Charouleau Gap

[Bilt4Comfort]

Any members been on this trail in recent months?
I'm looking for something to do on my birthday...the 12 of this month. I always wanted to do this trail on my quad but never got around to it. Would it be worth the drive time from the west valley ?
Also, are there any obstacles that the stock Rubicon might not handle?

Anybody wanna lead?

[Bilt4Comfort]

This looks like a fun obstacle from the Gap.

http://www.virtualjeepclub.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=17335&stc=1&d=1199321433

[lancetkenyon]

Char Gap is a long, fun trail for a stock Rubi type vehicle. I did it when I was locked F/R on 32s. I even did the "step". You should be fine, but do not go alone. It is a long way out there. Definately worth the drive if you have never done it.

[Lonnie]

The Gap is a fun little run that is about 18 miles long, I prefer going in from the Catalina side and coming out in Oracle. This time of the year with the rain and snow there can be 2' to 3' of water or more running in parts of the trail for 50+ yards and if you unlucky enough to fall into one of the holes or hit something wrong the water can be even deeper. I was just up there a couple of weeks ago to pull an Avalanche out that had gotten hung up on both diffs and a broken drive shaft, he was sitting in about 3+ feet of water.

Lots of boulders, lots of water and of course the infamous step is about in the middle part of the trail. Like Lance said don't do this trail alone its long and very remote. The condition its in now with the water and all I would guess it would take 7 to 8 hours to do if all goes well and no rain in the forcast. I have been on that trail when its take 12 to 14 hours to do when the weather isn't cooperating.

If your interested in running this trail let me know I would gladly lead it for you. Have been thru there a bunch of times and really enjoy the trail. Usually the wife and I go, we both have TJ's on 35's and all the toys and hopefully will have my winch fixed before then.

[Bilt4Comfort]

Cool...Got 32s...locked F/R...now I just need peeps.
Perhaps I shall post a run. I thought that fire may have affected this route though, and heard tell of closures some time back. I know 2 of my favorite trails have been closed indefinitely due to fire erosion...FR42 and Mud Springs.
How would I find out before I made the trip?

[Bilt4Comfort]

OK Lonnie...I might just take you up on your offer to lead. Don't know if I wanna mess with 3 feet of running water though until we're up in the air a few more inches. Scheduled to install 3" Full Traction Ultimate lift and 35s late Feb early March.

[Billy 4 hp]

Bilt,

You beat me to your own answer....

Shame one you...

The Gap is a fun little run that is about 18 miles long, I prefer going in from the Catalina side and coming out in Oracle. This time of the year with the rain and snow there can be 2' to 3' of water or more running in parts of the trail for 50+ yards and if you unlucky enough to fall into one of the holes or hit something wrong the water can be even deeper. I was just up there a couple of weeks ago to pull an Avalanche out that had gotten hung up on both diffs and a broken drive shaft, he was sitting in about 3+ feet of water.

That gap would be a fun run for you and the JK, my first time was with a 66 Bronco 6 cyl, 3 spd on the column, 12-15 Armstrong Tru Tracs, Powerlok in the front diff, and all ballz and no brains... Oh memories.... :D

[Lonnie]

Cool...Got 32s...locked F/R...now I just need peeps.
Perhaps I shall post a run. I thought that fire may have affected this route though, and heard tell of closures some time back. I know 2 of my favorite trails have been closed indefinitely due to fire erosion...FR42 and Mud Springs.
How would I find out before I made the trip?

The trail was closed for several months after the fire but has been open since then.

[Number 7]

I would like to go the 3rd weekend in January. Keep me in the loop.:confused:

[Digger]

Always wanted to do Char Gap, keep me in the loop too, please. Would like to join you, if ya want the company!

[cmc]

Just an FYI... expect lots of ATV's in the area during January weekends.

[AZG23]

Just an FYI... expect lots of ATV's in the area during January weekends.


just a few more "obstacles" to climb..;) I'd like to do this one too..will keep an eye on it..my neighbor has been talking bout this trail for awhile..Ill let him know too..

Let me know what day..will take a few days off around it..

[katvans]

j

Let me know what day..will take a few days off around it..

Must be nice, wish I could get a few days off. :smilielol5::smilielol5::whistling:

[Jdemonto@Airpark Jeep Sales]

I would like to run this one sometime in 2008..So far my schedule is full til May

Jason

[FrenchChili]

This POS did it. A Jeep's stock flex and wheelbase should be fine on this trail :)


http://i12.tinypic.com/80llkwz.jpg

[AZG23]

Must be nice, wish I could get a few days off. :smilielol5::smilielol5::whistling:


must be rough there buddy....:mickey:

[Wayco]

must be rough there buddy....:mickey:

Yeah, we all feel your pain, Rich..... NOT!
If this comes up on the 19th this month, I hope we don't have to move the Kill switch workshop, I would like to make this run too.

[TinyMan]

Ah, the trail that ends or starts (depending on which way you run it) in pretty much my backyard. I'm free most weekends in January, except the 19th when I'm running Sutherland trail, kinda in the same area of the Gap.

[Easyover]

I'm definetely interested. It's been on my 'to do' list for a long time.

[lazarus7]

Wanted to do this run for a long time. Would like to join all of you.

[Lonnie]

At this point Joe has decided to wait till he gets his 35's and lift in a couple of months. So we will probably be doing it sometime in March. However if anyone is really interested in running the Gap this month let me know and if all can agree on a date I am more than happy to lead a group thru there. I would like to keep the group to about 8 rigs max. This trail is rated a hard 3.5 not having been thru there in a couple of months it may be harder due to the rains. For those of you that have ran it in the last couple of years when all the debris had filled in the holes and made it like a highway in the creek bottoms well its not that way anymore. The rains has made it a lot more difficult, especially in the creek bottoms, the HIGHWAY is GONE and there is a lot of banging and crashing to be done on the underside of your rig. Also there will be quite a few long water crossing of 50 yards or so along the way that could be 3' deep or so. I would recomend a minimum of 33's and at least one traction device to do this trail and of course a tow point f/r. Post up your favorite date Jan 12, Jan 19, or Jan 26, and we can decide from there.

[Easyover]

I'm still definetely interested. The 19th or 26th would work for me. My rig is plenty built for this trail.

[katvans]

I'll vote for the 26th, would be nice to see Lonnie and Helen again. Maybe take the camper down and run the Falls on Sunday. Make a weekend of it.

[TinyMan]

Hey Lonnie, here is another option. If there is enough interest, I can lead a group on Jan 12, for the ones that can't make Jan 19 or 26.

[ROKBITR]

Hey Lonnie, here is another option. If there is enough interest, I can lead a group on Jan 12, for the ones that can't make Jan 19 or 26.

That's the 101 class date.

[AZG23]

That's the 101 class date.


and...?? Not everyone goes to the 101 classes....

[Lonnie]

I'm going to wait till this evening and then post this in the trips section with a definite date, so far its looking like the 26th is going to work for most, which works fine for me.

[Lonnie]

Rich that would work for me haven't hit the trails two days in in a row in awhile. If the water isn't too deep we could do the lower loop at the Falls, a nice little stroll with some great views. But probably won't be any skinny dippers this time of the year though.

[Digger]

I'm going to the 101 class, please use another date for the Gap, so I can join you.

[Manvil]

If you guys stayed out till sunday, I would catch up with you on sunday am and run whatever. I have to work that Sat. Heck might even pack up after work and camp out myself

[katvans]

and...?? Not everyone goes to the 101 classes....

Brad

Can you make the 26th??? That's plenty of notice and you could take a day or so off on each side to get down there and back. I'll bring a bucket and rags, OH!! and a pillow. :drummer::fashizzle: Wax, yeah wax too. :aagh: :smilielol5::rolleyes: I can't wait. I better see if I can get a couple days off.

[Easyover]

My only request is for a reasonable meeting time to allow those of us from PHX time to get down there. I know it's a long trail, and that has to be taken into consideration too.

[AZG23]

Brad

Can you make the 26th??? That's plenty of notice and you could take a day or so off on each side to get down there and back. I'll bring a bucket and rags, OH!! and a pillow. :drummer::fashizzle: Wax, yeah wax too. :aagh: :smilielol5::rolleyes: I can't wait. I better see if I can get a couple days off.

With all that junk, you will need a couple days to clean up my rig...thanks for the offer...but I cant have my elders washin my stuff...

[Bilt4Comfort]

Ok you hijackers...We are installing the lift on the 10th...so it's looking like I will be able to do this on the 12th...or possibly the 13th even. I will know for sure in a couple days.

Ok...proceed with the hijack.

[Easyover]

Ok you hijackers...We are installing the lift on the 10th...so it's looking like I will be able to do this on the 12th...or possibly the 13th even. I will know for sure in a couple days.

Ok...proceed with the hijack.


Just to throw this out there.....

If installing lift on the 10th, maybe do an easier shakedown run on your B-day and do the Gap on the 19th.

Just a thought

[katvans]

Ok you hijackers...We are installing the lift on the 10th...so it's looking like I will be able to do this on the 12th...or possibly the 13th even. I will know for sure in a couple days.

Ok...proceed with the hijack.



Just to throw this out there.....

If installing lift on the 10th, maybe do an easier shakedown run on your B-day and do the Gap on the 19th.

Just a thought

Not that you couldn't run it any day you wanted to but did you guys see that Lonnie posted a Gap trip for the 26th? It's here if you are interested: http://www.virtualjeepclub.com/showthread.php?t=29705

[katvans]

If you guys stayed out till sunday, I would catch up with you on sunday am and run whatever. I have to work that Sat. Heck might even pack up after work and camp out myself

Manny

At this time I plan to go down on the 25th and camp at the Catalina State Park for two or three nights. Come on down.

[Easyover]

Not that you couldn't run it any day you wanted to but did you guys see that Lonnie posted a Gap trip for the 26th? It's here if you are interested: http://www.virtualjeepclub.com/showthread.php?t=29705

Thanks, I had not seen that post.

[Bilt4Comfort]

Well...I have a poker tourney on the 12th at 6pm...so I'm gonna do either DeSoto Mine or Milk Ranch maybe so I can get back early enough. I've got a 1st and 3rd my last 2 tournaments, so I gotta ride the rush and not miss it. Besides, some sucker....errrrrr...good friend will end up buying me in, so it's pretty much free money.

Hoping to make it on the 26th...but my wife has to work that day.

[tomfooshee]

I would like to run this one sometime in 2008..So far my schedule is full til May

Jason

Looks like a great run. It would have to be later in the year for me.