go up the Step?

I had never been to the gap before so the whole trip I was anticipating the step but did not find it, there must be a bypass now. The map I had, described it down between the carwash and coronado camp but we must have passed it. I did however do the west side step I don't know the name of it (the unsurviable)but it was hella steep watched some cherokee go up it took them 20 minutes per vehicle, I hit the obstacle within 45 seconds no second thoughts didn't skip a beat(i've got pics). The wash back there seems like it had flooded this last monsoon season pretty well(large boulders everywhere). Saw pics from a couple years ago and it looked easy in comparison(sand everywhere) now it's all been washed out. The high water mark was in some places 10 feet high, must be fun to run in the wet season. There was still a nice steady stream of water runoff from mt lemmon, made for pretty scenery. Down near where I understand the step is, we ran into a troop of coti mondis(15 or so) got some nice photos of them also(climbing trees and running amuck). I've got to get a digital camera, but you can't beat oldschool perfectly processed pictures by professionals.(my girlfriend is a photo developer )

 

[desertdude]

've got to get a digital camera, but you can't beat oldschool perfectly processed pictures by professionals.(my girlfriend is a photo developer )

that is too cool

 

[ShottsUZJ100]

I had never been to the gap before so the whole trip I was anticipating the step but did not find it, there must be a bypass now. The map I had, described it down between the carwash and coronado camp but we must have passed it. I did however do the west side step I don't know the name of it (the unsurviable)but it was hella steep watched some cherokee go up it took them 20 minutes per vehicle, I hit the obstacle within 45 seconds no second thoughts didn't skip a beat(i've got pics). The wash back there seems like it had flooded this last monsoon season pretty well(large boulders everywhere). Saw pics from a couple years ago and it looked easy in comparison(sand everywhere) now it's all been washed out. The high water mark was in some places 10 feet high, must be fun to run in the wet season. There was still a nice steady stream of water runoff from mt lemmon, made for pretty scenery. Down near where I understand the step is, we ran into a troop of coti mondis(15 or so) got some nice photos of them also(climbing trees and running amuck). I've got to get a digital camera, but you can't beat oldschool perfectly processed pictures by professionals.(my girlfriend is a photo developer )

Yezzz....makes sense. Coming from Catalina you can drive right by the Step because of the bypass.
And yep, that lower slickrock climb can be tricky. There's now a bypass by that whole section.
Good to here there's water in the CDO Wash. Can't wait until the frist big snow!

 

[TrAiLbUs1]

flexing floating t-rex arms!!!!

"The unsurvivable"

into the "CarWash"

Local rockhoppers

Coti mondis running amuck

Betsy basking in Charouleu's glory

"The Elevator"

 

[MaddBaggins]

Those are some great shots. I love that trail and don't do it nearly enough. Can't wait for the 31st.

 

[Relix]

WTF is that thing??

 

[-Spike-]

WTF is that thing??

Oddly enough, the only return on Google on 'Coti mondis' that was in English was this thread. I think he's found and named an entire new species.

-Spike

 

[-Spike-]

Best I could do: http://in.answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20060626085030AA28PsR

-Spike

 

[Relix]

Best I could do: http://in.answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20060626085030AA28PsR

-Spike

I guess so

kinda looks like this

http://www.animalsexotique.com/shop/getItem/004B/view

 

[AATLAS1X]

Dude, Thats a Raccoon.

http://www.canids.org/gallery/Popup19383.jpg

 

[GeoRoss]

Dude, Thats a Raccoon.

http://www.canids.org/gallery/Popup19383.jpg

Close, a coati. Close relative to the racoon.

 

[TrAiLbUs1]

Trust me raccoons can't do what I saw these guys do. Tree flyers, rock hoppers, mean bastards. They populate the entire south east region of AZ and NewMexico. Was such a treat to see them in the wild

 

[Blues Dawg]

White Nosed Coati or coatimundi, also called a Ringtail Cat - the State Animal of Arizona! Only time I've seen one, we suprised each other on my mountain bike.

 

[TrAiLbUs1]

I've seen ringtails before in reddington pass they are definatly different than these bad boys. Had a friend in New Mex that had coatis as pets(that was wild), so I'm very familiar with what they look like. Love your avatar bluedawg, use to own 2 shar peis such cool dawgs, do you breed them? My father is looking to get one since his dog passed away a year ago.

 

[dumass]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coati_Mundi

For the animal, see Coatimundi http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coatimundi

Coati Mundi is the stage name of Andy Hernandez, vibraphone player and member of Kid Creole and the Coconuts as well as Dr. Buzzard's Original Savannah Band, with longtime collaborator August Darnell (aka Kid Creole). He scored the Top 40 UK hit "Me No Pop I" in 1981, just before the release of Tropical Gangsters.

 

[Sean K.]

Jimbo? That you?

Sean

 

[TrAiLbUs1]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coati_Mundi

For the animal, see Coatimundi http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coatimundi

Coati Mundi is the stage name of Andy Hernandez, vibraphone player and member of Kid Creole and the Coconuts as well as Dr. Buzzard's Original Savannah Band, with longtime collaborator August Darnell (aka Kid Creole). He scored the Top 40 UK hit "Me No Pop I" in 1981, just before the release of Tropical Gangsters.

That's funny, are you serious??Tropical gangsters (better watch out for those tough guys)