Santiago's Shredfest April 19-21, 2002.
Attendees:
Members: John and Sharon Hively (Maddie), Vince and Judy
Jones, David Oh with Greg.
Guests: Vince Jr. and Rosa (Corina, Rebecca, Alisa), Phil and Catherine Klein.
Phil Klein and I left Orange County at 11:00 a.m. and arrived at the Totem Pole
Ranch at 12:45 after a leisurely drive last Friday. The 3:00pmish (originally
2:00 pm ) Friday Hard run to Bouquet Cyn. Reservoir and Rohwer Flats had been
changed to 4:00 pm. Sharon and Catherine decided to lounge at camp whilst
Phil and I went on the run. We actually, finally, left at 4:16 pm.
We didn't even hit pavement before somebody had to stop for a repair and we had
to stop several times enroute to allow people to catch-up (one guy had to stop
for gas)! Once on the trail, which we ran from north to south, we had a
good time. One guy got sideways on the first and steepest climb and our
leader in his HUMMER had to go back down to straighten him up. Out of about
20 vehicles, about 5 of us (including Phil and I) attempted a very steep hill
climb on the left of the trail about two-thirds of the way thru the trip.
All of us made it but the bumpy area near the top was interesting. I looked at this hill last year and
decided it was a 3rd gear hill (in low xfer) for my cruiser--and I knew it did
not have the oomph to pull it. V8's are nice. Third gear with
torque and power in reserve, a nice feeling! Phil and I did not stop to
air up with the others at trail end, so we were the first ones back to the
Totem Pole Ranch at 8:01 pm. (Only one minute later than I had told Sharon!).
Vince Jones' son (Vince Jr.) arrived with his wife, Rosa, and three daughters
just before Phil and I returned. They set up their new large tent close by and
got settled in.
Saturday was the big day. Vince Jr. and family went on the SUV run to
Drinkwater Canyon, they said it was really an interesting trip with lots of historical
info thrown in. David Oh with his friend Greg arrived about 6:00 am and
Vince and Judy (her first ever 4wd experience!) arrived about 5 minutes
later. Both David and Vince came to join Sharon and I on the 7:00
am. extra hard Shredder Cyn. Trail. It was 39 degrees at 5:00 am when I
put the coffee on the burner Sunday morning. It was in the mid 40's when
we left camp at 7:00 am. It wasn't all that cold, even with just the
bikini top; provided you had a jacket with a hood.
Those who have run Shredder trail can attest; it doesn't waste time getting your
attention. Shredder falls ate a Suzuki rear axle, a built YJ's right front
hub, and another jeep's radiator before the four Westcoasters took a stab at
it. Sharon and Maddie (our German Shepherd) decided to observe, which
allowed me to temporarily save my ice chest by taking it from the rear
rack and putting it in the back (Matte's) seat. I crawled easily up Shredder,
thanks to Phil's excellent spotting, and did I mention I have a V8. Well, it sure purred. Phil was worried
about glass damage to his right rear window on the Grand and studied long and
hard before he decided to try it. He needn't have worried and handily
scaled the obstacle. Vince and Judy
caught some air, as does everybody, and I'm sure Judy thought this was an 'E' ticket
ride. David Oh got off on a not so good line until Phil came back to spot
him. David was by far the "catching air" champ of the
day. Catherine filmed it for him on his video camera and Charles Kilby
(Brad's brother) took pictures which he said would be on the Kilby Enterprises
website.
"Butt Crack" had been partially filled in with sand during the recent
making of a movie, so it was eliminated, but; a new bypass was fun. Phil,
David and I each had flat tires along the way. David's was actually a
ripped valve stem. I had a spare and Brad Kilby had a valve stem puller--no
problem. So 3 out of 4 of us had tire problems (Vince just smiled and
patted his Goodyear'
M/T's) I tried to move a rock with my ice chest (I had to relinquish the back
seat to Maddie), which only damaged the strap I had it tied down with and my
pride. Not so bad for a trail where vehicle damage is touted as probable.
We were off the trail and back at camp by 2:10 p.m. David and Greg packed
up and headed home, the rest of us started happy hour a little earlier than
usual and it was T-shirt weather until the sun got low. We had barbecued
tri-tip cooked by the High Desert Four Wheelers for dinner before the raffle.
Vince and Judy headed home after dinner. Judy seemed to really enjoy the
day and didn't dismount for any of the obstacles! Welcome to the sport,
Judy!
Vince Jr. won at least three times during the raffle. I don't know how
his K5 Blazer can use the Specter Off-Road Toyota Four-Runner skid plate I carried
home for him.....
Sharon and I got home at 11:45 am. Sunday. I know, completely out of character
for me....but wait, what is that "help I'm stuck" message on my answer
machine? I was off to Saddleback Mtn. to rescue a stuck TJ belonging to
the father of my niece's husband. He had lockers front/rear with 33"
M/T's, all hanging precariously over the edge of a soft embankment. Phil
and Catherine joined in our 'Search and Rescue' and after 5 solid hours of digging
and winching, we got him out. Phil's help was essential as he and I directed
the actives of my niece's Husband (Jake), his uncle and two friends. Without
their brawn and our experience--we could not have rescued the TJ. On the
way home Santiago Canyon Road was closed not far from the toll road on ramp--had
to back track to El Toro and go down 5 Fwy. Got home at 9:45 pm. Now
that's more like a day run.
John