Dusy is both harder and easier than Rubicon. And, it's entirely different. Thompson Hill on the first day is very taxing and very long. It takes several hours to climb. rather than the big solid boulders of Rubicon, the rocks are smaller and roll around under your truck-while you climb a 40 degree slope for 2 miles. Everyone but the mini-truck had to winch at least once.
The trail also feels like a "mission". It is 3-4 DAYS long, and so add in fatigue, high altitude, night time cold, and no bail outs, and it's stressful and epic at the same time. It takes a toll on you and your machine.
It has the best scenery of any trail I've seen outside of Canyon Country. Nearly endless vistas of 13,000 foot peaks is the norm, unless you happen to be down in the trees, or running the sand roads up top.
Unlike the Rubicon which is relentless, the Dusy lets up here and there, with easier stretches between the hard spots. The driving is still slow-mostly 1st and 2nd gear in low range, even in the "easy" spots. It's interesting, though, that some of the hardest and most technical trail is in the last 1/4 mile. So just when you think you're done, you have to be extremely careful.
In many ways, this is the best trail experience in the West. And, although Ali did not mention it, one of this year's highlights was the total lack of traffic on the trail. No one passed us in either direction for the first 2 days. We literally had it to ourselves.
I'm looking forward to next year already.
Onur-The named winch hills are on Fordyce Creek. I think that's what you are thinking of.
