TXH3T
Well-Known Member
- Messages
- 269
- Location
- Prescott AZ
Last Saturday a group from Expedition Portal gathered up to run a route known as the great western trail. It originally ran from Prescott AZ to Flagstaff AZ back in 1863 and was used to supply fort Whipple. The whole run was pretty easy and didnt require anything more than a stock 4WD. We started the trip in Chino Valley AZ where 9 rigs gathered at a local grocery store and the typical chatter about offroad modifications and recent trips began. At 8:45 we departed and set out to perkinsville road where our trip would begin.
Once we hit the dirt we were able to enjoy some wide open prairie and smooth dirt. The dust however quickly became so thick you couldnt see five feet in front of you and we had to drop back and space everyone out to avoid any accidents
Soon however we began our climb into the hills with more winding roads and some fun switchbacks. The road became rougher and my choice not to air down was beginning to seem like a bad idea.
The road began to climb quickly now and the rocks got larger really making the ride rough. I had to slow down to prevent the truck from rattling so bad and was soon falling behind the leaders of the trip. I decided it best to air down and afterwards everything smoothed out and I caught up quickly. Its amazing what going from 40 to 30 psi will do. As we got higher the road reached its only slightly difficult section which still wasn't anything to worry about. Once reaching the top we were rewarded with a remarkable view of the valley we just left and a road with drops off either side.
Soon the terrain began to change from the desert brush to small trees and soon after towering pines. We continued into the more wooded area until the group needed a break for the kids and dogs. Our expedition leader Marc decided it would be a great time to use his radio to try to hit off a repeater and managed to pick up the U.S.S. Midway in San Diego and chat with some folks there. We spent the remaining time on the break discussing emergency plans and disaster stuff with HAM radios operations.
As we loaded up and continued the roads and views just continued to improve. The dirt was so smooth that we were able to run at some higher speeds and really enjoy the ride. Unfortunately one member managed to miss our turn off and soon we had to pull off and wait while a team went to retrieve him. No problem though it gave me a chance to take a photo or two of the T and check out a small horny toad another guy found.
Once we hit the dirt we were able to enjoy some wide open prairie and smooth dirt. The dust however quickly became so thick you couldnt see five feet in front of you and we had to drop back and space everyone out to avoid any accidents
Soon however we began our climb into the hills with more winding roads and some fun switchbacks. The road became rougher and my choice not to air down was beginning to seem like a bad idea.
The road began to climb quickly now and the rocks got larger really making the ride rough. I had to slow down to prevent the truck from rattling so bad and was soon falling behind the leaders of the trip. I decided it best to air down and afterwards everything smoothed out and I caught up quickly. Its amazing what going from 40 to 30 psi will do. As we got higher the road reached its only slightly difficult section which still wasn't anything to worry about. Once reaching the top we were rewarded with a remarkable view of the valley we just left and a road with drops off either side.
Soon the terrain began to change from the desert brush to small trees and soon after towering pines. We continued into the more wooded area until the group needed a break for the kids and dogs. Our expedition leader Marc decided it would be a great time to use his radio to try to hit off a repeater and managed to pick up the U.S.S. Midway in San Diego and chat with some folks there. We spent the remaining time on the break discussing emergency plans and disaster stuff with HAM radios operations.
As we loaded up and continued the roads and views just continued to improve. The dirt was so smooth that we were able to run at some higher speeds and really enjoy the ride. Unfortunately one member managed to miss our turn off and soon we had to pull off and wait while a team went to retrieve him. No problem though it gave me a chance to take a photo or two of the T and check out a small horny toad another guy found.
