Well a very sucessful outing was had. The group consisted of us in the Ramus, and Mohammad in the Cummins 4x4.
After a wait for Mo to show up at the Texaco station, we departed for the area. A detailed map will come in a future post. We turned north on Queen Valley road, and the took the Hewitt Station dirt turn off a couple miles up. About 5 miles down this road, past the windmill oin the left, we took the Rogers Trough trailhead turnoff to the left. This is where the fun started.
Before I get into the pictures and descriptions, let me say that this was a symbolic trip for me. Not even Twister knows the my history with this area as a kid. When my family went camping, this was pretty much where we went. I had not visited this area on my terms, as a camper, since I was probably 10 or 12 years old. So this was a reunion, sort of for me. Does that make sense? Probably not...
Anyway, in the intervening years, the Forest Service and the ranchers in the area have created an improved road up there. This road is easily accessible, most of the way, even with a car. The old road used to be in the wash. We turned off partway down, and joined the old road.
Since they don't maintain the old road anymore, it washes out and exposes rocks. This is the first obstacle we encountered. I look goofy because I'm slamming the door to the Ramus with my hip, plus I'm goofy.
Keep in mind, this is easily bypassed by simply staying on the newer road.
Here, Mohammad takes possily the most difficult line through the rock. He wanted a challenge I guess. The Cummins just walked over it. Any stock 4x4 or high-clearance 2x4 could easily navigate this.
Here's where it got interesting. These are the shots Mohammad doesn't want you to see
A combination of a distracted driver and a crumbly dirt bank almost caused the Cummins to roll about 800 feet nearly straight down the cliff.
These photos do not show the extreme angle of the cliff or the predicaiment of the truck as was the case. I figured the day was over here, and we'd be lucky to get the Cummins off the ledge at all.
See those two guys with the Toyota? They were amazed and freaked out. We named this Mohammad's Ledge.
This doesn't look so bad, does it? Well, if I were standing in that hole, I wouldn't be able to touch the tire. That right front is the
only tire still touching the ground.
The left rear is hanging into space, and the right rear is off the ground because the truck is sitting on the rear pumpkin.
Well, there's nothing for it but to hook up the mighty Ramus and give it a tug. The Toyota guys offered to hook on too, till I mentioned that if the Cummins rolled off the cliff, it would likely drag me with it. Upon hearing that, they withdrew their offer and retired to take pictures. But the mighty one amazingly dragged that heavy diesel right up with no wheelspin. Super Duty 0, Cummins 0, Ramus 2!
Encouraged by our mastery of the elements, we pressed on .
We encountered a Jeep group that had come in from a side trail while we were recovering Mohammad. This is a shot up the hill as we are stopped because one of the Jeeps is stuck. The Toy guys are ahead of us now. I don't know why the Jeep got stuck. A 2wd could make this terrain.
Come to find out, they were a bunch of folks from New Jersey (!) out on a Jeep tour.
This is where we stopped and had lunch. The Jeep people (now behind us) came up and just surrounded us in this little site. They asked if we were ok. We said yes. They took pictures and left.
A nice vista. We're at about 4000 feet elevation here.
Our campsite for the evening. This area could easily hold 50 or more people, but we had it all to ourselves. In fact, after the Toy and Jeep people left, we only saw one other vehicle. Nobody camped up here at all.
We had a big full moon, and it was nice and cool due to the elevation. We got a fire going, fired up El Fuego and cooked some burgs, and sat back and enjoyed a nice quiet outdoors evening. I really wished more of our chapter members had been there to enjoy it. Next time!
Did some hunting and bagged a Peanut. Not really. Me and Mo did some plinking and each declared ourselves the better marksman.
Another vista on the way back down this morning.
The Ramus on the rocks.
And at the end, there was this. I don't know what it is. A Blair Teddy Project thing, I guess.
Anyway, this would make a nice easy overnight chapter outing. A stock 4x4 or high-clearance 2x4 could make the whole way. There are side challenges available to those who want a little more. The camping area is great, clean, and plenty of shade and trees. It's not very far to go.
Using AZRC's posted trail rating guide, I think the road up to Mohammad's ledge is a 1.5, with it being a 2.0 thereafter. Some places in the old road (wash) areas may reach 3.0 to 3.5, but his is easily bypassed if needed by simply staying on the new road, which parallels the old road.
