The Scorpion
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Re: Meet the Scorpion (Uphill's Build-Up)
your rig is awesome! Nice work lad.
your rig is awesome! Nice work lad.
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7,480 Posts
Re: Meet the Scorpion (Uphill's Build-Up)
Before I begin this report, I'd be very remiss if I didn't thank SEANK for his gracious invitation to join him on this run. He's a great guy, a great trail buddy and has forgotten a LOT MORE than I will ever know about building up a machine from scratch. I had a great time, but there were a couple of pucker-factor moments - which is why we go off the beaten path, right?
The SCORPION and SEANK's Apache Taxi (my name for his buggy, not his) began our run when he dropped his buggy from the trailer at the edge of the Arizona Air National Guard bombing range near the Florence Junction area S/W of Apache Junction, AZ.
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The Apache Taxi and SEANK's co-worker Brian, who rode shotgun for Sean on this trip.
The F-16's were not bombing and so we made our run, confident that we wouldn't bounce over any unexploded ordnance. :worried:
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The road to the Martinez Canyon Loop crosses over Arizona State Trust and BLM land.
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After zig-zagging through Box Canyon, we met the Larry and Sandy in the CHROMOLLY TROLLY, near the entrance to the Martinez Canyon. The group of 2 buggies and an FJ are now complete.
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This area is very beautiful and well worth the trip, but the Forest Service is in the process of closing it to all vehicle travel. We crossed through but there is a gate under construction and when it's finally completed, there may be no future access to this trail. It's just one of many places that will be denied to our use in the near future, the same with Moab, etc.
There are old cabins that essentially sit at the beginning (and therefore the end) of the 2.7 mile Martinez Loop. They sit in a canyon surrounded by huge old cottonwood trees fed by a desert spring.
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The canyon has several rock gardens to cross. You're driving up through a stream for the first leg of the trip. The photos don't do it justice and neither do words.
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Following the Apache Taxi.
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SEANK says, "Ok, Follow-the-leader." :cowsmile:
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Larry and the Chromolly Trolly say, "Yeah!".
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The Apache Taxi leads the way.
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We hear a loud "PRANNNG"!
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Time for a trail repair and the first carnage (besides my sliders).
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Pop goes the Dana 60. Time to throw in a new axel.
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The repair is a team effort and requires some heavy lifting.
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Scorpion makes its way through that part of the rock garden to serve as a winch point.
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We follow the Chromolly Trolly up through the Canyon to the Silver Bell Mine.
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2 Rock Buggies and an FJ - MARTINEZ CANYON, AZ Trail Run
PART 1
PART 1
Before I begin this report, I'd be very remiss if I didn't thank SEANK for his gracious invitation to join him on this run. He's a great guy, a great trail buddy and has forgotten a LOT MORE than I will ever know about building up a machine from scratch. I had a great time, but there were a couple of pucker-factor moments - which is why we go off the beaten path, right?
The SCORPION and SEANK's Apache Taxi (my name for his buggy, not his) began our run when he dropped his buggy from the trailer at the edge of the Arizona Air National Guard bombing range near the Florence Junction area S/W of Apache Junction, AZ.
The Apache Taxi and SEANK's co-worker Brian, who rode shotgun for Sean on this trip.
The F-16's were not bombing and so we made our run, confident that we wouldn't bounce over any unexploded ordnance. :worried:
The road to the Martinez Canyon Loop crosses over Arizona State Trust and BLM land.
After zig-zagging through Box Canyon, we met the Larry and Sandy in the CHROMOLLY TROLLY, near the entrance to the Martinez Canyon. The group of 2 buggies and an FJ are now complete.
This area is very beautiful and well worth the trip, but the Forest Service is in the process of closing it to all vehicle travel. We crossed through but there is a gate under construction and when it's finally completed, there may be no future access to this trail. It's just one of many places that will be denied to our use in the near future, the same with Moab, etc.
There are old cabins that essentially sit at the beginning (and therefore the end) of the 2.7 mile Martinez Loop. They sit in a canyon surrounded by huge old cottonwood trees fed by a desert spring.
The canyon has several rock gardens to cross. You're driving up through a stream for the first leg of the trip. The photos don't do it justice and neither do words.
Following the Apache Taxi.
SEANK says, "Ok, Follow-the-leader." :cowsmile:
Larry and the Chromolly Trolly say, "Yeah!".
The Apache Taxi leads the way.
We hear a loud "PRANNNG"!
Time for a trail repair and the first carnage (besides my sliders).
Pop goes the Dana 60. Time to throw in a new axel.
The repair is a team effort and requires some heavy lifting.
Scorpion makes its way through that part of the rock garden to serve as a winch point.
We follow the Chromolly Trolly up through the Canyon to the Silver Bell Mine.
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7,480 Posts
Re: Meet the Scorpion (Uphill's Build-Up)
Now we crawl out of the rock garden onto mining roads. This is where the trail became very tough. There had been 2 inches of rain the previous week and we were the first rigs to cross the trail since the rain. I don't have a lot of photos of this because there was a lot of road building and tough obstacles including washed out roads. We were working on getting up the road, not shooting photos. This is an old mining road up the side of a steep canyon wall and according to Larry and Sean, it's the worst condition they've ever seen the road in. I do have a few photos.
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In this photo, I'm high-centered on a rock. I tried to take a line around it but every time I did, I slid back and that's where I am, unable to move forward or backward, resting on my BudBuilt skid plates (thanks Bud).
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A view from the front (top) and time for a rescue strap from the Apache Taxi (below)
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The skids screached as the Scorpion was pulled out, but no damage beyond a few scores in the metal. The rocks looked as if they had been bleeding after I passed in those red skids. (yeah, thanks again Bud!)
The worst part of the trail was the luge (like a sled tube) that was washed out so badly that as the pictures will show, we're talking certain damage to the FJ - but there's no other way down and night is coming on. We've been on that 2.7 mile trail for about 6 1/2 hours now.
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Sean, who was leading the way said "This looks bad".
(gulp):indifferent:
I asked "Bad for a buggy or bad for an FJ"
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"Bad for a buggy, worse for an FJ"
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Words don't describe how &^%$# steep, narrow or off-camber this is. You'll note the freshly dug area where we tried to do some road building but it didn't really work. This tube I'm going down is about 30 meters long.
I came about 1/2 inch from wiping out the entire side of the Scorpion and ONLY some great spotting (I take NO credit as the driver) from Larry and Sean got me though it. The only thing that was damaged was my right light guard and I lost about 1/4 inch of steel from the edge (but the light survived). ANY closer and the whole side of the FJ would have been peeled off.
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But survive -- I did.:bananahump-slvrathl
Again, thanks to Sean and Larry for their help getting my FJ through an area built for buggies and for getting me into a breathlessly beautiful area before it's closed to the public (in the name of preservation).
2 Rock Buggies and an FJ - MARTINEZ CANYON, AZ Trail Run
PART 2
PART 2
Now we crawl out of the rock garden onto mining roads. This is where the trail became very tough. There had been 2 inches of rain the previous week and we were the first rigs to cross the trail since the rain. I don't have a lot of photos of this because there was a lot of road building and tough obstacles including washed out roads. We were working on getting up the road, not shooting photos. This is an old mining road up the side of a steep canyon wall and according to Larry and Sean, it's the worst condition they've ever seen the road in. I do have a few photos.
In this photo, I'm high-centered on a rock. I tried to take a line around it but every time I did, I slid back and that's where I am, unable to move forward or backward, resting on my BudBuilt skid plates (thanks Bud).
A view from the front (top) and time for a rescue strap from the Apache Taxi (below)
The skids screached as the Scorpion was pulled out, but no damage beyond a few scores in the metal. The rocks looked as if they had been bleeding after I passed in those red skids. (yeah, thanks again Bud!)
The worst part of the trail was the luge (like a sled tube) that was washed out so badly that as the pictures will show, we're talking certain damage to the FJ - but there's no other way down and night is coming on. We've been on that 2.7 mile trail for about 6 1/2 hours now.
Sean, who was leading the way said "This looks bad".
(gulp):indifferent:
I asked "Bad for a buggy or bad for an FJ"
"Bad for a buggy, worse for an FJ"
Words don't describe how &^%$# steep, narrow or off-camber this is. You'll note the freshly dug area where we tried to do some road building but it didn't really work. This tube I'm going down is about 30 meters long.
I came about 1/2 inch from wiping out the entire side of the Scorpion and ONLY some great spotting (I take NO credit as the driver) from Larry and Sean got me though it. The only thing that was damaged was my right light guard and I lost about 1/4 inch of steel from the edge (but the light survived). ANY closer and the whole side of the FJ would have been peeled off.
But survive -- I did.:bananahump-slvrathl
Again, thanks to Sean and Larry for their help getting my FJ through an area built for buggies and for getting me into a breathlessly beautiful area before it's closed to the public (in the name of preservation).
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7,480 Posts
Re: Meet the Scorpion (Uphill's Build-Up)
Yeah - well, all joking aside, the FJ is not a great rock crawler but with teamwork it can get places you'd never think that it would. It's just amazing that I didn't get more damage. The superb spotting saved me in several places. There were some easier lines through the rock garden that I took but once we were on the 2 miles of steep, washed out mining road, there weren't any "easier" lines. Several times there really wasn't much of a line at all. More of a silent prayer and "damn the torpedoes." :bananahump-slvrathl
What -- ever do you mean? The buggies were hanging with the Scorpion!:silly:Wow. Awesome photos and kudos to you for hangin' with the buggies.
Yeah - well, all joking aside, the FJ is not a great rock crawler but with teamwork it can get places you'd never think that it would. It's just amazing that I didn't get more damage. The superb spotting saved me in several places. There were some easier lines through the rock garden that I took but once we were on the 2 miles of steep, washed out mining road, there weren't any "easier" lines. Several times there really wasn't much of a line at all. More of a silent prayer and "damn the torpedoes." :bananahump-slvrathl
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4,041 Posts
Re: Meet the Scorpion (Uphill's Build-Up)
I'm really sorry I missed going out with you guys. I think this is one of the most beautiful canyons we have around here. Those switchbacks are getting worse and worse over the years! They used to mark the end of the tougher technical driving. Now they're as bad as anything else on the trail.
I'm really sorry I missed going out with you guys. I think this is one of the most beautiful canyons we have around here. Those switchbacks are getting worse and worse over the years! They used to mark the end of the tougher technical driving. Now they're as bad as anything else on the trail.
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7,444 Posts
Re: Meet the Scorpion (Uphill's Build-Up)
Wow. Unbelievable Larry! The Scorpion was hanging with the crawlers through some wild trail areas, great driving skills buddy. It does look just as bad as you said on the phone. I know the pictures don’t do it justice but I can imagine the Scorpion had some pucker marks in the drivers seat when you finished the trail. That had to have been a very long day my friend. Great pics and story telling. :cheers:
Wow. Unbelievable Larry! The Scorpion was hanging with the crawlers through some wild trail areas, great driving skills buddy. It does look just as bad as you said on the phone. I know the pictures don’t do it justice but I can imagine the Scorpion had some pucker marks in the drivers seat when you finished the trail. That had to have been a very long day my friend. Great pics and story telling. :cheers:
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Re: Meet the Scorpion (Uphill's Build-Up)
I know you had to work but it would have been great if you'd joined us. The rock garden was much like a "typical rock garden" in that you're just looking for an "acceptable" line over them. I've been through rock gardens and it was slow going, but not horrible. That mining road was horrible. When the rig was going over some of the ledges that are there now that it's washed out and I smacked hard on the skids and heard that BONG! (over and over again) and the rig would go off camber and I'd hear the sliders crack, it sorta hurt because I love my FJ. But the armor did what it was supposed to do. It saved the rig.
The ARB sliders aren't completely trashed but there are enough serious dents in them (some almost buckling them) that I need to replace them after this trail. Another hit in the same place and they won't protect the FJ. They'll give way.
ARB makes TOUGH, trail ready parts, and I have NO COMPLAINTS at all. (thanks ARB for saving my rig) However, that 2.7 miles did waste them.
SEANK didn't know that the trail would be that bad. He kept apologizing me (not necessary). It was a wicked ride.
And having said that, knowing what I know, would I do it again? Yeah, I think that I would. It's one of those places on the planet that must be experienced to be appreciated. It's incredibly beautiful and the idea that it will be closed soon is depressing.
The saddest part of the whole thing is that they're closing it.
I know you had to work but it would have been great if you'd joined us. The rock garden was much like a "typical rock garden" in that you're just looking for an "acceptable" line over them. I've been through rock gardens and it was slow going, but not horrible. That mining road was horrible. When the rig was going over some of the ledges that are there now that it's washed out and I smacked hard on the skids and heard that BONG! (over and over again) and the rig would go off camber and I'd hear the sliders crack, it sorta hurt because I love my FJ. But the armor did what it was supposed to do. It saved the rig.
The ARB sliders aren't completely trashed but there are enough serious dents in them (some almost buckling them) that I need to replace them after this trail. Another hit in the same place and they won't protect the FJ. They'll give way.
ARB makes TOUGH, trail ready parts, and I have NO COMPLAINTS at all. (thanks ARB for saving my rig) However, that 2.7 miles did waste them.
SEANK didn't know that the trail would be that bad. He kept apologizing me (not necessary). It was a wicked ride.
And having said that, knowing what I know, would I do it again? Yeah, I think that I would. It's one of those places on the planet that must be experienced to be appreciated. It's incredibly beautiful and the idea that it will be closed soon is depressing.
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7,480 Posts
Re: Meet the Scorpion (Uphill's Build-Up)
The Wet Okole seat covers do clean up nicely.:cowsmile:
Joined
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7,480 Posts
Re: Meet the Scorpion (Uphill's Build-Up)
THE FIRST DAY
RELIC HUNTER announced a series of two trips to the Sibley Mansion and I cleared my schedule for the December run with great enthusiasm. The mining country around Mammoth, AZ is interesting and the Ghost Town of Copper Creek because of its remote location and key-only access made this opportunity something I couldn't miss.
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The road there is something that a stock FJ can handle, but there is 4L driving.
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TIBAAL89 (Mike) jumped on the run as well and his rig is completely stock. He had no problems making it to the Sibley Mansion and back. When he started the run his rig was showroom pristine and as you'll note, he did loose a few pieces along the way. The next group that goes back there will find the trail swag he left behind. :rofl:
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TIBAAL89 (Mike) and RELIC HUNTER (Chuck) standing in front of an old mining shack. When I first met Chuck, he shook my hand and took a picture of me, presuming that I was a relic. When I told him that I was there to go on the run, and was not an example of a living relic, he was taken back slightly, but adjusted to the circumstances.
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This was my first view of the valley. In the distance you can see the old general store/post office, etc.
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While there, Mike and I did some exploring and found a segment of the old telegraph line connecting the once thriving mining town of Copper Creek to the rest of the world.
CAMPING OUT - THE FIRST NIGHT/NEXT MORNING
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We set up camp and I slept in the back of my FJ.
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Mike and Chuck derided me for being a sissy and slept on beds of leaves in their sleeping bags.
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It was cold at night.
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Chuck's hot coffee turned into a block of ice coffee.
SECOND DAY
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This mansion had twenty bedrooms including quarters for prostitutes. We wondered how Belle Sibley (Mrs. Sibley) felt about her husband having "soiled doves" on the premisis but history does not offer a clue.
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The Relic Hunter is hunting relics.
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General Store, telegraph office, post office, etc.
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(photo courtesy of Relic Hunter)
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Remnants of the Blue Bird Mine.
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Today Redhawk Mining Company is preparing to revisit the area with a copper mine. Their presence in the area will result in road closures. Scorpion in the foreground with some of the preliminary Redhawk equipment in the background.
Copper Creek Trek
December 15-16, 2007
December 15-16, 2007
THE FIRST DAY
RELIC HUNTER announced a series of two trips to the Sibley Mansion and I cleared my schedule for the December run with great enthusiasm. The mining country around Mammoth, AZ is interesting and the Ghost Town of Copper Creek because of its remote location and key-only access made this opportunity something I couldn't miss.
The road there is something that a stock FJ can handle, but there is 4L driving.
TIBAAL89 (Mike) jumped on the run as well and his rig is completely stock. He had no problems making it to the Sibley Mansion and back. When he started the run his rig was showroom pristine and as you'll note, he did loose a few pieces along the way. The next group that goes back there will find the trail swag he left behind. :rofl:
TIBAAL89 (Mike) and RELIC HUNTER (Chuck) standing in front of an old mining shack. When I first met Chuck, he shook my hand and took a picture of me, presuming that I was a relic. When I told him that I was there to go on the run, and was not an example of a living relic, he was taken back slightly, but adjusted to the circumstances.
This was my first view of the valley. In the distance you can see the old general store/post office, etc.
While there, Mike and I did some exploring and found a segment of the old telegraph line connecting the once thriving mining town of Copper Creek to the rest of the world.
CAMPING OUT - THE FIRST NIGHT/NEXT MORNING
We set up camp and I slept in the back of my FJ.
Mike and Chuck derided me for being a sissy and slept on beds of leaves in their sleeping bags.
It was cold at night.
Chuck's hot coffee turned into a block of ice coffee.
SECOND DAY
This mansion had twenty bedrooms including quarters for prostitutes. We wondered how Belle Sibley (Mrs. Sibley) felt about her husband having "soiled doves" on the premisis but history does not offer a clue.
The Relic Hunter is hunting relics.
General Store, telegraph office, post office, etc.
(photo courtesy of Relic Hunter)
Remnants of the Blue Bird Mine.
Today Redhawk Mining Company is preparing to revisit the area with a copper mine. Their presence in the area will result in road closures. Scorpion in the foreground with some of the preliminary Redhawk equipment in the background.
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Re: Meet the Scorpion (Uphill's Build-Up)
May I suggest Demello sliders as an alternative to the ARB sliders. IMO, while I love ARB stuff, the Demello sliders hold up better under tougher conditions - mine are still there despite my driving...
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7,480 Posts
Re: Meet the Scorpion (Uphill's Build-Up)
Again, pictures don't do it justice.
But neither do pictures do the area justice. It's really magnificent desert scenery - postcard shots in all directions. There wasn't time to sight see as much as I'd have liked to because the road was so challenging.
:grinbiginvert:
The 2" of rain washed out the road in places and because of the damage to the roadway it was unclear whether what bit of road remaining would hold the weight of the rigs. We crossed one at-a-time, carefully, but it was steep enough that if the road had given way, you were going to ride it several hundred meters down to the bottom. Maybe only the front half would be gone and we could get a line to the rig but if it gave-way when you're on it...
:grim:
And even if we could have maneuvered to go back, the road behind us was rough enough that we were hoping that the road ahead was better. Unfortunately that wasn't the case, but hope springs eternal, and in the end, Scorpion survived with exceptionally minor damage given the nature of the trail.
:cowsmile:
While I didn't need an adult diaper at the end, I will tell you that it was as close as I ever want to get to seriously damaging the Scorpion. Essentially, I went down the chute with my foot on the brake at something like a 50+ degree down-angle (the photographer is not standing on level ground so it doesn't look nearly as steep in the picture as it was) taking it (literally) an inch at at time. And when the ground rolled under me and I went three or four inches instead of the one inch I'd planned on, I broke a sweat.
Again, pictures don't do it justice.
But neither do pictures do the area justice. It's really magnificent desert scenery - postcard shots in all directions. There wasn't time to sight see as much as I'd have liked to because the road was so challenging.
:grinbiginvert:
The 2" of rain washed out the road in places and because of the damage to the roadway it was unclear whether what bit of road remaining would hold the weight of the rigs. We crossed one at-a-time, carefully, but it was steep enough that if the road had given way, you were going to ride it several hundred meters down to the bottom. Maybe only the front half would be gone and we could get a line to the rig but if it gave-way when you're on it...
:grim:
And even if we could have maneuvered to go back, the road behind us was rough enough that we were hoping that the road ahead was better. Unfortunately that wasn't the case, but hope springs eternal, and in the end, Scorpion survived with exceptionally minor damage given the nature of the trail.
:cowsmile:
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4,418 Posts
Re: Meet the Scorpion (Uphill's Build-Up)
I second Larry's suggestion for the DO sliders as I'll be swapping my OEM sliders for the DO version. Jason is out of sliders right now but Jack started cutting and bending piece parts yesterday for the next batch.
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7,480 Posts
Re: Meet the Scorpion (Uphill's Build-Up)
I'm standing-by for the FabFours bumper at the moment (it seems I am the only taker on the group buy??) and when he's throwing it on, I may weaken and buy sliders at the same time if he has any in stock.
DeMello sliders are the only sliders I'd replace the ARB's with. My ARB sliders aren't "shot", just beat up. When I posted my thoughts on replacement, the DO sliders were on my mind because they protect the rig better and they also provide a step for the usual passengers whose legs aren't as long as mine are.
I'm standing-by for the FabFours bumper at the moment (it seems I am the only taker on the group buy??) and when he's throwing it on, I may weaken and buy sliders at the same time if he has any in stock.
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