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Jeff Forrest

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CALICO

Monday, 02 January 2012 11:30

CALICO'S SCARY GATE KEEPER!

Calico is an old west mining town known for its silver riches in the 1880’s , now considered a ghost town but well preserved and not so scary. Johnny Wood, a Marine, a friend and one of our original club members will once again be deployed during some our bigger events of the year. This was also the case last year when he found some awesome trails in Arizona to challenge before he deployed. He has once again hit the mark when it comes to finding a new off road adventure for the club. Calico is the Disneyland of off roading and well worth the road trip just outside Barstow. There are plenty of thing to investigate, several friendly ghost infested camp areas and some great off road trails surrounding the town.

When Johnny suggested this place for our Johnny adventure of the year, I did a little web browsing to get some information. One of the first things that struck me was all the warnings listed on entering the mines themselves. They are everywhere and can be risky to enter but if you’re adventurous you can find some really interesting history. The Silver King Mine is just one of the mines in the area and continues underground for at least a mile through the mountains. This mine can give you a real sense of the dangers the miners faced back in the day. I never saw any warnings about entering the mining trails though. This is in part because the town is a County Park and the trails are on BLM land. They have formed a partnership to make this an awesome destination for the off road community. The lack of information may also be explained by the gate keeper on the Odessa trail. If the entrance of this trail doesn’t keep you out then you won’t be in any danger finishing the trail, unless you fall down a mine shaft. I have run lots of difficult trials in the southwest, including the Hammers and upper and lower Terminator trails but this gate keeper is by far one of the most difficult I have ever run. It should be called the Jeep Grim Reaper Gate Keeper! If that wasn’t enough of a challenge try getting Johnny’s full size Dodge truck through. Despite all the “Danger” we managed to do just that with his doors still attached.

It is easy to focus on the challenges faced when traveling the trails of Calico but you cannot leave these trails without being taken back by the beauty. This range of mountains got their name from the various colors that run throughout them. If you love the idea of mixing the beauty of Sandstone Canyon and Moab with the challenge of the Hammers without the length then you will love this area. As scary as ghost towns can be Calico isn’t that scary. The only ghosts we saw were the ones that flashed in front of our faces going through the “Grim Reaper Gate Keeper.” If an off road adrenaline rush and some really cool ghost town history is what you’re looking for Calico will not disappoint. This was an excellent 4x4 Corps adventure and another awesome suggestion by Johnny Wood!

LOTS OF NEW IMAGES

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Wheelin' Worth Every Minute!

Tuesday, 13 December 2011 19:27

Wheelin’ worth every minute!

Not just another awesome 4x4 Corps weekend of wheelin’ in Cougar Butte’s. This little island of rocks in Johnson Valley is a rock crawling dream and it offers something for everyone. Off roading has always been a challenging and rewarding experience but some events are so exceptional that they can change the scale by which you measure all other events and this weekend run to Bull Frog did exactly that. Many people may believe that the sport is merely the taking of a vehicle off the pavement and driving over rocks and through the mud. I can assure you there is so much more to the experience than just that. In fact a whole lot more. The rocks and mud provide the challenge but the people provide the entertainment and boy did we have some entertainment. I have often said that a real good time is about fun with friends and making fun of friends and if you’re not doing both you’re probably not really friends or having any fun.

Our weekend included outstanding weather in one of our favorite trail locations and some awesome people. I wouldn’t know what else to ask for, we had it all. In an effort to expand on the fun we’ve established a tradition of running the trails at night. This year’s event started when I got a text message while eating dinner “Hey are U bitches coming? I’m at the beginning of the world famous 4x4 Corps bullfrog night run. It’s even on my GPS. I named it Hell’s Corridor.” I didn’t even know that Ken had left the camp or that he had taken the liberty to name the trail but you just knew this was going to be an experience. This has always been one of the crazier things we do, something about the dark that brings out the less than brilliant thinking and antics but if you’re referred to as “Bitches” you know you can’t just sit it out. It’s simple man law; commit your friends to danger and carnage through insult and pear pressure just so you can laugh at their expense. Not complying with such a demeaning invitation would be a man law faux pas. I know it's hard for the ladies or politically correct to understand but it's just built into man DNA. It's similar to mean girl law, you know how hot girls automatically hate each other. The full moon and eclipse added to the crazy atmosphere and I’m sure explains Ken’s tact. This run was a must do and a lot of fun!

Wheelin’ worth every minute is something we will always strive for. One thing that continues to make our events the best around is our association with the Wounded Warriors. I can’t think of anything more rewarding than sharing our event with these American Patriots. We are making huge strides in helping in their recovery by engaging them in the fun and antics that we already take part in, with the full enforcement of man law of course. So to all you bitches out there life is too short to sit on your ass. If you think you can just sit out another run you may be missing out on an experience of a life time.

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Surrounded by Heroes!

Wednesday, 16 November 2011 08:56

Surrounded by Heroes!

A hero is a person of distinguished courage or ability, admired for his brave deeds and noble acts. Many of the men and women who serve in our armed forces are heroes and without them the sport of off roading wouldn’t be possible. It was veterans returning from WWII that first engaged in the sport we love. Some enjoy this pastime in part because of the adrenalin and exhilaration they experience when conquering obstacles on a trail. Others simply enjoy the peace and quiet of nature. So it’s no surprise that veterans engaged in this sport to get away from the experiences of war. Today sharing the experience with friends and family can make for a very enjoyable and rewarding pastime. Sharing it with a hero is nothing less than a privilege and an honor. This Veterans Day weekend was an honor indeed to give a little back to those who have given so much.

Off Roading for Our Heroes was inspired by one of our own club members, Joshua Hotaling. If ever there were a patriot that embodies courageous sacrifice it is Josh. His perseverance and drive are remarkable and I have learned much about the human spirit from this brave soul. As an off road club the 4x4 Corps has never taken on a bigger challenge than this event, but this club has never run away from a challenge. There were plenty of obstacles to over come in making this event possible and there were many glitches on the road but none of the hurdles we’ve faced can compare to the ones faced by our heroes. You must be willing to take on the biggest mountains despite the obstacles to see the top of the world. Only from that perspective can you see the big picture. This event was about our heroes and once again engaging them in some of the fun that freedom has afforded us. For folks that attended our event, you were surrounded by heroes and you enjoyed some of the freedom they’ve helped to preserve. I would bet there were more Purple Hearts and V’s for valor on those trails than have ever been seen at one time before. Thank God that there are still young men of such character defending this great nation. I cannot explain the overwhelming respect and admiration I feel for our service members, especially those who’ve made such great sacrifices on our behalf. Providing them with a little escape from the challenges they’ll face for the rest of their lives is nothing but a privilege and it’s one I’m honored to be a part of.

I have talked with many of the heroes that attended our event. I can tell you that it makes you feel proud and very small to receive so much gratitude from the guys who are your personal heroes. They also remind us that the cost of freedom is very high and wasn’t ever free! I cannot say enough about them and their sacrifices. They are an inspiration to me and can give us all a whole new perspective on life. To all the volunteers, organizations and sponsors that helped make this event possible, thank you! To all of our veterans and hero’s, God bless you! A good perspective is the only way to measure a great achievement and a smile on a heroes face is how I measure mine. It’s a blessing to be surrounded by heroes and it’s an honor I’m grateful to have!

This is some funny s _ _ t!

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Off Roading for Our Hero's

Friday, 22 July 2011 17:47

OFF ROADING FOR OUR HEROES (Updates)

“Never in the history of the world has any soldier sacrificed more for the freedom and liberty of total strangers than the American soldier.” (Zell Miller)

Yes, there may be snow but this event is a go!

The 4X4 Corps is very proud to present “Off Roading for Our Heroes” sponsored by Jeep. We will be hosting 27 members of the Wounded Warrior Battalion and their families. This is a free event for all military and veterans. All proceeds will benefit Warrior Foundation.

If you love off roading and want to support our military then join us this Veterans Day weekend to celebrate our freedom with some real American Hereos.

As some of you know on May 12^th 2011 one of our own club members, Joshua Hotaling, was severely injured by a devastating improvised explosive while conducting combat operations in Afghanistan. He has lost both his legs and part of his right hand. Prior to his injuries he served two Presidents on the Presidential Security Detail. His bravery and honor are without question. Because of Josh and Hero’s like him the 4X4 Corps is establishing this large off road event. We will honor and celebrate America’s veterans with a special emphasis on those who have sacrificed so much of their health and well being on behalf of our great nation. Off Roading for Our Heroes will take place in Big Bear California on Veterans Day weekend, November 11-13, 2011. We will have trail runs, raffles and entertainment and off road vender displays. Come checkout and drive the newest Wrangler and Grand Cherokee from Jeep. There will be plenty of Hero’s in attendance as well and we will be entertaining them with trail rides.

All Active duty military and Veterans can register for free. Your coupon code is "Military." If you are active military and don't own a off road vehicle but would like to take part you may sign up to ride along. Your coupon code is "Shotgun" . Soldiers of the Wounded Warrior Battalion will be the priority and will be accommodated to best suit their needs. The trail runs and map are now posted and available seats will be on a first come first serve bases. Registration page currently says "Individual Registration" this is per vehicle not person. Register early for the event because pre registered vehicles get first choice.

John Bull Gatekeeper from Ron Baker on Vimeo.

Some of our Warriors will be staying at the Best Western Big Bear and you can stay there as well. They are booking rooms at $84.00 a night for people attending our event. If you would like to stay there I would reccommend booking soon this is half off their normal rate. Mention Sherri Hoffman and Off Road for Our Heroes. Booking for Best Western Big Bear.

We’ll base the event out of the Big Bear Convention Center . Please join the Warriors after the trails at 6:00 pm for dinner and entertainment in the convention center. Wyatt's Cafe has a full menue and bar. There will be music and raffle prises will be anounced.

The clubs of the Adopt-A-Trail program will be assisting us to manage the trail runs and they will be selected in the near future. We also have the support of the National Forest Service, Congressman Duncan Hunter’s office, the city of Big Bear and Warrior Foundation. I believe we can make this an exceptional event and will provide a perfect opportunity for our club as well as others to celebrate Veterans Day and Jeep’s 70^th anniversary with the kind of heroes who helped build the legend of Jeep. UPDATES!

Supports our troops

You want to have fun on a smaller scale and still keep your friends? Axial is your answer! They have scale crawlers that are better than your real rig. Just register for Off Roading for Our Heroes and you will be entered to win one of two of these bad ass crawlers.

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NO SUCH THING AS NANNY STATE WHEELIN!

Thursday, 14 July 2011 06:45

NO SUCH THING AS NANNY STATE WHEELIN!

Sunday was a great day for some off road summer fun. It was a little warm in Corral Canyon, and no it’s wasn’t global warming, it’s called July. I’m always amazed by people’s astonishment over warm weather. We use to call it summer and today it’s a catastrophe and instead of “Sun Block” we used tanning oil. Yes it smelled like a Pina Colada but it was probably made from asbestos extract. There was no such thing as a spray on bronzer either and if you wanted to get that effect you would use lead based paint and a tattoo gun. Despite the warm day and the coming apocalypse we had a great time.

Now I' ve said many times that you never know what you’ll learn when you’re off roading, and this weekend was no exception. Just one example, who knew that Ken Steele was a Jr.? I didn’t… I thought it was just good redneck law to put that on the table. The reason I know now is the original Ken Steele was there and if you thought Ken was cool you should’ve met his old man. Let’s just say real men lived long before us and they didn’t invent warning labels, if they had they would have said “Natural Selection in Affect Today!” The best part of meeting the original Steele was finding out that Ken didn’t have to swim through a cesspool up hill in both directions to get to school, but if he had his Dad would have told him that was stinkin’ dumb! I could have easily called this blog “Poppa and Jr. Steele Wheelin’” but it sounds a bit like the Smurfs and I’m more of a Flintstones guy.

The people made the day great but what made it interesting was the driving dynamics. There was a strange little ballet going on between some of our members. Ken was teaching his old people tolerance class and even Poppa Steele had had enough. I think I heard him say, “My John Deere doesn’t go this slow.” This didn’t detour Ken Jr. he had his protocol. Travis was rockin’ the 40’s and that wasn’t an era in music. We know he’s big but he had to keep showing us with that Dirty Harry smile. I felt that feeling of “Get off my lawn” after hip surgery with a 44 magnum feeling, but it was bad ass! Balvino would try to one up him with air moves that would make Richard Simmons proud. I don’t know if he was trying to impress the wife or make sure she never came back again. All I know was somehow all the antics came together with a seamless flow, like off road dueling banjos. It was one of the strangest things I’ve ever seen on the trail. There was a lot of bravado and no fights, hard to explain.

I swear the major key to life is fun with family and friends and making fun of both. Off roading provides the glue to bring us together and the terror to make us question everything but somehow we manage to walk away wanting more. A really good challenge should try our skills, intelligence, sanity, and relationships but if all survive then what we show is character and what we have are life long friends and a really good time. One thing is sure this group of people doesn’t anyone telling them how to have fun. I’m sure Poppa Steele agrees because that’s just good redneck law, even if some people think were stinkin’ dumb!

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OFF ROAD 101

Tuesday, 10 May 2011 19:04

OFF ROAD 101 (MEMORIAL UPDATE)

It’s pretty clear that there is large number of stock jeep owners that want to learn what their vehicle can do. A jeep, even in stock form can be a impressive vehicle. Its capabilities are legendary and it has been proving this for 70 years now. General Dwight D. Eisenhower said that America could not have won World War II without it. I believe he was correct. I also firmly believe that the best way to learn off road technique is to learn in a stock jeep. Choosing a good line is one of the most basic aspects of four wheeling and it’s never more obvious to a driver then when driving a stock rig. Open diff’s and skinny little tires can make uneven ground seem challenging. In WWII jeep drivers were motivated by bullets and bombs. When your life depends on getting from point A to point B, where there are no roads, you choose a Jeep! I don’t think there has ever been a more rigorous test of a vehicle than this war. After the war ended those same Vets, so impressed with this vehicles capabilities purchased surplus jeeps from the government. These men started the pastime we know as off roading. Just as returning pilots of the time started the modern day biker gang. We owe these Vets for more than just kicking ass and taking names, we owe them for inventing bad ass fun! Considering that the original Jeep was about 28 horse power and had a top speed of 35 miles an hour, it is not a surprise that people wanted to modify these vehicles. Stock jeeps today are more capable, more powerful, have far better suspensions and are more comfortable than the original. The majority of the trails still used today were originally traversed by the WWII Jeep

One point I’d like to put out there for those new to the sport. It’s about fun and friends and making fun of friends. No matter what you do to your rig someone has already done it bigger and better. A highly modified rig can make almost any trail seem easy, so if you want to impress your friends then by all means build a trail monster. If you don’t care what they think and just love a challenge then don’t worry about building it out of your rig.

The great news is people today have some of the same passions as the old Vets, a need for fun and adventure. On this Memorial Day weekend please remember those who have given everything on your behalf. One thing that separates this club from others is we really don’t care how bad ass your rig is as long as you love to have fun. It’s a passion for the sport created by Vets returning home after WWII. It is true that war can only be understood by those who have experienced it and the same holds true for off roading. The friends, fun and the experiences that can be found in the rock and dirt can only be understood by those who off road! Welcome to the new crew! If you had a good time it was because of the guy’s who returned from war 65 years ago. They just wanted to enjoy life again and they didn’t give a crap about what people thought!.

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MOAB OR BUST!

Friday, 15 April 2011 09:30

Moab or Bust!

As an acronym MOAB can stand for many things. In the case of the 4x4 Corps it stands for the “Mother of all Blasts,” as in so much fun it’s hard to explain! The redneck pronunciation is Mo Hab. Which I think means give me mo, I had a blast. No matter how you say it this place is unmistakably awesome. Moab may have rivals for beauty and challenges but none can surpass this incredible place for off road fun

Ken Steele has been apart of the club for some time and has been pushing for a trip to Moab almost as long. This was truly a great call by Ken. His very detailed power point must have taken months to produce but as you will read some details were just over looked. Now I cannot lie, I love adventure but a road trip on southern California freeways is what I call Hell, not adventure. I have a reputation for dealing with this as quickly as possible. Ken has a different way of dealing with this. You might think because he runs the school of throttle control that he knows how to use one. Not so fast, he has a class called “Old People Tolerance Training.” This is where the grey hair serves him well. In this class he makes you drive behind him on the shoulder of the road with your flashers on. What’s not in the brochure is the fact that grandma will speed by at 45 flipping you off as she passes. This class was taught all the way through San Bernardino. Let’s just say I’ll be retaking this class because I failed. I’ve never been this embarrassed in a class before as Ken just smiled and waved. Our second road gang to leave for Moab made a little detour into Vegas. I wasn’t there but the story goes like this; Joe befriended some sketchy people at the bar and when they gave him a cocktail with roofies in it, he gave it to Troy. Now I don’t know what to say about this except if you travel with Joe through Vegas don’t except any drinks from him or his sketchy friends. Troy was OK but it made for a late morning. This wasn’t listed as warning in the power point.

We made our way in to Moab on Thursday afternoon, did I mention this place is beautiful? The town literally sits on the door steps of two National Parks, Canyon Lands and Arches National Parks. It seems that best off road opportunities are in close proximity to our National Parks. With all this beauty you might have expected our accommodations to be just as nice. The brochure says “Cabin” what we got was a wood tent with screen netting. Now I know Ken was in Afghanistan when he made these reservations and any brochure looks good from there, but if you’re looking for a war zone vacation I highly recommend the Canyon Lands Campground. It’s a once in a lifetime experience and it made our two dirt clod accommodations in Big Bear seem pretty nice. I think I missed that page in the power point.

Friday morning there was only one mission, hit the trails. I was pumped and ready to go and so was the rest of the crew! We headed out to the start of Poison Spider. This trail leads into Golden Spike, the Golden Crack and to Gold Bar Rim. It was a little chilly but this has never stopped us. Life was good and we made great time and then I hear Jorge, “Jeff, I think something is wrong with my front end?” We stopped to check things out and it was nothing more than a bump stop had broken off. We initially tried to repair it the right way but ended up fixin’ it redneck style, bailin’ wire and duct tape. This managed to get us through much of the trail and the Golden Crack. Latter Jorge dropped his front driveshaft. The Raider hat should have told me that Jorge would be trouble! Seems what his Grand Cherokee needs is some limiting straps on that long arm kit. Driveshaft removed and fifteen and a half hours later we made are way back to our fine accommodations.

Saturday started with some repairs to Jorge’s Jeep and these repairs were going to take more than just bailin’ wire. Jorge ended Friday with a bent drag link and torn U-joint straps. He said he was alright riding along with someone else but the repairs were within our abilities and nobody wanted to ride with a Raider fan. Around one o’clock in the afternoon we made way over to Hell’s Revenge. It’s a funny thing that happens to people on about the second day of a off road trip. They become more relaxed and willing to talk crap to each other. This is when CB shenanigans begin. Most off roaders are familiar with this tradition but rednecks turn this into an art form. Handles were as follows: Jeff Planteen was Scooter because of his scooter crash. Joe was Saber, because of a total lack of creativity on Will’s part. Ken’s, I cannot repeat, Will was Midnight which he will have to explain. Mike’s was Driving Miss Daisy because it was like having an old nag in the back seat. Jorge didn’t get a handle because his radio wasn’t working, so we’ll just call him Broke Down. Troy’s was of course Roofie and I thought I would pee myself when I heard Will, “Midnight” call out on the CB “Hey bumble Bee this is Midnight…come back.” I don’t even know if Josh knew he was bumble bee at that point but it was funny as Hell. I guess it was appropriate being that we were on Hell’s Revenge. All was very funny until we made Hell’s Gate, the main obstacle of this trail. I don’t know what I did to deserve the heart attacks that Troy, I mean Roofie and Saber gave me on this hill. They were testing my limits but it wasn’t of old people, ok maybe Saber. Bumble Bee made the climb in record time so we may have to add Speedy to Bumble Bee. Just before we completed the trail Scooter decided to lose a tire. This is usually due to loose lug nuts so we may have to change Scooter’s handle to Lug Nut! After an excellent day of wheelin’ we made our way over to the brewery for some dinner. I don’t know what came over the guys but they walked right in pushed the souvenir girl out of the way and took over her counter. I think this got our table cleaned off a little faster. We were seated right next to a jeep with a mannequin that curiously looked just like Bumble Bee and Midnight wanted to show some love...come back. I think the people in the restaurant are still shaking their heads. I’m still shaking mine. After dinner we weren’t done making our presents know, we returned to camp for a bon fire. Now Midnight claims we left him at the restaurant, but after the whole mannequin thing I don’t think anyone wanted to be seen driving away with him. I don’t know if it was his anger about being let behind or his story about the Philippine balloon clown that made the police show up but they did. If you think of Andy Griffith when you think of the Moab police you would be wrong, their not nearly as friendly and they didn’t hand out balloon animals. We were just having a good time and the Moab police were jealous. I’d be pissed if I were a cop and the dog catcher too. You might just see us on the next episode of Mo Hab Cops? That was all actually in the power point except for the balloon clown. When you spend this much time laughing you can’t help but have a great day. I can hear it now from the old nag…” I Know That Chester!” That was a very awesome day!

Sunday was another great day of off roading. We headed over to Cliff Hanger. I can’t say it’s my favorite trail for certain but I loved this run. The weather was beautiful and the scenery was unreal. I did see a pink thong stuck in the hillside but I somehow missed the 100’s of prehistoric petro glyphs. Regardless of this over site I fully enjoyed this run. The entire day was relaxed and care free until the last set of stair steps back at the start. Seem Broke Down wasn’t done showing us his skills. He started reminding me of Ken on the Connector A snapped CV made the hill climb a little more challenging. This trip was by far one of the best events we ever had. With the exception of the grumpiest camp ground owner and Moab’s finest, we were surrounded with funny people, awesome trails and beautiful scenery. In short, give me mo Mo Hab! “I Know That Chester!”

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KEN’S CHAOS ON THE CONNECTOR!

Monday, 21 March 2011 11:07

KEN’S CHAOS ON THE CONNECTOR!

OK, it’s been a long time since I’ve run an unscheduled off road event. Some occasions just call for it. As many of you know we scheduled a Bullfrog run for Matt’s bachelor party but due to circumstances I was unable to make it. I’ve been told there was lots of fun involved though,. Go Matt! The reason for the unscheduled run was Ken’s return from Afghanistan. What made this run such a rare event wasn’t that Ken was there, but that he’d just returned last week from deployment. In wife law as I understand it, running trails on the first weekend after a deployment can be considered a criminal offense. This offence can carry a very long jail term, Matt I hope you’re listening. Ken got a “get out of jail free” card and didn’t want to waist it. This was like winning the lottery, you don’t just throw your ticket in the trash. We ran fast to Corral Canyon before the card could be revoked.

A reunion of friends, especially those returning from war is like returning home to your long lost dog, you can’t explain it but it just puts a smile on your face. This was at least my experience. We had a very small group and were very optimistic about the trails we could cover. Our group consisted of Ken, Troy, Joe and I. All experienced off roaders but Troy and Ken were just a little rusty due to their deployments. Troy really didn’t have many problems but I did catch him cheating on the trail. I normally wouldn’t bring this up but I had already gotten out of my Jeep to snap some pictures of the guy’s coming through the obstacle. Out of the corner of my eye I caught a glimpse of Troy driving around the same obstacle. This had to be quickly corrected. He claims that he thought he was going the right way, I don’t know what he was thinking. Troy should be able to run this trail with his eyes closed.

We made good time on Sidewinder and Bronco Peak but as we started down the Connector something changed. Ken who is generally capable found himself stuck between a rock and a drop off. He needed to back up but when he did his cheap Chinese U-joint took a crap and took his axle shafts with it. This wasn't the first time we had to deal with this type of failure but it was the first time Ken pulled this trick on a trail. We broke out the tools and removed the axle shafts and plugged the housing. Normally this would be the end of it but Ken wasn’t done entertaining. Not one minute after we bolted his tire back on he was ready for the next stunt. On the same rock with a different line he managed to come down so hard on his rear bumper that his tire carrier snapped right off. Now, I’ve seen some funny things but this was new to me. I bet Ken didn’t see the situation with the same humor but he didn’t seem to be too upset either. I guess after six months in Afghanistan a broken tire carrier is no big deal… I’ll ask him again after he explains it to the wife. Until further notice all throttle control classes will be cancelled. We need to get Ken back on track and out of jail. Welcome home Ken!

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A BEAR OF A SNOW STORM

Monday, 28 February 2011 21:21

A BEAR OF A SNOW STORM!

We returned to Big Bear this last weekend for some fun in the snow and boy did we get. I had been watching the weather for a couple of weeks hoping that we would get another chance to go play in some mountain snow. As always when ski weather is likely in Big Bear room prices are at a premium. Not wanting to spend a small fortune to have some weekend fun I went on line. I found a reasonable rate at the Thundercloud Lodge. It had a two star rating and was right in town, how bad could it be? Well it’s a good thing I can find the humor in almost any situation. I walked into the lobby and showed the guy behind the counter my reservation paperwork and he tossed it back at me along with a key and said “ENJOY” with kind of a smart ass smirk. I felt like I was talking to Andy Dick in "Road Trip." This should have told me everything I needed to know but I was just happy to be there. I don’t know how many stars you get for the abandoned refrigerator next to the steps or the food scraps under the furniture but it must be worth at least a ¼ star. Two stars my ass I rate the Thundercloud three dirt clods but if you’re good humored there is plenty to laugh at just bring your own towel.

Despite our accommodations we were in for a great time. The National Weather Service called for snow Friday and Saturday. I drove up Friday afternoon and the roads and skies were clear but that would change. As we were walking back to our palace from the bar it was obvious that the snow was just getting started. Saturday morning had lots of snow in store for us. I’ve never heard of F3 snow conditions but apparently we were in them and chains were required. We spent the first couple of hours extracting people from the Thundercloud parking lot. We also had to extract one of our members, Jeremiah from his parking spot. Chains…who needs chains? All this snow was awesome but also made it impossible for members to drive up the mountain that morning and that sucked. Those of us that made it up the day before were going to take advantage of the weather. We started up Gold Mountain Trail and made it to the second rock obstacle winching all the way. Little Joe made full use of his Marine training to pull our winch lines up the hill but dispite his efforts the snow was coming down so hard we decided not to push our luck and turned around. We spent the rest of the day playing stuck vehicle rescue and made a little money. It was a good time.

Saturday night Jorge and Tommy were able to make it up the mountain and join us for what will go down as the best snow run ever. Not only had it snow for almost 30 hours but Sunday was sunny and beautiful. We still had to fight our way up the mountain but this fight was pure fun. I feel bad for the guys that weren’t able to make it up the mountain you truly missed out on some unbelievable wheeling. Timing can be everything and this time mine was perfect. It was a bear of a storm and a hell of a good time.

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THE 4X4 CORPS GOES TO HAMMER TOWN!

Monday, 14 February 2011 13:17

THE 4X4 CORPS GOES TO HAMMER TOWN!

The King of the Hammers has come to an end for another year. This was the first time our club has attended this event. We of course didn’t run in the race but we were there to take in the excitement. Those who love off roading love this event. I learned some new things while watching this race. You may think that the guys who drive in these races would make it look easy but they also from time to time get hung up and have to resort to their own rescue. Winching, pushing and spotting their race vehicles. This settles the discussion about the difficulty of these trails. I have read that you can complete these trails with 3 inches of lift and 33 inch tires. I want to see it better yet I will be happy to drive that rig.

This is without a doubt a premier off road event and may be the only reason that the Hammers may remain open to everyone. Battling for this land is like an off road race every turn offers up a new obstacle. This area is worth fighting for and the good news is racers are not quitters nor are most off roaders. The best part of watching this event is the craziness that takes place when these rigs get jammed up in the rock crawling course. Passing in this terrain can be difficult if not impossible, so if you can’t drive around another vehicle you just drive over it. Awesome!

The winner of the race was Shannon Campbell driving the Monster /Campbell Enterprises rig. I watched him come by twice and he was the smoothest driver on the course. Smooth and deliberate! What tire does Shannon use? Good Year MTR’S, go figure. Joe, Johnny and I ended our weekend with a run up one of the trails. Seems I must know what’s going on because some of the racers followed us up the trail. I guess when their not racing they like doing what we like doing. Our run was cut short by another axle failure on Johnny’s truck. Luckily they didn’t try to drive over it but they did come by to have some fun at our expense. Seems the racers are also wise guy weekend warriors, all in all a really good time. If you love off roading you will want to attend The King of The Hammers.

MORE PICTURES OF THIS EVENT

Deffinately a graduate of The Ken Steele School of Throttle Control!

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