Who's going to AZROCKS?

[flyingwil]

Who's all going to AZ TORRA's AZROCKS (http://www.azrocks.org/)?

I'll be there!

Yeah, I know it's this weekend, but if your going I want to make sure I stop by and say HI...

I know Scott is going, and Bman ... anyone else? With all the Toyota Guys on here I figure there has to be more!

[BajaXplorer]

I'll be there and I suspect that BajaTaco will also be there. We'll see once he reads this thread.
BX

[Westy]

It should be a crazy weekend out there with all the vehicles...between all the TTORA and Toyotas and the Bronco club is having their annual meeting as well. I know quite a few AZVJC guys will be out there too.

[Scott Brady]

Chris and I will be leaving this afternoon to make camp. I will be doing a ride-a-long on Friday and will be leading Hackberry on Saturday.

hope to see some of you there!

[BajaTaco]

Yep, I will be there!

Bman, Wil, BX - do you guys have any plans for trails? I am thinking of doing the woodpeckers or martinez since I haven't done those for a long time. Although Coke ovens is always tempting because it's such a beautiful trail that's nice and long so it can be savored.

I'll be headed to Hackberry with Scott on Sat. - if you guys haven't done that area, I highly recommend it. Also because the area might be closed before too long.

BTW, speaking of the Bronco club, some are saying the Nissan guys will be camped out there as well.

[BajaTaco]

Brian (Westy) are you gonna head out there?

[Westy]

Baja - I should be out there in my friend Ben's 85 4runner, my rig is down for alittle while until I can get my ARBs and new tires installed. We were planning on running Hackberry with the group...where exactly should we meet up to run Hackberry? What side are you going in at? Oak Flat? Apache Leap?

[BajaTaco]

OK, we'll look for you and Ben. When do you think you guys will make it out there? It looks like things have changed slightly, and Scott and I probably won't arrive until after dark tonight.

As far as hooking up for Hackberry, I imagine we will leave the AZ Rocks camp at 8:00 am on Saturday morning and caravan up there - probably via 79 to FloJo and then east. Scott can verify when he checks in here.

[Westy]

I just remembered Ben has a slight leak in his gas tank from last weekends trek and he needs to find a new tank so we may not make but I will be sure to post up later and let you guys know for sure.

If we come out, it will be just for the day on Saturday and we'd probably just meet you guys at your camp or @ Oak Flat?

[BajaTaco]

I gotta run - we're on our way. Good luck with the tank - not sure to tell you where to find us other than the azrocks campground off cottonwood canyon road - www.azrocks.com (http://www.azrocks.com) I don't think we have any plans to camp at Oak Flat.

[ShottsCruisers]

Chris and I will be leaving this afternoon to make camp. I will be doing a ride-a-long on Friday and will be leading Hackberry on Saturday.

hope to see some of you there!

What time can I meet you in Superior on Saturday to run Hackberry/Powerline? THANKS! (We'll be driving from Tucson)(Anybody got a portable CB we can use for the trip?)

[flyingwil]

Yep, I will be there!

Bman, Wil, BX - do you guys have any plans for trails? I am thinking of doing the woodpeckers or martinez since I haven't done those for a long time. Although Coke ovens is always tempting because it's such a beautiful trail that's nice and long so it can be savored.

I'll be headed to Hackberry with Scott on Sat. - if you guys haven't done that area, I highly recommend it. Also because the area might be closed before too long.

BTW, speaking of the Bronco club, some are saying the Nissan guys will be camped out there as well.


I Plan on doing the FR 4, Battleaxe, Coke Ovens, Box Canyon run with Tom (Stypica) on Friday. I haven't been there so it'll all be new to me:victory:

[goodtimes]

photo #1: oops

Photo #2: Nice jack stand

Photo #3: At least he had a quality lug wrench.

:shakin:

[ShottsCruisers]

HAD A GREAT TIME! THANKS to Scott and Chris for setting up a Powerline run! Man, Taco's amaze me more every time I run with them. Here's my picture gallery from the trip. If you want a full-size pic just email me the PIC NUMBER.


http://shottscruisers.smugmug.com/Four Wheeling/129980

[datrupr]

Great pics Mr. Shotts! Thanks for posting up so quickly. Looks like an awesome trail with some good challenges.

Wil, what happened to your grill?

[BMAN]

photo #1: oops

Photo #2: Nice jack stand

Photo #3: At least he had a quality lug wrench.

:shakin:


"OOPS!" is right. Man that scared the piss outa me. Glad Chris was there to hook that winchline as quick as he did. And you to keep me level headed and spot me out of that ordeal. Still had a great time though. Even if I missed Brittan's Friday night dinner cause I was huntin a 35 12.50 down all over town.

[flyingwil]

Wil, what happened to your grill?

Nothing happened to my grill... it did get muddy and lost the spacer below the headlight...

my only damage was to the skid plates, but isn't that what they're for?

You might be looking at seth's tacoma (it's gray) and he has a billet grill.

[datrupr]

No, it was yours, it must be the spacer missing under the left headlight. Cool, glad to hear ya had a good time and put those skid plates to good use.

[flyingwil]

HAD A GREAT TIME! THANKS to Scott and Chris for setting up a Powerline run! Man, Taco's amaze me more every time I run with them. Here's my picture gallery from the trip. If you want a full-size pic just email me the PIC NUMBER.


http://shottscruisers.smugmug.com/Four Wheeling/129980


It was great meeting you and your wife! I'd love to do another run with you guys sometime in the near future, and see your LX in more action! :Wow1:

Love the pictures of the mud puddle at the bottom of the switchbacks. I never thought I'd have to do so many 3 point turns to get through some switch backs.

Here are some of Seth's pictures... they look great... (I forgot my camera!)

http://seth.phizz.net/stuff/adventures/powerline_3-18-06/images/imgp0138.jpg

http://seth.phizz.net/stuff/adventures/powerline_3-18-06/images/imgp0131.jpg

http://seth.phizz.net/stuff/adventures/powerline_3-18-06/images/imgp0137.jpg


Take Care,
Wil

[ShottsCruisers]

It was great meeting you and your wife! I'd love to do another run with you guys sometime in the near future, and see your LX in more action! :Wow1:

Love the pictures of the mud puddle at the bottom of the switchbacks. I never thought I'd have to do so many 3 point turns to get through some switch backs.

Here are some of Seth's pictures... they look great... (I forgot my camera!)

http://seth.phizz.net/stuff/adventures/powerline_3-18-06/images/imgp0138.jpg

http://seth.phizz.net/stuff/adventures/powerline_3-18-06/images/imgp0131.jpg

http://seth.phizz.net/stuff/adventures/powerline_3-18-06/images/imgp0137.jpg


Take Care,
Wil

Thank YOU Will. You did a great job in your Taco. That one hill is insane!

[goodtimes]

Thank YOU Will. You did a great job in your Taco. That one hill is insane!

What hill? I don't remember anything beyond a 3.0 out there. Did I miss something, or has one of the hills gotton significantly worse since last year? I like the sounds of insane.....with scenery to boot. Where is this supposed "insane" hill? I wanna see it!

[flyingwil]

What hill? I don't remember anything beyond a 3.0 out there. Did I miss something, or has one of the hills gotton significantly worse since last year? I like the sounds of insane.....with scenery to boot. Where is this supposed "insane" hill? I wanna see it!


There were a few good "hills", our first one was a slick rock decent, then one which required a locker to get up, (which was great), and the third was a series of switch backs that ended by the mud puddle seen above. All three could be considered insane, but the switch backs were the most fun.

[goodtimes]

OK, I know which hills you are talking about....sorry, they don't qualify as "insane". That IS a fun section of trail though.

[jaco]

OK, I know which hills you are talking about....sorry, they don't qualify as "insane". That IS a fun section of trail though.

What would you qualify as insane?

[ShottsCruisers]

There were a few good "hills", our first one was a slick rock decent, then one which required a locker to get up, (which was great), and the third was a series of switch backs that ended by the mud puddle seen above. All three could be considered insane, but the switch backs were the most fun.

The hill I'm speaking of is no 3.0. I'd say a 3.5+. I also say insane because some stock Taco TRD's ran it. It isn't that bad for my big LX or your Jeep but it still is harder than anything on...say....Chiva Falls. This hill....the one on the RIGHT (the left s-backs are easy...2.5) in the first pic and the north side is the second pic.

http://shottscruisers.smugmug.com/photos/26324377-L.jpg
http://shottscruisers.smugmug.com/photos/37452790-L.jpg

[Scott Brady]

It is all perspective.

The hackberry/powerline trail is actually a 2.5+ IMO. I have driven all of the obstacles in a stock height TJ with limited slip and 31" tall tires.

Articulate (Mark) on this board drove the trail in a manual, OPEN TJ, but did not do the side canyon. He used the skid plates a lot, and need to take a few attempts at some challenges, but it could be done.

When you see obstacles like the ones on Upper Ajax or Axel Alley, then insane (3.5+) comes to mind :)

[ShottsCruisers]

Hmmm, links didn't open.

Scott's on the conservative side with the trail ratings. It's cuz he has that Jeep with a 3697:1 crawl ratio and an RTI of 2157 so things seem easy. :jump:

I seem to use the variety or ratings from books, Jeep sites, and the like. They rate Chiva Falls a 3.5 and there's nothing on the trail there that is as tough as this hill (IMO) so I call it a 3.5+. They rate the Gap a 4.0 for the Step. The rest is a 3.0 or so.

It's all relative anyhow based on your rig and experience. I see Scott's point. Upper Ajax and those.....that's insane. The hill on Powerline is not. :xxrotflma

[Scott Brady]

Hmmm, links didn't open.

Scott's on the conservative side with the trail ratings. It's cuz he has that Jeep with a 3697:1 crawl ratio and an RTI of 2157 so things seem easy. :jump:

I seem to use the variety or ratings from books, Jeep sites, and the like. They rate Chiva Falls a 3.5 and there's nothing on the trail there that is as tough as this hill (IMO) so I call it a 3.5+. They rate the Gap a 4.0 for the Step. The rest is a 3.0 or so.

It's all relative anyhow based on your rig and experience. I see Scott's point. Upper Ajax and those.....that's insane. The hill on Powerline is not. :xxrotflma

Trails have just gotten harder over the last 6-8 years. When I ran powerline in 1996, it was one of the "Hard Core" trails. Axel Alley didnt even exist yet.

Oh, and my Jeep is just a baby by todays standards (2" lift and 33x10.5" tire), though it does work well as designed...

[ShottsCruisers]

Trails have just gotten harder over the last 6-8 years. When I ran powerline in 1996, it was one of the "Hard Core" trails. Axel Alley didnt even exist yet.

Oh, and my Jeep is just a baby by todays standards (2" lift and 33x10.5" tire), though it does work well as designed...

Seeing you and Brian idling up things is sick. :Wow1: I can't justify the price of that 4:1 crawler box for my Lexus though. :rolleyes: I need a Jeep too!

[goodtimes]

What would you qualify as insane?


Brians (*slightly* skewed) scale of difficulty:

Box Canyon, Chiva Falls, etc: Bumpy dirt road

Martinez Loop, Upper Woodpecker, etc: Fun bumpy dirt road

Lower Woodpecker (staying off the bypass on the right), Upper Ajax, etc: really fun trail.

Hiway to Hell, Axle Alley, etc: gettin kind of crazy (these are the upper limit of what I will do in my stockish jeep....though I prefer those trails listed as "really fun trail")

Matrix, Twisted, most of the hammers, etc: insane (you may see my jeep at the trailhead, but you won't see my jeep on these trails).

[ShottsCruisers]

Brians (*slightly* skewed) scale of difficulty:

Box Canyon, Chiva Falls, etc: Bumpy dirt road

Martinez Loop, Upper Woodpecker, etc: Fun bumpy dirt road

Lower Woodpecker (staying off the bypass on the right), Upper Ajax, etc: really fun trail.

Hiway to Hell, Axle Alley, etc: gettin kind of crazy (these are the upper limit of what I will do in my stockish jeep....though I prefer those trails listed as "really fun trail")

Matrix, Twisted, most of the hammers, etc: insane.

You've confirmed it! YOU'RE INSANE! :D

[crawler#976]

...couple reasons why things are easier - but first and foremost is that the trails have been beat down by excessive use.

The second is in the availability of parts to do major mod's at less expensive prices. Used to be a lift kit just lifted the rig but offered no real advantages in articulation. That's all changed in the last few years.

IMO, For Aridzona conditions, this is the best rating system available:

http://azrockcrawler.com/_images/trailrating/trailrating.html

[Westy]

Alright, second try. For the record I HATE Yahoo photos...

Here is a another pic of the hill Shotts is referring to. It is quite steep, with some good sized boulders and sharp turns to navigate. This is nearing the top of the hill
http://members.cox.net/brian.westfall/hackberry1.jpg

http://members.cox.net/brian.westfall/hackberry2.jpg


It would definitely test the limits of most any stock vehicle. Rear locker and lift makes it no problem. The backside of this hill (northside) has a good ledge as well and its no less steeper either. Here is a terrible pic of it:

http://members.cox.net/brian.westfall/hackberry3.jpg


I wish I could have made it out to AZRocks and run a couple trails with you guys. Glad to see a good time was had out there.

[ShottsCruisers]

Right on....that's the hill. FUN! Man the brush was horrific Saturday.

[jaco]

Brians (*slightly* skewed) scale of difficulty:

Box Canyon, Chiva Falls, etc: Bumpy dirt road

Martinez Loop, Upper Woodpecker, etc: Fun bumpy dirt road

Lower Woodpecker (staying off the bypass on the right), Upper Ajax, etc: really fun trail.

Hiway to Hell, Axle Alley, etc: gettin kind of crazy (these are the upper limit of what I will do in my stockish jeep....though I prefer those trails listed as "really fun trail")

Matrix, Twisted, most of the hammers, etc: insane (you may see my jeep at the trailhead, but you won't see my jeep on these trails).

I believe in the whole perspective thing, axle alley is kinda hard, but chances of rolling down a really long distance is less than that of hackberry. If that's what freaks you out, then maybe hackberry is insane for you. I Just don't go around judging if it's ok that someone thinks something is intimidating or not, it's all their perspective.

[goodtimes]

I believe in the whole perspective thing....

Yes, alot of it is. I feel very comfortable on a 30* side hill in the jeep, John looks at me like I'm nuts...yet he will point his cruiser up a 15' deep river and be smiling like a kid on christmas morning while I'm out looking for a bridge....

Alot of it has to with the amount of sheet metal on the vehicle, and how close that sheet metal is to the rocks.

And of course, alot of it depends on what the person in question likes to do. I can go run a trail like Upper Ajax and have a great, relaxing hour and a half. But when on something like Hiway to Hell, I dont' have as much fun because I'm trying to figure out how the hell I'm going to get through the trail in one piece.....at the same time someone with a buggy is bounding along having a good old time....

[ShottsCruisers]

Yes, alot of it is. I feel very comfortable on a 30* side hill in the jeep, John looks at me like I'm nuts...yet he will point his cruiser up a 15' deep river and be smiling like a kid on christmas morning while I'm out looking for a bridge....

Alot of it has to with the amount of sheet metal on the vehicle, and how close that sheet metal is to the rocks.

And of course, alot of it depends on what the person in question likes to do. I can go run a trail like Upper Ajax and have a great, relaxing hour and a half. But when on something like Hiway to Hell, I dont' have as much fun because I'm trying to figure out how the hell I'm going to get through the trail in one piece.....at the same time someone with a buggy is bounding along having a good old time....

:D :D :D Yes, that was a GREAT day! We had a blast! Memmories below...

I thing my biggest hang up is getting body damage. I have a lot on $$$z in my trucks....??? I built the Lexus to run the Ajax's, etc....but I'm whimpy!

http://shottscruisers.smugmug.com/photos/56231146-L.jpg

[Westy]

wow. cool water crossing. That looks like fun!

Goodtimes - Have you ever ran Miners Revenge? If so, how would you compare it to Upper Ajax or Hiway to Hell?

[goodtimes]

Never been on Miners Revenge....

[BajaTaco]

Great weekend! It was really good to see eveyone. John & Tom (even though he's not on this forum), thanks for your help on Saturday. I appreciate it. Wil, thanks for the ride to the BBQ Sat. night. Thanks to everyone for having a good time.

John, cool pics! I dig the slide show. Hey, I SWEAR I saw your LX on Sunday, out on Park Link Drive - that connector road between 79 and I-10 in the middle of a serious hailstorm. Was that you?? I was out bummin' around on some trails by Owl Head buttes on my way to Tucson.

I haven't even been able to look at my pics yet... (sigh) Just got home.

[BajaTaco]

Hey Scott! Thanks for letting me try out the tent amigo. That was fun. You still owe me a hot-space-coffee thingy...

Maybe on the next one...

:rappel:

[flyingwil]

I just found my Pic's... Wendy Had moved them.

http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a352/flyingwil/IMG_0676.jpg

http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a352/flyingwil/IMG_0682.jpg

http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a352/flyingwil/IMG_0700.jpg

http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a352/flyingwil/IMG_0673.jpg

http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a352/flyingwil/IMG_0689.jpg

http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a352/flyingwil/IMG_0681.jpg

Wil

[Scenic WonderRunner]

I LOVE the shot of the OVENS!!!!!!!!!!!

Those are sooooo KEWL..........!:sunflower

[flyingwil]

I LOVE the shot of the OVENS!!!!!!!!!!!

Those are sooooo KEWL..........!:sunflower


Yeah, I couldn't pass up an opportunity to go there, since I have never been there. Trail was to easy for my taste, but the scenery and just being out there was a lot of fun. It was fun watching the '05 try and get out with out damage.

[goodtimes]

I love the scenery in that whole area. In southern Arizona, Coke Ovens and the Martinez loop are right at the top of my book....