Hackberry Creek trail

[LandCruiserPhil]

After seeing ACCASBEL pick’s on Hackberry Creek trail I needed to know more. Out comes the maps and presto I found it. So this morning I loaded my wife, daughter, and dog in the 80 and headed out. I explained to them that there was only 9.75 miles of off-road travel and a nice hike up Hackberry Creek and exit Oak Flat CG. Everyone was happy as we headed down the road. I would start at FR315 off HWY 177 and make my way up to the Powerline trail and drop down to Hackberry Creek trail run it and hike down the creek and exit Oak Flat campgrounds. Sounds EZ – NOT

This run needs it all – Tires, lift, protection, and a minimum of 1 locker and I strongly recommend 2. Body damage and breakage is likely if you are not equipped and possibly if you are. You have been warned!

When you start going up hill you will quickly realize if you should continue, if you are not comfortable on the first couple of hills turn back it doesn’t get any ez’r. The first hills are somewhat steep with covered in basketball size rocks and rock shelves (1-2 feet) that you need to drive during your accent. When you reach the powerline turn left and you are on the powerline trail going backward. A couple of years ago I ran the Powerline trail (3-3+) and it become a lot more challenging – big rocks that don’t move, lots of erosion and some off camber stuff giving it a 4 rating or maybe more in both directions.

Side note: Wife and Daughter are pissed big time

When you begin down the Powerline trail in reverse you are greeted with a steep off camber boulder field with one big rock in the middle that does not move but it is slider friendly (see pic). After negotiating
around the rock you come to one of the main obstacles on the Powerline trail. You need to drop off a steep ledge and control your ride so you run into S#$t at the bottom (see Pic). Control and sticking your line is important here. When I ran this obstacle forward a couple of years ago with the local Bronco Club 4 vehicles ended up with body damage. After you have reached this point the trail is still challenging but I was able to enjoy it with a normal heart rate. When I reached Hackberry Creek there were several vehicles there with no one to be found. After a short hike down into a beautiful creek were greeted by several rock climbers doing their thing (these guys/gals are crazy). When we left the creek heading back to Oak Flats CG we followed a Ford truck that bounced, slid, and threw rocks under hard acceleration up the switch back to Oak Flats. This is a great run but don’t run it alone with your wife. She’s still pissed

Phil

 

[LandCruiserPhil]

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[hj60]

Yeah. Like I said. I got to the one flat section, realized it only got harder
and turned back. And we started from Oak Flat with a mostly stock
Xtra-cab on 33s and my Jeep on 32s. It was fun, but I burnt up my e-brake
using it as a locker.
The hardcore guys we ran into kept on, but they were having issues with
the first half. The Scout's carb wasn't tuned for the altitude, and his t-case
shifter kept coming out of 4Lo The built Zukes had few problems,
other than the off camber.

I will go back. And I will finish it.

 

[RUSH55]

Looks and sounds awesome! Where abouts is this area located?

 

[LandCruiserPhil]

Just outside Superior

 

[RUSH55]

So I gotta ask, what's the wife so pissed about? Did you do any damage to the 80? And what size tires are you running on that?

 

[LandCruiserPhil]

Rush No real damage but rock rash on the sliders and a slight bend on the upper control arm bracket. Tires are 37” SSR. The wife felt she was mislead on the type of road we were on. Her reply was you do this kind of trail with your buddies not with your wife and she is right. She does not like the responsibility of spotting. But it wont be the last time.

Phil

 

[accasbel]

Phil; Didn't you notice the trail descriptor that stated "do not go alone"???

That looks real familiar... If I remember correctly.... Most of the drivers chose the left, dirt, off-camber line. I chose the right, boulder crawl line. Somewhere about where you are at my left-rear bead blew out as the truck had a good lean... Fun hill!!

And your pic going down the ledge, that is where the pic of me going up was taken.

I think I would like to go the direction you did. Our direction was challenging, but the return looked to have as many fun opportunities.

I have to be carefull taking the wife, she wants to drive and make me spot.

 

[LandCruiserPhil]

ACCASBEL I look hard at the boulder crawl line but it would have made my set up harder for the next drop off. So I just put the slider against the rock and pivoted around it. I perfer to go up the nasty stuff rather than down I like the control of going up better.

Did you go out on 315 or did you circle around on the Power Line trail back to Oak Flats? If I recall there is a lot of big rocks on the back side of Power Line.

ACCASBEL do you agree with my trail rating? When Im by myself I sometimes see things to be harder than if I was with another vehicle.

Phil

 

[accasbel]

I don't remember the trail designators/trail numbers, I was just along for the cruise.

If the definition is "Trail either never bladed or badly eroded. Stock vehicles are in jeopardy. Modifications for improved off-road performance and top driving skills needed." than yes, I'd have to agree with a 4 rating.