this trail is deceptive, man! Lockwood in the beginning was fine. One tight spot at the very beginning and then OK.
But then right after a newb like myself became a bit more (over?)confident, you hit Miller where it got pretty gnarly for stock rigs. Basically no way one could do it without bashing metal. Several pretty tight spots between and over big pointy rocks. Add to that a sprinkling of mud, and snow and an unlocked stock rig would be hard pressed to not get stuck. Amazingly, towards the end it was steep enough and slippery enough that it was hard to walk up or down the trail without slipping and sliding. I kid you not. Where we got stuck the first time, some bikers had to dismount to go down the trail.
Congrats to Rick for major fortitude (no lockers, street tires, 4 days old truck). He had to be winched a couple of times on nasty spots but through no fault of his own, wheels just spinning trying to get over big rocks. Congrats to Sammy (no lockers, ATs) also for powering through the second nasty spot without need for winching. Nicely done! He didn't see it but got close to opening his entire right side like a sardine can!
Me, lockers and MT/Rs on a stock rig, I was able to get through everything without winching either but it was very close several times for serious body damage. Was a bit stressful, I have to admit -until you get saturation point and don't pay attention to the sound of metal being scraped anymore.
The photos of the running boards above just give the wrong impression. That damage is minor compared to what could have happened!
Thanks to the 40 gang (Jeremy, Dave, Ian) and Mike and Jim for winching when necessary and good advice and moral support (like yelling "Go, Go, Go!" and "More power!").
Folks, don't go there with a stock rig (e.g. with running boards)! Not smart! In fact plain stupid with a 15K+ rig unless you are prepared to lose at least your running boards and have a serious chance of more grievous body damage. Not to mention getting stuck on the side of the mountain (forget tow trucks there). In retrospect, I'm amazed that nobody seemed to come out with a dented rocker panel or door. (I am afraid to go look under the truck so the jury is still out on that...) Folks, don't do what I (edited per request: was "we") did. Check the trail first before going up! Don't let the 40 or built80 guys tell you the trail is easy and you'll be just fine!
(Didn't see the sign on the trail that said "Most difficult..."
)
And bring a spotter. Essential!
Guys, these rigs are awesome! Looking back at the trail, I would never have thought a stock 80 could make it! Oh, and yes, those of you still looking, get the lockers!
All in all, a very interesting day. Half fun, half pure hell but certainly interesting! Would have been much more fun with sliders, though (if one doesn't lose a door)!
thanks to all
Eric
SETHZILLA!
Rather than risk not even making to Gorman to come and play with you guys i figured it just wasn't meant to be...... next time!
I just knew I was gonna blow my other committment for the day at the pace you guys were moving. What took 2 hours going in only took me 40 minutes to backtrack alone. 
