Desoto Mine trail

[FrenchChili]

Anyone interested in doing Desoto Mine Trail around Jan15th?
I've never done it and it looks like fun...

Any input?:)

[BillR]

Anyone interested in doing Desoto Mine Trail around Jan15th?
I've never done it and it looks like fun...

Any input?:)
I'd be interested. I've never done the trail either.

[Crawldit]

I'd be interested as well. Sundays are the only day that I get to go wheeling now

[FrenchChili]

Cool, I think I'll post it in a few days for the 15th, that's a Sunday. I'll be using Charles a. w.'s book, unless someone has already done it!

[FrenchChili]

Trip posted for the 15th

[BillR]

I'm out.
When's the next one going to be on a Saturday? Sundays are really bad for me unless it's LATE afternoon. I could probably be in the Valley by 2:30 or so to get started.
Anyone up for a Saturday morning or a Sunday night run for this trail?

[tyota]

do you think I can make it in my completely stock xj?

[FrenchChili]

do you think I can make it in my completely stock xj?

I read from members that they thought it was not a true 4.0. Also, in Charles A Wells' book there was a stock yj that got hungup on a boulder or something. XJ has more clearance than a stock yj.

I've never done this one yet, so my bet is go to the description and maybe also talk to someone who has done it.

We can always drag you over a few things...:D

I guess it depends how good you can drive it and how much you care for dings!

[katvans]

do you think I can make it in my completely stock xj?


Hey Neal

Nick lies, he doesn't own anything that is completely stock.:rolleyes: But if it was he could probably make it, trail is not a 4.

Rich (in the Creek)

[My1stJeep]

Trail is definatly not a 4.0 unless you do the optional obstacles, which I am sure in the book they did not.

I have been on this trail multiple times, mostly with TJ's on 33's, an XJ (4.5" RE lift) on 31's and a Rubi (stock). The rock garden almost to the end put a small dent in the lower rocker panel of the XJ, and we had the Rubi owner high center himself (have to give him credit for being a newbie, tried to follow a taller Jeep and was still learning).

I think for the most part a stock Jeep could make it, but would take some spotting. There are only a couple areas where they would have a pretty difficult time, other than that they would love the run.

Nick with a stock anything, now that is funny. Nick doesn't even give his kids stock Tonka toys, he first puts lift kits on them, and of course gives them the family discount :D .

[BillR]

Let's set up a Saturday run!;) I'm in...

[Gary]

Neal,
We ran Desoto Mine in early November... I recommend runnung the trail as we did, starting on the Cleator end (opposite of the Wells book)... Get to the end, and come back the same way. Otherwise you're stuck on the gravel road passing thru Crown King for about 45 miles. In fact, turn around at the point marked as 02. Good place for lunch...

At 06, you can go up to the mine as the road is not blocked...But, the road is EXTREMELY narrow with a "hold your breath" cliff on one side and my passenger was very unhappy...:eek:

When we ran it, we screwed up and missed the turn marked as 04 in the book and came out on the Senator Highway past Peck Mine... We encountered nothing difficult on the portion we ran other than a few very steep climbs and decents... I would have enjoyed going back the way we came but we had a Jeep with a bladder problem.:eek:

As I type this, I'm convincing myself to join you...:D

[FrenchChili]

Thanks for the recomendation Gary. JOIN US so I don't have to lead:)!!!!

[Gary]

Thanks for the recomendation Gary. JOIN US so I don't have to lead:)!!!!

OK...I think I can make it...:)

[FrenchChili]

Sweet!

All right, who else is in?

[Crawldit]

I still have to get the ok from my old lady, but I plan on being there too.

*EDIT* I'm out. My wife has her CNA certification Exam on Sunday from 8am till whenever. So it will be just my son and I, and I won't take him on trails that are rated over a 2.5. Take lot's of pictures....

[FrenchChili]

Oh! Tell your wife good luck with that exam!!!

Pics are always good!

All right, who else is interested???

[FrenchChili]

My dad found my phone in his garage! My number is on the old site or you can pm for it...