John Crossing just before being yanked
I met Ken and Family, and John both Land Cruiser guys. I had initially planned to take the Moose, but with the rain, and snow I decided to take the Jeep at the last moment. We were off first was Boards Crossing trail, lots of rain and wet weather made this really easy trail a bit more difficult. One are in particular has a little muddy hill to climb, I tried first, but my diff hit a rock and denied me the first attempt. Then the second try I went right up. Next came John, he was open and had a harder time. After trying two or three times, it was time for the strap. I was able to pull him right out with the Jeep. It was Kens turn. He made it look pretty easy. His Lexus 450 was locked front and rear and climbed it pretty easy. I have to admit, it was kind of weird watching a rig with leather, interior wood trim, and Satellite Radio, basically a luxury vehicle wheel. I felt as if I need some Grey Poupon or something..
Ken Crossing
The rest of Boards Crossing was without any problems, its just a fun trail that has a nice place to stop and chat. Ken had brought his daughter and wife we chatted while the kids played and had a good time. It was nice wheeling with a small group of good people; it really reminded me of when I started wheeling all those years ago. It is also one of the reasons while I still wheel today. Good people, good times.
It was time to get going if we were going to make Corral Hollow and be out by dark. While driving up Highway Four it started to snow at about 6000 feet. It was getting colder and there is 6 inches of snow on the ground. Once we made it to the trail head I locked the transfer case and off we went. We winded through the trees and my jeep was having no problem going. The ground had a few inches of snow, but was frozen solid, the ice made the locker on my jeep pitch it from side to side. Paul II was having a blast, he was smiles from ear to ear. It was great to share this with my little bud. He loves to wheel, but then looked at me seriously and asked, Dad when do we get to have a snow ball fight. I knew he was jonzen to get out and play in the snow. The problem was that I did not think it was going to snow so I did not bring his gloves.
PP and I leading the pack
I guess John was having a tough time of it, being open and not wanting to air down made him spin his tires a lot, but he was still behind us. After making it through the trees we entered the poppy fields, this time of year they are not the greens yellows and lush colors of spring, its more like browns and white from the snow. Paul and I were blazing the trail when we came to a long steep hill. First attempt denied us, second pitched us sideways. Paul looks at and he is grinning again. I tell him hang on buddy. I lock the front and back down slowly, then give it another try. All four tires spinning, and up we went all the way to the top. Paul and I get out seeing if John is going to be able to make it, but he was denied. I radio Ken to tell him to try it, and that I was going to turn around. Paul and I preformed an awesome two point tank spin to turn around on the trail. It was Most impressive if I say so myself.
While Paul and I were spinning, Ken and his wife switched and Kens wife was going to do the climb. I personally love to see family participation on the trail, but have to admit I get nervous when Raylene drives the Jeep. Not because of her, it’s just a husband wife thing I guess. Kens wife climbed the long steep icy hill with little effort. She did wonderful; she climbed right up with little tire spin. PP and I drove down the hill and decided it was time to play in the snow.
Grey Poupon anybody
Ken and his family came down and played with us, after about ½ hour of playing a bunch of Jeep guys came by and attempted to climb the hill. They made all of us nervous because they were just gun and go type of people. Not typically the types that I like to see on the trail. After about an hour PP came to me and started to cry. His little hands were red and he was really cold. I picked him up put him next to me for warmth. We made it to the Jeep and I turned on the heater so he could warm up. It was getting late so we headed out.
Family Play time
After airing up we headed home to my lovely wife and a nice warm shower and meal.
It was great getting out wheeling with new people, and a small group. Both John and Ken (and family) were fun, I hope to wheel with them again. Its trips like these that remind me of what wheeling is all about, sure some are about hard core rock crawling and busting parts, carnage and and testing their rigs all out capability is what its all about.. My vision of wheeling is good people good trails (hard or easy) and family. The only thing that could have made this trip perfect was for Raylene to have been there too, but I have to say being alone with my son made it a day I will remember forever.
Paul
