The 2009 Annual week long trip

[redcagepatrol]

What:

Let’s make a return trip to Arizona!!! (this time we’ll be a little more prepared to find the trails) – starting at Trees Ranch in TX.

When:

Leave Friday March 27th, return Sunday April 5th.

The only problem with these dates is that it doesn’t coincide with TAMU Spring Break which is March 16th~20th. Those of us that went out to Trees Ranch earlier this year all decided that we do it again in 2009. The first open weekend is too soon, the second conflicts with everyone, and this is the third one. Not everyone may be able to go all the way out to AZ but it would be sweet if we could…

No – work is not going to be “less busy” next year, No – your rig doesn’t need to be fixed up, it will work just fine, No – it won’t cost too much money etc… etc… Time to have some fun – AZ is the one place (just like Tree’s Ranch) that we’ve all wanted to go back to and never seem to find the time or money. Let’s see what we can do in 2009!

Tentative Agenda:
Friday March 27th” drive to Trees Ranch Off Road Park http://www.treesranchoffroad.com/

Saturday March 28th – wheel Trees Ranch
Camp Friday and Saturday night at Trees Ranch. Or get hotel or Saturday night after wheeling
Sunday March 29th – drive to El Paso or Las Cruces
Pack up camp, stay at friends places in EP or Las Cruces
Monday March 30th – Wheel in Las Cruces
Just one day of wheeling – we can wheel some familiar stuff. Stay the night
Tuesday March 31st – Drive to AZ
We can set up camp in the desert like we did that one night in 2003 – I liked that – this can be our 6 year TAMOR reunion to AZ!
Wednesday April 1 – Wheel AZ
Don’t get lost…, get hotel
Thursday April 2 – Wheel AZ
Don’t get lost…, get hotel
Friday April 3 – relax in Sedona
A final day to take it easy and relax
Saturday and Sunday – Drive back

Past AZ Trip Pictures from 2003:
http://offroadrepublic.com/gallery2/main.php?g2_itemId=23006
http://offroadrepublic.com/gallery2/main.php?g2_itemId=23170
http://offroadrepublic.com/gallery2/main.php?g2_itemId=23350

Trees Ranch from March 2008:
http://offroadrepublic.com/gallery2/main.php?g2_itemId=577860

In for Trees (potential whole trip):
Busa and Lara
Landon and Cara
The Higgs clan (on way to Easter Jeep Safari in Moab)

In for the whole trip:
Matt Conlee
Rodney
DavidO
Scott & Lynda

[redcagepatrol]

Greg Higgs is in with "Sumo" - the rig that they took on the last Ultimate Adventure

Greg's dad will also be going with his JK

This is going to be SWEET! I think I might buy a slide-in camper for the gooseneck this weekend...

[davido]

Yeah, Whitney is not kean on the camping bit. Will there be Motel 6s close by? :)

[Lynda]

Yeah, Whitney is not kean on the camping bit. Will there be Motel 6s close by? :)

I told Scott we might have to cut some of the camping out for Ms. Whitney. He doesn't understand how uncomfortable it is to sleep pregnant. Why don't yall load up your slide-in camper? If not, she can stay in ours (assuming we actually purchase it and it's not sold by the time we go look at it on Friday - keep your fingers crossed becuase it loooks like a great deal).

[redcagepatrol]

how about we stay Friday night @ Conlees place and then camp sat night at Trees Ranch. They have a bunkhouse if you reserve early.

We would camp one other night in the AZ desert. There are hotels not too far away if needed.

[davido]

We can drag ours out, but frankly I think she'd rather have the AC and shower also. Especially dragging it all that way for just two nights. The bunkhouse and hotels sound good. Especially if we can just drop the trailer/rig with you guys and jet out and back. Easy enough.

For that matter, if your new one doesn't work out, you're welcome to use ours. I'll need to fix the side damage, but I don't think it was as bad as we thought it would be. The jacks are broken from the storm, so we'd have to figure out how to winch/jack it up there.

[Lynda]

Does yours have a shower/toilet...that was a must for me and in the one we are looking at tomorrow

[73bronco]

I might be in for the trees part

[J Cooper]

i think i still want to go on the trees part

[redcagepatrol]

still on - Looks like in true Higgs fashion, he's going to have a driver take his crap to San Antonio where he will fly into - to make it out to Trees Ranch. There are only a few of us heading out to AZ, it's make the trails go by really quick and the group very verstile. No firm plans, we'll just make them as we go.

[redcagepatrol]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9sakpC4RMXA

[redcagepatrol]

It’s like two weeks away – in the process of gathering GPS coordinates and figuring out which trails to run.
Below is the list of trails that seem like a good idea…

There are two general “areas” near Phoenix that have a bunch of sweet trails in them, they are the same areas that we went to in 2003.
1) Florence Junction (East of Phoenix), FJ for short
2) Table Mesa (North of Phoenix), TM for short

Day 1 in AZ:
Wheel Florence Junction (East of Phoenix)

Event the weekend before at FJ
http://naxja.org/forum/forumdisplay.php?f=224
Their Campsite on Box Canyon Rd. (can zoom in and see Woodpecker and Ajax trails)
http://maps.google.com/maps?hl=en&q=N33.10510%20W%20111.22266&um=1&ie=UTF-8&sa=N&tab=wl

Highway to Hell (4.0): H2H for short, shrine of broken parts at entrance
http://www.virtualjeepclub.com/showthread.php?t=21985

Upper Woodpecker (3.5): off Ajax mine trail, exit heads to upper Ajax
http://www.virtualjeepclub.com/showthread.php?t=13850

Lower Woodpecker (3.5):

Upper Ajax (4.0): close to exit trail from upper woodpecker, great to run together. Mine near end of trail
http://www.virtualjeepclub.com/showthread.php?t=13814

Axle Alley (4.0): Short but fun
http://www.virtualjeepclub.com/showthread.php?t=13848

Bad Medicine (4.0):
http://www.virtualjeepclub.com/showthread.php?t=13900

Martinez Canyon (4.0):
http://www.virtualjeepclub.com/showthread.php?t=13822

Elvis (3.5)
http://www.virtualjeepclub.com/showthread.php?t=14280


Day 2, & 3 in AZ:
Wheel table Mesa (North of Phoenix)
Table Mesa exit off of the I-17, north of Phoenix. West of freeway, north on frontage road, right at 1st Y, left at 2nd Y, cross cattle guard, look right should see some rigs.
A couple of us are running Upper Terminator sat night.

An event the weekend before with directions in TM
http://www.tacomaterritory.com/forum/showthread.php?t=123506

Anaconda (4.5):
http://www.virtualjeepclub.com/showthread.php?t=13802
http://www.rockcrawler.com/trailreports/anaconda99/index.htm
http://www.yotatech.com/f100/az-table-mesa-10-18-vermejo-s-visit-157229/

Predator (3.5):
http://www.virtualjeepclub.com/showthread.php?t=13800

Annihilator (5.0):

Lower Terminator (3.5):
http://www.virtualjeepclub.com/showthread.php?t=13871
http://www.stu-offroad.com/others/other34-1.htm

Upper Terminator (3.5):
http://www.virtualjeepclub.com/showthread.php?t=13824
http://www.stu-offroad.com/others/other30-1.htm
http://www.azlorangers.org/newsletter/newsletters/march05.pdf

Judgment Day (3.5):
http://www.virtualjeepclub.com/showthread.php?t=13817

die-hard (5.0):
http://www.stu-offroad.com/others/other53-1.htm
http://www.virtualjeepclub.com/showthread.php?t=13847

Twisted (5.0): rock buggy only type
http://www.virtualjeepclub.com/showthread.php?t=13855

Raw Deal - Lower (3.0) – easy, used as training area
http://www.virtualjeepclub.com/showthread.php?t=13806
http://www.virtualjeepclub.com/showthread.php?t=13804

MISC Stuff:
GPS Coordinates for some trails once you sign on:
http://www.azbackcountry.com/

All 4.0 and harder trails
http://www.virtualjeepclub.com/forumdisplay.php?f=74

All 2.5 ~ 3.5 rated trails:
http://www.virtualjeepclub.com/forumdisplay.php?f=75

[redcagepatrol]

Trailer / tow rig options:

1) I tow myself and DavidO, Rodney and Conlee rent a Gooseneck, Greg and Dad have a driver...

2) I tow myself and Kolpecky, David brings Whitney, drives himself, Rodney and Conlee rent a trailer, Greg and Dad still have a driver...

3) I tow myself and pick up Rodneys or Conlees rig, Rodney or Conlee ride together pulling other rig, Dave drives himself, Greg and Dad still have driver

4) Other scenerios include me taking a Conlee / Rodney rig and they fly out to meet us.

My goal is to get the most rigs out there - so I'd (and Lynda) like to see David bring Whitney and drive themself. I'd pull Kolpecky - and Rodney and Conlee rent a trailer for both rigs... (that's 7 rigs to AZ, same as 2003)

[davido]

Whitney will not likely make it. Preggers, job, and leasing. I'm not real excited about driving by myself. We'll see I guess.

[eight]

Same here about the driving David. That's a lot of driving alone in a truck. Figure out if you want the spot on Scott's trailer and let me know. Id like to turn in my vacation request next week if I'm going. Otherwise I'll just use the vacation for more fishing trips.

[redcagepatrol]

David and Kolpecky could rent a gooseneck and ride together? Or just take one rig and ride together?

[redcagepatrol]

David and Kolpecky use my trailer and I used Davids... As long as Conlee and Rodney rent one. This option sounds pretty good

[redcagepatrol]

2003 - Look at that crew...

[redcagepatrol]

we WILL run that same trail... (Anaconda)

[DRAGOONRANCH]

don't want none unless you got bunz hun.......

[bcolman]

it looks like a 609, 9 inch center with dana 60 outers

[redcagepatrol]

it is. Mark Williams center section I believe. Those axles sucked - we broke more stuff in it than you can imagine. Broke both CTM's, 4340 shafts, gears etc...

Poison Spider built the axles

[redcagepatrol]

http://offroadrepublic.com/gallery2/main.php?g2_itemId=29185

[Graystroke]

does he still have that jeep? if not who bought it and where is its new home? I remember the hood weighed like 400lbs!

[redcagepatrol]

we replaced the hood when we started doing comps in it - along with the cage...

He parted it out, The drivetrain minus the axles went into one of his buggys. I almost went up to Colorado to get the chassis when I was figuring out what to do with Lynda's Jeep - I was going to start with that frame and tub...

[Busa]

Anyone wont to got to Trees from the DFW area. I have room on the trailer. I will be leaving Friday and come back Sun. Just checking.

[redcagepatrol]

made sure the Jeep started today, still seems fine...

Bought a spare driveshaft from the J-yard, just have to shorten it about 7.5 inches.

Didn't realize that the F250 front driveshafts are a perfect match - 1350 flange to 1350 at the axle... Plenty of choices at the 'yard

[eight]

I started my jeep friday night. Still seems to work. Thought about taking it for a ride but the dodge wouldn't start to get out of the way.

[redcagepatrol]

cool - you've got a week to get it all fixed up / cleaned up etc... complete with spares (-:

Looks like your Jeep will be on my trailer behind my truck but your body will be riding with David O?

[redcagepatrol]

Rodney fell off the face of the earth, can't seem to get ahold of him...

[eight]

Turns out I'm good on spare shafts, and d60 u-joints. I'll have to check my stock of 1310s and u-bolts. I should have driveshaft repairs covered. Need to get a new box of 6011s, Houston kills the shelf life.

I think so. If we're just driving to Conlee's on Friday, it might work better for me to ride with you. Otherwise I'd need to drive to CS to meet David as I don't think he has any other reason to come through Houston. Then I could ride with David or Conlee to Trees.

[redcagepatrol]

We might drive to my parents place on Friday - pretty sure Conlee will be in Austin (along with Rodney) for his bros b-party. They rented a lakehouse and stuff. We could start there on Friday night but for some reason I don't see us waking up early on Saturday for the drive to Trees...

[eight]

I was just having an idea. Instead of relaxing in Sedona Friday, we could cruise back to TX and spend Saturday at Big Bend. Also keeps from 2 days of driving in a row.

[J Cooper]

scott... go tell chris to give me a week off

[redcagepatrol]

scott... go tell chris to give me a week off

I'll work on it next week. I think they were in a managers (Staff) meeting all day today and the half day tomorrow

[redcagepatrol]

I was just having an idea. Instead of relaxing in Sedona Friday, we could cruise back to TX and spend Saturday at Big Bend. Also keeps from 2 days of driving in a row.

everything is still pretty open - Lynda and I like Sedona, but every man for themselfs...:D

[eight]

Conlee's out?

[Lynda]

Conlee is still trying to see if he can get someone to go with him. Problem is his dad can't go, his brother can't go, and Rodney said he doesn't want to go. So I emailed Rodney to see what was up with that and he hasn't responded. Conlee just needs someone to go with him, otherwise he's out.

[eight]

Driving that much by himself would suck I can see. Maybe he can grab a gooseneck from my dad's house and then him and dave and I can ride together. Dave and Conlee's rigs should fit on a 25'.

[davido]

That would work for me. I'll tow mine down to SAN/ATX and put it on the trailer.

[Lynda]

Well I emailed Conlee with the idea.....if he goes for that then it might mean that Trees would be out for yall since I don't think Conlee could go until Monday. If he seems okay with the idea, we can try and work out some details. I told him to talk to Rodney and tell him to stop being such a *****....really, it doesn't suit him well :)

[DRAGOONRANCH]

Well I emailed Conlee with the idea.....if he goes for that then it might mean that Trees would be out for yall since I don't think Conlee could go until Monday. If he seems okay with the idea, we can try and work out some details. I told him to talk to Rodney and tell him to stop being such a *****....really, it doesn't suit him well :)

:eek: You kiss Jake with that mouth???


:flipoff2:

[redcagepatrol]

pay for Saturday night dinner & weekend fees @ Trees ahead of time!
http://www.texassizejeepmeet.com/apps/webstore/

[eight]

Well I emailed Conlee with the idea.....if he goes for that then it might mean that Trees would be out for yall since I don't think Conlee could go until Monday. If he seems okay with the idea, we can try and work out some details. I told him to talk to Rodney and tell him to stop being such a *****....really, it doesn't suit him well :)

Hmm, missing trees not an option. See if he's interested still, maybe we can work something out. Don't we plan on being in El Paso or Las Cruses on Monday?

[eight]

I worked on jeep most of the weekend. Steering works great. The old box was trying to spit the shaft out the bottom. Had 3 bad u-joints. I think after this trip I'll step up to 1350s. Took the winch apart and the motor was full of nasty burnt oil and didn't work even after I cleaned it. So Luis is getting me a new Warn tomorrow and I'll mount it Wednesday.

[redcagepatrol]

sat night - camp @ Trees
Sunday night - Las Cruces or El Paso hotel
Monday night - Las Cruces or El Paso hotel
Tuesday night - camp near Florence Junction
Wednesday night - camp near Florence Junction (might be hotel)
Thursday night - hotel near Table Mesa
Friday night - hotel in Sedona

[Shaggy]

sat night - camp @ Trees


I am considering crashing this night of the trip. as of right now I work but I might just make some changes.

[redcagepatrol]

Sounds like fun!

[eight]

Got the new winch installed yesterday, and put the rear driveshaft back on. After 3 cans of black paint, the jeep looks better than it has in years.

[redcagepatrol]

great - I'm doing better with the trail information. Looks like we might have a some trail leaders for Wednesday, Thursday and Friday!

There is a meet and greet meeting on Wednesday night that we need to try and make - so we can get better info on the trails - and not get lost again...