westy44runner

Who wants to get out in early August and run Elvis and Martinez Canyon??

UPDATE - Let's make it Saturday, August 16.

*Meet at 7AM*
Gold Canyon Shell
(US 60 & Kings Ranch Road)
7138 E Highway 60
Gold Canyon, AZ 85218

With the monsoons coming through the temperatures are dropping, rains are moving some rocks around and well its been too long since I've been out to Florence.

Lunch at the cabins - how about a quick cookout?? I will cook fajitas if others bring chips/salsa/guacamole/drinks, etc...??

So who wants to go??

Djlarroc

Sounds like a great time.

westy44runner

Anyone is welcome...just know that you need to have at least one locker.

Elvis has bypasses on the more difficult portions, Martinez does not necessarily have bypasses.

To run both, I would say minimum one locker, 32" tires, rock sliders and tow points front & rear with a good spare tire!

toy_tek

Hey Brian - thanks for the heads up. I'm in! I'll bring trail rated beverages on ice.

Any word on the condition of the luge? Based on my previous experience there: a word of caution should go out to anyone concerned with bodywork, unless the condition has changed drastically.

[edit] noted date change, I should be good for the 16th.

RiNkY

I was confused about the need for a locker & 32's there until you mentioned the Luge. I guess I ran to Martinez Cabins from the other (Box Canyon) side with my unlocked old girl on 31's and it was a piece of cake. Didn't attempt the rocky slope up to the mine tho.

westy44runner

UPDATE - Let's schedule this for August 16, Saturday. Hopefully that will work for most...

Jon -

I have not heard anything but I would assume it is in similar condition - thanks for remembering that.

Generally this time of year the trails get more washed out. I've heard Elvis flooded quite a bit so that should make the trail a bit more fun

BLKNBLU

iTrader: (1)

Rinky, this is what 31's in the Rock Garden looks like. Rear locker got me through with no tugs but a few bits of relandscaping here and there. Then harder parts later and eventually minor body damage.

No go for me guys, a working w/e that week. If that changes, I'll definately tag along.

BLKNBLU

iTrader: (1)

Oh yay! The 16th I've still got a chance.

AZ4ME

iTrader: (1)

Driving to the cabins is a piece of cake. Driving Martinez Canyon is not quite a piece of cake. You don't need any lockers or clearance for the luge; you just point the wheels downhill and try not to drag the drives side of your vehicle all along the rocks on the way down. While not a really difficult trail, all the rain over the last year or so has washed out the trail quite a bit.

I'm gonna plan on going at this time. The only real thing I have to worry about right now is the windshield. I'm going to attempt to straighten the frame out enough with a hi-lift to get a new piece of glass in there. The rest of the damage is pretty much just a trashed body. Guess I won’t have to worry about scraping it on the way down the luge.

RiNkY

Nice pic Blknblu. How do you like the Lockrite in the rear? I'm considering that or the Aussie for mine.

BLKNBLU

iTrader: (1)

PM sent

kent

I'll bring the chips, salsa, plastic forks and knives!

sschaefer3

I am alive and I will be there. I was in Texas all last week. The buggy is ready to go.

4Runner is still just sitting in the back yard, I will take it to the body shop in September. Not really major damage but the tailgate does not shut right.

It still only goes 55 but does not leak and burn oil.

westy44runner

Okay great!

I updated the original post with the meeting time and place.

AZ4ME

iTrader: (1)

So you'll be bringing the buggy then?

sschaefer3

Yep, I am pretty much planning on wheeling that exclusively at this point. As long as I have to fuel to make it.

I did take the red truck down the fossil creek road. A few weeks ago.

AZ4ME

iTrader: (1)

Nice. Glad I won't be sweating it out alone. Need to hook up some misters through the tubing?

westy44runner

Fossil Creek road, come on...thats a 2wd road!

Although that sure is a neat place down there along the creek.

Bighead

That's good news about the buggy Steve. I'll miss following the 4-cylinders of fury but I understand the reasoning behind it.

I still want to get down there to hit some AZ trails (the return of Rider?) but don't know when I can make it happen. I have been getting slammed with classes.

sschaefer3

You can ride, even come on the airplane. Just make sure it is between October and April and the weather will be very nice.

Your truck can do all this stuff, you have been on harder. Just pass on Axle Alley and Highway to Hell, which the later we all still need to run.