IMG_0464.JPG We begin the Saturday with Silverwood Lake in the background.
IMG_0465.JPG We left our Friday night camp at 8:20 am, everybody was up & ready for a full day of fun wheeling! Warm days, warm nights.
IMG_0466.JPG nice view, but try not to look directly down. Just look out.
(get it?)
IMG_0467.JPG Montego's tire falls off while trying the "Left Line of Death", we squirt some water on it & pop it right back on. Montego wanted to "Save the spare for later". (Uh oh)
IMG_0468.JPG
9:30am is a great time for a smile! Especially on such a BEAUTIFUL day! (And I'm wearing shorts!)
IMG_0469.JPG Thumper (and some dust) claw their way up the Right Line
IMG_0470.JPG
"Have you seen my dawgs?"
IMG_0471.JPG The event judges.
IMG_0472.JPG Casper makes her point to Thumper.
IMG_0473.JPG Scarecrow doesn't get stuck again. Maybe later. This was a tough little detour.
IMG_0474.JPG Will the Members of the "Hood up club" please come to order? We're going to discuss why we all drive red Jeeps.
IMG_0475.JPG
IMG_0476.JPG
IMG_0477.JPG "That's not what I said"
IMG_0478.JPG Don't pick up hitchhikers
IMG_0479.JPG
IMG_0480.JPG The Principal smiles while in his Jeep.
IMG_0481.JPG
Follow me...
IMG_0482.JPG
"That nerf bar was already dented"
IMG_0483.JPG
IMG_0484.JPG
"This don't look good."
IMG_0485.JPG
"I dunno- it looks ok on the driver's side..."
IMG_0486.JPG
My driveway at home is just like this.
IMG_0487.JPG
IMG_0488.JPG
It's just a little dustier not having a locker. No Bigee.
IMG_0489.JPG
Oh, by the way, an Adventure pass is ONLY required for people who are "Recreationalists" who park their vehicles. If you don't stop, or happen to be prospecting, you don't need an Adventure pass. Just so's you know. The sign isn't 100% true. (But it's a govmint job).
IMG_0490.JPG Adventure pass money is used to place trashcans, collect Adventure Pass fees, build toilets, erect signs about Adventure Pass requirements, close public lands to the public, and such. If you are a person who enjoys nature as it is, and you don't need or want more brick toilets, and you haul out your trash, you may not be their target customer. Maybe you're a prospector.
IMG_0491.JPG
It's difficult to get accurate trail info from any source. I was using about 5 maps, none of which had most of these roads. This sign didn't have a whole bunch more (signed) roads either. The Side Kick map (Rick Russell 1991) had more accurate road & detail than AAA, Delorme, or the Forest Service maps. If anyone wants to hire me to fix the topo 4wd trail maps, let me know.
IMG_0492.JPG
IMG_0493.JPG
IMG_0494.JPG
IMG_0495.JPG
IMG_0496.JPG
IMG_0497.JPG
IMG_0498.JPG
Mr Automatic transmission glides over this one (see next 2 pics)
IMG_0499.JPG
IMG_0500.JPG ooo! and he can *smoke* without any hands!! (But can he breathe without any lungs?)
IMG_0501.JPG
Here's someone who is outstanding in his field. (I mean out sitting...)
IMG_0502.JPG
IMG_0503.JPG
IMG_0504.JPG
IMG_0505.JPG
IMG_0506.JPG
IMG_0507.JPG
You boys know the rules. This is going to be a fair Tug a War, so no kicking, biting, or spitting gravel.
IMG_0508.JPG
IMG_0509.JPG
IMG_0510.JPG
IMG_0511.JPG
IMG_0512.JPG
DEEP CREEK - The "T-6" Crossing
IMG_0513.JPG Across Deep Creek, the Rock Garden quietly awaits it's next feeding of slashed tires, posi-tractions, and motor mounts.
IMG_0514.JPG
IMG_0515.JPG
IMG_0516.JPG
IMG_0517.JPG Scarecrow gets both front tires up, but in the interests of forward progress, tries a different approach.
IMG_0518.JPG
IMG_0519.JPG Here's a nice pic of Deep Creek at the "T-6" crossing, showing how it's been sort of "paved" with lots of concrete squares and steel cable. It's designed to allow easy vehicle crossings, and minimize erosion and impact to any residents (fish, etc).
IMG_0520.JPG Four Wheel Drive clubs organized this amazing effort, and it seems to be working out really well.
IMG_0521.JPG
IMG_0522.JPG Some dirt bikers had to really work to get through here.
IMG_0523.JPG
IMG_0524.JPG
IMG_0525.JPG More proof that if you clench your upper arm against the door, your muscles look bigger. Wooo!
IMG_0526.JPG A very happy Jeep owning, 4 wheeling, wash and wear, indoor/outdoor "Prospector".
IMG_0527.JPG
IMG_0528.JPG This is where some guy rolled last year. Now we know how. BusStop does a partial reenactment for those who missed it.
IMG_0529.JPG Still the wrong line. This is about where he let the passenger out. (So he could live as an orphan).
IMG_0530.JPG As far back as that rock will let him
IMG_0531.JPG
YAY! The right line!
IMG_0533.JPG The Principal getting jiggy wit it.
IMG_0534.JPG I just HAVE to point out that in this area, where 4x4 can go, but 2 wheel drive cars can't go; there was NO LITTER. Compare that to Mt Whitney, where 4x4 vehicles can't go, but backpackers can.
IMG_0535.JPG
IMG_0536.JPG
Thumper Spinwell comes out on top
IMG_0537.JPG
So get active, or you're going to need a permit to leave town. I'm told that even horses have to stay on car roads these days. Sheesh! They're animals for crissake!
IMG_0539.JPG
This map has some useful info. From the "T-6" Deep Creek Crossing, 3N34 DOES continue east to Tent Peg camp (1 site group camp) & Crab Flats campground. Both take reservations in the summer.
IMG_0540.JPG Casper and the Campground Host (Larry) talk about important stuff. Crab Flats has about 30 spaces with picnic tables, fire rings, tap water, trash cans, and brick pit toilets (no hookups). We lucked out and were able to get 3 almost adjoining sites on this June Saturday night. We arrived in camp around 5:30pm, with hours of daylight left. I wouldn't expect to get this lucky twice in a row.
IMG_0541.JPG After a good long tough day of wheeling up hills and through rock gardens, we all were ready for a few cold ones and some campin'!! Fires are allowed in the campgrounds (marked by a yellow post). A fire permit doesn't really help in the summer - you're still only allowed to have a fire in a campground. (not camp site).
IMG_0542.JPG
IMG_0543.JPG Louise makes tea. Mmmm.
IMG_0544.JPG One of the first Jeep Libertys that we've seen. I was too slow snapping this shot to get Dakota under it, checking out it's underside.
IMG_0545.JPG
SUNDAY MORNING -
IMG_0546.JPG
IMG_0547.JPG Louise is driving the lead vehicle as we enter the secret Rock Garden, where they grow 'em.
IMG_0548.JPG We find the hard way.
IMG_0549.JPG "I'm doing it! I'm doing it!!! "
IMG_0550.JPG Just a typical Sunday drive...
IMG_0551.JPG
IMG_0552.JPG Whoa! Check out my suspension!!
IMG_0553.JPG I can fit my whole leg under here!! And the other side is all Stuffed, but perfectly so! Alright!!!
IMG_0554.JPG The Master of Poop Rock. 2/3 of the drivers had to "relax" after doing it.
IMG_0555.JPG Poop Rock. Attempt number one, which almost ended in disaster for our Safety Chairman.
IMG_0556.JPG After draining some fluids, and aiming to the right a little, Attempt #2 is successful! (can't you just hear those lockers bark?!
IMG_0558.JPG Louise discovers the ancient trail through the garden of rocks.
IMG_0559.JPG Is this a happy girl or What?!!!
IMG_0560.JPG Rocks!
IMG_0561.JPG nice place!
IMG_0562.JPG
This was a GREAT trip! Good Wheeling, Good Friends, Good times, (Almost) no litter. We picked up what we saw.