[lupinsea]

Rimrock Jeep Run
June 30th - July 3rd, 2007

This weekend and early part of the week I headed down to Rimrock for some Jeep'n and camping with my Jeep club. The area is located 3 hrs SE of Seattle on the eastern side of the state in a mountainous area crossed by steep ridges. The forested slopes of the ridges are very dry and the vehicle are constantly driving through clouds of fine dust that settles everywhere. Trails run up and down the face of the ridge and along the top with some of the steepest down-hill-only trails approaching clost to a 90-100% grade (40-45 deg) often on loose gravel and soft silty dirt. While there aren't any massive obstacles to overcome the steep terrain and chance for roll over (and down hundreds of feet) keeps one on their toes.

With the exception of the first day which was a bit cloudy the weather was great. Up in the hills temperatures hit probably around 75-ish with a nice breeze. There were a few minor mechanical difficulties such as a blown differential, lost bolts on a track bar, a sheard tie-rod end link, but with more club members due to arrive by mid-week new parts could be requested.

Here are some photos from the excursion.

More photos on my website here.




High up at the look out, an old watch tower site whold only remains are the
concrete foundation footings. This vantage pointlooks out over Mt. Rainier
and the valley below. Its a great place to have lunch with a view. We
drove up from our camp at the base of the valley.




Taking a photo op on the way to meet up with the rest of the club (I arrive
late). This is the ridge trail that runs to Blue Lake.




One of the guys scrambling up a steep hill climb.




At the top there's not much room to manuver. Some spots like this can
drop off sharply.




The trails here are very dry compared to the western side of the state. As
a result, dust is a constant companion.




One of the many hill climbs coveredin loose rock. It's like trying to drive
uphill on marbles at times where the rock just rolls under your tires.




This guy's Jeep broke the ring and pinion gears in the front diff. We got it
down the trail and into camp to work on it. Here everthing is opened up
and we could see the damage. It's just waiting for new parts to arrive in a
day or two.




This waterfall was just up the valley from our camp ground about 1-2 miles.

[lupinsea]

Our trail group at Jeeper's Nomad Meadow, a place visited by Jeepers for the last 40+ years.




Everybody pack a chainsaw as "standard" car tool kit? We often run across
downed trees across the trail that need to be cleared and the chain saws and winches make short work of this task.




15 min later and the trail is open again.




Working my way over a rocky part of the trail along the ridge line. Speeds
are typically only a few miles per hour. Anything faster and fillings would
shake loose.




Inspecting one of the guy's Jeeps. This example is over a half century old.
Once used as a piece of farm equipment the new owner is pressing into
trail duty with a small-block V8 under the hood.

[CHRRRIS]

Those are some damn nice photos. What kinda camera were those taken with? B-e-a-utiful.

[CBlakeNS]

Very nice pictures, looks fun!

[lupinsea]

It was a Kodak Easyshare DX7590. The camera is about 2-3 years old now. But it works well. I leave the resolution setting at the lowest 1.8 megapixel (though the camera is 5 mp) to fit more pictures on the card.

[XJK]

very nice pictures, that scenery lookes auesome.

-Kyle

[tommaho]

Great pictures, that's some fantastic scenery.

[NorCalTim]

Now that's my idea of a Jeep run! Awesome scenery, a nice mixture of terrain, and a few surprises (in the form of trees.)

[jharsany]

Nice pics! What trails did you run? I've been up to Rimrock a few times and will hopefully make it back up this year.

[lupinsea]

I've been there 3 times spending a total of about 8 days running trails. There are so many it's hard to keep track.

Let's see, we ran the 642 up to the ridge (take the left hand routes all the way up, very intense). Ran the ridge to Blue Lake. Went on up to the Look Out area, then from there dropped down to. . . . I think . . . 661?, anyways, there's another trail that runs the back side of the ridge trail visible to the north from the look out. It gets VERY tight at times. Came down 640, too.

Years past I ran some of the lower trails. And came down a trail called ChickenSh*t. Talk about steep. Yikes. Went up another steep one I can't remember the name of.

There's still alot of trails to explore and some of the older guys in my club have been wheel'n this area for almost 40 years. Our club is going to try and GPS map the trails before the old-timers die off and forget the routes.

[yyoon]

As usual, great write up and pics!

[atomicmoose]

Very cool. I always enjoy your trail pics.

[Bishop Creek]

Great pics! Looks like you had a blast!

[WKTrailRunner]

Nice pictures. Now, a noob question. Is there anything on that trip that an '07 WK Ltd couldn't handle? Thanks.
Kevin

[BENS95YJ]

Nice pics! Makes me want to move the pacific northwest. I love that part of the country. Thanks for sharing.