Kokopelli Prerun Aoril 19-21

[Alan "Ace" Brown]

Our first camp will be at Robert's Bottom on the Dolores River. Driving west on Hwy 128 (River Road) towards Moab, take the first left after crossing the Colorado River at Dewey Bridge. Stay on this good gravel road for 1.5 miles, then turn left and go another 1.6 miles to our camp. Coordinates are N 38.803364, W 109.287334 (38• 48.20', 109• 17.24').

The first day will be pretty long and we should not expect to be at camp Friday evening until 5-6 PM. Last fall when Doug and I did the Koko we actually spent two nights on the trail before we got to that point. We will leave that camp Saturday morning at 9:30.

Saturday will be another fairly long day as we have two difficult sections to conquer; Top of the World and Rose Garden Hill. Expect Saturdays camp will be at Hideout campground which is about 2.7 miles west of the intersection of the Koko trail and Onion Creek Road. Coordinates are N 38• 41.56', W 109• 11.48'. That location is pretty iffy depending on how our days goes. Break downs can always muck up a schedule!

Ace

 

[Alan "Ace" Brown]

Jonathan just sent a "last call" for this trip and it has Dewey Bridge as the Saturday AM meeting point. I forgot to edit that early post but the correct meeting point is Robert's Bottoms as described above.

Participants planning to run:
Jim & Bonnie FJ55
Doug and Susie FJC
Myself FJC & trailer
Jonathan & twins 100 & trailer

Jonathan will be coming to camp on Friday evening at Robert's Bottoms.

Still hoping more will show.

Ace

 

[jonharis]

Jonathan just sent a "last call" for this trip and it has Dewey Bridge as the Saturday AM meeting point. I forgot to edit that early post but the correct meeting point is Robert's Bottoms as described above.

Participants planning to run:
Jim & Bonnie FJ55
Doug and Susie FJC
Myself FJC & trailer
Jonathan & twins 80 & trailer

Jonathan will be coming to camp on Friday evening at Robert's Bottoms.

Still hoping more will show.

Ace

I drive an 80? This snow is whack.

 

[Alan "Ace" Brown]

I drive an 80? This snow is whack.

Oops, fixed. The weather sure sucks right now but I'm glad it is NOW and not this weekend. They are still calling for 70 / 45 in Moab and clear.

 

[jonharis]

Stopped snowing in GJ and melting fast!

Edit: 5:00pm. Snow is 95% melted!

 

[RustbombFJ40]

I was in Moab today. The closer you get the less snow there is. You guys should be good as long as the trail dries a bit.

 

[jonharis]

If anyone is thinking of heading out tonight, I'll be leaving at about 6-6:30 if all goes well.

 

[RustbombFJ40]

Let us know where you camp Saturday. Might make it out Sunday in the morning just for a little while.

 

[RustbombFJ40]

And also what Sunday would have for trail itinerary. Wife might not be down if its rough.

 

[jonharis]

^ Sorry Rust, out of cell service when you posted. Pleasure meeting you on the trail. Looking forward to seeing how your version of the trip went!

Great trip! Thanks Ace for organizing and planning. Thanks to those who came and those who thought of coming. You really missed out. Jim, that 55 is an incredible piece. Sorry about the rockers, we were nervous about them from day one but overall the truck did great. I look forward to seeing the "final" product. I went through pics tonight and will start posting tomorrow hopefully. I look forward to seeing how Friday went for everyone! Thanks again.

Jonathan, Ash, Kenna and Kes.

 

[DAGORED]

Fantastic trip! Jim and Bonnie did great in the 55 and I enjoyed wheeling/camping with you guys, hope to do more in the future. Watching the trailers going down Rose Garden Hill (dry waterfall?) was awesome and everyone worked together great (Bill Burke training came into play for me). We are lucky to have a Epic trail like this in our backyard. Both campsites were cool, I really like the 2nd nights (the Hideout). Ace and Jonathan will represent the club well on the CM Kokopelli Trail run for us.

 

[riderjgs]

Epic trip and great company. Minor battle scars to be expected, especially when you're looking down Rose Garden Hill. Thanks to Ace, Jonathan and Doug for their able assistance. Overall, very pleased with the Pig's performance and it will continue to evolve. Also remembering that a lot of what we drove was pioneered by vehicles with a lot less prep than ours.
If this trip is any indication, participants in the formal run will be very pleased. Suspect there'll be a few jaws dropping when they watch the trailers head downhill.

 

[RustbombFJ40]

Thanks for the heads up on that campsite. Was nice and quiet.

 

[jonharis]

Wanted to get these pics posted before next week so here goes nothing. Prepare for the loading nightmare if you are on a slow connection. Consider doing some laundry or mowing the lawn.

Kokopelli members who don't want spoilers may want to overt thy eyes.





























I joined the crew on Friday night so I missed out on the first part of the trail. They got a great camp site near Dewey Bridge.







Doing a little detour to the Dolores River overlook afforded us some great views!








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The first tough spot.
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The 55 did great on the entire trail. Add sliders and lower gears, maybe a locker or LSD and it would be nearly unstoppable while still retaining the classic look. One of the finest examples of a 55 I've seen.












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[url=http://jonathanharris.smugmug.com/4Wheeling/2013/BCC-Kokopelli-April-2013/29037303_bDj6NH#!i=2470263242&k=b3mqKhg&lb=1&s=A]

 

[jonharis]

Incredible scenery around every turn.










Lunch at the Top of Rose Garden Hill




Rose Garden Hill was one of the tougher descents I've done. It's not scary like, "I'm gonna fall to my death" scary but challenging to the vehicle. The Rocks are loose and the conditions change every year. Ace masterfully drove it with trailer in tow and then spotted me down with my Adrenalin. It's the hardest thing I have taken the trailer on and It performed admirably, albeit while loosing a little paint. No damage though. A few hours earlier I had lost all electrical (so no brakes for the 2k lb trailer) which caused it to push me down the hill a bit but we managed.





The 55 and Jim did great too. There was one hit to the rockers just after this photo was taken that did some light rocker damage. Some rock stacking may have prevented it but there was really no way to drive around the point. I think everyone hit here.


Safe at the Bottom!






Camp at the Hideout.

 

[jonharis]

The last day was a relaxing drive over the La Sals and down Sand Flats Road into Moab, then the scenic drive down highway 128 and with a quick detour into Onion Creek.




A quick stop to see some dino tracks that Ace pointed out.




SNOW!


The view of where we came from, Fisher Valley.


Long day. Tired.










Driving through Onion Creek

 

[paflytyer]

As usual...... awesome!

 

[LogHillCruzr]

Great pictures! Can't wait til next week.

 

[alpendubber]

Looks like you guys had a great time!

 

[DAGORED]

Great pictures! Can't wait til next week.

Your going to have a blast Dan, wish I could do it again!