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Due to many trails being lost from environmentalists(tree huggers) and/or logging companies, we decided to hit Blue Mountain again. Not only is it close, but it still has some challenging parts. Andrew and myself(Phil) met up with the rest of the gang in Maple Ridge, and after introducing ourselves and having a short b.s. session, we were on our way.
John, Dean, Rob and Misty were fairly new to wheeling, so we told them about airing down, and previously owning a YJ, made sure John disconnected his swaybar as they are pretty much useless with them connected as many of you know. We all made it up "the hill" in the gravel pit with no problems, which surprised me, as it is completely different when it's dry and rutted in the summer. My Bronco couln't get up it in the summer being lockerless.
We were soon at the first rocky section which can be a dif. killer with the wrong tire placement and small tires. Andrew and myself had no problems getting up, thanks to Lockrights. John could have benefitted from larger tires as clearance seemed to hinder his progress, and after placing a few rocks and trying a few different lines we decided to get the strap out and I yanked him up. The same thing went for Dean and Rob, rock placement and finding the right line for their vehicles was the key to getting up, minus the strap.
Next up was the log crossing in the creek which I thought might cause a few problems, but everyone splashed their way up the log. It wasn't until right after the log where a few problems arose. What looked fairly innocent was deceivingly difficult. You have to climb up a slight sidehill, which was quite slick, and negotiate two rocks on your left. The three rigs without lockers kept sliding into the rocks and were losing traction, but once again a few small rocks were placed and we all made it.
John up&over the log
Andrew going for a bath
Dean's turn at the 'V' rock
After the log crossing comes the mud hole which I have seen swallow a couple of Jeeps before. Being first, I told them I went right through the middle, well, I sort of did. Rob revved up the engine and went for it and almost made it, but his front end acted like a mud plow and got him stuck. A quick yank and he was out. John too got swallowed in the mud hole so Andrew pulled him out. Andrew spent a bit of time playing in the hole, which he likes to do so often, and after he got the truck nice and muddy and knowing the "V rock" was next, he continued on.
Their our basically two ways to get up this section of rock, stay to the right, which is easier, but still fairly difficult for open difs., or the left which puts your left tire up on a ledge, sort of like the "V Rock" at upper hut where you straddle the rock. Andrew and myself showed how valuable lockers are and went up the left side. John took the right and pretty much cruised right up. I think he was getting the hang of this now as he had this spot figured out. Dean almost got up first try as well, but his nerf bars got in the way, but after backing up and repositioning his tires, he cruised up. Rob had a few problems with the front tires lifting, but eventually got up as well.
Phil at the "Funny Rocks"
"NoBalls" steaming out of a puddle
We then went on to the "funny rocks" area as Larry calls them. This are kind of reminds me of the Rubicon a bit as you do get quite good traction on the rock slabs. This is a fun area to play in as you can try some good ledges to the right that are pretty steep and have some good size steps in them. After playing around for a bit, we kept on going as we could hear some rigs behind us. We soon stopped for lunch and met up with about 20 other trucks on the trail. We decided to head back as we know we would be in for a slow drive back being stuck behing all the other trucks. Nothing eventful happened on the way back, and the best thing was no broken parts. Unfortuneately, this was not the case for Andrew(Starvation Lake), and myself(Blue Mtn. again) in the weeks to follow. The Starvation report is on our site, and Blue Mtn. is at Larry Soo's which you can find at our Link Site. Starvation cost me a dent in my drivers side rocker panel, and Andrew, well where do I begin.... Ignition module, coil, u-joint, yoke, ego.... Andrew had to drive home on only the front driveshaft, and after a doing a poor man's seal job on the output of the transfer case(duct tape and a plastic bag), the transfer case started making noises. Good excuse to rebuild it with a 4-1 kit, or at least that's what he tells the wife(Roxene). The second time at Blue Mtn. cost me another dent, but this time my other rocker panel, well at least they match now, and a u-joint. Check out the reports if you want but don't believe everything that Larry said about me on that day, right Larry!
All in all it was another great wheeling day(aren't they all though) and Dean, John and Rob got to find out how well their rigs can do. Rocker guards are high on my list and lockers and larger tires our on others.
Until next time, happy wheelin'
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