FJ run Feb 3rd easy/moderate

[Washington_XJ]

I plan on heading out to Florance Junction this weekend with weather permitting. The destination is box canyon but the trip will most likely end up on the other side of the mountains and come out on cotton wood canyon rd. There are tons of trails in that area so it might not hurt for someone to bring GPS or maps if able. PM or reply if interested.

Xan

[Tony Xouris]

Have you got a meeting place and starting time? I have a gps but not a lot of knowledge on how to use it. I can find any point where I am but can't reverse the darn thing yet. Maybe by Saturday.

[Washington_XJ]

We'll most likely meet around 10 or 11 am Sat, maybe somewhere near the trail head or depending on where people are coming from we'll get a bite to eat first. No preference really.

[Goanywr]

you know i was planning on going that way too! My wife will probably be with me maybe not. i went through box canyon last weekend never been anywhere else before though. i have a YJ will i not be allowed!!!!!!! if my wife dont come my neighbors will come and take some video and pictures.

[Washington_XJ]

Anyone is allowed. I am also new to the FJ area, looking to explore more. Lets see how many want to go by the weekend, depending on the size we will determine where to meet/ exchange phone #'s etc.

[Cherokee-MP]

Hey yeah i PMED u i am thrilled... i was get home and relax the first... put me extra lift on the 2nd then roll out on the 3rd :) :D !! I'm pretty very close to box canyon being in Casa Grande but ill meet where ever b/c i love to drive anyhow... You know its been 6 months since i last had my cell phone in the states but its still activated and ill give you all my # when i get home but ill PM my home phone to Washington in the mean time...
Ive also got a magellen GPS that ill bring...

[GLEN REAMS]

im down to wheel on the 3rd i havent been out to fj yet and i really want to get out there! looks like its goin to be a run of the xjs :D

[xjstocker]

are u looking to make it interesting or just a run through the dirt the box canyon to cottonwood canyon is mostly dry wash with one real obsical with several lines, easy(did it in a stock explorer) to needing a lot of mods(saw a spring over cj not make it) im fairly familerwith fj let me know what u want to do

[Goanywr]

im in apache junction so anywhere to meet will be fine with me.

[Goanywr]

Yeh i was just kiddin about being allowed! Just saw all the XJs posting up! Im ready to roll just keep me posted with time and meeting place! I have to go and measure a house for some flooring @ 9:30 in the morning sat! Should be done by ten. Look forward to meeting all!!

[Washington_XJ]

are u looking to make it interesting or just a run through the dirt the box canyon to cottonwood canyon is mostly dry wash with one real obsical with several lines, easy(did it in a stock explorer) to needing a lot of mods(saw a spring over cj not make it) im fairly familerwith fj let me know what u want to do


I know box canyon is pretty easy, thats why I figured we might venture off the trail after box and get into some trouble or go exploring, it's up to how we feel. My XJ is a daily driver so I can't beat it up, but it'll handle moderate rock challenges pretty easy. Possiblly xjstocker could lay out a little game plan?

Glen, you probably already know this but FJ requires the state land trust permit.

[TJ_RLRCSTR]

Wish I could go. I am on call this weekend, though. $#@!

[GLEN REAMS]

Glen, you probably already know this but FJ requires the state land trust permit.

i actually didnt know this do you know where i can get it and what permit i need?

[Washington_XJ]

The permit is cheap and easy to get. You can request a form from here http://www.land.state.az.us/programs/natural/rec_offroad_permit.htm But this will take several days to process + time in the mail so I doubt you'll have it by this weekend. So what i did was went directly to the office down in phoenix (there are 2 others but only the phoenix one can give you the permit). The address for the phoenix office is 1616 West Adams, Phoenix, AZ 85007 Map quest the address for the best directions.

It took me 10 minutes in and out the door with my new permit and was very straight forward. Just get there before 4 p.m. And have check or cash, its $15 for the year and $20 for the whole family.

One last thing, I was on the trail the other day and didn't see one person with a State Land Trust permit hanging off their rear view mirror and with the absence of police/rangers in the area I doubt you'd ever get stopped anyway, but I like to be on the safe side and for $20 its a deal.

[GLEN REAMS]

The permit is cheap and easy to get. You can request a form from here http://www.land.state.az.us/programs/natural/rec_offroad_permit.htm But this will take several days to process + time in the mail so I doubt you'll have it by this weekend. So what i did was went directly to the office down in phoenix (there are 2 others but only the phoenix one can give you the permit). The address for the phoenix office is 1616 West Adams, Phoenix, AZ 85007 Map quest the address for the best directions.

It took me 10 minutes in and out the door with my new permit and was very straight forward. Just get there before 4 p.m. And have check or cash, its $15 for the year and $20 for the whole family.

One last thing, I was on the trail the other day and didn't see one person with a State Land Trust permit hanging off their rear view mirror and with the absence of police/rangers in the area I doubt you'd ever get stopped anyway, but I like to be on the safe side and for $20 its a deal.

thank you for the info and yeah i would rather be safe than sorry

[xjstocker]

u only need the permit to travel between the flag poles on cottonwood canyon rd. i will b running my toy as the great xj project is still in the garage. i really hate having to pass emissions. if u are up for a little challenge we could do elvis then possibly make our way to the cabin to look from a safe distance? let me know if this sounds doable.

[GLEN REAMS]

are we traveling between the flag poles? im up for what ever i dont care to much about body damage

[Washington_XJ]

Can't do body damage as my jeep is my only ride/daily driver. However I am deffinately up for a thrill and if it gets too extream I'll park somewhere and catch a ride with someone.

[GLEN REAMS]

yeah mine is my DD to but if its goin to happen its goin to happen ill cry about it later

[Goanywr]

whatevers cleaver! i have 33in tires and a 4in lift but everything else is stock. allways wiling to try anything!!! any meeting spot or time yet. i dont have a permit but will make sure to get one in the very near future.

[Renob]

I know box canyon is pretty easy, thats why I figured we might venture off the trail after box and get into some trouble. My XJ is a daily driver so I can't beat it up, but it'll handle moderate rock challenges pretty easy.You might as well run Upper Woodpecker.

[Washington_XJ]

Woodpecker is pretty intense rock climbing isnt it?

[xjstocker]

elvis has some easy bypasses my toy is a DD and body damage has not hurt its ability. what time and where do we want to meet? as far as flag poles only if we go out cottonwood canyon rd(the north entrance off of 79) if we go in and out price rd you will not need a pass. good to have if you want to camp or attend a orginized event(most camp or group up in this area because its open and flat). let me know, im game.

[xjstocker]

lower is but i belive upper is a walk in the park(so to speak)

[Renob]

Woodpecker is pretty intense rock climbing isnt it?It can be run in a stock Jeep, at least 31" tires will help.

[staringxj]

the hardest thing in woodpeker is probly the bypass to firehole and all u have to is stay away form the edge.i have seen a quad go up the bypass you should have no touble but just becarful.

[Tom Jacobson]

And watch out on Elvis. That last obstacle with lines being either the "Squeeze" or the optional "Ledge" is not friendly to mildly built, longer vehicles like XJ's and ZJ's. Ledge is too steep to climb (and drop-off on decent has a taste for stock bumpers). And the Squeeze has a way of eating rocker panels.

Upper Wood is probably the "easier" trail considering it's bypasses.

Tom

[RokNRich]

And watch out on Elvis. That last obstacle with lines being either the "Squeeze" or the optional "Ledge" is not friendly to mildly built, longer vehicles like XJ's and ZJ's. Ledge is too steep to climb (and drop-off on decent has a taste for stock bumpers). And the Squeeze has a way of eating rocker panels.

Upper Wood is probably the "easier" trail considering it's bypasses.

Tom


Good call Tom, except some jackholes cut a bypass around the squeeze recently, noticed it the first time yesterday..............:mad:

[xjstocker]

how did they bypass it? go over the hill? that sucks. i thought that the squeeze was passable for a stocker. well i guess that it might be a real chalenge for those wanting to risk their rockers. they're not that important. just look at mine

[k7mto]

The hill to the right of the squeeze has been there forever. The only other way around would have to be if someone cut a trail off to the left somewhere before reaching the squeeze. If that's the case, we should get in there and close/block it ASAP before it becomes well trodden/known.

My rig is on jackstands, but I'll ride along on a bypass closure run if folks want to plan it.

[jeff krause]

JACKSTANDS............. what's up....

[Washington_XJ]

Ok my schedule's in, I have the weekend off so thats a go for the trip.:) As it stands right now we will be meeting at the trailhead of price road (if you don't know where that is give me a call). The woodpecker thing is secondary, not something I want to put my DD through right now seeing as I have to be able to drive to the airport every morning, but I will be more than willing to detour and watch/catch a ride with someone if thats where we want to go after the canyon.

For those of you who are going my name is Xan, give me a call by tomorrow night phone# is 425-830-9124 I think meeting at price rd. sometime in the morning works well, say around 10 a.m. Bring rations as we will likely be out all day, lots of water and extra food are the biggies.

[k7mto]

JACKSTANDS............. what's up....

Installed Alloy USA chromos all around and I'm fixing the rear spring rear shackle hangers *properly*. In the process I'm moving the axle back just a few inches (just using the 3-hole perches/plates) so I need to get my DS lengthened a few inches.

[GLEN REAMS]

hey guys im pretty sure ill be there that is if i dont break anything on squeeze that cant be fixed by saturday
-Glen

[WAZZURX]

how long with this trip take? I just got a cherokee and want to try it out and this seems like a good starting spot... thanks

[Washington_XJ]

Well it all depends, I figure atleast half the day. Maybe shorter, maybe longer.

[xjstocker]

ill call you tomorrow to work out a trip itinerary and can we post up a roll call for this trip. elvis can be a short run with a small group or a good part of the day with a large group. i beleive that the closeure of the squeeze bypass should be a priority considering the current state of the area and it might be go to document this for the future. who wants to offer a seat for matt?

[Tom Jacobson]

Rich -

Any more info regarding the bypass to the last squeeze? Before we get all excited about closing something, let's make sure we're talking about the same thing. 'Cause like Matt said...I don;t know how you could bypass the squeeze unless it starts a rather decent length before it. The squeeze and optional ledge are in a tight section of canyon.

[RokNRich]

Matt nailed the location, it goes off to the left maybe 50 feet before the squeeze and then comes back onto the trail just after the ledge........like I said I hadn't noticed it before, but Cliff saw it and I walked up and looked at it, looks new.

[Washington_XJ]

Ok so whos going tomorrow? Trying to finalize a list.

[xjstocker]

im in will b traveling with my oldest

[GLEN REAMS]

hate to do it but have to bail out for today, after the squeeze run i had to replace my brakes and u-joints so now im broke and my gas tank is empty sorry guys!

[Washington_XJ]

Figured there was gonna be trouble with that. Hope to see you next time

[GLEN REAMS]

yeah next time for sure if i can get ahold of one of my sugar mommas tonight to fill my gas tank ill be there for sure!

[Washington_XJ]

I think everyone had a great time. I only wish the days were longer. I have an assortment of pictures from throughout the day, I'll post the best ones here. Maybe Tony or his wife would like to post some as well?

Entering box canyon:

http://img213.imageshack.us/img213/313/p1010162sow1.jpg

http://img100.imageshack.us/img100/4070/p1010151sfx1.jpg

Wonder if anyones home?

http://img204.imageshack.us/img204/1879/p1010158snh4.jpg

http://img213.imageshack.us/img213/146/p1010161sxx2.jpg

An XJ pulls over to let us pass

http://img204.imageshack.us/img204/5009/p1010165sgz7.jpg

Yotta gets stuck

http://img100.imageshack.us/img100/6500/p1010166skv7.jpg

http://img213.imageshack.us/img213/7015/p1010159scf2.jpg

Yotta gets stuck again

http://img100.imageshack.us/img100/2912/p1010168svz2.jpg

Break time

http://img100.imageshack.us/img100/1148/p1010169sei5.jpg

22R tough

http://img100.imageshack.us/img100/7088/p1010174sbp9.jpg

[Washington_XJ]

Pictures continued

Alan guides Tony up the beginning of woodpecker

http://img204.imageshack.us/img204/5768/p1010175skg2.jpg

Maybe another day. John and Steve continue to the end

http://img213.imageshack.us/img213/5280/p1010177stq5.jpg

Tony's new '06 with 3" teraflex

http://img100.imageshack.us/img100/9834/p1010178sgg7.jpg

http://img100.imageshack.us/img100/1318/p1010180sac1.jpg

http://img204.imageshack.us/img204/3215/p1010182sgc9.jpg



Thanks to everyone for coming out, we should do it again. Hope to see you all real soon on the trail.

[k7mto]

http://img213.imageshack.us/img213/5280/p1010177stq5.jpg



That's the Firehole to the left and the bypass to the right.
Hard to tell but it looks like the Firehole is full of rocks. Got any more pics of it from other angles?

[Washington_XJ]

Thats not fire hole, it just looks like it from the camera angle. Thats the beginning of wood pecker from the wash. Firehole is way on the other end where it comes back out to cottoncanyon rd.

By the way, we looked but didnt see any bypasses.

[staringxj]

hey man thats firehole i guess i didnt tell u all about but yea this is alan from the trail today we got a little front right fender damage but thats it im glad u decide about turning around we forgot how tecnical this trail was and also john was on call so we had to haul to get out

[desertdawg]

Are you sure it's not the Fire Hole? That's me on the Fire Hole a month ago. It looks the same to me.
http://www.virtualjeepclub.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=9453&stc=1&d=1170558797

[Renob]

9454

[k7mto]

It's definitely Firehole. Just hard to tell from the low camera angle if it's full of rocks or they are just on the other side of the crack.

[Renob]

Indeed but the fun line is in between the two of them.

[Washington_XJ]

LOL, some bypass.

[k7mto]

Indeed but the fun line is in between the two of them.

Can't say I've ever seen anyone drive over the tall part. It's always either been through the Firehole or over the flat bypass just to the left of the tall rock. Got any pics?

[Washington_XJ]

Thats strange, I didnt think that was the firehole. Next time I go to cottonwood rd. I'll take a picture of the rock face I was talking about.

[Oc1paddler]

Iam pretty sure that, is the firehole. I ran it last weekend and it wasn't full of rocks. The bypass however had been stacked 12' wide and out about 3' . It took 3 of us probably 15 minutes to unstack. The bypass really isn't that hard. I have seen jeeps on 31's make it with out to many problems. The good thing is that their isn't really a whole lot to beat your sheet metal on when attempting the bypass. It definently looks tougher than it is. A great trail to play on or for people just starting to explore their limits.

[Washington_XJ]

Yeah I explored my limits, right into a rock. Scrapes on my front right, it really sucks not having my spotter in the passenger seat. :mad: :mad:

Good thing their black wheels.

[xjstocker]

hey i didnt see a stuck toy just a driver who needed to adjust his line a couple of times. you didnt get any picts of the entrance at upper woodpecker?

[lancetkenyon]

That is definately the Firehole. It is not stacked, just a weird camera angle, there is a short clearing between the rocks in the foreground and the entrance to the obstacle.

http://www.virtualjeepclub.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=9470&stc=1&d=1170636078

[Renob]

Can't say I've ever seen anyone drive over the tall part. It's always either been through the Firehole or over the flat bypass just to the left of the tall rock. Got any pics?Haven't done the center line yet but if I do, I'll post the pics.

[Washington_XJ]

hey i didnt see a stuck toy just a driver who needed to adjust his line a couple of times. you didnt get any picts of the entrance at upper woodpecker?

Funny part is I went back down it like nothing. :rolleyes: