Ridgecrest run with the URF gang

[Desert Dog]

I got invited on a special little run with Richard and the URF crew out in Ridgecrest. Richard says, "full body, no problemo". The first trail we get to (Schizo), Im told by the URF guys that a full-body rig has never made it!

That trail was the hardest thing I have ever driven on, much harder than the hammers. I held my own till the last obstacle, where I had to winch up the big waterfall. We ran a couple other trails that were also very technical, stuff where the jeep is standing on its nose with the rear tires off the ground. It was very challenging in a jeep and lots of fun. But let me say this:

[size=150]I GOT MY ASS KICKED!!!!!![/size]

I started the day with a bad valve core on a tire, used it anyway, went down to zero PSI, and lost my inner bead. My Powertank and a new valve core got me back in action in about 15 minutes.

Next, I break a locking hub. Luckily, I travel prepared and always carry a spare. Changed it out in about 15 minutes.

Then after coming down a gnarly waterfall, Jack tells my that I lost a lug nut, then 3 lug nuts. I stop to inspect and find that I sheared off 4 studs on one axle shaft!!! Its ok, Chris always carries a spare axle, right? Well this was my spare axle, Currie is shipping my new one next week. With a bit of ingenuity on the group's part, we knocked out studs from other wheel and pressed them into the flange that was missing 4 with a nut and wrench. Everyone chips in and we get rolling in an hour. (lesson learned, carry spare wheel studs).

To top off the day, I lose my steering while blasting up a big hill covered in loose shale. Broken hydro line and fluid dripping from ram. I carry parts to plug up the hydro assist system if I need to and lots of power steering fluid. So I was back in action and on my way to camp after another 20 minutes of wrenching.

I felt bad for holding up the group while my Jeep was falling apart, but the guys were very cool about it. I had an absolute blast. This area is a hidden treasure for sure. Saw a Desert Tortoise, a couple of Chuckwalas, a sun-bathing squirrel, and lots of birds of prey. I would go back and do it again in a heartbeat! They say there is some very good full-body trails out there somewhere too. I can't thank the URF Racing gang enough for letting me run with them and for their patience with my mall crawler.

I have no paint left on my fenders, sliders, bumpers, and under the Jeep; thats the sign of a good time

Enjoy the vid:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ckMEICLVV8w


And did I mention that I got my ass kicked?

[abendx]

Looks like you boys had some fun

[casaintsfan]

Looks like we're going to have to find out where those other trails are. Before it gets too hot.

[Desert Dog]

[quote="casaintsfan"]Looks like we're going to have to find out where those other trails are. Before it gets too hot.[/quote]

If not maybe the fall. I like this area better than Johnson Valley, and its an hour and a half closer to home. We are going to have to talk Richard into showing us Snake bait and some of the other trails. Its a really pretty place to camp too.

[Goatman]

Let's figure it out. I'll go back.


Chris, I'm glad you had such a good time. I knew you'd love that trail. Ridgecrest is like JV, but most of the canyons are tighter, you pretty much have to do the hard lines. Fun stuff.

[Mickey]

I don't get invites cause their all scared to get showed up by a Dana 30.. lol

[TheBigDogg]

[quote="Mickey"]I don't get invites cause their all scared to get showed up by a Dana 30.. lol[/quote]

[Goatman]

[quote="Mickey"]I don't get invites cause their all scared to get showed up by a Dana 30.. lol[/quote]



Nah......we're just scared.

[Mickey]

Lol its all in the driving... All in the driving.. lol and will power... I think I can, I think I can... Lol did I mention a lil luck? Lol

[Goatman]

Finally downloaded my pics, here's a few:


[img]http://www.fototime.com/313447C7D1C2F93/standard.jpg[/img]

[img]http://www.fototime.com/EB5F1B6A0E8BC7C/standard.jpg[/img]

[img]http://www.fototime.com/BBE15105685FC3F/standard.jpg[/img]

[img]http://www.fototime.com/BADE1A8CACFA4EF/standard.jpg[/img]

[img]http://www.fototime.com/15C21C4FCE447A5/standard.jpg[/img]

[Goatman]

[img]http://www.fototime.com/04FD517D9C142C9/standard.jpg[/img]

[img]http://www.fototime.com/B19DA17B8D36A94/standard.jpg[/img]

[img]http://www.fototime.com/CA98A0FC6955E47/standard.jpg[/img]

[img]http://www.fototime.com/D36AEE4F212A6C8/standard.jpg[/img]

[img]http://www.fototime.com/34E838197E1BD33/standard.jpg[/img]

[Goatman]

[img]http://www.fototime.com/5818AD14E18A720/standard.jpg[/img]

[img]http://www.fototime.com/6FC2B16D2CFAD09/standard.jpg[/img]

[img]http://www.fototime.com/7F6000DB53BC58F/standard.jpg[/img]

[img]http://www.fototime.com/2E9248E4C6E6FE0/standard.jpg[/img]

[img]http://www.fototime.com/21485D8B662F9AB/standard.jpg[/img]

[abendx]

GREAT pics Richard!

[ToyCrawler]

I didnt know we had trails that gnarly so close to home. is this an invite only area or is open to anyone?

[Mickey]

It's open to anyone.. well at least the area is... Now running with the URF gang, well... that's special invite only... Lol am still waiting on my invite, but I haven't graduated to the elite status yet lol

[Crazy Sammy]

HEY RICHARD I WOULD LIKE TO GO WITH YALL I THINK IT WOULD BE FUN BUT WHEN IS THE RUN?

[Goatman]

[quote="Mickey"]It's open to anyone.. well at least the area is... Now running with the URF gang, well... that's special invite only... Lol am still waiting on my invite, but I haven't graduated to the elite status yet lol [/quote]


Henry, you're definitely elite status........I just don't know for what.


Those trails will tear your junk up. But, there are also Jeep trails as well as buggy trails.

[Uncle Cracker]

Richard,,, I too would like an invite. i thought i had been all over that area, but i haven't found those canyons.