Arizona Fall VX Gathering II...Trip report

[Triathlete]

Day 2 begins easy enough...

The beautifull desert...

The rear view...

Did Victor drive down this?

[Triathlete]

Going up...



Its just a "little" bump Bob!

Group shot...

Beautifull ***-ends...

[Triathlete]

Little creatures of the sun...

One last hill...

Thats it for me...I'm sure the others got some good shots to add!

[TJ04]

Hey it looks like you guys had a great time! I hear you guys came across some wimpy Jeeps. I was one of them! No offense taken, it's all in good fun! At least you guys are enjoying what we Jeepers love to do, and that's wheeling in the great outdoors.

Glad to see you guys made it out okay. Did that other guy end up staying with you or did he leave? I was leaning right on that boulder where that rattler was. Talk about a close call!

Powerline/Hackberry Creek is one of my favorite trails and I run it at least once a month. It's amazing what the rains have done to the trail in just a two month period.

You may have heard that sadly this trail may not be open to the public in the near future due to a proposed copper mine in the area. If a bill is passed to give this protected national forest land to the copper industry it will come true.

The area is also a favorite spot for rock climbers. Did you get to see Devil's Canyon from the short side trip just east of the green valley. Awesome views! This is where rock climbers and mountaineers come from all over the world to climb those massive rock columns. You won't catch me doing that!

Anyway here is a link to where you can write to your congressman and let him or her know why they should not give this land to the copper industry.

http://www.friendsofqueencreek.com/FoQC_news.htm

Hopefully all of us who enjoy trails like this can make a difference.

So when you see one of us WIMPY JEEPS on the trail, just give us a big wave! You know it's a Jeep thing don't ya!

Oh here's a link to some pics from our trip

http://photobucket.com/albums/b208/ddawg_/

Happy Wheeling and remember Tread Lightly,
TJ04

[VCAMILO]

Oh! yeah! I remeber you guys... Wimpy Jeeps? Who said that... yeah Val stayed with us and we ran the loop. Thanks for posting you pictures TJ04. Happy trails.

Vic ( on of the VX guys)

[VXcaver]

First off... I didn't get lost on the way to Pizza! I just missunderremembered the route for a moment!

Great trip! A real character builder! I think we (stock vxs) were in a little over our heads in a few spots, but overall the trail was doable and very exciting. And the camping spot was peaceful and full of evidence of Native American habitation.

I won't add to Billy's trip report, except those who love the backcountry should get involved in helping protect this area, as TJ04 has brought to our attention the proposed copper mine. For those who haven't seen what copper mining does to a region, I'll see if I can dig up some photos from my archives. Arizonans are fortunate to have a state full of beautiful, largely unspoiled lands, and copper mining is just about the worst imaginable outcome for a place like this.

A few more pics:

Impalerv centered on a rock...


Jeff TucsonVX climbing the crumbly rock ledge, not seeing his vehicle slipping over the edge, until now...!


Victor rock climbing, no rope needed.


Impalerv negotiating the rocks -


Our campsite in an incredible valley.


Me, Victor borrowed my camera, thanks Victor!


And this strange one I found on my camera of Billy taking a picture at sunset. Hmmm?

[Triathlete]

TJ04...nice seeing you guys out there. I know you know my statements are all in good jest! I have many jeep friends! We appreciated your help out on the trail. Your expierienced minds were thinking a little better than ours. Val made the whole trip with us. Didn't take the side trip. Pretty much took the Az Backroads route. And yeah, you got a little close to that rattler before he decided to give warning. Did all of you guys go up and over the section of trail that goes up near the powerlines? That looked pretty whicked! Also thanks for the info on the impending mine intrusion. They were already drilling near the Superior entrance where we entered/exited. It would be a real shame to see that trail turned into a huge pit. Again thanks.

[TJ04]

Likewise Triathelete! We should do a run together sometime. I'm planning a run to the Coke Ovens/Box Canyon trail when it cools off a little? It's a great trail that stock 4X4 vehicles can do fine. You and your group are welcome to tag along. I'll let you know when it will be later on. It will probably be more towards the end of October to early November.

Only me and another guy went up that nasty section. The others took the bypass. I have made it up that one obstacle several times in the past but have not been able to the last two times I've been up there. It's amazing how water can move huge boulders around. I had to winch myself and the other guy up that obstacle before proceeding up the Boulder garden. We had a blast!

I give you guys a lot of credit for taking those VX's where you did! Great pics!

Hopefully I'll see you guys on the trail again!

Until next time, Wheel On VX'ers!!

TJ04

[TucsonVX]

Larger tires do not make your vehical stock

[VCAMILO]

Thank you all for all the pictures...(my camera battery was dead)