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Discussion Starter · #1 · (Edited)
North Rim Area Run

4/23-26/08

First I want to thank Uphill for asking us (my wife Claudia and I) to join him to scout out the area for an Expedition planned for later this year.

It was 1200 miles round trip from my house in Fullerton California.

We met Larry at his house in Corona California at 7am on Wednesday (4/23/08) and headed off toward the North Rim of the Grand Canyon in Arizona.

Four hours later we drove through Las Vegas, and 3 hours after that we found the road to Tuweep just past Colorado City.

On the Road near Colorado City Arizona


Some of the Lava Flows looked like hieroglyphic shapes


This area is beautiful (looking out toward the Canyon rim)


Harley and Nicky also joined us and had a great time


Uphill taking in the view (the camera can not capture the awesome scenery)


Interesting Colorado City café (I have a hard time keeping one wife happy)


Following Larry on a 60 miles dirty road out to Tuweep (I ate a lot of dust)


Entering the Park


The Scorpion (still with it’s stinger – CB antenna)


Entering Tuweep


Funny sign at the Ranger station – this area is very desolate


An old Mule drawn road grater at the Ranger staion


The Scorpion going through a tight spot on the trail very near the camp site


In the camp ground at the Rim


Claudia and Larry on the Rim – this is the narrowest place on the Rim – only 900 feet wide


The Grand Canyon


Lots of wild flowers everywhere


More wild flowers


Nicky getting comfortable


Mustangs out in the fields


Claudia has a way with Horses


An old bridge on the road out of Tuweep toward Kanab


I think I could live in Kanab – great little city – great views – great trails

On Friday we headed out past the Coral Pink Sand Dunes to the Elephant Trail – best trail run to date

At the trail head


A little navigating
 

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Discussion Starter · #2 · (Edited)
Continued…

The Scorpion on some steep slick rock (much steeper than it looks here)


The Brigadier on the same spot


Tight spot on the trail – big drop off on left


The Scorpion was temporarily stuck here in the steep deep sand, but the rear locker proved to be the ticket,


The brigadier was really stuck, and needed the winch to get out (this was the first time I had even pulled the winch line out and was really glad it worked)


Larry clearing the path


We must have crossed this steam 20 times


The first crossing was pretty wild – very steep and narrow – we decided to do a little road work first


The Scorpion went first


Very Steep and very narrow


No room for error here


Mister Cool drives right through it


Up the other side


the brigadier at another crosssing


A beautiful day on the trail


nearing the end of the trail close to Mt. Carmet Junction


Nicky guards the rig


trying to find the Aztec Caves we saw this cool butte that looks like the Titanic


Searching for the Aztec Caves


When I got home I realized I had some Trail Damage – I backed into a big Juniper tree up on the Elephant trail and punch a big hole right trough the side wall of my spare - bummer


I can stick my finger right through it


This is the tree that got my spare – good for dogs though


Until next time – Happy Trails
 

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Discussion Starter · #5 ·
No we never did find the Aztec Tunnels (not caves - sorry), but Uphill is not giving up that easily.

The search continues...
 

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Larry,
Another awesome looking trip!
That decent into the river looked pretty spooky!
 

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Very nice report Vince and Larry.
 

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Discussion Starter · #13 ·
Nice pics. looks like a good time. Except for the hole in the spare.
It was a great trip - yeah the spare flat was a surprise - it's scary how easily it got trashed.

Very nice report Vince and Larry.
Beautiful pics![/QUOTE]

Thanks Tony.

Very inspiring thread. Thanks for sharing and glad you all are safe.

Thanks pokerDawg

vince, do you not have a rear locker? just trying to figure out how larry was able to make it through whereas you had to perform recovery. could add an interesting twist to the Terra Grappler vs BFG ATs debate.
Yes I do have a rear locker, but never even tried to use it for some reason (my bad). My BFG's are on the stock 7.5" rims, and Larry's are on 10" rims. The wide boys really are and advantage (in every situation).
 

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Awesome report Vince. I can't wait to get on a trail with you and Larry. There is sooo much I can learn from the two of you.

Thanks for taking the time to put the report together!
~Brian
 

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Great report and pictures. What else would we expect from you guys ?

You fellas are good at depressing everyone who wasn't along for the trip :mecry:

Getting a great report and pictures is the next best thing though. :)
 

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You fellas are good at depressing everyone who wasn't along for the trip :mecry:
YOU are always welcome to join us. I know that distance is an issue.

As far as BFG vs Nitto - the issue to me is more TIRE WIDTH.

Mine are 12.5 inches air'd up.
Vince's are about 10 inches wide.

x4 tires in a tight space, I have ten more inches of traction surface.

The whole thing makes a good case for sand ladders.
 

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Larry,

When we talked about this trip, I was thinking more to the east in the mountains and plateau. Looks like you found some real nest trails. I want to do something farther east, I may try it on the way back from Ouray. To the North of the area, above Zion are some gorgeous areas, but more Pine and Aspen areas. I will look into that. But that area is closed pretty much 8 months out of the year. So July to September are the best times. Let me know if you have interest.
 
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