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Raptor Expeditions - Carson 500 Club Run - Trip report
***Below you’ll find the trip report for the 2nd Raptor Expeditions Club run. If you’d like to attend a future run and have access to the club calendar you must be a member. For further info and to register go here: http://www.raptorexpeditions.com/about-us/
I hope I didn’t miss any of the major details but so much happens when you’re covering over 500 off-road miles in 2 days that it can become a blur at times. To begin...our adventure started 7AM Saturday at the Del Taco Parking lot in Carson City...
After arriving, everyone introduced themselves and began finishing the final touches of truck prep for the trail. Around 7:50 we (RE Crew) gathered everyone for a quick drivers meeting. After which, we all headed for our trucks as Matt (RSV-4) got a few fly over shots with the drone we’ve nicknamed the “Mesquito”. We then departed for the trail head.
IMG_4526 by Big5050, on Flickr
IMG_0433 by Big5050, on Flickr
We lined the trucks up and began sending drivers on their way in 1 minute intervals. This was to ensure we aren’t driving in each others dust all day and allows us to keep a solid pace. This would not be possible without the required GPS and a VHF radio.
We made quick work of the first section of trail and began climbing into the mountains. We slowed the pace down quite a bit here due to the possibility of oncoming traffic. Apparently, we should have slowed it down even more as a local did give a couple of our drivers an earful. He was probably more surprised at how many trucks were on “his” mountain but it is important to be mindful of others while on the trail. After 30 minutes we began making our way out of the mountains.
IMG_0441 by Big5050, on Flickr
IMG_0440 by Big5050, on Flickr
Once we were out of the mountains the group was able to pick up the pace again and we began booking it towards Fallon. All was going well until we got a call from Glenn over the radio. He’d hit a rather large rock in the trail which had fooled the truck into thinking the airbags had deployed. After closer inspection it seemed the rock hadn’t done any major damage other than messing up Glenn’s alignment. Shortly after we reached the end of this trail where we all gathered. I was able to grab a couple shots as everyone pulled up.
IMG_0446 by Big5050, on Flickr
IMG_0451 by Big5050, on Flickr
IMG_0454 by Big5050, on Flickr
IMG_0455 by Big5050, on Flickr
IMG_0459 by Big5050, on Flickr
IMG_0462 by Big5050, on Flickr
IMG_0464 by Big5050, on Flickr
IMG_0467 by Big5050, on Flickr
IMG_0470 by Big5050, on Flickr
IMG_0471 by Big5050, on Flickr
IMG_0472 by Big5050, on Flickr
IMG_0474 by Big5050, on Flickr
IMG_0477 by Big5050, on Flickr
We then hit the next section of trail which is the perfect “Raptor Road”. It has a nice section of rough terrain, and whoops which is perfectly suited for the Raptor. This section really allowed the Raptor suspension to shine. There’s even a little jump if you are able to get enough speed.
photo 1 by Big5050, on Flickr
The Mesquito catching some fly by shots.
photo 3 by Big5050, on Flickr
After we made quick work of the trail we all gathered, as drivers pulled up it was great to see the smiles on everyones faces. I believe Jake (who drove all the way from Washington) said he was grinning from ear to ear as they took this section.
Once we’d all gathered, (takes a while when you have 17 trucks spread out over 10 miles) we headed into Fallen for lunch and to top off our tanks. This would be an important gas stop as it would be 200 miles until the next. This put us right at the limit of the Scabs.
After everyone had a chance to grab a bite to eat, we quickly headed out since we still had a lot of miles to cover (approx. 210). After making quick work of the first section of trail it quickly deteriorated into long rolling whoops with lots of embedded rocks. RSV-1 was able to make quick work of this section.
IMG_0443 by Big5050, on Flickr
The majority of us mortals had to keep their pace to around 20 mph to not damage their trucks. There were a few guys like Randy and Jim who were able to push it much faster due to their heavily modified rigs.
The trail eventually began to get better and we were able to pick up the pace. The next section was a lot of fun as it had a lot of rolling hills. Only tough parts was that there were a lot of washouts everyone had to keep an eye out for. The hills also caused transmission temps to soar for many.
IMG_0485 by Big5050, on Flickr
After the hills the trail opened up into what I like to call an “Offroad Highway”.
IMG_0489 by Big5050, on Flickr
There is a mining operation that semi’s need access to so the road is roughly 3 cars wide and is well graded. This section of trail was roughly 30-40 miles. As you can imagine, we made very quick work of this section
After twisting our way north we began to approach Berlin Ichthyosaur State Park. This place is pretty neat as it’s both a well preserved Ghost town and archeological site where they found several well preserved ichthyosaur fossils in the 1970’s. We didn’t have to explore the fossil site but everyone took the opportunity to explore the old town which had been a silver mine in the 1860’s.
IMG_0504 by Big5050, on Flickr
IMG_0508 by Big5050, on Flickr
IMG_0510 by Big5050, on Flickr
IMG_0491 by Big5050, on Flickr
IMG_0493 by Big5050, on Flickr
IMG_0498 by Big5050, on Flickr
IMG_0500 by Big5050, on Flickr
IMG_0501 by Big5050, on Flickr
We were so spread out that we had trucks flowing in for 30-40 minutes.
IMG_0507 by Big5050, on Flickr
photo 4 by Big5050, on Flickr
photo 3 by Big5050, on Flickr
photo 2 by Big5050, on Flickr
I hope he was running 2 spares lol.
photo 1 by Big5050, on Flickr
Couple of us were wondering how much this would fetch at a scrap yard.
photo 4 by Big5050, on Flickr
After exploring the town, we all jumped in our trucks and hit the trial. Everyone lined up and waiting to take off. Again, spacing is key on these runs!
IMG_0516 by Big5050, on Flickr
After about 40 minutes we got word Jim had suffered the first flat of the run. He really destroyed this tire!
IMG_4539 by Big5050, on Flickr
2 hours later we reached Tonopah Dunes. This would be the destination for the day and where most of us camped for the evening. This was a lot of fun as everyone got the opportunity to sit around a campfire and share stories of the days adventure.
IMG_4544 by Big5050, on Flickr
IMG_0538 by Big5050, on Flickr
Screen Shot 2014-05-19 at 6.37.21 PM by Big5050, on Flickr
Screen Shot 2014-05-19 at 6.35.44 PM by Big5050, on Flickr
Screen Shot 2014-05-19 at 6.36.01 PM by Big5050, on Flickr
IMG_0527 by Big5050, on Flickr
Connor enjoying Gordon’s hightech/lighweight camping chair.
photo 5 by Big5050, on Flickr
IMG_0541 by Big5050, on Flickr
IMG_0554 by Big5050, on Flickr
IMG_0556 by Big5050, on Flickr
IMG_0560 by Big5050, on Flickr
IMG_0569 by Big5050, on Flickr
IMG_0579 by Big5050, on Flickr
Day 2 continued here: http://www.fordraptorforum.com/f112/raptor-expeditions-carson-500-club-run-34494/index2.html
-Bigg50
Raptor Expedition Team Member RSV-6
***Below you’ll find the trip report for the 2nd Raptor Expeditions Club run. If you’d like to attend a future run and have access to the club calendar you must be a member. For further info and to register go here: http://www.raptorexpeditions.com/about-us/
I hope I didn’t miss any of the major details but so much happens when you’re covering over 500 off-road miles in 2 days that it can become a blur at times. To begin...our adventure started 7AM Saturday at the Del Taco Parking lot in Carson City...
After arriving, everyone introduced themselves and began finishing the final touches of truck prep for the trail. Around 7:50 we (RE Crew) gathered everyone for a quick drivers meeting. After which, we all headed for our trucks as Matt (RSV-4) got a few fly over shots with the drone we’ve nicknamed the “Mesquito”. We then departed for the trail head.
IMG_4526 by Big5050, on FlickrIMG_0433 by Big5050, on FlickrWe lined the trucks up and began sending drivers on their way in 1 minute intervals. This was to ensure we aren’t driving in each others dust all day and allows us to keep a solid pace. This would not be possible without the required GPS and a VHF radio.
We made quick work of the first section of trail and began climbing into the mountains. We slowed the pace down quite a bit here due to the possibility of oncoming traffic. Apparently, we should have slowed it down even more as a local did give a couple of our drivers an earful. He was probably more surprised at how many trucks were on “his” mountain but it is important to be mindful of others while on the trail. After 30 minutes we began making our way out of the mountains.
IMG_0441 by Big5050, on FlickrIMG_0440 by Big5050, on FlickrOnce we were out of the mountains the group was able to pick up the pace again and we began booking it towards Fallon. All was going well until we got a call from Glenn over the radio. He’d hit a rather large rock in the trail which had fooled the truck into thinking the airbags had deployed. After closer inspection it seemed the rock hadn’t done any major damage other than messing up Glenn’s alignment. Shortly after we reached the end of this trail where we all gathered. I was able to grab a couple shots as everyone pulled up.
IMG_0446 by Big5050, on FlickrIMG_0451 by Big5050, on FlickrIMG_0454 by Big5050, on FlickrIMG_0455 by Big5050, on FlickrIMG_0459 by Big5050, on FlickrIMG_0462 by Big5050, on FlickrIMG_0464 by Big5050, on FlickrIMG_0467 by Big5050, on FlickrIMG_0470 by Big5050, on FlickrIMG_0471 by Big5050, on FlickrIMG_0472 by Big5050, on FlickrIMG_0474 by Big5050, on FlickrIMG_0477 by Big5050, on FlickrWe then hit the next section of trail which is the perfect “Raptor Road”. It has a nice section of rough terrain, and whoops which is perfectly suited for the Raptor. This section really allowed the Raptor suspension to shine. There’s even a little jump if you are able to get enough speed.
photo 1 by Big5050, on FlickrThe Mesquito catching some fly by shots.
photo 3 by Big5050, on FlickrAfter we made quick work of the trail we all gathered, as drivers pulled up it was great to see the smiles on everyones faces. I believe Jake (who drove all the way from Washington) said he was grinning from ear to ear as they took this section.
Once we’d all gathered, (takes a while when you have 17 trucks spread out over 10 miles) we headed into Fallen for lunch and to top off our tanks. This would be an important gas stop as it would be 200 miles until the next. This put us right at the limit of the Scabs.
After everyone had a chance to grab a bite to eat, we quickly headed out since we still had a lot of miles to cover (approx. 210). After making quick work of the first section of trail it quickly deteriorated into long rolling whoops with lots of embedded rocks. RSV-1 was able to make quick work of this section.
IMG_0443 by Big5050, on FlickrThe majority of us mortals had to keep their pace to around 20 mph to not damage their trucks. There were a few guys like Randy and Jim who were able to push it much faster due to their heavily modified rigs.
The trail eventually began to get better and we were able to pick up the pace. The next section was a lot of fun as it had a lot of rolling hills. Only tough parts was that there were a lot of washouts everyone had to keep an eye out for. The hills also caused transmission temps to soar for many.
IMG_0485 by Big5050, on FlickrAfter the hills the trail opened up into what I like to call an “Offroad Highway”.
IMG_0489 by Big5050, on FlickrThere is a mining operation that semi’s need access to so the road is roughly 3 cars wide and is well graded. This section of trail was roughly 30-40 miles. As you can imagine, we made very quick work of this section
After twisting our way north we began to approach Berlin Ichthyosaur State Park. This place is pretty neat as it’s both a well preserved Ghost town and archeological site where they found several well preserved ichthyosaur fossils in the 1970’s. We didn’t have to explore the fossil site but everyone took the opportunity to explore the old town which had been a silver mine in the 1860’s.
IMG_0504 by Big5050, on FlickrIMG_0508 by Big5050, on FlickrIMG_0510 by Big5050, on FlickrIMG_0491 by Big5050, on FlickrIMG_0493 by Big5050, on FlickrIMG_0498 by Big5050, on FlickrIMG_0500 by Big5050, on FlickrIMG_0501 by Big5050, on FlickrWe were so spread out that we had trucks flowing in for 30-40 minutes.
IMG_0507 by Big5050, on Flickrphoto 4 by Big5050, on Flickrphoto 3 by Big5050, on Flickrphoto 2 by Big5050, on FlickrI hope he was running 2 spares lol.
photo 1 by Big5050, on FlickrCouple of us were wondering how much this would fetch at a scrap yard.
photo 4 by Big5050, on FlickrAfter exploring the town, we all jumped in our trucks and hit the trial. Everyone lined up and waiting to take off. Again, spacing is key on these runs!
IMG_0516 by Big5050, on FlickrAfter about 40 minutes we got word Jim had suffered the first flat of the run. He really destroyed this tire!
IMG_4539 by Big5050, on Flickr2 hours later we reached Tonopah Dunes. This would be the destination for the day and where most of us camped for the evening. This was a lot of fun as everyone got the opportunity to sit around a campfire and share stories of the days adventure.
IMG_4544 by Big5050, on FlickrIMG_0538 by Big5050, on FlickrScreen Shot 2014-05-19 at 6.37.21 PM by Big5050, on FlickrScreen Shot 2014-05-19 at 6.35.44 PM by Big5050, on FlickrScreen Shot 2014-05-19 at 6.36.01 PM by Big5050, on FlickrIMG_0527 by Big5050, on FlickrConnor enjoying Gordon’s hightech/lighweight camping chair.
photo 5 by Big5050, on FlickrIMG_0541 by Big5050, on FlickrIMG_0554 by Big5050, on FlickrIMG_0556 by Big5050, on FlickrIMG_0560 by Big5050, on FlickrIMG_0569 by Big5050, on FlickrIMG_0579 by Big5050, on FlickrDay 2 continued here: http://www.fordraptorforum.com/f112/raptor-expeditions-carson-500-club-run-34494/index2.html
-Bigg50
Raptor Expedition Team Member RSV-6
