Triple X with a scenic run too boot ~ 3/4/06

[Wind_Danzer]

Just wanted to post up how much fun I had watching all of those that decided to tackle XXX and to thank Bill for the scenic jaunt around the backcountry afterwards.

Pics will come either tonight sometime or tomorrow!!!:D

[twstdtj]

I had a blast!! This was the shakedown run for the heep after the stretch. Great trail. Only carnage was a broken shock mount for me. Jeep did quite well. Hope somebody got some pics!!! Also a big thanks to Bill for takin us. Thanks to 1Eagle and his son for puttin my coil back in after loosin it numerous times!!

Great Run

[Wildcat455]

I had a blast!! This was the shakedown run for the heep after the stretch. Great trail. Only carnage was a broken shock mount for me. Jeep did quite well. Hope somebody got some pics!!! Also a big thanks to Bill for takin us. Thanks to 1Eagle and his son for puttin my coil back in after loosin it numerous times!!

Great Run

Agreed, another outstanding run with great people.
Too tired for the trip report, so I'll see if someone (Or me) can get that posted later, Just finished the BBQ after the trail, so we're all just a little "tired". :rolleyes:

[1eagle]

Had a great time during the run and after wards at the BBQ. XXX trail is a blast, it definitly gave me a test:eek: . Thanks to Bill, Barry, Jeff for their help in getting me off of a couple obstacles. Trail breakage was very little, Jeff broken shock mount, wich resulted in losing spring a couple times, Barry, broken shock mount, and me, broken rear locker again:o . Rachel kicked butt out their again and no problems, good job:D . Thanks to BIll and Lisa for taking us on this trip and for having us over for the BBQ at their place.

[Triple-XJ]

You got some great pics in there Roger.
Thanks for the FOOD GUYS :)

[1eagle]

You got some great pics in there Roger.
Thanks for the FOOD GUYS :)

My son took all of those pictures.

[Jeeppeepin]

Really a great trail. You weren't kidding when you listed that as a 4.5:D . Excellent people as usual. Thanks for taking pics Roger's son.
BBQ was fantastic. I couldn't help myself with those cheesy potatoes, I had more than my share:p . Thanks Bill for leading the trip and xxxtracting me out yet once again(I know it wasn't easy). Everyone drove out of there. Thanks Bill and Roger for the BBQ. Definately hit the spot!

[Wildcat455]

Barry and I decided shortly after the last run of XXX, that we wanted to get our friends out on this trail to run it.
The plan was simply retrace our last run, including the scenic loop at the end of the trail.
It started out as a large group of people going, so it was never posted to the board, but once the date got close, we had some cancellations, which actually made the group more manageable, and I might add, more fun!

As a side note, Roger had a great idea of throwing a BBQ after the run, so the two of us were busy all week trying to get his Jeep ready, prep for the run, and get everything for the BBQ rounded up and ready to go.

The trip attendees were Me and my wife Lisa, xFallen (Barry), 1Eagle (Roger), Jeeppeepin (Rachel), twstdtj (Jeff) and his wife, Travis,:eek: . Also along to spectate/Heckle was Wind_Danzer (Jaime).

We met at the Parking lot at Table Mesa at 8:30 AM. While waiting for Barry, everyone aired down, and talked. We left at 9 AM, without Barry, which was fine, he knew the way to the trail anyway...

This is where our first oops happens. We had just arrived at the trailhead, Barry had caught up to us, but he was light a few tools, as the lid to his toolbox came off or open or something. Someone commented Barry should keep his hands firmly on his tool when it's not tucked away safe... :eek:

We began the trail, Roger got in a pickle in a hurry, due to my bad spotting :rolleyes: It's always MY fault... :D
We managed to get him back on track, and then continued the trail. He later ended up having trouble with his rear locker (Again) and his steering (Pump doing the bypass squeal). But those are easy to fix with bigger parts (Throw money). So we'll be busy this summer...Even hampered by a partially working locker, and problems with steering, he managed the trail well.

Rachel had a really good day on the rocks, even though she didn't think so. She made allot of wise decisions, and came out of it all without any damage, or broken parts! The trail is very technical, and if you slip off your line, you will grind until you get back on it. She wisely chose to be strapped off a wedge point, and since Barry had already broke (More on this later), I had to turn around and come back to her to assist.
There was also one point when she was seemingly hopelessly high centered, Jeff threatened her by getting out the winch controller, and she somehow miraculously drove off it! The rest of the trail was uneventful for her.

Jeff was out to shakedown his most recent mods to his TJ. It worked Awesome! He tried one of the optional obstacles and made it look easy. His only break was a right rear shock mount that wasn't even part of his recent mods, but losing this caused him trouble with retaining his coil spring. Looking forward to running some more trails with him soon! :D

Barry busted a shock somehow, I contribute it most to him being Barry and doing some wild stuff in his TJ. This was his only issue, and once he got the shock removed, he continued the trail, humiliating me on an obstacle I floundered on for a while. Wouldn't have been so bad, but he HAD to say "I'll School you on this obstacle so you don't have so much trouble with it next time" as he breezed right through it. :o

After the trail, Roger, Barry and Jeff headed back to the parking lot. Rachel and Jaime joined my wife and I on the scenic run. There are places on this run overlooking Black Canyon City, the big Mesa I-17 runs across (Sunset Point), and lake Pleasant. We made a quick trip of it, because we didn't have much time before we had to be back for the BBQ. Once back at the Parking lot, we all headed home to clean up before the BBQ.

The BBQ was held at my Hacienda. Roger fired up the grills at 6 PM sharp, The side dishes were heating, the munchies were out, and people were starting to show up. This is the part where I hope I didn't forget anybody :eek:

Roger and family, Me and my family, Geno and his woman, Shauna, Barry, Nick, Ghey Tom, Richard and family, Rachel and Jaime were all in attendance to put the feed bag on and mow through some Barbeque!! We had Burgers, Polish Dogs, Hot Dogs, with all the fixins and assortment of buns, Beans, Cheesy Potatoes, Chips and dip.
I have a fire pit in my back yard, so yes, there was a fire, and yes, it was visible from space. NASA called to ask if we could tone it down, evidently it was interfering with some Solar Flare research being conducted...
We all ate BBQ around the fire, laughing, drinking and telling lies about one another... OK, so some of it were true, there's still the burden of proof...
Anyway, It was really great getting together socially off the trail, with a bunch of cool people, and still having so much fun.

I personally would like to thank each and every one of my friends for a very memorable day and evening!

[xFallen]

Nice write-up Bill!

These are Roger's pictures.

http://www.virtualjeepclub.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=4596&d=1141569189

http://www.virtualjeepclub.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=4597&d=1141569189

http://www.virtualjeepclub.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=4598&d=1141569189

http://www.virtualjeepclub.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=4599&d=1141569189

http://www.virtualjeepclub.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=4600&d=1141569189

http://www.virtualjeepclub.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=4601&d=1141569189

http://www.virtualjeepclub.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=4602&d=1141569189

http://www.virtualjeepclub.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=4603&d=1141569189

http://www.virtualjeepclub.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=4605&d=1141569189

http://www.virtualjeepclub.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=4606&d=1141569189

[xFallen]

More of Roger's pictures.

http://www.virtualjeepclub.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=4607&d=1141569189

http://www.virtualjeepclub.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=4608&d=1141569189

http://www.virtualjeepclub.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=4609&d=1141569189

http://www.virtualjeepclub.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=4610&d=1141569189

http://www.virtualjeepclub.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=4611&d=1141569189

http://www.virtualjeepclub.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=4612&d=1141569189

http://www.virtualjeepclub.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=4613&d=1141569189

http://www.virtualjeepclub.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=4614&d=1141569189

http://www.virtualjeepclub.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=4615&d=1141569765

[Wind_Danzer]

Hey all, what a great time!!! Bill thanks for the invite to tag along with you bigger boys (and set up gal) on the trail. My day started with the trail run into XXX and then continuing onward to a parking spot to hike back in to watch the fun. In doing so I took the road which appeared to be more traveled and would have ended up off the cliff and onto the middle of the trail. Turning around I parked it and hoofed it over the hills listening to the roar of the engins and then clanking of metal on the rocks and noticed they weren't more then 40 ft. in from where I left them (zoomed in pic I was still over 1/2 way up the hill).

http://i2.tinypic.com/qr0rwz.jpg

They were expecting me to come in from the end of the trail by a windmill but in true Jamie fashion, I found a way to fug that up.

So joining back up I hopped in with Rachel and went another few feet to the first obstical.

Here's Bill finishing it up:

http://i2.tinypic.com/qr0sqb.jpg

Barry trying to get himself on the right line with Bill talking it out with Rachel:

http://i2.tinypic.com/qr0tjr.jpg

Rachel getting some air time then some good flex choosing a little different line then Barry:

http://i2.tinypic.com/qr0vwm.jpg

http://i2.tinypic.com/qr0wep.jpg

Jeff's shakedown went well on the first of many flexy situations:

http://i2.tinypic.com/qr0z0k.jpg

Rodger, poor poor Rodger. He basically got himself set up for the buggy line on this obstical:

http://i2.tinypic.com/qr18on.jpg

Then out came the strap and Ropdger having a few choice words hehehehe:

http://i2.tinypic.com/qr1aua.jpg

Bill making short work of the end of the second obstical:

http://i2.tinypic.com/qracus.jpg

Lining up for the second obstical and Barry makign his move:

http://i2.tinypic.com/qradlk.jpg

[Wind_Danzer]

Barry going through the wedgie:

http://i2.tinypic.com/qraflx.jpg

And his Opps:

http://i2.tinypic.com/qragbp.jpg

Rachel starting up onto Obstical #2. You can just imagine the size of these boulders, use Barry's head/shoulders for comparison:

http://i2.tinypic.com/qrah54.jpg

Eh,oh... Rachel gave herself a wedgie and needed the strap:

http://i2.tinypic.com/qrajiq.jpg

http://i2.tinypic.com/qram3r.jpg

Jeff, with the road blocked for the time being, decided to try another line:

http://i2.tinypic.com/qramw4.jpg

At this point I decided to walk back to my Jeep and drive it to the end of the trail so they didn't have to wait all that long after they finished. I didn't get many more pics of stuckage or breakage and missed out on the "winching" moment where Rachel's Jeep decided it didn't want to be pulled.

After the end of Triple X, Barry, Jeff and Rodger said their goodbyes and headed out while Rachel, Bill and I heded the other direction for some beautiful scenery.

The mesa and Black Canyon City:

http://i2.tinypic.com/qraqeu.jpg

Lake Pleasant:

http://i2.tinypic.com/qraquv.jpg

The views were incredible and I was just amazed at how wonderful the back country of AZ can be. We did come across Barry's Rock and I did take a pic but his weas better then mine so no need to post it. I will say you do get a urge to just run up there and push it to see what happens.

Yesterday was just a blast for all involved, the company was good, the BBQ was even better and the trials were the best.

Here are my two favorite pics from the trip.

A close up view of the mesa:

http://i2.tinypic.com/qrau0i.jpg

A stone wall that runs near the second obstical (you were right Rodger, the wall made a good pic, just a different section of it) :

http://i2.tinypic.com/qravxi.jpg

[Wildcat455]

We experienced technical difficulty with our camera, but I got it working, here's the pics my wife took:

T-Shaft

http://i2.tinypic.com/qy5qvm.jpg

Proof I was there

http://i2.tinypic.com/qy5rbn.jpg

Couple of Rachel

http://i2.tinypic.com/qy5rnb.jpg

http://i2.tinypic.com/qy5ru0.jpg

Jeff's turn

http://i2.tinypic.com/qy5s12.jpg

http://i2.tinypic.com/qy5s7b.jpg

http://i2.tinypic.com/qy5sb4.jpg

[twstdtj]

Great pics Bill, Now whats this about my wife????

[mingoglia]

I didn't think you and Travis were actually married, but OK, to each his own. :p Congrats.

[mingoglia]

BTW, I'm pretty damn jealous of this trip. Looks like you guys had a great time. Glad it was for the most part uneventful. Looks like I may have started a trend a couple weeks ago with shock problems.

Mike

[Wildcat455]

Great pics Bill, Now whats this about my wife????

I was referring to the little "Girl" you had sitting next to you on that trip, named Travis.... What? She's not your wife?? :eek:

NO way you're just catching that!! LOL! :D

I am certainly surprised Travis didn't speak up! :D

He must be busy... :rolleyes:

Geez, :rolleyes: Sorry if I stumbled in to a "Sensitive" situation...

[twstdtj]

Call me slow, but dont call me Shirly, I did just catch it , and I read your trip report twice before I did.:confused: :rolleyes: I had to have someone with me to put my coil back in,:D (repeatedly) and my real wife was otherwise occupied(work). Anyway got my heap fixed and ready to wheel again.

[Wildcat455]

Call me slow, but dont call me Shirly, I did just catch it , and I read your trip report twice before I did.:confused: :rolleyes: I had to have someone with me to put my coil back in,:D (repeatedly) and my real wife was otherwise occupied(work). Anyway got my heap fixed and ready to wheel again.

Too funny! Travis done with his yet? I'll be with my wife Sat. but there is a small chance Sunday will be open for some more wheelin, what do you think?

[4 Wheelers Supply]

Bill, I had to work that Saturday and then my girl had a horse show in the afternoon. Call me for the next one. It looked like fun. :)

[Wildcat455]

Bill, I had to work that Saturday and then my girl had a horse show in the afternoon. Call me for the next one. It looked like fun. :)

Yeah, I know, that's what you told me at 4WS when I invited you.
Don't worry, we'll get out there.

[twstdtj]

Too funny! Travis done with his yet? I'll be with my wife Sat. but there is a small chance Sunday will be open for some more wheelin, what do you think?

Im up!! , but then again Im always UP or so my wife says.:eek:

Travis should be done Friday night.

[Wildcat455]

Im up!! , but then again Im always UP or so my wife says.:eek:

Travis should be done Friday night.

I'm sure she explained the difference of being "UP for the task" and "UP to the task"... :rolleyes:

I'll check back with you on Friday and see what's REALLY UP...

No pressure Travis.... we kow how it is... :eek:

[zman]

Looks like a fun trail. Where is XXX located. I know the Table Mesa area fairly well but have not done this one?

Thanks,

zman

[Wildcat455]

It is fun... There are a few buggy only obstacles there that we didn't do... maybe next trip out...

As far as disclosing the location on a Bulletin Board :rolleyes:

[Wind_Danzer]

As far as disclosing the location on a Bulletin Board :rolleyes:

Oh come on now Bill.... :rolleyes:

You just go past a wash, one of those fences made out of sticks and barbed wire that barely stands, another wash where you turn right and then once you hit this HUGE rock that stick out above the trail (if it falls it'll squish ya) ya make a sharp u-turn and you're there.




























;) :p