I agree, let's all go on the FJ Factory team run, get our free stuff and bag out when paint and/or scrape damage is emminent...................
If we all turn around at once, and the magazine guys are there, that will make the Toyota Team look stupid..... I'M GOING ON THEIR TRIP TO THAT DAM MINE !!!!!!! HERE'S THE DAM MINE INFO AND THE POST FROM IH8MUD, DESOTO MINE
Brady Clarke of Toyota's FJ Cruiser Trail Team will be visiting Arizona, and I've planned a trail run for his team for Saturday June 10th.
This run will be posted on Toyota America's FJ Cruiser "Trail Teams" website at: www.toyota.com/fjtrailteams
This event will be open to ALL VEHICLES with 2-speed transfer cases. Come on out, see the FJ Cruiser go, and show off your brand's rig.
Our plan is to run a cooler trail (for obvious reasons). In case of Prescott National Forest closures due to fire danger, we'll have backup plans in place (both other forest, and non-forest areas).
The main supporters of this event are the Arizona Land Cruiser Association and Arizona Copperstate Cruiser Club with additional support from Expedition Portal members.
I will also be writing a story for this event for submission into a popular Toyota-brand magazine. You never know who's rig will make the mag!
TRIP DETAILS:
Event name: FJ ROCKS ARIZONA
Event date: Saturday, June 10th
Event trail: DeSoto Mine
Trail leader: Steve Schaefer (3rd Gen 4Runner w'SAS)
Meeting place: Circle K in the Town of Mayer (7 miles NW of Cordes Jct. on AZ69 toward Prescott)
Meeting time: 9:00 AM, with a pullout of 9:30 SHARP
Event duration: 4-5 hours (for trail and play time)
Trail difficulty: 3.0+ (with 3.5+ options)
Should all of the nearby-to-Phoenix forests close due to fire danger, the non-forest backup will be RAW DEAL (in the same area of AZ) which will be more difficult, in the arena of a 3.5+.
Check back to this original post for more details. COME ON OUT AND SEE THE FJ CRUISER TEAM DURING THEIR ONLY PLANNED STOP TO ARIZONA!
I know time is now drawing short, please let us all know your intentions on line, I'm in until I turn back if I get skeered of damage.
You've been more than generous with your time in putting all this together. We lurkers thank you for your valiant efforts and although we'd love to go on that trip, it's gonna be hard for us all to agree to turn around at the same time, specially coz the wife and I are just beginners here, don't have a cb radio, rock rails, a decent skid plate and most of all, stock tires, don't even know how to spot....and little moola available to mod our fj for a good while....we're buying a house soon...don't want to attempt the trail at our present level in the brand new fj. We'd definitely like to show up and meet all of you, and look at your fj's and show you ours but we'd have to bow out of heading down a 3.5
Boomstick, thanks for the info, I understand where you are coming from!!!! By the way, I like your avatar.
I will personally set up an easy, walk in the park type of run soon. I'm thinking second weekend of July or so, get some elevation (cooler) and some shade (trees), I'll get out my old jeep maps and see where we don't need to test abilities of the rigs, just get offroad, enjoy the views and each others company. How does an easy run over the 4 peaks off of Beeline highway sound? Or a trip to Saguaro Lake to Butcher Jones Beach...
You've been more than generous with your time in putting all this together. We lurkers thank you for your valiant efforts and although we'd love to go on that trip, it's gonna be hard for us all to agree to turn around at the same time, specially coz the wife and I are just beginners here, don't have a cb radio, rock rails, a decent skid plate and most of all, stock tires, don't even know how to spot....and little moola available to mod our fj for a good while....we're buying a house soon...don't want to attempt the trail at our present level in the brand new fj. We'd definitely like to show up and meet all of you, and look at your fj's and show you ours but we'd have to bow out of heading down a 3.5
Thanks for all you've put into this...
And I thank you also for all the time and effort
And if we go there and decide to bug out maybe we can use a signal (a red scarf tied to our antenna sort of thing). I did go ahead and contact Toyota's public relations about the change but I doubt anything will come of it. At the very least we can all meet each other then drive into Prescott, turn a few heads , and down some icy cold root beers on Whiskey Row.
And I thank you also for all the time and effort
And if we go there and decide to bug out maybe we can use a signal (a red scarf tied to our antenna sort of thing). I did go ahead and contact Toyota's public relations about the change but I doubt anything will come of it. At the very least we can all meet each other then drive into Prescott, turn a few heads , and down some icy cold root beers on Whiskey Row.
Just stopped by Safeways this morning to pick up some T-bone steaks they had on sale ($3.99lb!!) and while they were being cut saw a magazine called OFF-ROAD. It's the July issue and it is their Toyota Spectacular Issue. The reason I am posting it here is because not only do they discuss the FJ they have an article called "Overlanding in AZ". It talks about the New River and Crown King trails north to Prescott.
Just stopped by Safeways this morning to pick up some T-bone steaks they had on sale ($3.99lb!!) and while they were being cut saw a magazine called OFF-ROAD. It's the July issue and it is their Toyota Spectacular Issue. The reason I am posting it here is because not only do they discuss the FJ they have an article called "Overlanding in AZ". It talks about the New River and Crown King trails north to Prescott.
Sorry that I haven't made time to stop by here lately!
The trail change took us by surprise too. I haven't run it in years, the last time I was up there (10+ years ago) it was a gnarly trail with lots of brush, netting lots of AZ pinstripe. Lots of the state at that altitude has manzanita and it's nasty on body work, from what I hear from those that have run it recently is that it is getting a lot of traffic. When a trail gets traffic the obstacles get stacked with rock, making them easier and they say that is the case on this trail. Also one of the local clubs just did trail maintenance, including cutting back the brush, so reportedly it's not an issue.
I have a hard time recommending a trail to others that I haven't run lately, but from what I'm hearing a stock FJC should not have problems with this one. We are bypassing some of the harder obstacles and there will be a great group to help, spot, etc. If you have never been wheeling before or haven't been out in a while, it will be a challenge and a good learning experience, but if you take it slow, are not afraid to call for a spot when needed and drive carefully everybody should have a fun damage free day.
I highly recommend a CB radio, not a walkie talkie type, a truck mounted one with an outside antenna. It doesn't need to be expensive, I run a Uniden 520 for it's size, ~$60 from Frys, my brothers have full size Midlands from Wally World ~$30, all of us run magnetic mount antennas from Wally World ~$10. I have mine mounted to the console with velcro, both of my brothers just wedge them between the seat and console, they have lighter plugs for power. We only put them in for the trail and remove the rest of the time. They are a big help on the trail, you can call the guy behind and ask if your going to miss that rock or he can alert you to something you may not see.
My rig is 10 years old, but the paint is still in good shape and I like it that way! So when going on a trail that has brush I always apply a good fresh coat of wax. It maybe just a placebo effect, but I'm convinced that it helps by lubricating the paint so the branches slide over, instead of digging in. Part of saving the paint is in your driving, I will rub soft weed type plants on one side to stay way from Ironwood, manzanita, catclaw or scrub oak type plants on the other.
Thanks for the heads up Kevin and continuing to make us feel welcome with the Copper State crew. I will be at this run regardless. Taking the time to give suggestions and encourage the less experienced, new FJC owners speaks volumes about you and the character of your club. Keep us posted with this run and I'll try to check in more on the CSC board to make sure we don't miss anything. Looking very forward to the 10th.
Thanks for the heads up Kevin and continuing to make us feel welcome with the Copper State crew. I will be at this run regardless. Taking the time to give suggestions and encourage the less experienced, new FJC owners speaks volumes about you and the character of your club. Keep us posted with this run and I'll try to check in more on the CSC board to make sure we don't miss anything. Looking very forward to the 10th.
-Norm
Black Diamond, MT6 from last CSC Phx mtg.
Dittos!!! These are the guys making it happen, I'm just passing on the good word...
All come out and join us!!!!
but we'd have to bow out of heading down a 3.5
Re: Crown King Run - June 10th, 8am
Re: Crown King Run - June 10th, 8am
I haven't run it in years, the last time I was up there (10+ years ago) it was a gnarly trail with lots of brush, netting lots of AZ pinstripe. Lots of the state at that altitude has manzanita and it's nasty on body work, from what I hear from those that have run it recently is that it is getting a lot of traffic. When a trail gets traffic the obstacles get stacked with rock, making them easier and they say that is the case on this trail. Also one of the local clubs just did trail maintenance, including cutting back the brush, so reportedly it's not an issue.
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