>
> Dodge strikes again!
>
> I went four wheeling Saturday, (Street racers bear with us) on
> the Bulldog Canyon Trail in Arizona. This is a section of the "Great
> Western Trail" that will stretch across the west one day. Mike got the
> permit, we met near the trail head, unlocked the gate, aired the tires
> down and drove in. Right behind us at the gate were a couple of Chevy
> Suburban, one four wheel drive and one two wheel drive. I though this
> odd, but Mike had said that there was two ways out of the Canyon, one
> easy short route and a longer harder route.
>
> Mike was leading the pack with his Jeep Cherokee, Rod in the
> middle in a Ford Ranger, and me in the rear. I figured that my much
> lower low range would cause them to pile up behind me so I took the
> rear. (Plus they would get stuck first, heh) The trail was fine, and
> we took a break in a dry wash. The 'burb crew drove on by, and we
> warned the 4X 'burb that the trail is supposed to get bad, and that 2x
> should take the easy route out. They kept on going....
>
> The trail turn rocky and was getting more washed out, I saw
> Mike and Rod up ahead stopped and scratching their heads, so I knew a
> obstacle was ahead. I stopped and shifted into low range, first gear
> and crept up behind them, then opened the drivers door and walked
> along side the truck as it crept, when they looked over at me, I
> slapped the side of my leg and said "Follow here" (Inside K-9 Joke)
> They got a kick out of it.
>
> The obstacle was a short, very steep hill, as severely washed
> out due to recent El Nino storms. There was a second route, way
> easier, but it had some bad boulders in it. After walking it, we
> decided to do the hard way. Mike was first up, he crept up the middle,
> and got caught in a hole, unloaded his tires and spun. He backed up,
> turned, and stabbed the throttle, and spun in the same hole, but with
> different tires. He backed up again, locked the brakes and slid
> sideways a little. He immediately stabbed the throttle, and bounced
> over the top.
>
> Rod was next, he took what looked to be the correct line. He
> spun into a crack, and then stomped on it and bashed his way over the
> top. So much for finesse...
>
> My turn, locked it in low range, first gear, lit a smoke and
> headed uphill. The wife and kids walked up, and she refused to watch
> or take pictures of my attempt. The Dak just walked right up,never
> slipped a tire, and never used the go peddle. It just putted right up.
> Mike and Rod watched, and took some pics of me showing off the Dodge.
> the 'burb crew was on top watching and commented on how easy I made it
> look. The 2x 'burb was snatched up the bypass by the 4x, seriously
> mangling his bumper in the process....
>
> The trail got worse, and I was just putting along saving
> paint. Mike's Jeep is lifted with 31"s, Rod Ranger is not lifted, but
> has large Tires on it and his fenders suffered. (He claims the Truck
> is a heep, so he doesn't care.) Saw them stopped ahead, and figured
> for another obstacle, but the 2x 'burb was stuck in a wash. We watched
> as they broke three straps, and there was no bypass. They finally
> snatched it out with a chain and us pushing.
>
> The trail is nothing for the hard core, but for stockers it is
> a challenge. The Canyon was beautiful, with the Brittlebush totally
> covering the hillsides. I have never seen it blooming like that
> before, and the Desert Poppies were everywhere also....
>
> Was a fun day, and the Mopar Tow Hooks saved my Lower airdam a
> couple of times. Not a scratch other than the skid plates....
>
> Steve, 29
> Apache Junction, Arizona
>
> 97' Dakota, CC, 4X4, 5 Speed, all the goodies 'cept anti-lock brakes,
> Mud Flaps, spare-tire lock, Step-Shields, EVSII Alarm, Gibson Single
> 3" Cat-Back,Tow Hooks.
>
>
>
>
Go Steve!, Sounds like a pretty cool trail, nothing like the 4L Dodge puts
in their trucks is there? it'll get your through just about anything
without even hitting the gas.....
Bruce
This archive was generated by hypermail 2b29 : Fri Jun 20 2003 - 12:08:38 EDT