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This run was a true test of skill, team-work and patience. Mottino Wash kicked our ass but we made it through with minimal carnage. If we did not have a winch, it would not have been possible.
I am writing this report with the approximate hours of our location because it turned out to be 15 hours of adventure.
11:00am - Stater Brtohers in Apple Valley to purchase the goodies that go on the grill.
12:30pm - Reach entrance to Rattlesnake Canyon. Ran into Mitch, Tammy, Roger, Scott and Lisa as they were headed up Rattlesnake canyon. We said our hellos and were on our way. We quickly lost our way through Rattlesnake canyon and we were just headed up the wash not knowing exactly where the trail went. Rattlesnake canyon was beautiful with the water running fast downhill.
2:30:pm - We reached entrance to Mottino Wash. The wash was dry and smooth sailing...little did we know what lay ahead.
3:00pm we decided to light the grill. Two pieces of Ribeye steak and six pieces of New York Loin, four packs of mushrooms hit the spot.
4:30pm - continued through Mottino Wash. Boulders were moved and rocks were all over the place. As we reached halfway through, the Wash was flooded and the sand turned to quick sand. The granite boulders had no traction of course due to the wet conditions.
Between the hours of 4:30pm and 9:45pm, I got stuck about six times climbing all the difficult obstacles and sliding off of them, Joseph got stuck twice, Hike got stuck a few times and Khoren never got stuck so we was making fun of us the entire time. Great Times! We would drive 50 feet and get stuck because the Jeeps would slide around. As you are climbing an obstacle, the rear would completely move to the left or right and that was that. By 8:45pm,we were worried about our loved ones at home because we had no signal to call and let everyone know that we were OK.
10:00pm - just as we think the trail is almost over, we run into three boulders blocking the trail. Joseph attempted to cross it but it was not possible. We winched one boulder out of the way. We had to stack plenty of rocks at the end of the boulders to cover the deep holes created by the water, kind of create a bridge.
10:45pm - we exit Mottino Wash and head up Rattlesnake canyon. We headed west on 2N02 and North on 2N01 to exit Hwy 38. As we climbed highway 38, the ground started to be covered in snow. The snow kept getting deeper and deeper and it was the most beautiful ending to a great and tiring day....little did we know what lay ahead.
The last one mile of 2N01 to reach HWY 38, the snow was impassible! Over one hour of trying to get through and no success. We had a group meeting and decided, we have to go back down.
12:45am - we drove down 2N01 to head west on 2N02 and 3N03 to exit highway 38 near Lucerne Valley.
1:30am - exit 3N03
2:30am - Jack in the box drive through
4:00am. We're home
Conclusion: The entire group of Hye Krawlers were all very patient and worked together as a team to overcome each obstacle that was encountered. Mottino Wash has been re-arranged by the storm. We don't know if anyone has attempted Mottino Wash after a storm, but we must say, it's probably not a good idea. The granite boulders provide absolutely no traction in wet conditions and the wash turns into quick sand.
Carnage: LJ with Sliced Tire. TJ with smashed in passenger door, bent front lower control arms, smashed valve stem. XJ with smashed front grill, smashed driver side turn signal housing, loose track bar. WJ with smashed rear tail lamp.
All in all, it was a very good experience but a very tiring one. Mother nature is a beast.
I am writing this report with the approximate hours of our location because it turned out to be 15 hours of adventure.
11:00am - Stater Brtohers in Apple Valley to purchase the goodies that go on the grill.
12:30pm - Reach entrance to Rattlesnake Canyon. Ran into Mitch, Tammy, Roger, Scott and Lisa as they were headed up Rattlesnake canyon. We said our hellos and were on our way. We quickly lost our way through Rattlesnake canyon and we were just headed up the wash not knowing exactly where the trail went. Rattlesnake canyon was beautiful with the water running fast downhill.
2:30:pm - We reached entrance to Mottino Wash. The wash was dry and smooth sailing...little did we know what lay ahead.
3:00pm we decided to light the grill. Two pieces of Ribeye steak and six pieces of New York Loin, four packs of mushrooms hit the spot.
4:30pm - continued through Mottino Wash. Boulders were moved and rocks were all over the place. As we reached halfway through, the Wash was flooded and the sand turned to quick sand. The granite boulders had no traction of course due to the wet conditions.
Between the hours of 4:30pm and 9:45pm, I got stuck about six times climbing all the difficult obstacles and sliding off of them, Joseph got stuck twice, Hike got stuck a few times and Khoren never got stuck so we was making fun of us the entire time. Great Times! We would drive 50 feet and get stuck because the Jeeps would slide around. As you are climbing an obstacle, the rear would completely move to the left or right and that was that. By 8:45pm,we were worried about our loved ones at home because we had no signal to call and let everyone know that we were OK.
10:00pm - just as we think the trail is almost over, we run into three boulders blocking the trail. Joseph attempted to cross it but it was not possible. We winched one boulder out of the way. We had to stack plenty of rocks at the end of the boulders to cover the deep holes created by the water, kind of create a bridge.
10:45pm - we exit Mottino Wash and head up Rattlesnake canyon. We headed west on 2N02 and North on 2N01 to exit Hwy 38. As we climbed highway 38, the ground started to be covered in snow. The snow kept getting deeper and deeper and it was the most beautiful ending to a great and tiring day....little did we know what lay ahead.
The last one mile of 2N01 to reach HWY 38, the snow was impassible! Over one hour of trying to get through and no success. We had a group meeting and decided, we have to go back down.
12:45am - we drove down 2N01 to head west on 2N02 and 3N03 to exit highway 38 near Lucerne Valley.
1:30am - exit 3N03
2:30am - Jack in the box drive through
4:00am. We're home
Conclusion: The entire group of Hye Krawlers were all very patient and worked together as a team to overcome each obstacle that was encountered. Mottino Wash has been re-arranged by the storm. We don't know if anyone has attempted Mottino Wash after a storm, but we must say, it's probably not a good idea. The granite boulders provide absolutely no traction in wet conditions and the wash turns into quick sand.
Carnage: LJ with Sliced Tire. TJ with smashed in passenger door, bent front lower control arms, smashed valve stem. XJ with smashed front grill, smashed driver side turn signal housing, loose track bar. WJ with smashed rear tail lamp.
All in all, it was a very good experience but a very tiring one. Mother nature is a beast.
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