March 28, 2024

Captain Log, Day 82

This was an exciting week. We did two Safaris this week, both were Number 3 trails. Trails go up to 8 with those the most dangerous. The first trail was called the Lost World Trail and this year was the first year it was open. So we were on the inaugural run. We started lining up Monday at 8:30 and by 9 there were 25 vehicles mostly Jeeps. 

We then head to a spot closer to the trail and have a safety meeting, then we air down our tires. I reduced air pressure down to 31 PSI, others will go down to 15 PSI. This is the first time we have reduced air pressure. The trail was to be roughly 28 miles off road. It ended up to be closer to 40 miles.

 We were on a #3 trail last year and expected something similar. Brings to mind the saying: "An adventure is what you get when you expect something else". Ted's favorite saying. 

 The trail started in sand but quickly turned to rock or stone and climbing up and going down the mountains. At one of the most difficult spots, a rock wall about the height of the hood of the jeep, I hit it with a load bang, later found out it was the front skid plate. 

 

I did manage to get the front tires to grab and started to climb the rock but just started to spin the rear wheels so I had to back down and try again. I hit the wall once more and started to climb. The spotter yelled "more driver" so I give it a lot of gas, laid a little rubber and started up the rock wall. We made it but I would rather not have to do that again. I think the climb was 27 degrees angle, the highest we have ever done. 

We did  lot of rock climbing throughout the day but none quite as difficult at the one I described above.

On Tuesday we set out by ourselves to take the back road into Arches National Park. It starts about 2 miles from our campground. The trail is considered a 4x4 trail with many rock obstacles to overcome, none of which too difficult for the Jeep. It was roughly 9 miles and took us about an hour to navigate. Once into the Park we had black top roads but decided that was too boring and found the trail that we took the year before. We only went about 4 miles in and decided to turn around. I think it was the same spot we turned around last year. Another Jeep passed us and continued on, so maybe another time we will give it a try. Diane had to spot for me once to climb a rock hill which I was hesitant to climb, but she is the navigator and knows best. (Note from the proofer: "damn right!")

  

Information about the dinosaur tracks in the area.

Dinosaur tracks in the rocks

On Wednesday we were back on our second Safari to Deadman Springs Trail. This too was a #3 trail. I aired down to 28 PSI and found that to make the ride much more pleasant as it took away some of the jarring.  Parts of the trail were closed do to some law suit filed so the Leaders added other trails to the original trail which turned out to be quite a challenge for several of us. We did a lot of rock climbing and down-hill slopes. We had a number of 20 degree to 23 degree climbs and descent. I managed to scrape bottom a number of times. One of nice things about the Rubicon is the skid plates under the body. I used them quite often. 

 

Once through the tunnel we overlooked Spring Canyon.

We stopped at the Dellenbaugh Tunnel on this trip. A bit of climb down and out for us folks.

 We exited the trail at 4 PM after 6 hours of bouncing back and forth. Diane got her 5000 steps on each of the trips by being tossed around in the Jeep :). We still had to air up the tires and got back to the campground around 4:45. Then it was a couple of burgers on the grill with a bottle of wine and I was ready for bed. 

Today is a day of rest but we will head to the Arena where all the exhibitors are set up for this Jeep Event. A relaxing day. Cost me a lot $$$ walking around the exhibitors, got new Rock Slider steps for the Jeep. Should be shipped end of April. Maybe I can get the tenants I have in the shed to help me install.