Another great trail day has passed, and I believe you couldn't have picked a better time to run the China Wall Trail. The weather was just perfect for "all windows down" style wheeling, with not an ounce of the white stuff to be found anywhere. Don, Sam, Leon, and a guy in a Jeep (sorry, but I forgot his name......probably because he had a Jeep, lol) showed up at the scheduled meeting location, while Justin and myself camped out the night before and met up at the trail head. Because of the current condition of the engine in my main wheeler, I led the group in my 31" tire'd stock '88 Isuzu Trooper. 
The capability of the vehicles in the group, combined with the lack of snow made for a pretty quick run through the trail, saving the play time for the way out. We made our way down to the river with no incidents, and stopped to enjoy the day, taking our time and letting the kids and dogs play in the water. Some of us were on the sidelines making bets on which child was going to slip on a rock and go in the drink first.
Most were relaxing in folding chairs catching up.
After lunch we headed back up the trail, discussing whether or not to run #204 on the way out; It was decided to run #204 and see how far we could get.
The group stopped at the rock garden section to see if anyone wanted to play, Don was the one who stepped up, and after trying a couple of lines, ended up putting on a show with the driver's side tire getting some HUGE air (pictures anyone?). After the impressive show, the '80 ended up firmly stuck in the rocks.
Down #204 we went, with everything going well, until we encountered a pretty bad downhill rock garden, which ruled out stock Isuzus, and gave Leon that fearful look that only a man with a Lexus and low hanging running boards can get (that first dent is the hardest, Leon). Since no one in the group would let me borrow their vehicle to try the obstacle - I tried pretty hard, too - it was decided to turn around and head back to the main trail.
The rest of the trip was us enjoying a drive back to the trail-head, surpassing a lot of ATV's and a group of JK wranglers, one of which we all agreed, must have been washed and waxed to get to the trail-head?! that shiny black paint was probably a pretty reddish brown color by the end of the day ha ha. Well that was our day...hope you feel like you were there... you should have been!!! See you next time.
The capability of the vehicles in the group, combined with the lack of snow made for a pretty quick run through the trail, saving the play time for the way out. We made our way down to the river with no incidents, and stopped to enjoy the day, taking our time and letting the kids and dogs play in the water. Some of us were on the sidelines making bets on which child was going to slip on a rock and go in the drink first.
Most were relaxing in folding chairs catching up.After lunch we headed back up the trail, discussing whether or not to run #204 on the way out; It was decided to run #204 and see how far we could get.
The group stopped at the rock garden section to see if anyone wanted to play, Don was the one who stepped up, and after trying a couple of lines, ended up putting on a show with the driver's side tire getting some HUGE air (pictures anyone?). After the impressive show, the '80 ended up firmly stuck in the rocks.
Down #204 we went, with everything going well, until we encountered a pretty bad downhill rock garden, which ruled out stock Isuzus, and gave Leon that fearful look that only a man with a Lexus and low hanging running boards can get (that first dent is the hardest, Leon). Since no one in the group would let me borrow their vehicle to try the obstacle - I tried pretty hard, too - it was decided to turn around and head back to the main trail.
The rest of the trip was us enjoying a drive back to the trail-head, surpassing a lot of ATV's and a group of JK wranglers, one of which we all agreed, must have been washed and waxed to get to the trail-head?! that shiny black paint was probably a pretty reddish brown color by the end of the day ha ha. Well that was our day...hope you feel like you were there... you should have been!!! See you next time.
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