Coming to a city near you and continuing the summer tour.

Is anything planned, or is it foolish to even try to be out at that time of year? I am most of the way there, so I thought I would see what was up since I am going to be out of work a little earlier than expected.

What do you say?

 

I'd be up for an early morning easy run to Crown King. Since it gets hot pretty quick, 07:00 AM is as late as I'd want to get started. Before we got to Crown King, it would be about 100 degs at the lower elevations. The trail ends up at an old mining town w/ good eats and cold suds- and much cooler temps If you have a rear locker, we can have some fun! If not, you can still run the majority of the CK trail-

I don't know if things will be open here by then tho. We're in the midst of a severe drought, and the Forest's are starting to close off areas and put restrictions in place.

Let us know what your schedule is like-

 

Well, it gets pretty freakin' hot midday out in the desert, but an early run could be arranged. I personally do NOT do night runs, hell, I get lost enough and am too anal about my sheetmetal in the day...

Let someone here know or post a date and we'll see if we can get something together. We can wheel in the morning and head back to my casa for some pool action, beers and BBQ. Too bad the stepD is going to Europe for the summer, we could have had all her friends over for a pool party !

Mike

 

I am pretty flexible between July 11th and July 18th, but I have a full days drive to get there from here.

As for trails, the higher ones should be cooler in theory, but I will be a sweaty guy no matter where I am, so no worries. I have 3 ARB's, body armor and lower gears, but not a crawler. I would really like to try some of the famous stuff if we can get on it and off of it in time to not melt.

Peace,
Adrian

 

The Crown King trail has some fun sections-

 

Maybe something like Smiley Rock or Mingus? Rocky minor fun stuff and somewhat more elevation than the Valley.

Just don't want you to melt out here Adrian!

Mike

 

Hey Mike

We have a "new to me" trail on Mingus I need to run- it's called the Mingus Mangler. I went up to run it earlier this year, but the creek was still running. I don't know about the rest of the trail, but the portion I saw had a couple of nice polished granite 4' plus tall water falls

There are a couple of optional lines on Smiley Rock that are substantialy more difficult than the rest of the trail. The upper section of the DeSoto Mine trail is also fun and has some options too-

 

heh.... post over at pirate4x4.com ...... they'll take you on some of the "famous stuff" over at table mesa... hope you dont mind body damage though

kelly

 

If you come all the way out here, there is no way your doing "Crown King". It's a nice trail, but....................

With all the internet smack that gets laid down, your going to Florence Junction, bring alot of water and we're running the "real" stuff.

Martinez Canyon or Upper Woodpecker, preferably both in 1 day.

No sense in coming all this way and running a bunny trail. AC, Water, small group and an early departure time and we'll be fine.

You can stay at my house.

 

Table Mesa would be "OK" but the only trail we could take you on was "Raw Deal", again it's a long way to come to only run raw deal.

Table Mesa is ugly with hard trails. FJ is really beautiful with hard trails.

They will both be equally hot. All the stuff you hear about on the Internet is in the desert.


Let me know.

 

I really think that FJ would be really hot... Hell, the trail we ran Saturday was 100+ in the shade...

Mark is likely running the Mingus Mangler next weekend and will provide a trail report if he makes it. He also has been informed that Smiley Rock is now fully "stacked"...

If it came down to an FJ trail, Martinez would be my suggestion for it's scenery and IFS challenge, but I would think that it should be a Friday night camp and a very early morning start to avoid the 110's that midday brings to that region. I dunno, I guess it really should be left to Adrian to say what he wants to do.

Mike

 

That would be Florence Junction. It's not too hot for me.

 

I am down for whatever.

All this seat time with traction has inflated my ego.

I will bring my 6 gallon water tank, a spare CV, some fresh skivies and a big smile.

Should be about 14 hours from here to there. I will check off with the boss soon to make absolutely sure on dates. My only constraint is needing to get my bro in Denver on the 19th IIRC.

Steve, I will shoot you a note soon. Thanks for the invite.

Looking forward to it gents,
Adrian

 

July 12th and 13th?

I need to be back north on the 19th and 20th.

I will be making visits during the week to ASU and University of Arizona among other places.

Will that work for anyone?

Steve, I will drop you a note.

Peace,
Adrian

 

13th works for me. The boys 6th Birthday party is on the 12th. I could also squeeze it in on the 11th, If need be.

 

The party got moved so either the 12th or the 13th would be fine. Actually the 12th would be better, if possible. 13th would be fine too.

 

We are going this Sunday, e-mail me if you want to go.

 

Just wondering, where did you guys end up going?

Due to alot of fire restrictions, aren't most of these trails closed for the summer?

And by the way, I made it up with my stock truck up that hill that CRAWLER posted.

Now, of course I didn't have the suspension travel that it's shown in the image, but it wasn't as bad as y'all are thinking.

 

It was about 113 in Phx. today, but we made it out for some early wheeling. Adrian did great.

 

A great time was had by all.

We ran Martinez Canyon and the first little bit of Woodpecker just up to the Fire Hole.

I made it up YellowBelly ledge after taking the wrong line at first and doing a pretty good wheelstand, that really startled me.

It was a blast, by far the toughest stuff that I have ever wheeled. Add in the heat and such which really made it a tough one.

The new bumper ground a little bit, but the tire did not. My driver's side control arm is tweaked, but oddly the truck feels smooth on the road. The bellypan and gas tank skid got some dingers, but that is about it.

Mark, I lost radio contact and didn't get to thank you for spotting me out of some hairy stuff and coming along in the heat. Watching you work that Tacoma was truly awesome.

Thanks gents, perhaps I should come back when it is below 100 and have some real fun!