Anyone who wants to do some great 'wheeling really should get out to the Superlift park in Hot Springs. I wish I could have made the 'cruiser event a few months ago but it was just as great to hang out with the TTORA guys.
The weather was nice. Hot and humid but still nice enough to take a trail break in the shade, grab a chair and enjoy a cold drink. Staying in Hot Springs was really nice to, but it is a busy town with all the tourism.
The park map could have been better with gps way points at each trail head but it did the job. The only other thing I though that could have been better was that many trails were harder than their rating. I was really impressed with the level of errosion control on the trails but still after trucks dig them out, the trails go from a level 2 to a level 4 or more.
I did level 4s and one 5 with fair ease but the two trails that beat my 'cruiser where only a 2 and 3.5.
The level 2 had HUGE ruts at the top of a very steep hill climb. I almost got sideways trying to stay out of the ruts (see last picture). The other trail, I ran just as it was gettting dark and got all the way to the top only to find a HUGE ledge with a tree way to close to clear my 'cruiser. If it wasn't for my dad's increadably bright surefire flashlight I might not have made it back down unscathed. Just imagine backing down a very long hill with large ledges in DRIVE, that's right not reverse but drive and in the DARK!!
If that wasn't enough to scare me off, the next day we went down a hill on a trail rated as a 2. Not only did my dad get way off camber and almost slide into a tree, I almost rolled my 'cruiser. My dad had to run as fast as he could back up the hill and strap the back passengers side to a tree to keep me from going over. The only option I had was to back up the hill, which if it wasn't for both lockers I wouldn't have been able to do. After we got me back to the top, word came that the trail ahead was much much harder and it was best for dad to come back up the hill. Well guess what? In the exact same spot I almosted rolled going down, dad almost rolled going up. The front drivers tire was off the ground and it was ready to go end over end sidways down the hill. I was spoting him up and seriously freaked out. I thought for sure he was going over, just the slightest touch would rock the 4runner. I carefuly straped the front to a tree, ran back up the hill and backed my 'cruiser down to him. We where both soaked in sweat, I don't know if was from running up and down the hill or our nerves.
What a time to say the least and I would do it all over again! There where many chances for great action shots, like both near roll overs. Spoting took priority though since we 'wheeled alone separate from the trail groups. With a showing of over 75 people and nearly that many rigs, the park was large enough that only once out of the two days did a trail group pass us by. A big thanks goes out to all those who worked hard to get this event going and ensure everyone had a great time. The sponsors also pulled through with a great raffle. Well I hope you guys enjoy the report and pictures. 
The weather was nice. Hot and humid but still nice enough to take a trail break in the shade, grab a chair and enjoy a cold drink. Staying in Hot Springs was really nice to, but it is a busy town with all the tourism.
The park map could have been better with gps way points at each trail head but it did the job. The only other thing I though that could have been better was that many trails were harder than their rating. I was really impressed with the level of errosion control on the trails but still after trucks dig them out, the trails go from a level 2 to a level 4 or more.
I did level 4s and one 5 with fair ease but the two trails that beat my 'cruiser where only a 2 and 3.5.
The level 2 had HUGE ruts at the top of a very steep hill climb. I almost got sideways trying to stay out of the ruts (see last picture). The other trail, I ran just as it was gettting dark and got all the way to the top only to find a HUGE ledge with a tree way to close to clear my 'cruiser. If it wasn't for my dad's increadably bright surefire flashlight I might not have made it back down unscathed. Just imagine backing down a very long hill with large ledges in DRIVE, that's right not reverse but drive and in the DARK!!If that wasn't enough to scare me off, the next day we went down a hill on a trail rated as a 2. Not only did my dad get way off camber and almost slide into a tree, I almost rolled my 'cruiser. My dad had to run as fast as he could back up the hill and strap the back passengers side to a tree to keep me from going over. The only option I had was to back up the hill, which if it wasn't for both lockers I wouldn't have been able to do. After we got me back to the top, word came that the trail ahead was much much harder and it was best for dad to come back up the hill. Well guess what? In the exact same spot I almosted rolled going down, dad almost rolled going up. The front drivers tire was off the ground and it was ready to go end over end sidways down the hill. I was spoting him up and seriously freaked out. I thought for sure he was going over, just the slightest touch would rock the 4runner. I carefuly straped the front to a tree, ran back up the hill and backed my 'cruiser down to him. We where both soaked in sweat, I don't know if was from running up and down the hill or our nerves.
What a time to say the least and I would do it all over again!
There where many chances for great action shots, like both near roll overs. Spoting took priority though since we 'wheeled alone separate from the trail groups. With a showing of over 75 people and nearly that many rigs, the park was large enough that only once out of the two days did a trail group pass us by. A big thanks goes out to all those who worked hard to get this event going and ensure everyone had a great time. The sponsors also pulled through with a great raffle. Well I hope you guys enjoy the report and pictures. 
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