thanks for the tips guys.
anyone know of good camping spots?
what's the wind factor?
I've never driven a v notch like that in the beast, so any tips you ahve would be great....not that I'm gunna, sounds like the bypass is my route, but say IF I couldn't do a bypass, what's the best advice?
Have an extraction plan
before you venture in. Have the buddies with the tow straps, and/or winch handy and ready for action. You're certainly not gonna tip inside of it, but you could do some serious body scraping before you got out.
With something like that, there will always be the nearly imminent threat of body damage. It's not a "do or die" trail--there's plenty of room to turn around and back out. The V-notch is one small solid rock section of a rather large creek bed--it's a voluntary obstacle, with plenty of options to avoid it. I've been 'wheeling and camping in the El Pasos and surrounding areas for ten years, and except for one time, right after a hellacious set of storms (2004?), an easy bypass has been there. Even then, the washed out bypass was a solid 6 out of 10, nothing you couldn't conquer in a stock 80, much less a modified 80.
Wind is more of a comfort thing; the deeper canyons are more sheltered, but have less of a view. I suggest snugging up behind a ridge, looking out over one of the valleys. Find the predominant direction of the wind, and put the ridge between you and it. That way, the mountain gives you some shelter, but you still have plenty to look at. There are literally
hundreds of top notch campsites back there, like I said, I've been going there for a decade, and still haven't seen the tip of the iceberg. For dependable campsites, I suggest Mormon Flats. On a less windy day, try some of the tops of the mountains. There are some mining camps with amazing views on the spurs of most trails.
It's BLM land, so wherever you decide to camp is your home. Don't expect to see more than the wildlife and the occasional dirt bike, ATV or Jeep. In spring and fall, when the weather is pleasant, it's not unusual to run into quite a few people. Chukar season is the peak of human activity, where it's not unusual to wake up at 06:00 to find a bunch of old guys in camouflage, tip-toeing through your camp with shotguns, and it's no big deal. Extreme temps in summer and winter usually drive out all but the most hearty. I've been out there for four or five days at a time in 115ºF July and not seen a soul for the entire time.
I've seen some amazing things out there. Just gorgeous, any time of year.
Uh-oh, I'm rambling again...
