What started as a phone call to set up an easy run from Apple Valley to Big Bear for lunch ended up being a 7 Jeep run! As it turned out this was a great group and extremely fun time. I was at my friend Justin's house at 7:00am to help install his new bumpers before the run. So between installing the new bumpers, T-ball for his son @ 8:00am, chasing down extra hardware at Lowes......I finally made it home to meet up with the first group.
Justin and son Wyatt, friends Todd and his 2 sons, Jason ans son (Tapitio Thomas), and Christian (headhunter)met at my house in Hesperia @ 10:00am. We then headed to Apple Valley to meet with Roger, Scott (avjeepfreek), and Clay (TJClay) at the trailhead.
After a quick meeting we left from Roundup Way and Bowen Ranch Road and headed towards Big Bear. This is an easy trail that starts with a graded road and switch backs to gain the elevation needed to enter the "Table Lands" area. The main trail is 3N14 (AKA Coxy Truck Trail). We stopped for a short break and while the kids climbed and played the main message of my morning meeting came to everyones attention as the kids all ran back to the Jeeps yelling RATTLESNAKE!. We had discussed this and they responded correctly. This was the second snake sighting in the first hour. We continued to the Big Pine Flat camp are and turned east on 3N16 (Holcolm Valley Road). 3N14 is still closed to Fawnskin at this point. We drove across the burn areas on 3N16 till we hit Poloque Canyon and headed south to the lake. We slowly cruised into Big Bear and Stopped for Lunch at a nice Mexican Restuarant in "The Village". After lunch Roger had to leave and headed back via pavement. The rest went back to Poloque Canyon and headed east when we got to 3N16. We drove through Holcolm Valley and saw a couple of deer run across the road in front of us. We saw a new FJ off the trail and knew that something was wrong, so MJR to the rescue. This guy decided to try and drive (illegally) through a wet marsh area and quickly was buried in the sloppy mud. Another Jeep pulled up right before us and we all made sure that this guy and his friends were winched out safely and that they understood the penalty of driving off trail and through the swamp. When we hit the end of 3N16 we headed downhill through Jacoby Canyon (3N61). We had a nice easy run through the trees and narrow trail. One more break and we continued on. Someone in a Burgundy Jeep (great88?) tried a little posing thing and hit a shackle and inverted it against the frame and further bent the right front spring. So Jason and others helped get that straightened as we aired up at Hwy18. An easy drive back across town and all was good to go!
Thanks everyone! Another perfect day. Great meeting new faces.
Mitch
3N14
3N16
MJR invades Big Bear!
What not to do!
TJ Clay's dog "KC" on patrol
Old ore hopper at Lucky Baldwin Mine
Jacoby Canyon
This dosen't look right!
Justin and son Wyatt, friends Todd and his 2 sons, Jason ans son (Tapitio Thomas), and Christian (headhunter)met at my house in Hesperia @ 10:00am. We then headed to Apple Valley to meet with Roger, Scott (avjeepfreek), and Clay (TJClay) at the trailhead.
After a quick meeting we left from Roundup Way and Bowen Ranch Road and headed towards Big Bear. This is an easy trail that starts with a graded road and switch backs to gain the elevation needed to enter the "Table Lands" area. The main trail is 3N14 (AKA Coxy Truck Trail). We stopped for a short break and while the kids climbed and played the main message of my morning meeting came to everyones attention as the kids all ran back to the Jeeps yelling RATTLESNAKE!. We had discussed this and they responded correctly. This was the second snake sighting in the first hour. We continued to the Big Pine Flat camp are and turned east on 3N16 (Holcolm Valley Road). 3N14 is still closed to Fawnskin at this point. We drove across the burn areas on 3N16 till we hit Poloque Canyon and headed south to the lake. We slowly cruised into Big Bear and Stopped for Lunch at a nice Mexican Restuarant in "The Village". After lunch Roger had to leave and headed back via pavement. The rest went back to Poloque Canyon and headed east when we got to 3N16. We drove through Holcolm Valley and saw a couple of deer run across the road in front of us. We saw a new FJ off the trail and knew that something was wrong, so MJR to the rescue. This guy decided to try and drive (illegally) through a wet marsh area and quickly was buried in the sloppy mud. Another Jeep pulled up right before us and we all made sure that this guy and his friends were winched out safely and that they understood the penalty of driving off trail and through the swamp. When we hit the end of 3N16 we headed downhill through Jacoby Canyon (3N61). We had a nice easy run through the trees and narrow trail. One more break and we continued on. Someone in a Burgundy Jeep (great88?) tried a little posing thing and hit a shackle and inverted it against the frame and further bent the right front spring. So Jason and others helped get that straightened as we aired up at Hwy18. An easy drive back across town and all was good to go!
Thanks everyone! Another perfect day. Great meeting new faces.
Mitch
3N14
3N16
MJR invades Big Bear!
What not to do!
TJ Clay's dog "KC" on patrol
Old ore hopper at Lucky Baldwin Mine
Jacoby Canyon
This dosen't look right!
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