Saguaro Coves Cleanup

[OlneyJeeps]

Meeting Place: Probrocito overflow lot (.5m or so West of Butcher Jones turn)
Meeting Time: 9:00 am
Depart: 9:13:21.3 (or so)

major objective is to tow/drag burnt remains of Ford Explorer to Butcher Jones gate

Weather permitting (not heavy downpour) I will drive CJ7: V8,AT 35's locked front and rear + M415 trailer

[BRNZY]

As mentioned in other thread, I will be there. I have a tow strap and hitch if needed for pulling a trailer.

[Antman]

You guys are going to do this on a very busy holiday weekend? :eek:

[Desertlove]

Is this going to be for saturday? ButcherJones is one of my main areas i like to go to. I

[OlneyJeeps]

I'm going to AK for a while Monday so is kinda last chance for a while. Wasn't really planning this way, but as there will be lots of people watching is great p.r. opportunity to demonstrate trail ettiquite and preservation! (wish I had an AZVJC sticker for my CJ)

[OlneyJeeps]

Anyone know if Butcher Jones is open yet?

[UGROWUP]

According to my friends, Bucher Jones may be open for the weekend. And I agree that having a lot of other people out there will be great PR. Can anyone bring AZVJC stickers? That would be a big :) if they can!!!

[UGROWUP]

P.S. I see this has not been added to the Calendar. May want to just in case someone doesn't hit it here. If it's not there by 4 today I'll go ahead and add it.

[OlneyJeeps]

I just spoke with Mesa district; they said they are trying to have open for weekend. If not, he (crap forgot name) said to take back enterance (through probocito lot).

[OlneyJeeps]

P.S. I see this has not been added to the Calendar. May want to just in case someone doesn't hit it here. If it's not there by 4 today I'll go ahead and add it.


Is posted on old site, just posted on calender

[lamanite480]

I just spoke with Mesa district; they said they are trying to have open for weekend. If not, he (crap forgot name) said to take back enterance (through probocito lot).

Went to the Coves today with David C and Butcher Jones is OPEN...REPEAT....OPEN!

[lamanite480]

I just spoke with Mesa district; they said they are trying to have open for weekend. If not, he (crap forgot name) said to take back enterance (through probocito lot).

Went to the Coves today with David C and Butcher Jones is OPEN...REPEAT....OPEN!

[OlneyJeeps]

As the meeting place has been set for probrocito point (stones throw from bj ) I think we will keep it there. Once most of us (3at this time? WTF) are together, we will attempt to go to bjones gate (keeping eye out for stranglers (probably m:cool: ). CHANNEL 4
here's an idea: large font landscape format print AZVJC on paper / paper taped to cardstock and tape to top of antenna (like a flag)?
could anyone stop by the $1 store and buy $10 worth of those pickerupper thingies? (they work good... not great, but good:D ) Havent seen any but there is always the possiblity of finding a needle:eek:
Camaras: bring what you got
Water water water water ATF (multiuse lubricant). I will try to remember to bring 35c recovery hub, spare, and something else........oh! STephanie wants to go again (last jump off cliff for the year?)
Rain gear seems iminant (CRAP almost all mine is in AK:D (anyone (mechanically proficient, loves to work for food (gourmet) and have spare trips fishing/whale watching, unbelievable hiking) want to go?)
OH CRAP...... I'm hijacking my on thread!!!!! everyone be calm there is a balm on the counter. We will soon be returning to the ground:eek: :eek:

[OlneyJeeps]

portable light weight trash cans work great too

[corwyyn]

I would have liked to go out and help clean but I found out yesterday that I have to work both days this weekend :mad: Oh well, I went by and got a permit for Bulldog canyon to day so maybe I'll go out there Monday if I can drag my tired butt out of bed early enough (not that its a long hard trail, just would like to get off it before it gets too hot).

[SHNIPE]

Bah i didnt have enough notice to get the day off. Guess i missed the other thread or something. Ill be at the next one so long as theres enough time ahead to plan.

You guys are going on saturday? I just think its gonna suck that the sat night/sunday crowd will only ruin what you guys are doing. Yes it will be great PR for the club and the hours will still count (dont forget to turn the hours in to Jim (hackle) with everyones name on the sign in sheet) but the trash will again be there on sunday since the idiots will still be there to trash it once we are gone :(

[OlneyJeeps]

Just got blessings from Tonto.... said if we can get it to the gate, they will take it from there

We need strong, locked vehicles (has to be pulled out of valley)!!
if you have one, please attend!

[David C]

Anyone know if Butcher Jones is open yet?

Yes, Butcher Jones is open. I was there yesterday.:D

[lamanite480]

Yes, Butcher Jones is open. I was there yesterday.:D

If it werent for David C. we'd be pulling out another vehicle...my Jeep. almost rolled it down a hill yesterday(Coves). Worst feeling in my life. i literally couldnt get out my drivers side or else I would have rolled down the hill. Thanx again, David!

[BRNZY]

I am locked in the rear and ready to pull. If worse came to worse, we could winch it up the hill with 2 winches at one time ??

[daniel]

what part of town is this in:confused:

[David C]

Count me in on this one. I'll be there and I'm trying to get some extra equipment - a Warn 9000 winch (made portable to fit in a hitch receiver) and/or come-a-long and extra straps. I know where the explorer is so if by some chance I'm late, don't wait. I have my CB and I'll meet you at the location.

what part of town is this in:confused:

This is north east of the Phoenix metro area:

http://www.virtualjeepclub.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=7126&stc=1&d=1157204753

[Bustedknuckles5]

just making an update for the folks dragging the burnt explorer out of the coves,
As of 2:15 pm they have gotten it out of the wash it was laying in and ontop of the first hill, They are now starting to move towards the gate. I was asked to post this in hopes that if anybody else would be able to come help in this, apparently it is a bit tougher then anticipated, sounds as if they could use a larger rig one with a bit more weight and horsepower to help drag it. Only 4 rigs out there now, 3 wranglers and a toyota. Any help at all i am sure would be appreciated. I would go myself but have plans for the day already and cant break them.

Good Luck guys, cya L8rs

[YJunk]

I was out there but was no help... I ain't got no bumpers or horsepower and ended up pukin my bfast out in the bushes... It took three rigs running tandem to pull it down the wash any distance. That is a big ole SOB... When I left it was still in the wash and I'm suprised and glad to hear its up on the ridge at this point.

Hope they get it out alright!

[OlneyJeeps]

We're back!!!!!!!!!!!!
Holy crap what a ride!
Pushed lil blue to the limit... ok a little past it, but that's why god created the welder, isn't it?
here's the score

broken shock mount (ok it was just tacked on with bad shock to test position)
$5
Jacob's ignition coil arcing (dk whats up with that...ran on spare)
?$
broken winch cable cinch (they tried pulling when I was not in Jeep :confused: :eek: )
$5
bent/broken welds on support bar (between spring mounts)
tore my steering wheel cover.... AAAAACK!!!!!!!!
$3.95
Ridding the play area of a Ford
Pricless!


Here's the abridged story (probably abridged too far, but wtf)

Most of us (yes there is a signup which will be forwarded to hackle)
got to wreck around 10 or so (didnt wear watch)
hooked on with couple of jeeps, dug into sand
daisy chained 4 jeeps, tried pulling up play hills... 30% up, dead in tracks
tried winching.... no go:mad:
pulled back around pulled down hill (got rearended first of several times)
daisy chained 4 jeeps pulled about 150 yrds or so down wash to easier hill; stopped to let jeeps cool down
took a break, went to cove 1 to cool down
discovered abandoned Nissan Pathfinder (blown out windows, flat tire)
left, thinking maybe come back for it later... probably will burn tonight:mad:
got back to Ford to watch lifted 80's Chevy pu pull nearly new MINIVAN:eek: hhigh centered over hill we were going to go up.... sad / massivly comical... would not be surprised if still out there... several other stock or near stock 2wd trucks went in
hooked up ford so that was resting/chained to my pintle hook hitch; stopped half way up first hill to add more jeeps to hookup
miscommunication, started pulling with me not in jeep
thingy that clamps cable together around hook broke
hooked up again jeep jeep toyota jeep and pulled up to top of ridge
hooked up my trailer to other jeep, started on our way again with just toyota hooked to CJ7
after about 200yrds support bar broke:eek:
looked back to see other jeeps stoped quite a ways back
heard on radio "lost an engine".... I knew we were pushing jeeps hard, but thought "that really sucks":eek: got a smile when found it was the Ford's engine we lost:D
Towed along ridge, losing parts (doors, quarter, somewhere in there we tore rear pillars off:D ) then down into wash.
towed much easier (missing engine?)
got to gate at about 4?
Forest service said THANK YOU

After Stephanie played at beach for a while, left for home (contemplated returning for Nissan but I also smashed my taillights on the trailer to smithereens). 1 Jeep (crap I forget names... YJ white deceided to go back). Filled trailer with mesquite (lots of cuttings, Forest service said "help yourself"). Jeep purred at 65 all way home .

On slightly other note, they told us it was just deceided Lower Sycamore is being closed 10-15 yrs for revegitation:eek:

[swhalin]

Wow!!:eek: What a ride. Thanks for all that. Sorry I couldn't make it today. Let me know if you plan on going after that pathfinder.

Steve

[BRNZY]

Yes it was quite a day. That was me on the radio that had mentioned the lost engine. There were only 2 of us in the vicinity of the engine and was not able to pick it up. Tried dragging it, but the strap eventually gave way. Lots body parts (from the ford), fell off along the way. We of course got them picked up as we moved on. We did see a few vehicles on the trail that really should not have been there. The mini-van, a 2 wheel drive mini-blazer with low profile tires, a dually company truck (stuck in the sand). It was nice that we were able to get that hunk of metal out of there. It is a shame though that there is, and will be more to remove. We got done just in time, because the storm came in out of nowhere and looked pretty nasty. The breeze felt really good!

[yotamonkey]

Any chance anybody can get some pics up?

[David C]

Well what more can I say about this adventure that OlneyJeeps and Brnzy didn't cover? Great recap OlneyJeeps. What a day! My Jeep has never worked so hard! It took 4 Jeeps connected in series like a train to get that thing moving through deep, soft sand. OlneyJeeps, Brnzy, JeeprCG and myself. I felt like a turnbuckle at times, my Jeep walking side-to-side in the wash under the strain. It was Yotamonkey and OlneyJeeps that were the powerhouses getting up the hill with me in the lead. It came up that hill much easier than I expected, however it would have been even easier at the start if OlneyJeeps had actually been in his Jeep and driving. :eek: Sorry about the winch cable! I have to say, I was over the crest of the hill and couldn't see anyways. Once at the top, Yotamonkey and OlneyJeeps took it from there while Brnzy pulled the trailer with JeeprCG following - those two picked up all the pieces that came off along the way. They picked up a few pieces from OlneyJeeps rig as well. :eek: He really took a beating, broke a few things, but he really kept a hard-charging, positive attitude and provided some awesome leadership to see this through! Great job OlneyJeeps!!

It took us about 5 to 6 hours to finally get this rusted hulk to the parking lot at Butcher Jones but we did it. There were 6 Jeeps and one built Toyota crawler involved:

OlneyJeeps - Brnzy - Yotamonkey - JeeprCG - YJunk - David C - and Carl

I never got Carls last name or his name on the forum, but he was our photographer and was out with his family in his orange Unlimited for the very first time ever off-roading. Hey Carl, great job and thanks for taking the pictures - now I think I speak for everyone when I say, let's see them!
I did take 2 small video clips with my camera phone and I have had a helluva time getting them re-formatted to post. I will post a link for those next. Thanks everyone for a productive and memorable day. I actually had some fun doing this.

[David C]

Well, looks like I'm not gonna get the short vid clips uploaded for viewing. They are in 3gp format. :confused: Can't get them converted properly. I love all the confusing existing formats and now they have to come up with another one. :rolleyes: I'm too tired to fight with it right now.

On another note, I did go back to cove 1 and I wrote down the info on that Pathfinder. It is an 87 and the left rear tire is flat and off the rim. Windows were smashed in and windshield badly cracked but still intact. I think it will roll ok if the one wheel is changed. I wrote down the VIN and license number and have the name of the area manager from the Forest Service who I was told to relay info to. I'm not sure who to give the info to. If anyone wants the info, please send me a PM.

[OlneyJeeps]

I guess that was my second trail failure: dead batteries :mad: (had spare battery jump pack for the Jeep though:D ):mad:

Thinking of doing the Coves again tomorrow with whole family (AK postponed couple of days due to weather). Probably out about 10am till ?

[GLEN REAMS]

were there any snakes under the old explore?last time i was out there there was a rattle snake right inside it scared the **** out of me too, i wish i was in town for this since when it caught on fire i tryed to put it out, it was pretty cool watching it roll tho even tho i had no idea it would have sat out there for that long

[OlneyJeeps]

There was one shed from a snake

[YJunk]

There was one snake skin under the ford and that was it...

Just for the record don't ever shake Burnsy's hand. I've spent my fare share of time in the weight room, have done some arm wrestling etc and regularly work my hands out with 100lb grippers... Shaking hands with Larry is like throwing your mit into a hydrolic vice and your not in control of the switch... :D (Nice guy even if he did ask me if my junk was running on a vaccume cleaner engine!!) :) :)

YotaMonkey has one of the coolest Toyota's I've ever seen; it's a Toyata P/U cab on a 4Runner Frame. It's had a LOT of work done to it.

Was nice meeting all of you and I'm sorry I wasn't more help...

[David C]

were there any snakes under the old explore?last time i was out there there was a rattle snake right inside it scared the **** out of me too, i wish i was in town for this since when it caught on fire i tryed to put it out, it was pretty cool watching it roll tho even tho i had no idea it would have sat out there for that long

So are you saying you know who rolled, burned and abandoned this thing? :eek: I would love to have that info, to pass on to the proper.... yeah to pass on. :D

[BRNZY]

Well thanks YJunk for putting out the warning about the handshake :D Thats funny right there !!!!! But seriously though, It was good times out there considering it was alot more work than expected. It was good to put faces with names. YJunk, your engine did not sound like a vacuum cleaner ... it was like an air-compressor :p

[OlneyJeeps]

YJunk, your engine did not sound like a vacuum cleaner ... it was like an air-compressor :p

Hey now! My compressor takes offence! I was thinking drunk testosteroid pumped mosquito on bad drugs
:eek: :eek: :eek: :D

[BRNZY]

Lmao !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[YJunk]

Hey now! My compressor takes offence! I was thinking drunk testosteroid pumped mosquito on bad drugs
:eek: :eek: :eek: :D

Oh crap that was funny... made me cry!