Recovery Mission @ The Coves/Butcher Jones

[David C]

There are 3 abandoned, burned-out vehicles in the wash leading to the first cove. Some of us inspected them for the VIN last weekend and I sent what info we had to our Forest Service Law Enforcement contact along with our offer to help recover them. I have received a reply and permission from the Forest Service and MCSO to move these 3 vehicles to the Butcher Jones parking lot. They also sent their sincere thanks and appreciation for our efforts to help. One other requirement is still pending - completion of a standard Volunteer Agreement which I will take care of tomorrow. Anyone that can help with project is welcome.

When:
Wednesday March 12, 10:00am
Sunday March 16, 10:00am

Where:
Meet at the green gate entrance to The Coves at the back of the Butcher Jones Rec Area parking lot. Meet in the wash, just inside the gate.

Mission:
- Wednesday: Drag the burned-out hulk of a Chevy truck to the parking lot. This is the one farthest upstream.
- Sunday: Drag the burned out hulks of a Cherokee and a Ford truck to the parking lot.

Equipment and persons needed:
1. 3 or 4 tow-capable rigs and drivers for each hulk.
- Locked front and rear is preferred but not absolutely necessary.
- Does not necessarily have to be a Jeep. Heavy and lots of power are good.
- Secure tow points front and rear are absolutely necessary.
- Able to take damage without a heart attack or spousal wrath. It is likely that some damage to the tow rig could occur. Overheating, transmission stress, extreme pressures and jolts to tow points/frame to name a few concerns.
2. At least one tow strap, 20'-30' long, with loop ends. NO METAL HOOKS or CLEVIS SHACKLES on the straps.
- Winches have proven to be less effective than a tow strap in this situation and most likely won't be needed.
3. 1 or 2 chase vehicles to lag behind and pick up the various pieces that come off during the violent drag to the lot. These things will literally come apart in transit.
4. A pickup truck or open trailer, shovels and rakes and 2 or 3 people to clean the site of debris and any spills that may have occurred. Make it look as if nothing happened there.
5. Gloves, first aid kit, plenty of water for drinking and radiator just in case, lunch and/or snacks, cameras and photographers, cheerleaders, gawkers and hecklers. Due to safety concerns, I think children should not attend unless they remain in the safety of your vehicle.

How long:
About 2 to 4+ hours for each hulk depending, of course, on the conditions of each recovery.

If I have forgotten something, please add it in a reply. If you can help out on either day or both please reply here. If there is a big problem getting enough help for Wed, we could consider a change. Thanks for reading through all this and I hope to see lots of us out there, especially those of you who have participated in this before.

[mbuckner]

I can help both days .....

[mingoglia]

I could probably help Sunday. I haven't been to the area. Is this a place I could bring my 4 wheel drive dually? If I could get my truck there I could more easily pull one of the wrecks than with my Jeep.

[My Green Jeep]

Hey David!!!

Count Walt and I in to help on Sunday.... there was not enough
interest in the Crown King run... so would rather help you out
instead...

Do we nee both jeeps with winches? Let me know...

[SquarEyd]

Count me in for Sunday as a maybe! If my heep is on all fours and I dont have anything come up I will be there!

[mbuckner]

David,

Did you get any pics of the junk that we need to drag out?

Best regards,

[David C]

Mike Buckner - thanks for both days and there are some pics floating around, stay tuned...

Mike Ingoglia - Yes, you can get your dually back there. You'll have one steep hill to climb over, but I've seen a minivan do it. Having your experience there is a huge bonus! Thanks.

Rox - If you want to bring both, ok, but I think we'll have a lot of help on Sunday. You may want to save on the gas - kind of a long haul out there for you. On previous recoveries, we found that winches weren't as effective as the tow strap and 4 Lo. Thanks and I'll see ya there! Oh, hey, I want you behind a camera - you are awesome at telling a story with pics!

SquarEyd - Thank you and we'll see ya out there.

Maps to the area:
http://www.virtualjeepclub.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=7688&d=1160460783

http://www.virtualjeepclub.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=7689&d=1160460783

[David C]

Pics of the junk:

Jeep Cherokee
http://inlinethumb41.webshots.com/31656/2777970360100085335S600x600Q85.jpg

Toyota Truck
http://inlinethumb25.webshots.com/920/2539828960100085335S600x600Q85.jpg

Cherokee again
http://www.virtualjeepclub.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=19148&stc=1&d=1204492458

[My Green Jeep]

Rox - If you want to bring both, ok, but I think we'll have a lot of help on Sunday. You may want to save on the gas - kind of a long haul out there for you. On previous recoveries, we found that winches weren't as effective as the tow strap and 4 Lo. Thanks and I'll see ya there! Oh, hey, I want you behind a camera - you are awesome at telling a story with pics!


Pictures... ohhh come on David is that all I am good for???!!! :smug:
Thing is... I may have a friend with me... if she wants to ride along
we will have both jeeps... if not then just probably Walts jeep...

pictures... geeze.. just because I am SNAP HAPPY when it comes to
pictures does not mean I cannot hook up a tow strap :pinch:

ha ha ha ha.... yeah... camera in tow...

http://dl8.glitter-graphics.net/pub/446/446418s4zwmlxrvh.gif (http://www.glitter-graphics.com)


http://dl6.glitter-graphics.net/pub/656/656966rbncicqnvh.gif (http://www.glitter-graphics.com)

[David C]

Rox, if I started in on all your qualities, I'd never get off this computer! I'm already too long-winded as it is.:rolleyes:

[My Green Jeep]

Rox, if I started in on all your qualities, I'd never get off this computer! I'm already too long-winded as it is.:rolleyes:

ha ha ha ha... you think I have qualities... ha ha ha ha...

http://dl4.glitter-graphics.net/pub/971/971534d04vulve70.png (http://www.glitter-graphics.com)

ok, back on topic... I have had my laugh for the day... we will be there
David.. if you need anything else please let either Walt or myself know..

[macinyart]

David,
I am pretty sure I am in for Wednesday....Sunday still up in the air.

[RubiDing]

David,

I can do both days.

David

[brian lujan]

i can lead a group on the 15th if needed same time.

[mbuckner]

David,

What time will you be cruising up the Beeline on Wednesday?

[David C]

Thanks Jack and RubiDing. Brian, I'll determine tomorrow if we need another day on the 15th. MBuckner, I plan to leave my house at 9am, putting me on the Beeline @ Gilbert about 9:10am.

[06GrnRubi]

Was planning on showing up tomorrow, but ended up taking my baby to the dealer. Got a call a while back, and it looks like she might not be home until Friday (at the earliest). They said they had to order a short-block out of LA. She has less than 20K on her. She's too young and inexperienced to have to go through this.

[My Green Jeep]

Let us know David if Sunday is still a go... only taking 1 jeep.. probably
Walts... again, let us know if you need anything!

[David C]

All plans are still GO. 10am meet time tomorrow and on Sunday. We will pull one vehicle out tomorrow and 2 on Sunday. Anyone that wants to join in on this is welcome. Any lurkers out there that don't post are welcome to just show up to help as well. Thanks to everyone involved! See ya in the morning.

[My Green Jeep]

All plans are still GO. 10am meet time tomorrow and on Sunday. We will pull one vehicle out tomorrow and 2 on Sunday. Anyone that wants to join in on this is welcome. Any lurkers out there that don't post are welcome to just show up to help as well. Thanks to everyone involved! See ya in the morning.

Ok... Sunday 10am... gotcha... see you there :aagh:

[arczech]

We will be at Saguaro lake on Sat and Sun. we will look for you and help if we can

[arczech]

What channel will you be on?

[OlneyJeeps]

if/when the 3 vehicles are out, there is another by the pothole (exiting cove 9 to 4peaks road)

[David C]

Well, I haven't had a chance to get online since Tues night but yesterday's mission was a success. 7 of us met and pulled out one vehicle. It still amazes me just how much effort it takes to extract a burned-out vehicle. It took us about 3 hours. Thanks to MBuckner, Macinyart, Samdog, Rubiding, Brian Lujan and Russ Chung.

I didn't have my camera so no pics from me. Anyone else get any?

Sunday plans are still GO. Meet 10am just inside the green gate from the back of the Butcher Jones parking lot (in the wash). Air down and roll by 10:30am. I would like to form two teams to get the other two.

[David C]

if/when the 3 vehicles are out, there is another by the pothole (exiting cove 9 to 4peaks road)

Hi Steve. Only 1 abandoned truck out there? There used to be 2, but I haven't been out that far in months. I measured the distance to haul from there and it's roughly 6 miles. That would be a very long day! Can you make it out on Sunday? You're pretty good at leading recovery efforts.

[David C]

What channel will you be on?

CB Channel 4:driving:

[Digger]

Hi David! Hey maybe see you guys on Sunday. I have plans to take Corwyn out metal detecting, and think the Coves might be a good place to do so. I don't know for sure if his jeep is set up enough to handle the trail, but if it's a go, I'll bring your mapping software.

[David C]

Hi David! Hey maybe see you guys on Sunday. I have plans to take Corwyn out metal detecting, and think the Coves might be a good place to do so. I don't know for sure if his jeep is set up enough to handle the trail, but if it's a go, I'll bring your mapping software.

Hey Digger. Didn't we find that metal detecting at the coves turned up mostly buried beer cans? lol Corwyn has a Liberty doesn't he? He should have no problems navigating out there. I nearly forgot about the mapping software - thanks for reminding me and for bringing it out to me. Still no luck with the plotter I guess? See ya tomorrow.

[corwyyn]

Hey Digger. Didn't we find that metal detecting at the coves turned up mostly buried beer cans? lol Corwyn has a Liberty doesn't he? He should have no problems navigating out there. I nearly forgot about the mapping software - thanks for reminding me and for bringing it out to me. Still no luck with the plotter I guess? See ya tomorrow.
Yeah I've taken my little red Liberty all around back in the coves :smug: Guess I'll be seeing the recovery crew out there tomorrow.

[My Green Jeep]

bump....

See everyone there...

[aszaunmi]

Hey Digger. Didn't we find that metal detecting at the coves turned up mostly buried beer cans? lol Corwyn has a Liberty doesn't he? He should have no problems navigating out there. I nearly forgot about the mapping software - thanks for reminding me and for bringing it out to me. Still no luck with the plotter I guess? See ya tomorrow.


I have a plotter if somebody needs something. Its set up to cut vinyl right now however I can put in a pen and paper and print something for you if you like.. PM me if you need it...

Z

[RubiDing]

David, thank you for organizing this recovery effort, a job very well done. I’ll wheel with you and/or help with recoveries / extractions anytime.

Wednesday was the hardest extract, getting over that first hill was a real challenge. On Sunday we took a slightly different approach and it turned out to be easier to get over that hill. Live and learn.

Thank you Rox for documenting the extraction on Sunday, priceless!

Thank you John/Yelacon, for getting out in front of us and keeping oncoming vehicles clear, that was a big help.

Thank you to all that participated, it takes a real group effort to get these things done.

The guy in the Dodge Ram 4x4 that helped us at the gate gave me some business cards for the “Double Trouble Hooks” that his brother makes. I gave some out but missed other participants. Here is the website (I’m hoping that I am not breaking any rules, if so please let me know and I will edit the post) www.doubletroublehook.com.

Until the next time.

David (the other David)

[mbuckner]

Dave .....

Should we go check this one out? see comment below from OlneyJeeps ..

We could check it out on the 4 Peaks run with Digger, 22-Mar ... we would need some directions on how to get to it from the 4 Peaks road .....

Regards,


_________________________________

OlneyJeeps
Bronze Forum Sponsor
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: North Phoenix
Posts: 1,642


Re: RECOVERY - Butcher Jones 3/14/08

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

WOW! Great job! I was out there yesterday, was going to come today but one of girls wasn't feeling good. Amazed you got the thing up the play hills (guessing from pics).
There is still a pickup back at the pothole by cove 9 (last cove, across from docks), easiest to pull out through 4peaks road

[OlneyJeeps]

Dave .....

Should we go check this one out? see comment below from OlneyJeeps ..

We could check it out on the 4 Peaks run with Digger, 22-Mar ... we would need some directions on how to get to it from the 4 Peaks road .....

Regards,


_________________________________

OlneyJeeps
Bronze Forum Sponsor
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: North Phoenix
Posts: 1,642


Re: RECOVERY - Butcher Jones 3/14/08

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

WOW! Great job! I was out there yesterday, was going to come today but one of girls wasn't feeling good. Amazed you got the thing up the play hills (guessing from pics).
There is still a pickup back at the pothole by cove 9 (last cove, across from docks), easiest to pull out through 4peaks road


If I am available, I would love to join... otherwise directions to "pothole" as best I can describe (use google or zillow for aerial photos, easiest to describe backwards): starting from cove 9 (furthest easily accessible cove, accross from back boat docks... NOT sandybeach): follow wash/road (initially about 45degNE tending more towards N as you progress then makes loop/bend and you end up going SE untill intersects exit road (which runs paralell about 200Meters east for about 400m) at pothole (shown as big brown spot on Zillow picture). Wreck is on shore of pothole, will try to download pic

previewed area on google
http://maps.google.com/?ie=UTF8&ll=33.576906,-111.475396&spn=0.015196,0.028925&t=h&z=15&source=embed

but road runs off into fuzzy area before pothole
zillow.com shows area better

[jperez]

great job guys and gals!

[My Green Jeep]

Thank you Rox for documenting the extraction on Sunday, priceless!

Thank you John/Yelacon, for getting out in front of us and keeping oncoming vehicles clear, that was a big help.


David (the other David)


Hey.. no problem.. the "other" David said I am only good for taking pictures
:pinch: ha ha ha... I kinda take too many... only around 160 this time,
usually I max out at 350...

All the people that we stopped to let know what was coming their way
were very nice and understanding... still amazed at those that helped
without even being asked... now that is priceless!!!

[My Green Jeep]

Dave .....

Should we go check this one out? see comment below from OlneyJeeps ..

We could check it out on the 4 Peaks run with Digger, 22-Mar ... we would need some directions on how to get to it from the 4 Peaks road .....




Waiting to see if DavidC is going out this Sunday... yeah we know...its
Easter but what better time to spend with friends... WHEELIN!!!

[OlneyJeeps]

I just read 22mar 4 peaks thread.... going OVER 4 peaks... her directions stop at the 4peaks turn off... arter turning of the beelind (about 2 miles in) you come to a "T"... left turn (lone pine sadle/cline, etc over 4 Peaks), right turn= winds down to cottonwood camp (southern edge of wilderness with side trailse going to Saguaro coves). Truck is on side road to Coves.
Major diversion, so don't think will happen




Dave .....

Should we go check this one out? see comment below from OlneyJeeps ..

We could check it out on the 4 Peaks run with Digger, 22-Mar ... we would need some directions on how to get to it from the 4 Peaks road .....

Regards,


_________________________________

OlneyJeeps
Bronze Forum Sponsor
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: North Phoenix
Posts: 1,642


Re: RECOVERY - Butcher Jones 3/14/08

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

WOW! Great job! I was out there yesterday, was going to come today but one of girls wasn't feeling good. Amazed you got the thing up the play hills (guessing from pics).
There is still a pickup back at the pothole by cove 9 (last cove, across from docks), easiest to pull out through 4peaks road

[David C]

Hi gang. Sorry for the delay in posting here - I just can't get online as often as I want. Anyways, HUGE success on the recovery effort! We got those burned out vehicles to the lot for the FS to pick up and they very happy with our work! Thanks to every one that helped! And Rox, thanks for all the pics - I really thought you were good at it though...my mistake I guess. :D I have some video clips from my perspective of the haul out. I'll post them to YouTube a little later and then post the link here.

Concerning the wreck way out there that Olneyjeep was talking about, I have GPS coords on that. I actually created a map a few months ago for a recovery mission but never found the time to get going on it. I'll look for that map and we'll start doing recon for this soon. However, the FS has another small recovery project for us that is actually very close to and visible from Bush Hwy near the Pobrecito boat waiting lot. A small cab-over camper is abandoned just off FS road 13. I've seen it and I'll get more info on it.