Swamp Lake OHV/Grouse Lake II

[Repsolaaron]

Best trail I've ever been on. It tests your patience, skills, suspension and wheel base.

[jkaddiction]

I will post pics tomorrow when I got the computer

[REDxj5150]

I had a great time on this trail. Lots of fun. I'm glad all I broke was a brake line. All that was doing was holding me up anyway. Unfortunately felt like crap when we got to camp though. I wanted to do more around camp than I got to do. I enjoyed the wheeling today. Not ashamed of getting a little tug. My jeep was the only jeep with no lockers.

[img]https://4tyjqg.bay.livefilestore.com/y1pU38TG1UfqLeUJ0nFxuFhcoqDLVssZfyHDhydTZaf4-TM8dU5Yd91Txlx1qwaaZYZ1Qj21AIsVElIZvCn39JXfKV7snlay1PC/WP_000873.jpg?psid=1[/img]
Cody

[img]https://4tyjqg.bay.livefilestore.com/y1pODo19IAfUGCYuIVZJ2tNz7CfxibCZsR_3mQsETjsOJpnFrYcVyX1BGlP3kdB5WXOiqlWd3ej1J7kOgm1ycGzEBcwRTi_ZHos/WP_000876.jpg?psid=1[/img]
Cody

[img]https://4tyjqg.bay.livefilestore.com/y1pr3O1w9FT6PODlUnKFm93iTLOG008I9EFm3n31YNMqGIOkzPWuAwcIGguW4DTzNsk24o2qNzYBWkSoua5NBcXqvZoE1cVtgb1/WP_000875.jpg?psid=1[/img]
Rob

[img]https://4tyjqg.bay.livefilestore.com/y1pLPbN10l5z6wGmGoI5_656iOHVX_rjXgyyx8mxvETBbcIoWhYRkfeN5y7LrKrEsCf86xj47CcbZ52LRAtwRxUjmxB2Rs-9nYT/WP_000878.jpg?psid=1[/img]
Rob

[img]https://4tyjqg.bay.livefilestore.com/y1paZOOGXSjd-0wkgHBw4BdZZshIPvzzKDgJ78nQunwl9TFzS1TKtNmgYOPB5gV3rGS0J6tH9XPYpKAIzejwtrIdyy_vYo9-G-K/WP_000879.jpg?psid=1[/img]
Aaron

[img]https://4tyjqg.bay.livefilestore.com/y1p7Bs5oQM-PipYy_gxFjKmmq2qdqUargbno8iMJ8fG1vKmWa3laY7fj_1zNA4JuPq4067kiq_VrWdMJForkyd7SxHBH4bKHQio/WP_000886.jpg?psid=1[/img]
Airing back up

[img]https://4tyjqg.bay.livefilestore.com/y1pmvSc3xYnZTbDdw5mwkerYyLw7Ik0R78cxs5YUUasiO5LcOwECgYlwKynRoW1YIzyiLp5S1w8SXSrwyPRpfPNPN77PZavwEkO/WP_000888.jpg?psid=1[/img]
Only picture I took of chris with my camera, and it was after the trail.

Video to come. Not gonna edit it.

[Desert Dog]

Was a great trip. 6 capable and well prepared rigs attended.

The trip got off to a late start on Saturday morning. Between me sleeping in a half hour late, pouring rain in Fresno, and an accident on the freeway, we ended up starting the trail at 10am. The run into Grouse was very slow going due to some break-downs; Aaron broke a front axle shaft/u-joint and Travis broke a brake line. Aaron's roof rack also decided that it didn't want to be on his Jeep anymore, after he flopped into a tree (floppy). Everyone had spare parts and the ability to fix their rigs, but it put us behind by a few hours.

We set up camp quickly and got into relaxation mode. We played in the lake, caught some fish, got drunk, and had the usual interesting IOR conversation around the fire

After a light rain overnight, we packed up and left on Sunday morning. We decided to take a slow steady pace out, and to take it easy so we could hopefully make it out without a break-down. Everyone ran very conservatively, without bouncing or tire spinning, and picking lines carefully. We stacked a ton of rocks so folks could get through without getting loco. The strategy paid off and we ran the north half in 3.5 hours without a break-down - we were out before lunch time!

Great little weekend wheeling adventure.

Short video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VoAujtQYg2U

[munepit]

[quote="Repsolaaron"]Best trail I've ever been on. It tests your patience, skills, suspension and wheel base.[/quote]


Is my Suburban too long for this trail?

[REDxj5150]

Yes. There were times I had to back up to make it around a corner or through trees. I think you'd also be too wide.

[Desert Dog]

[quote="munepit"]Is my Suburban too long for this trail?[/quote]
Wayyyyyy too long and wide. My Jeep didn't fit through most of it; I was on my roll cage most of the time squeezing through trees. This trail is also full of really tight and narrow switchbacks. I wouldn't take anything bigger than a JK on this trail.

[Desert Dog]

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[Desert Dog]

some video I took:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VoAujtQYg2U

[munepit]

Chit. Really starting to think about getting a smaller rig so I can go to these places.

[Zak.Taylor]

I know a guy who will have a wrangler for sale before long that costs less than one of your axles

[abendx]

looks so beautiful..... want to run this!

[munepit]

[quote="Zak.Taylor"]I know a guy who will have a wrangler for sale before long that costs less than one of your axles[/quote]


Thanks Zak. Not into Jeeps though. Im thinking a Chevy Luv on one tons and 40s. Or something like that. Something different.

[robnoxious1]

Had a great time. Was great wheeling with you guys. Ill post some pics and vid when I get home tonight.

Rob

[Desert Dog]

[quote="munepit"] Not into Jeeps though. Im thinking a Chevy Luv on one tons and 40s. Or something like that. Something different.[/quote]
Trust me, you'll keep throwing thousands of $ into it trying to make it keep with the Jeeps, and still regret not just getting a Jeep. I see the Jeep envy all the time, its a path to ruin my friend

[Desert Dog]

[quote="robnoxious1"]Had a great time. Was great wheeling with you guys. Ill post some pics and vid when I get home tonight.

Rob[/quote]
Same to you. Your stock Rubi did great, and left the trail with a little more "character"

Too bad Aaron got drunk and ruined your fish dinner

[jkaddiction]

Too bad Aaron got drunk and ruined your fish dinner [/quote]
Haha he added seasoning to the fish bites

[Lake_v2]

[quote="munepit"]Chit. Really starting to think about getting a smaller rig so I can go to these places.[/quote]


Just start taking yours on these and the hammer trails, it will will eventually fit, may not be pretty but there is a lot of sheetmetal that can be made thinner haha

[munepit]

Thats what im thinking!

[abendx]

Tildog has a full sized rig and I'd expect him to take that on any trail I'd consider.... and likely go MUCH further!

His is bobbed and he doesn't might the rocks taking a door or even the entire cab now and again.... YMMV, but my money is on you'll end up with a Jeep one day.

[REDxj5150]

I just ordered 2 rear brake lines off the internet. That way i could carry a spare. Even though plugging the line with a bb is way easier. I took a look under the jeep and found that the same rock which ate the brake line also did some work on my exhaust up by the transmission. I'll also need a new trans mount by the next run.

I'm just happy I finally got to run that trail. It's been 2 years since I've wanted to, and both years I was plagued with bad luck keeping me back. Even this year I thought I had let it slip by because of work. I'm glad a second opportunity came around.

[robnoxious1]

Heres some pics.
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[attachment=0]Aaron eating my fish.png[/attachment]

[robnoxious1]

Couple vids I did with my phone. Sorry about the static, apparently my phone picks up some kind of interference from the engine.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vB9Hv29N ... e=youtu.be
Cody On Rooster Rock

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xrS9SsPet_U
I dont know if this obstacle has a name?

[REDxj5150]

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bbCQNyw2Y_s][/youtube]
Curtis on the rocks

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GXQEDsYETzw][/youtube]
Aaron showing us how to crawl

[Zak.Taylor]

Thanks Zak. Not into Jeeps though. Im thinking a Chevy Luv on one tons and 40s. Or something like that. Something different.[/quote]


That would be F'ing awesome. I'll totally help or drink beer and cheer you on while you build it.... v8 too, or you're wasting your time.