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Found this cool rock gorge north of the lake, the shelf road in the first picture was the road out.
wheeling after Christmas?
- Thread starter DSRTRDR
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-Spike- said:
Yep, good food.
Looks like fun Kevin! I had important matters to tend to yesterday, please excuse my absence. 
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Yes, that is north of the lake.
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- #88
This was indeed a large group. We met up at 9, joined in a show of unity by the group lead by Shotts, they brought two LandRovers with them. There were also a Taco, a 4-Runner, and the tailgunner was Ahmad in the Toyota pickup; I was the only FJ40 and only manual. We were joined while airing down by Cody in his stock Lexus, and we never met the guy who called and said we would find him since he was camped 'right there'.
Thanks to Kevin's (ToolsRUs) leadership, we made good time and arrived at Tip Top Mine by noon, after having crossed the river over to Gilette, and then taking what is labelled "Jeep trail" on the Topomap over towards Tip Top Mine. There we broke for lunch. Ahmad went all the way to inspect some of the higher mining sites.
I will post some pictures a bit later, but I also found the canyon very scenic. The wheeling itself was not difficult, the creek crossings just small puddles, few rocks, a narrow turn, little brush. My most tangible memory (in every sense of the word, it's clinging everywhere) were the "dust flats" down by the river. As soon as we hit the banks to venture to the west, we were in fog; hardly seeing anything, trucks went every which way. I followed Ben (spike) to the side, but even with only one in front of me, visibility was near nil. All of a sudden another truck would appear out of nowhere as we merged onto the trail again. The comfort wheelers all had their windows up, I'll be vacuuming for weeks on this silt.
We then went up some rutted areas and even the stock Lexus made it. The original idea was to go up to Indian Mesa, but even after Ben tried a steep spur and some scouting on the west side, the trail didn't materialize. Since Cody was low on gas and 3 o'clock near, the larger contingent went back home. Soon, the Taco and 4-runner split, too. And then, a small group (Ben, Kevin, Rob, Michael in the Jimmy and I) went out another 15 miles (could have been its own trip) north of Lake Pleasant. It took some collective map interpretation to find the right trail, the narrow shelf road on the picture above and a ledge up a short steep hill were the only obstacles. The sunset was nice, and Ben's Belgian visitor commented that he had not seen desert as nice as this; it was dark by the time we hit Carefree Highway again.
In all a successful day, nobody broke and a good time was had by all. See y'all again on the trail. Pictures to follow.
Thanks to Kevin's (ToolsRUs) leadership, we made good time and arrived at Tip Top Mine by noon, after having crossed the river over to Gilette, and then taking what is labelled "Jeep trail" on the Topomap over towards Tip Top Mine. There we broke for lunch. Ahmad went all the way to inspect some of the higher mining sites.
I will post some pictures a bit later, but I also found the canyon very scenic. The wheeling itself was not difficult, the creek crossings just small puddles, few rocks, a narrow turn, little brush. My most tangible memory (in every sense of the word, it's clinging everywhere) were the "dust flats" down by the river. As soon as we hit the banks to venture to the west, we were in fog; hardly seeing anything, trucks went every which way. I followed Ben (spike) to the side, but even with only one in front of me, visibility was near nil. All of a sudden another truck would appear out of nowhere as we merged onto the trail again. The comfort wheelers all had their windows up, I'll be vacuuming for weeks on this silt.
We then went up some rutted areas and even the stock Lexus made it. The original idea was to go up to Indian Mesa, but even after Ben tried a steep spur and some scouting on the west side, the trail didn't materialize. Since Cody was low on gas and 3 o'clock near, the larger contingent went back home. Soon, the Taco and 4-runner split, too. And then, a small group (Ben, Kevin, Rob, Michael in the Jimmy and I) went out another 15 miles (could have been its own trip) north of Lake Pleasant. It took some collective map interpretation to find the right trail, the narrow shelf road on the picture above and a ledge up a short steep hill were the only obstacles. The sunset was nice, and Ben's Belgian visitor commented that he had not seen desert as nice as this; it was dark by the time we hit Carefree Highway again.
In all a successful day, nobody broke and a good time was had by all. See y'all again on the trail. Pictures to follow.
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I have to say, even tho I almost died several times....I still had a lot of fun!
This was my first time ever driving a 4x4 off road, and the first time for this Lexus, so I learned a lot.
I was the only stock vehicle there, which earned me a few giggles and comments from people in the group, and random people on the trail.
The most important things to remember for next time...are GAS, and FOOD.
OMG I can't believe I forgot those 2 things.
I joked around with a few people, telling them we were so hardcore that we brought a stuck vehicle with running boards and mudflaps for the extra "challenge". We also said that it didn't seem rugged enough, so we made sure to have less than 1/4 tank of gas for the whole trip, and didn't bring any food.
Sadly, I wasn't really joking. I was so eager and in a rush to make it to this ride since I missed the last one, that I didn't fill up at the gas station I was meeting everyone at, and I also forgot to get any breakfast when I left, or bring food WITH me.
By the middle of the run, me and my friend were whining like babies about being so hungry...lol. We felt like such idiots being the first time on the trail, with the least prepared vehicle, and then asking around if anyone had spare gas or food we could buy...but it taught us that lessen to remember and come better prepared next time.
I also had to eat my words later in the trail. We started joking around about "Look at all those lifted trucks with all the expensive equipment..." We were gloating that my all stock 80 wasn't having any difficulty on the trail and that I rarely had to shift into low.
As if they were reading our minds, we started getting to some rough spots. The first water crossing seemed to be the deepest, and I got a little nervous without a snorkel, but I cruised right through it fine. Water was just over the front and back bumpers...so no problem there. Then there was a rutted out steeper section where everyone had to go one at a time with some helpers guiding them. One of the group came back to my truck and asked if we had lockers....
Nope. (uh oh.)
Soon it was my turn for the hill and halfway up I was just spinning the tires. Went back down and back up, spun them again. 3rd times a charm - a new line and I made it up. Yay for stock trucks!
Well, a few more miles into the trip and thats about all our empty stomachs and gas tank could take. The group split up, and we went with the exiting people so we could find our way out to the highway.
Made it to the gas station in Black Canyon City which was quite overpriced for gas, and then on to Prescott for some McDonalds.
I've decided for sure on these:
- ARB front bumper, eventually get a winch.
- Running boards come off, eventually replaced with sliders
- At least a 4" lift
- 33-35" aggressive tires
- Spare goes on the roof or inside.
- Windows stay up the WHOLE time when driving through silt clouds...lol
This was my first time ever driving a 4x4 off road, and the first time for this Lexus, so I learned a lot.
I was the only stock vehicle there, which earned me a few giggles and comments from people in the group, and random people on the trail.
The most important things to remember for next time...are GAS, and FOOD.
OMG I can't believe I forgot those 2 things.
I joked around with a few people, telling them we were so hardcore that we brought a stuck vehicle with running boards and mudflaps for the extra "challenge". We also said that it didn't seem rugged enough, so we made sure to have less than 1/4 tank of gas for the whole trip, and didn't bring any food.
Sadly, I wasn't really joking. I was so eager and in a rush to make it to this ride since I missed the last one, that I didn't fill up at the gas station I was meeting everyone at, and I also forgot to get any breakfast when I left, or bring food WITH me.
By the middle of the run, me and my friend were whining like babies about being so hungry...lol. We felt like such idiots being the first time on the trail, with the least prepared vehicle, and then asking around if anyone had spare gas or food we could buy...but it taught us that lessen to remember and come better prepared next time.
I also had to eat my words later in the trail. We started joking around about "Look at all those lifted trucks with all the expensive equipment..." We were gloating that my all stock 80 wasn't having any difficulty on the trail and that I rarely had to shift into low.
As if they were reading our minds, we started getting to some rough spots. The first water crossing seemed to be the deepest, and I got a little nervous without a snorkel, but I cruised right through it fine. Water was just over the front and back bumpers...so no problem there. Then there was a rutted out steeper section where everyone had to go one at a time with some helpers guiding them. One of the group came back to my truck and asked if we had lockers....
Nope. (uh oh.)
Soon it was my turn for the hill and halfway up I was just spinning the tires. Went back down and back up, spun them again. 3rd times a charm - a new line and I made it up. Yay for stock trucks!
Well, a few more miles into the trip and thats about all our empty stomachs and gas tank could take. The group split up, and we went with the exiting people so we could find our way out to the highway.
Made it to the gas station in Black Canyon City which was quite overpriced for gas, and then on to Prescott for some McDonalds.
I've decided for sure on these:
- ARB front bumper, eventually get a winch.
- Running boards come off, eventually replaced with sliders
- At least a 4" lift
- 33-35" aggressive tires
- Spare goes on the roof or inside.
- Windows stay up the WHOLE time when driving through silt clouds...lol
Haha - forgot to add....
When we passed that guy in the longer wheelbase Jeep Rubicon, I saw him nodding to everyone who passed in the prepared trucks.
When I drove passed him slowly, he leaned out and said "Did you borrow Mom & Dad's truck and forget to tell them?"
I laughed and said, "Don't be mad that it cost more than yours, and mine will make it out of this trail."
He laughed...but I could hear him crying inside.
When we passed that guy in the longer wheelbase Jeep Rubicon, I saw him nodding to everyone who passed in the prepared trucks.
When I drove passed him slowly, he leaned out and said "Did you borrow Mom & Dad's truck and forget to tell them?"
I laughed and said, "Don't be mad that it cost more than yours, and mine will make it out of this trail."
He laughed...but I could hear him crying inside.
- Thread starter
- #91
Cody,
I personally think, like I said on the trail, you will benefit enormously from a rear locker. That was the single most noticeable item in my husband's truck (before I was wheeling myself) in terms of getting places and not getting stuck.
And, as far as the preparedness: if you had asked, I had extra food and water. Would have given it to both of you. Particularly important if you are burning a lot of calories on the excitement factor alone.
By the way, I saw a Rubicon do really well the other day, after all, they come with a 4:1 transfer case and dual lockers, but until you know what's in the truck and who's driving, you can't judge people. I have seen unmodified trucks do amazing things, just because the driver had YEARS of experience. You'll always get the ribbing in the pink panty mobile; probably better get used to it.
I personally think, like I said on the trail, you will benefit enormously from a rear locker. That was the single most noticeable item in my husband's truck (before I was wheeling myself) in terms of getting places and not getting stuck.
And, as far as the preparedness: if you had asked, I had extra food and water. Would have given it to both of you. Particularly important if you are burning a lot of calories on the excitement factor alone.
By the way, I saw a Rubicon do really well the other day, after all, they come with a 4:1 transfer case and dual lockers, but until you know what's in the truck and who's driving, you can't judge people. I have seen unmodified trucks do amazing things, just because the driver had YEARS of experience. You'll always get the ribbing in the pink panty mobile; probably better get used to it.
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- Thread starter
- #98
what a day to spend the day after Christmas..........
sorry, I didn't get a picture of everyone; sure didn't get a picture of the burros either....
but, oops wrong forum, had to sneak Michael in (they did lower teminator)
sorry, I didn't get a picture of everyone; sure didn't get a picture of the burros either....
but, oops wrong forum, had to sneak Michael in (they did lower teminator)
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Cdaniel said:
Correct, we started at Indian Mesa and exited on Cow Creek Rd. I would like to return, climb around and get some better pictures, it was getting dark when we were there, I didn't think the pix would came out at all. From ether end it is a dusty mess getting there, Cow Creek is a long, wash boarded dusty trek and the approach to Indian Mesa, along White Bluffs is a shorter, but very nasty silt bed.
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Cody,
From what I saw, I thought you did very well for your first trip!
I agree that a locker is a good tool, but I wouldn't recommend it first. After you get the whole food, water and gas thing together
I suggest a CB as the first mod, it allows you to stay informed and feel part of the group, increasing the trail experience. Then suspension and then tires both will increase traction, lessening the need for lockers. Mr. Baggins just installed an Ausie locker in his, let him test it and see how it works, that maybe the way to go for the rear at about $250.
Great pix, Claudia!
From what I saw, I thought you did very well for your first trip!
I agree that a locker is a good tool, but I wouldn't recommend it first. After you get the whole food, water and gas thing together
I suggest a CB as the first mod, it allows you to stay informed and feel part of the group, increasing the trail experience. Then suspension and then tires both will increase traction, lessening the need for lockers. Mr. Baggins just installed an Ausie locker in his, let him test it and see how it works, that maybe the way to go for the rear at about $250.Great pix, Claudia!
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