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- Jan 4, 2012
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Our day officially began at 7:30am in the parking lot of Willits, CA. Although, I had been on the road since 5:30am. Not all bad as I got to see a couple balloons going on an early morning cruise.
IMG_0858 by raptorexpeditions, on Flickr
As I pulled up, it was nice to see some familiar faces from the Carson Run and new ones as well. After a quick round of greetings, we began loading the map files into everyone’s lowrances. For some reason, we had some difficulty loading the files into John’s GPS but we were eventually able to get it figured out after clearing all the older files. We then gathered for a quick drivers meeting. Today’s route wouldn’t have us booking it across the open desert like so many of our runs, but it would almost feel faster as the trees and brush fly by. This would also allow us to take in more of the epic scenery the day had in store for us.
After wrapping up the drivers meeting we all jumped in our trucks and made our way to the trailhead where many of us aired down.
IMG_0890 by raptorexpeditions, on Flickr
Some horses grazing near by
IMG_0900 by raptorexpeditions, on Flickr
We then slowly began making our way past a couple houses which were adjacent to the trail. Last year we had made the mistake of blasting by the houses at a whopping 15 MPH which so enraged the homeowner that she came running out on the deck of her house screaming and waving like a crazy women. We then began gaining elevation until we got a call over the radio that Rob’s truck had died. Apparently he’s had some electrical issues after having some lights installed. Luckily, a quick fuse swap and the truck fired right up.
We then came up to a clearing to take in the view. Unfortunately, the fog had not cleared so there wasn’t much to see. Got a couple shots of the trucks pulling up.
IMG_0905 by raptorexpeditions, on Flickr
IMG_0907 by raptorexpeditions, on Flickr
IMG_0910 by raptorexpeditions, on Flickr
IMG_0913 by raptorexpeditions, on Flickr
IMG_0924 by raptorexpeditions, on Flickr
Blake actually blew past us lol. He quickly made a uturn and joined the group.
IMG_0933 by raptorexpeditions, on Flickr
Here I was trying to get a shot with everyone walking around but most everyone tried to duck and get out of the pick haha.
IMG_0306 by raptorexpeditions, on Flickr
We didn’t stop for long and were quickly back on the trail. It was in pretty good shape and there was virtually no dust since the area had received a little bit of rain the day before. Only problem was there were occasional muddy spots which made the trail very slick. So, slick that one of us almost slide into a bank on a turn. Mud, turns, and speed do not mix well. This would not be the last time mud created problems for us.
Overall, we made great time and quickly found ourselves in Fort Bragg.
IMG_0947 by raptorexpeditions, on Flickr
Since we had made such quick work of the first section of trial I decided to take the group by Glass Beach. Glass Beach is really neat in that it used to Fort Braggs town dump 100-150 years ago. Town residents would just through their trash off the bluffs. Over time the ocean has pounded the glass from bottles into what look like colored rocks.
IMG_0027 by raptorexpeditions, on Flickr
The views were amazing since it was such a clear day.
IMG_0036 by raptorexpeditions, on Flickr
IMG_0015 by raptorexpeditions, on Flickr
IMG_0019 by raptorexpeditions, on Flickr
After 15 minutes we headed back to our trucks and began heading North towards the next section of trail.
IMG_0316 by raptorexpeditions, on Flickr
Didn’t take us too long until we hit the next trailhead. Again, we stopped to take in the amazing views.
IMG_0968 by raptorexpeditions, on Flickr
IMG_0972 by raptorexpeditions, on Flickr
After making short work of the next section of trail we reached Sinkyone State Beach. Unfortunately for us, the Ranger was out as we pulled up so there would be no driving on the beach today. We decided this would be a perfect spot to stop and have lunch.
IMG_0335 by raptorexpeditions, on Flickr
IMG_0987 by raptorexpeditions, on Flickr
IMG_0339 by raptorexpeditions, on Flickr
After scarfing down our food and chatting it up for about an hour we decided we should pack up and hit the trail again. It’s so beautiful that part of you just wants to pull out a chair and just sit back relax while taking in the views. But, we were only half way and had to press on.
The next section of trail is bumpier and covered in dead leaves since it is much less traveled. All was going well for the first 15-20 minutes until Bobby called over the radio that he was going to need “a little tow”. I immediately thought he must have slid part of his truck off the trail on a slick/muddy turn which I had called out. Andrew and I jumped out of our trucks to go see what had transpired. I didn’t realize how separated we were because it took us much longer to reach them than I had thought. As we approached, I didn’t see a truck sticking off the trail so I figured they’d already got Bobby back on trail. Eventually, Bobby’s truck came into view and I was a bit shocked to say the least. He’d completely slid off the trail down the hill. My heart sank as this didn’t look good.
IMG_0996 by raptorexpeditions, on Flickr
IMG_1011 by raptorexpeditions, on Flickr
Luckily Bobby was ok and Randy was taking it in stride. I should probably explain that Bobby is Randy’s son and was driving his 2012 Raptor. I asked Randy how he was doing and told him I was sorry this happened. Surprisingly, Randy just shook it off and said this kind of stuff happens when your having fun and pushing it. What a great attitude!
We all jumped into action to try and get the truck back on trail. After a faild frontal pull we decided we should recover the truck from the rear. We hooked up a tree saver along with a D-ring and a tow strap through it so we could get a lateral pull on the truck. We hooked a strap to Tommy’s truck and had him pull the truck nice and easy. No luck, the ground was just too slick for him to pull without getting a running start. A winch would have been great but we didn’t have one. We improvised and hooked up John’s truck to Tommy’s in the hopes that combined both trucks would have enough traction to pull the truck.
It worked flawlessly! It almost looked like the truck was on a conveyor belt lol. It turned out that the damage was minimal considering. Damage was limited to the front and rear fenders. The light cannon had been forced into the windshield as well. So all in all it was a great excuse to get aftermarket fenders!
IMG_1019 by raptorexpeditions, on Flickr
IMG_1018 by raptorexpeditions, on Flickr
It was really great to see everyone working together to get Bobby back on the road. This is what the club is all about; well prepared members who come together to tackle the unknown.
We quickly jumped back in our trucks and we were off again! Everyone had a new respect for the mud so we took it very easy any time we hit a slick section. After an hour we turned of the main route to an overlook. We were rewarded with some epic views to say the least!
IMG_0343 by raptorexpeditions, on Flickr
IMG_0348 by raptorexpeditions, on Flickr
IMG_1028 by raptorexpeditions, on Flickr
IMG_1025 by raptorexpeditions, on Flickr
IMG_0342 by raptorexpeditions, on Flickr
Bobby and Randy discussing the recent “incident” lol
IMG_0349 by raptorexpeditions, on Flickr
IMG_0354 by raptorexpeditions, on Flickr
IMG_0357 by raptorexpeditions, on Flickr
After 30 minutes or so we got back on the trail. The next section was a lot of fun and thankfully pretty uneventful. After making quick work of the trial, we hit pavement. This would conclude our time in the dirt for the day. Our route back towards the highway took us through the Humboldt State Redwoods which was beautiful.
IMG_1052 by raptorexpeditions, on Flickr
Some of us took a few minutes to explore on foot.
Randy providing some scale haha
IMG_0370 by raptorexpeditions, on Flickr
Part of the group posing in front of the “Founders Tree”. This tree is nearly 350 ft tall and 13 ft wide.
IMG_0369 by raptorexpeditions, on Flickr
We then headed back to our truck where most of us would say our goodbyes. A couple of us camped in a near by campground for the evening. The next morning we stopped at the Eel River for a couple pictures.
IMG_1064 by raptorexpeditions, on Flickr
IMG_1096 by raptorexpeditions, on Flickr
We also stopped by a couple tourist traps on the way home
It may look like the Raptor has a shot but Honda Pilots were barely squeezing through.
IMG_1106 by raptorexpeditions, on Flickr
Tommy holding hands with his new boyfriend haha
Untitled
Here’s Andrew...well I’m not sure what is going on here lol
Untitled
All in all it was another epic trip with amazing people, beautiful scenery, and great offroading. Randy and Bobby were awesome in how they handled the “incident”. Very proud of how we took care of business.
I guess that all folks!
- Bigg50
Raptor Expeditions Team Member - RSV6
IMG_0858 by raptorexpeditions, on FlickrAs I pulled up, it was nice to see some familiar faces from the Carson Run and new ones as well. After a quick round of greetings, we began loading the map files into everyone’s lowrances. For some reason, we had some difficulty loading the files into John’s GPS but we were eventually able to get it figured out after clearing all the older files. We then gathered for a quick drivers meeting. Today’s route wouldn’t have us booking it across the open desert like so many of our runs, but it would almost feel faster as the trees and brush fly by. This would also allow us to take in more of the epic scenery the day had in store for us.
After wrapping up the drivers meeting we all jumped in our trucks and made our way to the trailhead where many of us aired down.
IMG_0890 by raptorexpeditions, on FlickrSome horses grazing near by
IMG_0900 by raptorexpeditions, on FlickrWe then slowly began making our way past a couple houses which were adjacent to the trail. Last year we had made the mistake of blasting by the houses at a whopping 15 MPH which so enraged the homeowner that she came running out on the deck of her house screaming and waving like a crazy women. We then began gaining elevation until we got a call over the radio that Rob’s truck had died. Apparently he’s had some electrical issues after having some lights installed. Luckily, a quick fuse swap and the truck fired right up.
We then came up to a clearing to take in the view. Unfortunately, the fog had not cleared so there wasn’t much to see. Got a couple shots of the trucks pulling up.
IMG_0905 by raptorexpeditions, on FlickrIMG_0907 by raptorexpeditions, on FlickrIMG_0910 by raptorexpeditions, on FlickrIMG_0913 by raptorexpeditions, on FlickrIMG_0924 by raptorexpeditions, on FlickrBlake actually blew past us lol. He quickly made a uturn and joined the group.
IMG_0933 by raptorexpeditions, on FlickrHere I was trying to get a shot with everyone walking around but most everyone tried to duck and get out of the pick haha.
IMG_0306 by raptorexpeditions, on FlickrWe didn’t stop for long and were quickly back on the trail. It was in pretty good shape and there was virtually no dust since the area had received a little bit of rain the day before. Only problem was there were occasional muddy spots which made the trail very slick. So, slick that one of us almost slide into a bank on a turn. Mud, turns, and speed do not mix well. This would not be the last time mud created problems for us.
Overall, we made great time and quickly found ourselves in Fort Bragg.
IMG_0947 by raptorexpeditions, on FlickrSince we had made such quick work of the first section of trial I decided to take the group by Glass Beach. Glass Beach is really neat in that it used to Fort Braggs town dump 100-150 years ago. Town residents would just through their trash off the bluffs. Over time the ocean has pounded the glass from bottles into what look like colored rocks.
IMG_0027 by raptorexpeditions, on FlickrThe views were amazing since it was such a clear day.
IMG_0036 by raptorexpeditions, on FlickrIMG_0015 by raptorexpeditions, on FlickrIMG_0019 by raptorexpeditions, on FlickrAfter 15 minutes we headed back to our trucks and began heading North towards the next section of trail.
IMG_0316 by raptorexpeditions, on FlickrDidn’t take us too long until we hit the next trailhead. Again, we stopped to take in the amazing views.
IMG_0968 by raptorexpeditions, on FlickrIMG_0972 by raptorexpeditions, on FlickrAfter making short work of the next section of trail we reached Sinkyone State Beach. Unfortunately for us, the Ranger was out as we pulled up so there would be no driving on the beach today. We decided this would be a perfect spot to stop and have lunch.
IMG_0335 by raptorexpeditions, on FlickrIMG_0987 by raptorexpeditions, on FlickrIMG_0339 by raptorexpeditions, on FlickrAfter scarfing down our food and chatting it up for about an hour we decided we should pack up and hit the trail again. It’s so beautiful that part of you just wants to pull out a chair and just sit back relax while taking in the views. But, we were only half way and had to press on.
The next section of trail is bumpier and covered in dead leaves since it is much less traveled. All was going well for the first 15-20 minutes until Bobby called over the radio that he was going to need “a little tow”. I immediately thought he must have slid part of his truck off the trail on a slick/muddy turn which I had called out. Andrew and I jumped out of our trucks to go see what had transpired. I didn’t realize how separated we were because it took us much longer to reach them than I had thought. As we approached, I didn’t see a truck sticking off the trail so I figured they’d already got Bobby back on trail. Eventually, Bobby’s truck came into view and I was a bit shocked to say the least. He’d completely slid off the trail down the hill. My heart sank as this didn’t look good.
IMG_0996 by raptorexpeditions, on FlickrIMG_1011 by raptorexpeditions, on FlickrLuckily Bobby was ok and Randy was taking it in stride. I should probably explain that Bobby is Randy’s son and was driving his 2012 Raptor. I asked Randy how he was doing and told him I was sorry this happened. Surprisingly, Randy just shook it off and said this kind of stuff happens when your having fun and pushing it. What a great attitude!
We all jumped into action to try and get the truck back on trail. After a faild frontal pull we decided we should recover the truck from the rear. We hooked up a tree saver along with a D-ring and a tow strap through it so we could get a lateral pull on the truck. We hooked a strap to Tommy’s truck and had him pull the truck nice and easy. No luck, the ground was just too slick for him to pull without getting a running start. A winch would have been great but we didn’t have one. We improvised and hooked up John’s truck to Tommy’s in the hopes that combined both trucks would have enough traction to pull the truck.
It worked flawlessly! It almost looked like the truck was on a conveyor belt lol. It turned out that the damage was minimal considering. Damage was limited to the front and rear fenders. The light cannon had been forced into the windshield as well. So all in all it was a great excuse to get aftermarket fenders!
IMG_1019 by raptorexpeditions, on FlickrIMG_1018 by raptorexpeditions, on FlickrIt was really great to see everyone working together to get Bobby back on the road. This is what the club is all about; well prepared members who come together to tackle the unknown.
We quickly jumped back in our trucks and we were off again! Everyone had a new respect for the mud so we took it very easy any time we hit a slick section. After an hour we turned of the main route to an overlook. We were rewarded with some epic views to say the least!
IMG_0343 by raptorexpeditions, on FlickrIMG_0348 by raptorexpeditions, on FlickrIMG_1028 by raptorexpeditions, on FlickrIMG_1025 by raptorexpeditions, on FlickrIMG_0342 by raptorexpeditions, on FlickrBobby and Randy discussing the recent “incident” lol
IMG_0349 by raptorexpeditions, on FlickrIMG_0354 by raptorexpeditions, on FlickrIMG_0357 by raptorexpeditions, on FlickrAfter 30 minutes or so we got back on the trail. The next section was a lot of fun and thankfully pretty uneventful. After making quick work of the trial, we hit pavement. This would conclude our time in the dirt for the day. Our route back towards the highway took us through the Humboldt State Redwoods which was beautiful.
IMG_1052 by raptorexpeditions, on FlickrSome of us took a few minutes to explore on foot.
Randy providing some scale haha
IMG_0370 by raptorexpeditions, on FlickrPart of the group posing in front of the “Founders Tree”. This tree is nearly 350 ft tall and 13 ft wide.
IMG_0369 by raptorexpeditions, on FlickrWe then headed back to our truck where most of us would say our goodbyes. A couple of us camped in a near by campground for the evening. The next morning we stopped at the Eel River for a couple pictures.
IMG_1064 by raptorexpeditions, on FlickrIMG_1096 by raptorexpeditions, on FlickrWe also stopped by a couple tourist traps on the way home
It may look like the Raptor has a shot but Honda Pilots were barely squeezing through.
IMG_1106 by raptorexpeditions, on FlickrTommy holding hands with his new boyfriend haha
Untitled Here’s Andrew...well I’m not sure what is going on here lol
Untitled All in all it was another epic trip with amazing people, beautiful scenery, and great offroading. Randy and Bobby were awesome in how they handled the “incident”. Very proud of how we took care of business.
I guess that all folks!
- Bigg50
Raptor Expeditions Team Member - RSV6
