Finally got that last half mile

corwyyn · **Posted:** Mon Jun 19, 2006 1:49 am

If anyone remembers this from back on the old e-z board, back in March '05 I was a new KJ owner that wanted to try it out on some dirt. I took it out on a part of the Great Western Trail that used to be a section of the old Bush Highway between Phoenix and Payson. I had some fun, flexed my Jeep a bit and generally enjoyed myself. Unfortunately I came to one point where there was a bit of a climb, and since I hadn't done too much off-roading at that point I was hesitant of trying it. Also, shortly after I got there I heard some engine noise and noticed a Hummer coming down the trail. He crawled down the section I was contemplating:

After seeing him crawl down I decided to pack it in and try this another day. So this afternoon I got everything done I needed to do and decided to go out to the Four Peaks area try again. The previous time I had gotten within 1/2 mile of where the Trail intersects with the road up to Four Peaks and I really wanted to finish off that last 1/2 mile. After finding the turn (thanks to Google Earth) I went out and got to the section that had stumped me. After walking it and seeing where I need to go I got in the Jeep and went on down:

After that I was feeling pretty good about life and decided to grab some air:

So now the next task is to go out and do the section from Four Peaks road south to the Butcher Jones parking area at Saguaro Lake. If anyone in the Phoenix area is interested I am thinking about trying this over the 4th of July weekend; I also want to get the Coke Ovens run done that weekend if I can find some takers.

oldhockeyvb · **Posted:** Mon Jun 19, 2006 3:47 pm

I'm interested Kev, don't know if I can keep up with you all weekend though. I gotta sleep sometime

Desertlove · **Posted:** Mon Jun 19, 2006 9:15 pm

I take my libby out to Butcher jones almost every weekend. I wont be in town for the forth tho.

Tokyojoe · **Posted:** Mon Jun 19, 2006 10:03 pm

Looks like the big hole was filled in. (see front right/passenger side tire on Hummer)

corwyyn · **Posted:** Tue Jun 20, 2006 4:36 am

Tokyojoe wrote:

Looks like the big hole was filled in. (see front right/passenger side tire on Hummer)

Actually, my Jeep is pretty much covering the hole you're talking about. Here is the path I took down:

I went out to the right (as I was looking at it) from where the Hummer went down and eased down thru a small cut that is blocked in the image by a small outcrop with a bush on it. My door was just about where his front passenger tire is in the picture, and when I stuck my foot out the door there was about ten-twelve inches of air below it :shock:

Climbed down, took the picture and climbed back in. It was a nice little run. Oh, and for those of you wondering, that little dark trail coming out from under the front bumper in the first pic was there before I showed up - I scared myself for a minute thinking I had knocked a hole somewhere, but when I traced it's path I figured it was someone going up/down on a different line.

lilmatty · **Posted:** Wed Jun 21, 2006 8:26 pm

Hey Kevin, congrats. Recall I did that section just after you didn't. It's pretty tippy right there.

Getting out was more of a challenge as all the obvious ways were wash crossings with water running and I was afraid they'd be quick (see I did learn something during my years in AZ

) so I picked some older tracks going north until I could see where to get to Beeline.

My uncle, who used to have a cabin north of Payson traveled that dirt road back before Beeline. He always used to look down at it from 87 and say 'that was a booger.'

corwyyn · **Posted:** Thu Jun 22, 2006 2:56 am

lilmatty wrote:

Hey Kevin, congrats. Recall I did that section just after you didn't. It's pretty tippy right there.

Yeah, that was the section you asked about and then ran it around MOAB time. Theres still another section to do but I'll worry about that later; getting ready to finally do the Coke Ovens for the 4th!

there was actually a section before this one where I thought I was gonna feel dirt thru my drivers side window :shock:

After I got thru that part this one was a lot easier.

Video Guy · **Posted:** Thu Jun 22, 2006 8:47 am

Kevin,

What is your tires and suspension setups? Looks like you might be on stock suspension. Just curious.

T.J.

corwyyn · **Posted:** Thu Jun 22, 2006 1:53 pm

Video Guy wrote:

Kevin,

What is your tires and suspension setups? Looks like you might be on stock suspension. Just curious.

T.J.

Yep, stock suspension for now ('til I can afford to change it). I'm running Yokohama Geolander AT II's, 235/75R16. They do pretty good on dirt but I may look at something else when they're ready to be changed.

TheChucklesStart · **Posted:** Thu Jun 22, 2006 8:28 pm

Congrats. Its lookin good.

corwyyn · **Posted:** Fri Jun 23, 2006 3:00 am

Hey Charles, hows school going? I guess you're out for the summer.

TheChucklesStart · **Posted:** Sat Jun 24, 2006 2:37 pm

Actually, I'm still down here for summer school and a summer job. Its goin pretty well, though.

How is Arizona goin?

Finally got that last half mile

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