Neatus wrote:
What do you all think about making the tough trail the "Coke Ovens" a lot of people have never seen them. It is a pretty cool spot with a couple of tough sections.
dynamike wrote:
I don't remember the coke ovens being a tough trail (been a long time since we were there though)
I am hoping Vern would chime in on Martinez Canyon/Cabin........
LOL... I'm not Vern, but I'll add my two cents.
x2 on what Mike D. said.
The Coke Ovens is an ok trail. Most of it runs through desert scrub. As Ernie said, there's only a couple of rough spots... some rocky ledges to climb over. I've done it with a little scraping and rock stacking at the one ledge in a stock height TJ with 31" tires.
About Martinez Cabin... it's another cool spot, but it's an "easy" medium rated trail. Nothing tough about it. The cabin is the start for the short Martinez Canyon Loop that is rated difficult. I've never run the entire loop, but getting over the wide rocky creek bottom with basketball sized rocks was a chore in my TJ.
How would you run the Coke Ovens? As described in the Wells book, or go in through Box Canyon? How about the exit, there are several ways to go? Is the area open again to the public? The Coke Ovens are on private property and were closed at one time because of vandalism.
If you want a hard trail in the FJ area, I'd suggest going with some that are listed in Wells:
- Hackberry Creek
- Woodpecker Mine
- Ajax Mine
- Martinez Canyon
- Jack Handle
I've never run any of them... maybe Mike D. can chime in on those??
Something else to consider. The bad thing about the FJ area... a State Land Permit is needed for a lot of that area. Is everyone that goes willing to get one? The cost is $15.00 for an individual or $20.00 for a family. The permit is good for one year. The good side about the permit, it's easier to get than before. Just print out the form online, and mail it in with your money (I have the link if you want it). The point I'm trying to make... running trails in the FJ area all comes back to the tough economic times we're in, keeping individual costs down, and making it affordable for everyone by having this years event centrally located etc. I'd hate to see someone that wants to go but couldn't afford a permit get caught out there without one, the fine is pretty high.
Do I hear... "anybody up for some pre-runs??"
AJ