Smugglers Cave Pictures!

[Boston Mangler]

WOW, what a great trip!

Here are some pics:

Cmon guys, post em up!

There are also some here:

http://yotatech.com/showthread.php?t=77978 (looks like i got pic of the day on this one) :D

and Here:

http://www.ag-photography.net/Wheelin%202-4-06/index.htm

[calamaridog]

Just a note. We never really looked for the cave but we went up to Elliot Mine. I'll post some pics later too.

[calamaridog]

We set out from Alpine, CA at around 0730 and made it out to the In-Ko-Pah area by 0815. Our first trip was to the south side of hwy 8 in the Smugglar's Cave/Elliot Mine area.

The following explorers were in attendance:

Blue Tropper - Roy
Calamaridog - Bryan
Scenic Wonder Runner - Mark
Boy Scout/Gfiero - Gordon
+D - David
Boston Mangler - Kevin
Yotatech (assorted 4runners)

We headed up the road to the Elliot Mine site. We ended up NOT going to Smugglar's Cave for a variety of reasons.

[calamaridog]

After spending some time at the Elliot Mine site (I'll post some pics of the site when I can find some), and after +D (David) fixed his Jeep:victory: , we split up with the Yotatech fellas and headed to the north side of hwy 8.

This is the Table Top Mt. side of the hwy. We drove up the hill past Table Top Mt. and stopped for lunch. Mark had a good spot with great views of McCain Valley:

[calamaridog]

We intended to head towards the "Carrizo Gorge Overlook". We headed down a very steap hill and into a wonderful and moderately technical trail network. We never really made it to our destination, but the trip was the adventure, right?:p :

[calamaridog]

We were tired, but not defeated. It was getting late! Gordon had already left since he was driving all the way back to Long Beach area. David and his father Jim were getting ready to head back to San Diego. Roy left for Orange County when David and Jim headed back to San Diego so they could caravan part way.

Kevin, Mark, and I headed to camp, which we found earlier in the day. We set up camp and enjoyed cocktail hour, Kevin and I ate all of Marks chips and salsa, and then we talked late into the night before going to sleep.

Morning brought a great sunrise, which I failed to capture on camera. Eggs and hash and coffee before we broke camp and headed home.

On a separate note, Calamaridog was a very good girl the whole trip. Everyone seemed to enjoy her demeanor and she really liked everyone she met.

[+ d]

thanks for a great time guys!

i've got some pics i'll be posting up shortly too.

i gotta tell you though, its a bit embarrassing having more pics of my springs laying on the trail, i am just wondering why none of the guys on top thought to get on the ol' cb and tell me i was barfin' up parts! i was wondering why it was handling so strange!

great to see the trucks and dudes behind the screen names
:elkgrin:

[DaktariEd]

Looks like a great trip! That's an area I ogled from I-8 as I whizzed past on my way to San Diego. I have always thought would be fun to explore.

Ed

[calamaridog]

David,

I didn't go up to the top, I went around the side via the short route. I didn't even know you had lost a spring until I asked someone where you went. I missed you after about 30 min...:o

Ed,

We have just scratched the tip of the iceburg exploring that area. There is a ton of stuff to see and we are trying to work out a long cross country route that will be a good 2-3 day trip.

There is a ton of history in that area from the Native people, Mexican rustlers, miners, and settlers that we are just waiting to explore.:archaeolo

[articulate]

I was thinking you boys and gals were going to be getting all muddy crawling around some cave on all fours and lamps on your heads....:xxrotflma .

Either way, that place looks gorgeous. I'm glad you have some shots of the end of the day, too: chips-n-salsa and "something" in a red solo cup. :beer:

Here's to life. Nice trip....
M

[BlueTrooper]

Here's a link to a slideshow of more pics (hope it works for you guys):

http://www.4wdtrips.net/photogallery/displayimage.php?album=8&pid=23&slideshow=5000

You'll see there was some of this going on at one of the mine entrances:
:rappel:

Thanks to Kevin for the great pics of my Trooper!

[Scott Brady]

looks like a great trip. Glad everyone had a good time and enjoyed the adventure! :luxhello:

[articulate]

Here we go, baby!!!!!!!
http://www.4wdtrips.net/photogallery/albums/userpics/10006/normal_DSC00411.JPG

Yee HAW! :sunny:
That's a tight looking hole...

[calamaridog]

I was thinking you boys and gals were going to be getting all muddy crawling around some cave on all fours and lamps on your heads....:xxrotflma.

The cave is there somewhere:jump: We decided not to waste a good part of our day looking for it. I will go back and find it someday.

The real title of the trip should have been In-Ko-Pah, which is the best known name of the general area.

[calamaridog]

Here we go, baby!!!!!!!
http://www.4wdtrips.net/photogallery/albums/userpics/10006/normal_DSC00411.JPG

Yee HAW! :sunny:

That is Elliot Mine. The funny thing is once he got in there he walked out about 30 feet downhill through the entrance:xxrotflma

[BlueTrooper]

Yee HAW! :sunny:
That's a tight looking hole...

Glad you liked the pic. I thought that one might garner some interesting comments.

We thought it would have been funny if someone had snuck into the other entrance to wait for him. Ah, hindsight! :rolleyes:

You have a very interesting and well-done website, btw!
:clapsmile

[articulate]

Glad you liked the pic. I thought that one might garner some interesting comments.

We thought it would have been funny if someone had snuck into the other entrance to wait for him. Ah, hindsight! :rolleyes:

You have a very interesting and well-done website, btw!
:clapsmile
Interesting comments? Yes, with the other desert pictures I was reminded of that horrible Kevin Bacon movie with the giant evil worms that eat people and live under ground. That hole is about the right size. :Wow1:

Mark
(thanks for checking out the website! :ylsmoke:)

[Boston Mangler]

i gotta tell you though, its a bit embarrassing having more pics of my springs laying on the trail, !

Dont sweat it man, your rig did awesome! I have been wheeling for about 8-10 years with all sorts of rigs and have NEVER seen a rig spit out a spring! Shame on the dumbass jeep engineer that didnt think of developing some sort of retainer. Every coil sprung rig i have ever worked on has some sort of spring retainers, that is a crappy design on their part!

Look at it this way, there was no damage done to the rig, you easily fixed it and it costs you nothing, now you know to fab up some sort of spring retainers.

I totally dig the superclean look of your rig, you have done some very well thought out mods!

[Boston Mangler]

I had a blast on this trip. It was the first time actually wheeling my 80 and i was very much impressed/pleased with it.

The trails were harder then i thought they would be but the 80 didnt even flinch! Definitely need to do a brake upgrade, but other then that, i am super happy it.

Big thanks to Bryan for setting this up, i would like to explore that place some more as well!

Kevin

[+ d]

...was the first time actually wheeling my 80 and i was very much impressed/pleased with it...

Big thanks to Bryan for setting this up, i would like to explore that place some more as well!...

anytime Boston Mangler and his big 80 wants to break trail i'll gladly follow!

you know it actually worked out pretty well for us as just a day trip, i was tired when i got home, but was back by 7pm. i would certainly do it again, its kinda nice to have minimal packing/unpacking to do.

i've got a few ideas on the drawing boards that will hopeful prevent any further spring escapades!

[calamaridog]

Kevin,

I hope you didn't mind me asking you to lead. You have the most capable rig by far. Those MTR's do real well and the rear locker rocks.

Speaking of rear lockers, get me a bottom line on your buddies elocker so I can start saving.

David,

Coughing up the spring in front of a bunch of 4runners:xxrotflma Those guys will talk about it for months! I rather enjoyed having all the different types of vehicles there.

[BlueTrooper]

I was reminded of that horrible Kevin Bacon movie with the giant evil worms that eat people and live under ground. That hole is about the right size.

About the right size for the juvenile worms, perhaps.

Funny, I remember it as a most excellent Kevin Bacon film. ;) It holds a dear place in my very eclectic video library.

Title is Tremors.

:lurk:

[cshontz]

NEVER seen a rig spit out a spring! Shame on the dumbass jeep engineer that didnt think of developing some sort of retainer. Every coil sprung rig i have ever worked on has some sort of spring retainers, that is a crappy design on their part!

They do use retaining clips, however it would seem that they do so selectively. My TJ had a retaining clip on only one side, whereas my XJ has clips on both sides.

[Boston Mangler]

Kevin,

I hope you didn't mind me asking you to lead. You have the most capable rig by far. Those MTR's do real well and the rear locker rocks..

Not at all. It was a little tough at first because it was my first time wheeling anything that big, but it worked out well! The front locker should be installed in a month or 2, then ITS AWN!!!! :D



Speaking of rear lockers, get me a bottom line on your buddies elocker so I can start saving.


Email me for his contact info! I HIGHLY recommend the factory e-locker over the ARB's ALL of the wiring is there and it is almost a plug and play install! All you need is to find a used shaft, which i could locate for you. I got mine for $75


I rather enjoyed having all the different types of vehicles there.

Me too! I was MOST impressed by the troopers. Those were the first 2 i have ever seen offroad and both performed very well!

[Scenic WonderRunner]

Kevin.....

I made it home about 1am this morning......after finding a mouse in my truck while trying to sleep! UG! I wrote the story over at 4WDTrips.

I got your SWR meter home safe with me. Now I want to do some online research before I start cutting up my antenna or experimenting with reckless abandonee!

When I'm done with it.....we can meet up in Carmel Mtn. Ranch for a snack so I can return it to you.

I had a blast this weekend!

While I was out trying to get to the Carrizo Gorge Overlook after you guys left sunday..........I found an 8 Ton Hitch (it's freekin' huge!) at the bottom of a steep drop into a wash. Maybe I can trade this to you along with some chips and salsa for some mod help one day.:D

Now there is an idea!...........we need to help you with your NEW--> Chips~N~Salsa Dispenser MOD!:victory:

Aloha! ................Mark

[Scenic WonderRunner]

I love this shot by one of our YotaTech friends.

Looking down from the top of the Elliot Mine at our group which made it to the top! The Scenic WonderRunner is saying life is good on the far left in the pic!:D

The pic includes a 3/4 view of the famous Calamaridog!:shakin:

oops.....wait!.....maybe that's a Calamaridog imposter!

The view in the distance is the desert floor northeast toward the Salton Sea

http://www.ag-photography.net/Wheelin%202-4-06/images/DSC_5563.jpg

[calamaridog]

I thought SWR was saying "sell me to Calamaridog:D "...

[Justin]

Great photos! It looks like you all had a great time. That looks like a great area to explore with plenty to offer for all types of rigs. Next time you guys organize a so-cal get together count me in...I don't get my truck dirty nearly enough.

Justin