E63
Full Access Member
We met up at the usual place – Del taco at the Lenwood exit in Barstow to fuel up our bellies and trucks. Brian Stoner, Corey and Megan, Noah, my son Grant and myself. Noah and Grant took turns co-pilot in Brian’s rig. Brian was lead and Corey was clean up throwing out compliments and criticisms, lol, all welcome btw. The purpose of the run was to log the cautions and create the trail maps for future run, test recent modifications to the front Fox 3.0s and do some camping in the high desert.
New lights and clean…
We started off Minneola Road exit on the west side of the 15 like we would if we were going to Vegas up the Power line road. We cut over to the Afton road cross over the 15. This was the same part of the Mojave trail that we went on before when we did the pre-run for the SEMA run.
Made a stop at the Geo Cache – old rail road crossing.
Drove along the old RR tracks just for fun. Had a few cold beers and then back on the road. The next section was a combination of high speed flat wash, tricky boulder fields that test the driver’s skills followed by an extremely fun medium size whoop section.
I had a blast learning the limits of the new RPG 4+ front shock setup. Simply put they are amazing. The difference to me is greater than the upgrade form Stock to stage 4. I was amazed how fast the beast can now go thru medium sized whoops that previously would have launched me on the rebound.
We had lots of fun in the many side by side trails. At one point Corey went ahead to shoot some pictures. We had a close call when the trails suddenly merged right before metal gates that lead into the lake bed near ZZZX. We both hit the binders and stopped with several feet to spare.
We had picked some medium sized rocks to add to the pile at the monument folks have created mid-way thru the lake bed. There we discussed whether to continue or find a dryer way around. I went first since I had the best rubber. It was very slick, even in 4 wheel drive and slipped and slid for about 5 miles thru some real scary stuff. The reason it was scary, was the realization that there was no good dry place to be able to get enough traction to pull someone out. Stopping was simply out of the question and we just powered thru with nervous smiles from ear to ear.
Fortunately the other two rigs with BFG Baja “Project” tires – not known for their performance in mud, were up to the task.
We stopped shortly after and surveyed the results of our muddy adventure.
Look at the variety of colors in the mud
At one point we came across another Geo-Cache – with American Flag, and strange ornamental monument made up of dozen of frog figurines. It was littered with coins and a few bills, we added to the pile
We took a detour to visit the Cima lava tube
Back on the trail, one section was about 10 miles of super deep whoops spaced close together was no fun averaging 15 – 20 MPH, most of the trails we were able to blaze at 60 or so. As it was getting dark, Brian leads us down a section of the trail that was highly overgrown, very sharp side banks with deep ruts.
It is very apparent to me that we either need to skip this section of the trail for an actual “Run” or be very clear to participants that your Truck will get scratched. Frankly after cleaning mine up I didn’t notice any new battle scars. You know it’s a tight trail when you hear both folded in mirrors hitting brush at the same time.
As the sun is beginning to set we were driving by hills covered in a light dusting of snow and ice. It was interesting to see street signs and dwellings off dirt roads. We stopped for a couple photo ops.
We checked a couple campsites while still in the high part of the desert, but opt to go lower to look for a more protected area. The narrow road that descends from the summit was in bad shape, several areas had deep ruts and parts of the side of the road had washed away, but not impassable. Certainly in need of some maintenance. Both Corey and Brian had been down the road before when it was in great shape.
Once we descended, and a little further, Brian helped a Jack Rabbit to commit suicide…You reading this Dutch? And about a mile or so further Brian backed into a closed off road. “Lucy, were home” !
We set up camp, Grant set up our tents, Brian built the fire and set up the BBQ, I set up the kitchen and began our meal. Fried potatoes, cheese and crackers, Morton’s marinated Tri-tip, dinner rolls.
Notice the foam dividers and equally sized beer bottles – no casualties!
First time bring camping stuff with a full trail gear compliment under the F-1 cover. 14 gal of water, 5 gal of gas, cooler, CO2, Racing Jack, all my recovery gear, 2 folding tables, tents etc. All secured as the F-1 would not hold the moving mass.
Breakfast was banana nut pancakes, apple wood smoked bacon and OJ/coffee. The morning was relatively warm compared to the freezing night temps, it was clear and this particular piece of desert was one of the most beautiful I have ever seen. It was pristine, un-spooled, no tracks of any kind. A very broad variety of cactus and flora with a view of the valley below. Easily a 50 – 75 mile visibility.
The morning leg of the trip was short but very fun. High speed trails with medium sized whoops, lots of sweeping turns that I got to practice some high speed drifting. A few technical sections, but nothing overly difficult. Crossed a few highways, and bata bing, bata bong we hit the Colorado river.
Spent most of Xmas eve day cleaning up. Most of you who know me or have followed my adventures know that mud is not something I go out looking for. It was a lot of fun, sliding around, but no thanks, what a mess. Even with a pressure washer, that stuff just gets everywhere!
New lights and clean…
We started off Minneola Road exit on the west side of the 15 like we would if we were going to Vegas up the Power line road. We cut over to the Afton road cross over the 15. This was the same part of the Mojave trail that we went on before when we did the pre-run for the SEMA run.
Made a stop at the Geo Cache – old rail road crossing.
Drove along the old RR tracks just for fun. Had a few cold beers and then back on the road. The next section was a combination of high speed flat wash, tricky boulder fields that test the driver’s skills followed by an extremely fun medium size whoop section.
I had a blast learning the limits of the new RPG 4+ front shock setup. Simply put they are amazing. The difference to me is greater than the upgrade form Stock to stage 4. I was amazed how fast the beast can now go thru medium sized whoops that previously would have launched me on the rebound.
We had lots of fun in the many side by side trails. At one point Corey went ahead to shoot some pictures. We had a close call when the trails suddenly merged right before metal gates that lead into the lake bed near ZZZX. We both hit the binders and stopped with several feet to spare.
We had picked some medium sized rocks to add to the pile at the monument folks have created mid-way thru the lake bed. There we discussed whether to continue or find a dryer way around. I went first since I had the best rubber. It was very slick, even in 4 wheel drive and slipped and slid for about 5 miles thru some real scary stuff. The reason it was scary, was the realization that there was no good dry place to be able to get enough traction to pull someone out. Stopping was simply out of the question and we just powered thru with nervous smiles from ear to ear.
Fortunately the other two rigs with BFG Baja “Project” tires – not known for their performance in mud, were up to the task.
We stopped shortly after and surveyed the results of our muddy adventure.
Look at the variety of colors in the mud
At one point we came across another Geo-Cache – with American Flag, and strange ornamental monument made up of dozen of frog figurines. It was littered with coins and a few bills, we added to the pile
We took a detour to visit the Cima lava tube
Back on the trail, one section was about 10 miles of super deep whoops spaced close together was no fun averaging 15 – 20 MPH, most of the trails we were able to blaze at 60 or so. As it was getting dark, Brian leads us down a section of the trail that was highly overgrown, very sharp side banks with deep ruts.
It is very apparent to me that we either need to skip this section of the trail for an actual “Run” or be very clear to participants that your Truck will get scratched. Frankly after cleaning mine up I didn’t notice any new battle scars. You know it’s a tight trail when you hear both folded in mirrors hitting brush at the same time.
As the sun is beginning to set we were driving by hills covered in a light dusting of snow and ice. It was interesting to see street signs and dwellings off dirt roads. We stopped for a couple photo ops.
We checked a couple campsites while still in the high part of the desert, but opt to go lower to look for a more protected area. The narrow road that descends from the summit was in bad shape, several areas had deep ruts and parts of the side of the road had washed away, but not impassable. Certainly in need of some maintenance. Both Corey and Brian had been down the road before when it was in great shape.
Once we descended, and a little further, Brian helped a Jack Rabbit to commit suicide…You reading this Dutch? And about a mile or so further Brian backed into a closed off road. “Lucy, were home” !
We set up camp, Grant set up our tents, Brian built the fire and set up the BBQ, I set up the kitchen and began our meal. Fried potatoes, cheese and crackers, Morton’s marinated Tri-tip, dinner rolls.
Notice the foam dividers and equally sized beer bottles – no casualties!
First time bring camping stuff with a full trail gear compliment under the F-1 cover. 14 gal of water, 5 gal of gas, cooler, CO2, Racing Jack, all my recovery gear, 2 folding tables, tents etc. All secured as the F-1 would not hold the moving mass.
Breakfast was banana nut pancakes, apple wood smoked bacon and OJ/coffee. The morning was relatively warm compared to the freezing night temps, it was clear and this particular piece of desert was one of the most beautiful I have ever seen. It was pristine, un-spooled, no tracks of any kind. A very broad variety of cactus and flora with a view of the valley below. Easily a 50 – 75 mile visibility.
The morning leg of the trip was short but very fun. High speed trails with medium sized whoops, lots of sweeping turns that I got to practice some high speed drifting. A few technical sections, but nothing overly difficult. Crossed a few highways, and bata bing, bata bong we hit the Colorado river.
Spent most of Xmas eve day cleaning up. Most of you who know me or have followed my adventures know that mud is not something I go out looking for. It was a lot of fun, sliding around, but no thanks, what a mess. Even with a pressure washer, that stuff just gets everywhere!
