With clear skies and warm weather it looked to be a good day for wheeling. After meeting up with a few members at a rest stop along the way we all headed to the park-n-ride to air down for the days run. The turnout was a bit lighter than last month, only 16 rigs to start the day but then as we headed for the trail we came across a few more stragglers. So our merry caravan now was around 20 rigs. As we made our way to the turnoff for the trail I overshot the entrance and we had to do a uey but were soon ready to lock in the hubs and have some fun.

We decided to hit Foundation Hill at the end of the day and went to the main trail and into the first obstacle section. As we made our way through the rocks I thought we were going to have our first problem of the day when the Tan Whale didn't want to stay in 4 low. It needed a bit of pampering from Marc to get it to decide if it wanted to wheel and with a tug from Howard in his YJ the whale was on his way. Then Marc's good luck charm, Frank in the Defender 90, drove up behind him and the Whale seemed to come to life.

I then made another wrong turn and headed up the hill instead of bearing right down the trail so it was time for another turn around. So much for me remembering the trail directions in my head. I can only blame it on those misspent days of my youth. Now Mark Silverman had the lead and guided us up the mountain towards the top.

As you get near the top of the mountain there are a few different trails that lead to the top. One will take you towards the rock bolder field and the other is through a milder section towards the top. I'm not sure how many people tried the bolder field but we didn't have any major problems there, not like on the Marcanjay run.

After getting to the top we decided to push along up the mini Mabell climb and have lunch up near Willies hole. Umm sounds good doesn't it. Well as I was walking up to watch some of the rigs make the climb I noticed that Jack was having problems with his CJ7. Seems like there was some sort of problem with the transfer case under load. I'm not sure what he did to fix it but he was able to get it to run again. Guess its time for a rebuild or maintenance of some sort.

Next up was Howard in his YJ and near the top of the climb he toasted his transfer case. It sounded like the chain shit the bed. Looks like John will have someone to buy his old transfer case now. After we got him down to the flat spot we had everyone else make his or her way up to the top.

Then the fun began as people started to play in Willies Hole. First it was just the usual back and forth through the hole but then Willie convinced John to try and go crossways through the hole and test out the new Revolver shackles that he put on his YJ along with the new Atlas transfer case and the new Warn fullfloater rear end and the new locking hubs and the new Swampers. Chaching…. Ah John did seem to be a few pounds lighter in his rear left pocket but the mods seemed to be working great.

Nice rig there Rocky. It'll be interesting to see how it does come ramp/safety day.

After playing there for awhile we headed back down to Howard's YJ and towed him down the hill and went to try out Foundation Hill. Well Jay's still king of the hill. We had a few tryers,even a non club member in a stockish Samurai, but no one made it.

After that it was back to the park-n-ride and time to air up the meats for the ride home. Willie swapped shackles with Howard and flat towed his YJ back to the island while Howard drove Willie's YJ home. Well, until next month's adventures this in Wilbur saying 'happy trails to you'.


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Story by Jim Guld
Photos & Web-work by Bob Blair
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