interesting. I actually didnt read your first link until just now. When Mitch and I were there last weekend, there were some big changes. First of all, a big portion of the beginning part of the road has been grated. This stops right after the spot where I camped back in July. Right before that first obstacle. (dont have a pic of it. its a little climb that we never spot. theres a big hill right before it with tons of tracks up and down it)
I didnt see any stacked timbers or anything, but i wasnt really looking at all the illegal trails that branch off in that area, and we just drove right through. i'm not sure what part they are talking about gating in that second post. i dont know all the names of the different areas they are throwing around. but yeah, i would assume the "stair step" is what some people call "the chute" right above the cave.
AH HA!! i just found some pics in my photobucket albums:
heres the first obstacle i was referring to. the grating stops right before here
this part is right after that first left turn. theres usually a big water hole here. up on the left is where i camped. this area is grated.

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