Hello AZ

[-Spike-]

How was the brush on 393 Spike?

To be honest, I don't pay much attention, so don't put much weight in my answer. I don't remember much if any brush on the trail up to where we suspect the intersection of FR98 and FR393 is. After that point the trail looks like it was abandoned completely and we came across heavy resistance (remember I don't even NOTICE brush ordinarily, so when I say heavy, I mean it took parts of our vehicles with it). Also, we didn't find FR98, so I don't know what that looks like.

I can't stress enough that this trail is scary, though. Absolutely nothing difficult about it, except some spots where two tires WILL be lifted and you would need either a locker or a tug, but damn scary on ledge roads with a mogul on the high side and a 50 foot drop on the other, usually eroded as well. It's in need of some trail repair work, and I'm fairly certain the Nissan group won't want to pass some of those spots without fixing some of the erosion.

-Spike

 

[ShottsUZJ100]

To be honest, I don't pay much attention, so don't put much weight in my answer. I don't remember much if any brush on the trail up to where we suspect the intersection of FR98 and FR393 is. After that point the trail looks like it was abandoned completely and we came across heavy resistance (remember I don't even NOTICE brush ordinarily, so when I say heavy, I mean it took parts of our vehicles with it). Also, we didn't find FR98, so I don't know what that looks like.

I can't stress enough that this trail is scary, though. Absolutely nothing difficult about it, except some spots where two tires WILL be lifted and you would need either a locker or a tug, but damn scary on ledge roads with a mogul on the high side and a 50 foot drop on the other, usually eroded as well. It's in need of some trail repair work, and I'm fairly certain the Nissan group won't want to pass some of those spots without fixing some of the erosion.

-Spike

GLAD I ASKED. The scary ledge-mogul-drop crap freaks me out, though I've got a lot better about it.

I hear ya on the brush....when I'm in the '93 I don't notice. In fact, I WAS JUST ON THE MARTINEZ LOOP and I can't remember about brush. I was thinking of taking the 100 in their Saturday if I can go.

 

[BMAN]

Dude. If I can do it, YOU can do it. I just ran the Loop and THIS time the switchbacks DIDN'T freak me out. The road in the area though is MUCH worse than before. 2 80's did Yellow Belly and again I whimped out. I won't whimp again. Regrets are killing me after the fact. Here:
http://shottscruisers.smugmug.com/gallery/1127981

In fact....this might be my inaugural run for the Lexus, rather than Woodpecker. This Canyon Loop is about at the top of my nerves at this point. We'll see what that 5-inch Lexus does to change my mind.

I also plan to run this in the 100 if the condition stays the same. Difficult high but with very little risk for body scars though those bumpers will get scraped up again.

It's not that I'm scared of the switchbacks or even the Luge Bypass. It really is bad Mojo for me. One of those trails that no matter what I do theres always bad crap that happens out there. I have NO problem running... well "crawling" rather, all the way back to Yellow belly, but that's where I turn around and head back to the Cabins. I'm not much for superstitions, 'cept two. I will ALWAYS turn around and go back (20 miles if needed) when a black cat crosses my path, and I ALWAYS stop at Yellow belly ledge. There's a big assed forcefield of juju beyond which I prefer not to travel.

 

[RUSH55]

Black cat's crossing my path have always been either good luck or nothing. Go figure.
The only time I ever did the full Martinez loop, I lifted my front pass tire on a hairpin turn going up the switch-backs. Other than that, everything was swell. The Luge Bypass is way overrated, but there's no way in hell I'd ever do the Luge, it's just plain ridiculous.

 

[DSRTRDR]

in my FJ40, things look quite different: Martinez switchbacks didn't do much for me, scouted once or twice (man in front of me was too fast to watch), but uphill is usually fine by me; my hangup is steep downhills (Luge bypass; I'm sure it's all mental ;p). And the boulder field before the ledge was doable with prior demonstration and spotter (took a different route than the longer wheelbases).

I found Sunflower Mine loop just delightful, the right mix of scenery and wheeling.

Off-camber washouts continue to scare me; even if there isn't much of a drop, I hate lean. I can get a tire in the air so easily (particularly now that the frame is boxed up ), even in the bottom of Woodpecker Canyon). I always try to tell myself that the vehicle sure is more stable than it feels right now, but that mantra just doesn't do much for me. Anyone have a better slogan I could imprint into my mental repertoire?

 

[-Spike-]

Anyone have a better slogan I could imprint into my mental repertoire?

How about 'I probably won't die if I have my seatbelt on'?

-Spike

 

[desertdude]

Anyone have a better slogan I could imprint into my mental repertoire?

"It is a good day to die, I am just not ready yet" then focus on where you see yourself safe - and viola its dinner time...

 

[MaddBaggins]

I'll run Martinez all the way back to the ledge but this truck turns around at that point. No way in hell are ya gettin me to run the switchbacks again. That trail is BAD MOJO for this dude.

I get what you're saying. That's why I need to run that beehatch again! So I can tell the juju gods " I got yer bad mojo right here!"

 

[DSRTRDR]

"It is a good day to die, I am just not ready yet" then focus on where you see yourself safe - and viola its dinner time...

Have you ever noticed how those off-camber seconds are MUCH longer than other seconds in your life? And they even remain longer in memory.

There is rarely if ever a time I drive without seatbelt

 

[alia176]

Just to give you guys an update...

The trip Phoenix is still on and I now have a friend flying in to ride with me on our little adventure. He will be flying in on 4/21 and out on 4/24. We'll be at the monthly meeting and from there hope to get an agenda for the weekend and perhaps the following week. I'll be solo for the following week and would like to tool around Phoenix or Tucson or wherever.

Thanks.

Ali