Badlands: May 2, 2009 a JGW Members Run.

[Jeffro95]

Saturday May 2, was a scheduled Jeeps Gone Wild members run @ The Badlands. I hadn't been wheeling since January and really needed and wanted to go. All the recent rain had me doubting the day would actually go as planned. I don't mind a little mud but I wasn't going to go if it was raining.

I woke up at 4am and it was dry with no rain on the radar. I hit the road at 0515 and arrived at the Badlands at 0900 (1000 Indy time). I was the last to arrive. Seven of the scheduled 10 members showed up.


Strizzy & Acidcold as his passenger.


bojang


LazySailor


Northsidejeepin


Awillard69


5cents


Me.

It turned out to be a really nice day, no rain, nice temps and the sun was out.

We decided to head over to a trail some of the guys had run last time out. Awillard69 got out his mega map of the park and lead the way.


On our way to the first trail of the day.

[Jeffro95]

The first trail of the day turned out to be a bit challenging for the taller wider jeeps. Awillard69 went first and his stocker just barely cleared a tree that you had to make a sharp left hander around. 5cents made it too. It was muddy and steep, which made the turn off camber.


LazySailor giving it a go.

LazySailor tried it, a couple of times, but the mud kept sucking him towards the tree. Taking out the top was not on the list of things to do.


After a couple of close calls LazySailor decided to bypass this obstacle.

Strizzy gave it a shot and just barely cleared the tree. His driver side rear tire almost came off the bead, but held.


Strizzy cutting it close.

Everyone else decided to bypass this, no need to screw something up within the first 10-minutes of being on the trail...(I've been there done that.)

We decided to head over to the quarry and then check out Kevins Trail and the Creek.

Of course a little rock climbing had to be done before heading to the trails.


Strizzy on the step up.


LazySailor on the wall.

Then it was off to Kevin's Trail. With all the recent rains conditions were a little muddier than usual. I lead the way. We ran into a few deeper than normal puddles along the way. Awillard69 and 5cents decided to turn back and meet us at the end of the creek, near the tubes. Awillard69 has a water phobia now.. Turns out 5cents almost rolled his jeep avoiding the puddles...but I'll let him or Awillard69 tell that story.

After a short bit Northsidejeepin took the lead and I fell in behind. Nothsidejeepin avoided the biggest water hole on the trail, which is always a water hole. Everyone else followed him around the bypass...except me. I yelled "wussies" out the window as I made my way through....good thing I didn't get stuck.


Northsidejeepin creating a wave.


bojang climbs a hill on the way to the creek.


Making our way down the creek.

The creek was a little deeper than normal and a little faster. We ran into several other jeeps along the way.

After the creek we headed over to the snack shack for lunch. Some of us packed a lunch some tried out the snack shack. I've had it before it's ok, and not too expensive.

We decided to hit the Orange Trail next.


5cents on the first steep climb on Orange.


Northsidejeepin on the same climb.

[Jeffro95]

I lead the way on the Orange Trail too.

After the first steep climb on Orange you drop back down into a tighter section of the trail.


Awillard69 dropping in.

Conditions on Orange were better than I expected. Nobody got stuck, nobody hit anything. We did bypass the swap section. There were a few atv's that probably wish they had.


5cents climbs out of Orange.

5cents took the easier way out of Orange, as did most of us. Strizzy decided to try the steeper climb out.


Strizzy on the skinny.

Just as Strizzy crested the ridge he slid to the driver side, slipping off the concrete section. He was almost resting on his pinion yoke so we yelled "STOP!" He got a tug off and avoided damaging the drive shaft or anything else.

At this point of the Orange Trail you have the option of dropping back in or heading out on the access road. We decided to drop back in. I was leading the way once again, despite the fact that I had only been on this section of the trail one other time.

As soon as I dropped in I saw lots of mud and lots of water. I tried the muddy line, which was the same line I took last time. This time I got a different result.


Me sinking in.

That mud was like quick sand. I felt like I was going right over on my side. I decided not to try and work my way out. I've developed a phobia similar to Awillard69's, I fear breakage now. I'm still recovering from last years damages and didn't want to create any new damage. I requested a tug and was out safe and in one piece.

With the trail looking pretty nasty and a couple of guys not wanting to have to go through the really deep stuff we opted to take the access road back to the parking area.

As you travel along the access road there are a couple of rocky climbs that lead back to the Orange Trail. This portion of the trail runs along side the road and is filled with rocks...some pretty big. A few of the guys opted to climb up and tackle the rocks.


Northsidejeepin


Northsidejeepin


LazySailor


Strizzy

After the guys came back down to the access road I noticed a photo up.


Pappa-con (Northsidejeepin) Mama-con (bojang) and Baby-con (Strizzy).

5cents called it a day after Orange.

[Jeffro95]

We headed over to the Green Trail. I offered up the trail leader roll but there were no takers. I warned them if we got lost it wasn't my fault....I hadn't been on this trail but one other time.

The green trail was dry. The soil there has alot more sand in it. I like the Green Trail, it has a bunch of steep ups and downs. Sometimes you have no idea where it is you're going and walking up to look over isn't all that easy.


Awillard69 going down.

I had one scare along the way. We were running along a ridge which had ups and downs but at times was hardly any wider than our rigs. I came over a little roller and the next thing I new I was leaning to the passenger side. I could tell my rear driver side tire was not on the ground. I think Awillard69 has a photo. He was behind me and said "Hold on let me get a shot." I yelled back at him to forget the photo and get a my strap and get me the heck out of there. I was afraid to sneeze. The hill to my right had to be 60 feet down, and I didn't want to go there.

Awillard69 gave me a tug back and I gave it another try. It was really nothing more than a matter of inches of tire placement that made difference between being on all fours and being on your lid. We spotted everyone else across with no further scares.


Northsidejeepin crosses the narrow section.

A picture just doesn't do it any justice...they harldy ever do.

We made it off of Green without any damage. Northsidejeepin had a wedding to get to so he called it a day. Just curious, did you take the jeep to the wedding dirty?

We decided to go over to the quarry, down by the pond. There is a little step up down there.




LazySailor climbs the step up.

By this time some of us were tired and hungry. The park was going to be open for a few more hours but we had had a good day, done quite a few trails and decided not to push our luck, and called it a day. I think it was 1600 hours Indy time at this point. With a 3 hour and 45 minute ride home I figured getting home before dark was a good thing.

It was good day. I haven't gone out and taken a look at the jeep in the light, or washed it off yet, but I think I made it home damage free.

I just want to say thanks to the guys for coming out and putting up with my trail leading. I'm not sure when I'll be able to make it out again, but when I do I had better be able to come down topless, without a jacket.

To see all my shots from the day go HERE.

[IGotADisneyJeep]

Looks like everyone had an awesome time without any trail damages. I wish I would have joined in but I know there are lots of times to have fun. I'm glad everyone got home safely and thank you Jeff for taking those pictures.

[thething]

nice pictures looked like a fun trip

[Strizzy]

Great report Jeff! Thanks a lot!

Originally Posted by Jeffro95

Just as Strizzy crested the ridge he slid to the driver side, slipping off the concrete section. He was almost resting on his pinion yoke so we yelled "STOP!" He got a tug off and avoided damaging the drive shaft or anything else.

Actually, I was resting on my pinion yoke, left rear lower control arm, swaybar link, and belly skid.

Here is a pic of me Northsidejeepin took as I was getting pulled off the ledge:


On my way home, I noticed that when I let off the gas, the Jeep shifts to the right, and when I hit the gas, it shifts left. Something seems off, and I'm not sure what it is yet.

[interstate]

Very nice report and pic. wish i could of been there.

[awillard69]

It was a good day. The park was sloppy wet with much water, but there was plenty to do still, and we went to find it.

Following our detour from the very wet looking Creek trail, 5cents and I headed back to meet up at the Creek Trail's exit. On the way through the quarry, 5cents was trying to straddle a set of ruts on a descent and slid into the one in the middle, and went 3-wheeling! He rocked twice, almost passing the point of no return, but it settled down, a quick tug and he was back riding... He said something about pucker factor, you'll have to ask him about that



And recovery...



Here are some of the gang at the end of the Creek Trail







Here is Jeff helping a 2-wheeler while we started the Orange Trail...



Here's Jeff's "moment" on the Green Trail, and I must say, he was very "anxious" to get recovered!



Lastly, here is Strizzy's first attempt to exit the Orange Trail,
[edit: had these reversed]

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... and the second attempt...

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All in all, it was a good day. No one got hurt, nobody broke down, at-home inspections not withstanding. It was a good group, I enjoyed wheeling with all of you.

Jeff did a great job guiding on the trails, so Thanks Jeff!

You can view my full Photo Bucket gallary here

Anthony

[awillard69]

Just a few more comments on the day...

After 5cents' "moment", we were exiting the quarry when my gas gauge was on "E" and my ding-dong light was on. What the?? Did I hit my tank that hard that I lost a half tank of gas! Oh crap!

So, I climb out, we look under the Jeep and look for a puncture and the smell of gas. Nothing.... that's good, I guess.

I hop back in, turn the key, and the gauge return returns to normal. That was really odd, maybe the float went freaky for a moment. It seems better now.

Also, on one set of hills on the Green Trail, I seem to recall NorthSide' having an exhilarating moment on the descent, just after break over. My stocker didn't really seem to matter much, it was fun, but it took NorthSide' a bit by surprise. Maybe he can add his comments.

As a note, my stocker actually went some places where the more built rigs just couldn't. And while I opted out of some of the more challenging sections, it just goes to show that all rigs are different, and they all have their strengths. Sometimes you really need larger tires and more clearance, but sometimes those things can be a disadvantage. I saw that on this run.

[5cents]

Originally Posted by Jeffro95

He was behind me and said "Hold on let me get a shot." I yelled back at him to forget the photo and get a my strap and get me the heck out of there. I was afraid to sneeze.

Like deja vu. That was exactly what he said to me as I had the brake pedal kissing the floor mat.

Originally Posted by awillard69

Following our detour from the very wet looking Creek trail, 5cents and I headed back to meet up at the Creek Trail's exit. On the way through the quarry, 5cents was trying to straddle a set of ruts on a descent and slid into the one in the middle, and with 3-wheeling! He rocked twice, almost passing the point of no return, but it settled down, a quick and he was back riding... He said something about pucker factor, you'll have to ask him about that

That's the last time I straddle a rut. The sad thing is I have been down that hill quite a few times. I have never straddled the ruts. As to the pucker factor............ This was that 5 seconds of my life in emoticons. I got tugged then Then the rest of the day I was

[snwchris]

Gawdd I know that feeling trying that climb out of Oragne. I tried it a couple weeks back when I was there and same thing kept pitching me to the driverside.

Its almost like you need to make sure the tires are dry befor ehitting but hell half of Orange is wet and muddy... so I guess good luck on dry tires... lol

Next time I'm there I will be attempting again.

[Jeffro95]

Originally Posted by 5cents

Like deja vu. That was exactly what he said to me as I had the brake pedal kissing the floor mat.

There seems to be a trend of tipping when Awillard69 is behind people....I don't think he'll be allowed to follow me anymore..



You know it looks a lot less scary than it felt..... When I looked out and saw my wheels turned to the left it reminded me way too much of my axle break from last year.

Good photos guys, I've seen more pics of me from this trip than I have from all the other trips combined...well it seems like it anyway.

I'll be loading some vids too. All dash cam stuff.

[IGotADisneyJeep]

That Sat, I went to the Chocolate Fest in Long Grove, Illinois and it was really nice there and the weather was beautiful. Driving back home I put my top down on my jeep and that was the 1st time this year.

It's pretty cool to know that all of you had a blast. I'm jealous in a way though it's nice to relax so you guys can have fun. Again, I am glad everyone got home safely.

[Jeffro95]

Here are my vids from the day. I was trying out my new camera mount. There is no music with the vids, I figure why bother it just gets blocked due to copyright stuff 99% of the time anyway. Turn it down and turn on your own...

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