Any "kid friendly" runs for 4/28 or 4/29?

[amber.hodge]

Looking for something to do this weekend...We can make it through the rock garden on the sunflower mines, so I believe we are up to going on a 3.0...but would need a lead...still novice.
Will have our 5 year old son in tow.

[Billy 4 hp]

Amber,

Please keep in mind that Sunflower Mine is really more like a 2.0 to 2.5 with one hard section that is a 3.0 to 3.5 depending on rain, use etc... Some trails that are rated 3.5 start a 3.5 and end a 3.5...


I just see that you seem relatively new and I don't want you to have a bad time out there and regret keeping the Jeep... The rating scales are kind of weird as some organizations will call a trail like Lower Terminator or Predator a 4.0+ but on this site they are rated a 3.5 which I agree with... The Wells book that a lot of new people use as a guide has trails rated at a 3.0 that I don't even used 4wd on...

This being said I see there is a proposed Hackberry Creek run that is rated on this site in the moderate 2.5 to 3.5 that I know would just tear up most stock vehicles (Rubicon types excluded) as you would be dragging rocks all day long (not fun IMO)... I am not doubting your vehicle or driving capabilities but quite a few people get a sour taste when they go out not knowing what to expect and end up banging up or worse breaking their Daily Driver (DD) and have to figure out a way to get to work Monday morning...

I also read you guys are getting ready for the world of lift kit and bigger tires which will then turn into locker(s), winch, HD steering, body armour (for the Jeep :) ), HD driveshafts, etc.. So welcome to your new addiction...

I go out with my 4 year old son every chance I get.. He really likes running some of the harder trails (well as hard as I will put my CJ through which is about a 3.5+) but he tends to get a bit boring if we are stopping every 100 feet waiting our turn to try an obstacle or worse yet waiting for the strap / winch to pull us off of one... :D

Have fun and enjoy the outdoors...

[Mike 77 CJ5]

We are thinking about Crown King this weekend. It's supposed to be close to 100 this weekend so the pinetrees might be nice.
You and Ben did great at Sunflower, but I won't soon forget the look on Bens face when going through the rock garden:eek: I'm glad the trip changed your mind about selling your Jeep:D

[Mike 77 CJ5]

Amber convincing Ben to keep the Jeep and get a lift with new 33s

[Kiwi]

I think the real problem with the rating system is they are realitive, but the 'reference' is not given.

So, what some people think is a 2.5-3.0, others would think it's a 3.5-4.0

A 2.5 you supposedly could get a stock vehicle through with good ground clearance, but now, even the 'easy' begining parts of Sunflower could be rated a 3, or even 3+. Of course, if you're in a Wrangler with 35's, it's a 2

Point is, you kinda gotta ramp up the rating till you've run it and make your own rating. At least, that's what I pretty much do....

[Mike 77 CJ5]

Ratings are difficult to understand and point of view. We did upper woodpecker 2 weekends ago and sunflower this past weekend. IMO sunflower is more difficult. The rock garden at sunflower was a little bit harder because it was wet. There is a trail from Punkin center to Young that is difficult because of a couple very long steep climbs and over heating problems, but no rock gardens.

[amber.hodge]

Amber,

Please keep in mind that Sunflower Mine is really more like a 2.0 to 2.5 with one hard section that is a 3.0 to 3.5 depending on rain, use etc... Some trails that are rated 3.5 start a 3.5 and end a 3.5...


I just see that you seem relatively new and I don't want you to have a bad time out there and regret keeping the Jeep... The rating scales are kind of weird as some organizations will call a trail like Lower Terminator or Predator a 4.0+ but on this site they are rated a 3.5 which I agree with... The Wells book that a lot of new people use as a guide has trails rated at a 3.0 that I don't even used 4wd on...

This being said I see there is a proposed Hackberry Creek run that is rated on this site in the moderate 2.5 to 3.5 that I know would just tear up most stock vehicles (Rubicon types excluded) as you would be dragging rocks all day long (not fun IMO)... I am not doubting your vehicle or driving capabilities but quite a few people get a sour taste when they go out not knowing what to expect and end up banging up or worse breaking their Daily Driver (DD) and have to figure out a way to get to work Monday morning...

I also read you guys are getting ready for the world of lift kit and bigger tires which will then turn into locker(s), winch, HD steering, body armour (for the Jeep :) ), HD driveshafts, etc.. So welcome to your new addiction...

I go out with my 4 year old son every chance I get.. He really likes running some of the harder trails (well as hard as I will put my CJ through which is about a 3.5+) but he tends to get a bit boring if we are stopping every 100 feet waiting our turn to try an obstacle or worse yet waiting for the strap / winch to pull us off of one... :D

Have fun and enjoy the outdoors...

Thank you for the info - we are new at this and very open to input or corrections. We made it through that rock garden, but I can understand a trail that is straight rock garden the whole way may be trying as my husband learns to drive through those. We still have the natural inclination to stomp on that clutch, which we are learning to ditch quickly (thanks to Mike CJ 77).
Also learning we don't need to get lockers as we can use the brake for that...but every other mod...yeah, its planned...along with diamond plating the garage 3 feet up to make it a jeeper haven for Ben.

:) We're going to just do Crown King This weekend to keep it simple. :)

[amber.hodge]

We are thinking about Crown King this weekend. It's supposed to be close to 100 this weekend so the pinetrees might be nice.
You and Ben did great at Sunflower, but I won't soon forget the look on Bens face when going through the rock garden:eek: I'm glad the trip changed your mind about selling your Jeep:D


I'm glad it changed our minds too...! Crown King is a definite for Saturday - what do you want to make the rally point and time for this????????

Yeah, we almost (cited from schnipe) "sharted" halfway through the rock garden, and I was seeing replacing the clutch in our near future as Ben pumped it for dear life! :eek: That's why he's the pretty one! My cute little resource kid! :) Now, if I could only get him to let me drive!

[Mike 77 CJ5]

We'll have fun going to CK. I'll show you a couple of spots to try your new mods.
Here is my ratings--- If my daughter is crying it's a 5 ----If she is laughing it's a 10

[amber.hodge]

We'll have fun going to CK. I'll show you a couple of spots to try your new mods.
Here is my ratings--- If my daughter is crying it's a 5 ----If she is laughing it's a 10

Sounds good! :) Remington slept just after the rock garden, so I guess if he's awake its a sign of a fun part! our ratings are boring /slightly interesting / cool/ oh my god what the F are we doing!!?? from this past weekend (omg being the garden)...

I guess post rally point and time here or get with Ben about it on Wednesday when you guys meet up at 4wheelers....
Remind him to buy brackets/antenna/antenna mount from cole for the CB radio, please....He see's something shiny or even a butterfly goes by and he tends to forget what he was doing!! :) Either that or he hates honey-do lists...I dunno!

[Mike 77 CJ5]

How about 8:00 at Wild Horse (that's where I'll leave my truck)

[amber.hodge]

Amber convincing Ben to keep the Jeep and get a lift with new 33s

ha ha ha! :D he's a happy boy...new gun, new tires, new lift, cb radio, off roading trips every weekend and the wife is happy with all of it...plus he got to use me as *free* slave labor for painting an office he is renovating today...I better get my steam vacuum for mothers day that I asked for or he's going to be a dead man!! :D

[Mike 77 CJ5]

I forgot to show you that CB I'll give you, I'll make sure I bring it with those old worn out tires you got LOL

[amber.hodge]

I forgot to show you that CB I'll give you, I'll make sure I bring it with those old worn out tires you got LOL

LOL!! You can keep your baja claws Mike!! :) They are much too good for our jeep...too experienced...we'll take the novice baja claws instead...they have far less road experience but I think they'll do! BTW did you see there is a set of 35" BFGs for sale right now??? I know they aren't Mickey Thompsons, but you're due a new set soon...
CB - ain't too picky - whatever you got is better than what we have right now (soup can system)!

[Mike 77 CJ5]

ha ha ha! :D he's a happy boy...new gun, new tires, new lift, cb radio, off roading trips every weekend and the wife is happy with all of it...plus he got to use me as *free* slave labor for painting an office he is renovating today...I better get my steam vacuum for mothers day that I asked for or he's going to be a dead man!! :D

He better get you something better than a steam cleaner:eek:

[Mike 77 CJ5]

LOL!! You can keep your baja claws Mike!! :) They are much too good for our jeep...too experienced...we'll take the novice baja claws instead...they have far less road experience but I think they'll do! BTW did you see there is a set of 35" BFGs for sale right now??? I know they aren't Mickey Thompsons, but you're due a new set soon...
CB - ain't too picky - whatever you got is better than what we have right now (soup can system)!

LMAO

[Mike 77 CJ5]

Damn, I'm still laughing

[amber.hodge]

Damn, I'm still laughing

See, I'm not always serious...or am I???

TTFN its too late for this sarge -- gotta get up in 5 hours.

[amber.hodge]

Well, got what I wanted out of this thread - once we have the details I'll post the run for open invite -- I assume Wednesday afternoon. :)

Last one to the bar and grill is a turkey!!! :D