Mud Springs trail 11/11

[Easyover]

Any interest on running Mud Springs this Saturday? Haven't been on it for well over a year. Would make for a nice Sat run.

[RandyT]

Is that up near 4 Peaks?

[mbuckner]

That is the first trail I ran (2004-Mar) after the Jeep was lifted .......

I wonder how much it has changed since then?

[GLEN REAMS]

where is this at? any pictures of it? im intrested in going

[mbuckner]

Do a search on Mud Springs ... you will find
some pics

[westy]

Yeah, its near Four Peaks. Parts of it could very well be 4 rated after this years storms, with one hill offering rollover possibilities.

[Easyover]

It's halfway between 4 Peaks and Sunflower. If we could drum up some interest, I'd like to do it Saturday or possibly Sunday. I'd rate the trail between a 3.4-4.0. Definetely a lift, 31"+, one locker, and rocker protection. Some driving skill wouldn't hurt either. Post up of who's in and I'll set up a meeting time and place.

[Easyover]

Here's some pics of my last trip up there:

http://www.fullsizejeeps.com/gallery/albums/userpics/10026/normal_AZwheelin.jpg
http://www.fullsizejeeps.com/gallery/albums/userpics/10026/normal_DSC01514.jpg
http://www.fullsizejeeps.com/gallery/albums/userpics/10026/normal_DSC01517.jpg
http://www.fullsizejeeps.com/gallery/albums/userpics/10026/normal_DSC01520.jpg
http://www.fullsizejeeps.com/gallery/albums/userpics/10026/normal_DSC01522.jpg

[joseph trimino]

I am interest would like to go saturday am. post if it is going to happen.:)

[Easyover]

I am interest would like to go saturday am. post if it is going to happen.:)

I'm game if you are? We could meet at the gas station on 87 by Fort McDowell Casino at around 9 am. Anyone else? This is a really neat trail if you haven't done it before.

[joseph trimino]

Do You now how many hrs the trip is.

[Easyover]

I'd say 5-6 round trip. It really depends on group size, driver skill, and vehicle preparedness. A small group of well built rigs could do it in less. A large group of mild built rigs would take more. What do you drive?

[joseph trimino]

91 tj with 6" full traction long arm on 35" with lockers

[Easyover]

91 tj with 6" full traction long arm on 35" with lockers

So how does your TJ pre-date my YJ?:D

That setup shouldn't have a problem with this trail. There are some good technical sections that make this a good drivers trail. So, are you in?

[Nojoke]

I'd be interested in joining the group. However. I've got 33 and I'm running open differentials. Think I could make it? I have a winch to pull myself out of situations, if necessary.
Where do you plan on meeting and what time? I'm in N. Phx.

[weebee]

Sorry 01

[Easyover]

I'd be interested in joining the group. However. I've got 33 and I'm running open differentials. Think I could make it? I have a winch to pull myself out of situations, if necessary.
Where do you plan on meeting and what time? I'm in N. Phx.

We'll get you through it. Flex will help.

So who all is definetely in? Meeting at the gas station on 87 near Fort McDowwell Casino at 9 am.

[joseph trimino]

I'm in 9:00 am at the gas station on 87 by Fort McDowell Casino

[Nojoke]

I am in at 09:00 at the gas station as well.

[WILL73]

Im interested but can't do it till 2pm. Have fun

[arlo]

Anybody doing this trail on Sun. 11-12-06? I'm in Litchfield Park so I 'm thinking Sunday about 9am? anybody:D

[yotamonkey]

How about a trail report. I would to know how this trip went, I was there in the begining of this year and climbed the first hill and turned around and came back down because one guy in our group scratched his truck on the way up the hill so we all turned around and went to a different trail.:mad:

[Easyover]

The trip went very well! There were 3 Jeeps on the run: My '95 YJ on D44's locked F/R, SOA, on 35" TSL's, George in a TJ (yr ?), 3" lift, 8.8 w/LS, on 33" MTR's, and Joe in his well appointed TJ (yr ?) 6" Full Traction long arm, D30/D44 locked F/R on 35" MTR's.
After a little confusion on my part finding the trail (I turned off too early), we traversed the first few miles of small rock and rutted trail and switchbacks with no issues.
We then dropped down into the saddle before the long and steep boulder infested rutted climb. It was obvious that there hasn't been anyone on this trail in awhile, as there were no tracks.
We all walked this portion to pick our lines before our attempt. George was concerned he would have problems without the aid of a front locker, but showed no signs that it would effect his decision to take his Jeep up the climb! I went first, and having done this trail many times, didn't have any problems.
George went next and did a phenominal job working his way up this portion of trial with an open front and L/S rear. Other than getting hung up a couple times and having to back and re-position, didn't have any problems either.
Joe went last and with his well set up Jeep, didn't have any issue's either.
I really enjoyed seeing the excitement that Joe and George had after conquering that climb, as they both confessed that was the most extreme bit of wheeling they had done to date. But, they both drove like they had been doing it for years. The rest of the trail was a blast as well.
Lots of tippy washed out sections scattered with a large rock or two. The trail surface is rather hard, with a layer of small decomposed granite that can really affect traction when trying stay out of or climb out of the ruts that are very prevelant on this trail. Flex is your freind on this trail, as there are many tippy situations due to the ruts.
There is one part where the trail is at a very steep angle that slopes down into a ravine. You have to skirt a bolder while trying not to slip down into the ravine.
I wasn't high enough on the uphill side and slide my pass front over a ridge into the ravine. I thought I was going over for sure as I felt the rear of my Jeep reach skyward. Rather than wait for evalution and assistance, I jammed her into reverse and with all 4 spinning, worked my way out of the predicament.
After successfully removeing the seatcushion from my arse, my next attempt I hugged the high side just enough to miss the bolder, continuously steering uphill, and crabbed the Jeep aroung the bolder.
George, who was behind me hadn't seen my initial line and was heading for the same fate. He quickly realized he was heading for the ravine and stopped as I was walking back to give him a spot. He re-align his Jeep, stayed high, and crabbed through with no issues.
Joe was able to see the line that George used and followed suit with no issues. After another couple miles we made it to the end of the trail and had lunch while BSing and exploring the shack and it's contents.
For the return trip, I offered up the lead and Joe gladly accepted.
Not very long into the return trip, after a creek crossing, Joe smacked his tie rod on a boulder thats smack dab in the middle of the trail a promptly taco'd the tie rod severly.
So after a few minutes of observation and discussion on how to fix the problem, I recommended a repair I had once seen performed on a CJ on Jaws II of the Mt. Blanca trail in CO.
We ran a winch line from George's Jeep that was behing Joe's Jeep underneath to a tree saver that was wrapped around the apex of the bent tie rod. We then also brought down the winch line from Joe's winch down in front and secured it to the tie rod. When we drawed in George's winch, it would pull the tie rod downward straitening it, while Joe's own winch kept the force from pulling the tie rod back and into the diff cover.
It worked! We then had it strait enough we were able to remove the tie rod and sleeve it with a high lift jack handle to keep it from tacoing, as we still had a lot of trail to traverse.
The rest of the return trip was just as enjoyable as coming up the trail, as downhill sections became uphill sections and vice versa.
Aside from wishing I had brought more tools just in case (I'll never go on the trail without a BFH again!), It went off without a hitch and everyone had a great time on a great trail!
Sorry for the long winded report, but you asked for it!!!:D I have some pics that George sent me, but still waiting for Joe's pics.
I didn't bring the camera with me that day. I'll post up some pics when time allows.

Josh

[fatbob309]

Much better to read...

[Easyover]

Here's a few pics, which really don't do this trail justice:

http://www.fullsizejeeps.com/gallery/albums/userpics/10026/normal_MSclimb1%7E1.JPG
http://www.fullsizejeeps.com/gallery/albums/userpics/10026/normal_MSclimb3.JPG
http://www.fullsizejeeps.com/gallery/albums/userpics/10026/normal_MSrockpose2.JPG
http://www.fullsizejeeps.com/gallery/albums/userpics/10026/normal_MSrockpose1.JPG

[Wind_Danzer]

First pic looks like that are has been stacked....

Here's a pic from last year, Christmas to be exact:

http://i9.tinypic.com/48ri53l.jpg

And I got so sideways that I could touch the ground out of my passenger side window a few momnets later.

That is a great trail though, a lot of fun.

[Easyover]

First pic looks like that are has been stacked....

Here's a pic from last year, Christmas to be exact:

http://i9.tinypic.com/48ri53l.jpg

And I got so sideways that I could touch the ground out of my passenger side window a few momnets later.

That is a great trail though, a lot of fun.

Here, to make you feel better, this is about two years ago (notice no rocks in the rut):

http://www.fullsizejeeps.com/gallery/albums/userpics/10026/normal_AZwheelin.jpg

BTW, we didn't do any rock stacking

[yotamonkey]

thanks for the report! souunds like you had a good trip, I also agree that the first picture looks stacked. I have some excellent video of that hill and its just as interesting going up or down! again thanks for the report and glad all rigs made it back out as this trail can be a handfull (or so I've heard)

[Wind_Danzer]

Easyover,

I didn't think you stacked it, it just looked that way.

Great pic from a few years back.

[Easyover]

Easyover,

I didn't think you stacked it, it just looked that way.

Great pic from a few years back.

My apologies to assume your statement meant we had stacked the rocks;)
I know rock stacking is a very sensitive issue