Anyone want to make it. Say April 2005. I'll have pizza and cobbler. Maybe even some real chili (not that stuff from up north with tomatoes and beans in it) :toothless

Did you mean to post this in the Mountain Chapter?

Where is it? or do you wanna make me search?

Hey HappyJack you mean this trail?
http://www.off-road.com/4x4web/travels/hole.html
dc

Did you mean to post this in the Mountain Chapter?


Pretty sure. It's south of Halls Crossing, Utah. It was once well know and was spoke of with the Rubicon. That was before the Hammers and the rock crawling championships. I think Heep Hamboree dropped it but maybe Heep Easter Safari still runs it every year. The 20+ mile section that is the famous 4x4 road is rated an 8 I think. The rest of the original wagon road (whats left of it) is less technical.

Would you consider running it in early December or February?

dc

Where is it? or do you wanna make me search?


http://www.4x4trails.net/db_view_trail.php?trailNum=354

Hey HappyJack you mean this trail?
http://www.off-road.com/4x4web/travels/hole.html
dc


That's the one. Or part of it at least.

Would you consider running it in early December or February?

dc

Problem with that is it would depend on the weather. I could go way south and I do want to make a trip to Tombstone , AZ. But getting there (over the Rocky's) is only part of the problem. I would hate to drive 2000 miles one way and take a chance on rain or snow. I'm not saying no i just need some more info on rain and snow.

This is the best book I know of on the trail. http://www.outbackusa.com/passpatrol/volumesix.html It has the whole road from Escalante to Bluff.

You could always head down I35 to OK city and pick up Hwy 40 then accross the big open to hwy 666 or 550 and up and over the lower end of colorado. Or about a dozen other ways.

I will try and find out the weather stats for that area/time of year. FWIW the last time I was in Moab was in February and the weather was just about perfect.

dc


Problem with that is it would depend on the weather. I could go way south and I do want to make a trip to Tombstone , AZ. But getting there (over the Rocky's) is only part of the problem. I would hate to drive 2000 miles one way and take a chance on rain or snow. I'm not saying no i just need some more info on rain and snow.

Oh, the Pass Patrol books are soooo VERY painful. It's like reading a BAD episode of the Dukes of Hazzard. They love to put their senseless CB chatter in the text verbatim, lots of dumb church humor. Can't stand it.

Wanna know how I really feel? :D

Wondered when Mr. Grouchy would show up :goodfinge . What do you think about the weather down there mid-winter Keith?

dc
Oh, the Pass Patrol books are soooo VERY painful. It's like reading a BAD episode of the Dukes of Hazzard. They love to put their senseless CB chatter in the text verbatim, lots of dumb church humor. Can't stand it.

Wanna know how I really feel? :D

Hole in the Rock Labor Day '03. We didn't take many pics of the "obstacles" 'cause we didnt' need to stop for much of anything with the Bronco in it's current state

Half Track:
http://www.supermotors.org/getfile.php?id=143575&toggle=fullsize&f=.jpg

http://www.supermotors.org/getfile.php?id=143576&toggle=fullsize&f=.jpg

How'd you like to take a wagon down this?
http://www.supermotors.org/getfile.php?id=143577&toggle=fullsize&f=.jpg

http://www.supermotors.org/getfile.php?id=143578&toggle=fullsize&f=.jpg

http://www.supermotors.org/getfile.php?id=143579&toggle=fullsize&f=.jpg

This TJ was a multi-million $ bolt-on TJ with Dynatrac axles front and rear. He was lifting tires climbing Ewing Mesa :histerica and couldnt' do a climb at the top of The Chute; actually the Bronco was the only one to climb this particular climb *at the top of The Chute* just due to wheelbase
http://www.supermotors.org/getfile.php?id=143580&toggle=fullsize&f=.jpg

http://www.supermotors.org/getfile.php?id=143581&toggle=fullsize&f=.jpg

http://www.supermotors.org/getfile.php?id=143582&toggle=fullsize&f=.jpg

http://www.supermotors.org/getfile.php?id=143583&toggle=fullsize&f=.jpg

EDIT: "Mr Grouchy" has a nice ring to it!

Great pictures Keith. Still trying to figure out where to get weather info. Should not be too bad.

dc

Oh, the Pass Patrol books are soooo VERY painful. It's like reading a BAD episode of the Dukes of Hazzard. They love to put their senseless CB chatter in the text verbatim, lots of dumb church humor. Can't stand it.

Wanna know how I really feel? :D


Well Baskin Robbins made 31 flavors for a reason. It's not your flavor is all. Just think how lucky you are if that's a major gripe. :toothless

Some pic's from my site can be seen at http://www.mappyjack.com/hitr.html

I went the southern route before when I was towing. But that was in April. Had some snow then and made it ok with my 2wd truck flat towing. Just was thinking if you have a big snow up at Eisenhower it would cause trouble getting out or back to Denver. If your going week by week and leaving for a long weekend from Denver it's not a big deal. If you need to plan weeks off, months in advance then it's a bigger chance.

Nice pictures happyjack, what are your bronco specs?

dc

Some pic's from my site can be seen at http://www.mappyjack.com/hitr.html

I went the southern route before when I was towing. But that was in April. Had some snow then and made it ok with my 2wd truck flat towing. Just was thinking if you have a big snow up at Eisenhower it would cause trouble getting out or back to Denver. If your going week by week and leaving for a long weekend from Denver it's not a big deal. If you need to plan weeks off, months in advance then it's a bigger chance.

I have a 96 XLT, 351, E4OD, Warn 12000 winch in custom aluminum front bumper, Lock Right front, open rear. I have leveling coils up front and need some help in the rear. 32x11.50's on it now. I'd like to put a posi in the rear and an AAL also. Then try out the 33X10.50's

The BII on my site was my old 89. It had 30x9.50's, 4.11 gears, Lock Right in the front, Auburn in the rear. Leveling coils in the front with spacers and AAL in the rear. It did great on HITR.

HITR can be done in one day if you don't take any side trips and your running a modified truck. If you have a group and some stock trucks and don't want to beat up your stuff and want to spend some time on the side trips it's a day in and another out.

I'm just back from my trip NW of Denver. Need to pay the bills for that and get through Christmas. Then I should be ready for another trip.

Not a bad rig for a guy from Kansas :) The weather channel history only goes to October. I am still thinking February might be a killer time to do it.

Where did you hit in Colorado this year?

dc

feb or march sounds good to me, I just need a couple of weeks to plan. We need a meet and greet. :thumbup

Not a bad rig for a guy from Kansas :) The weather channel history only goes to October. I am still thinking February might be a killer time to do it.

Where did you hit in Colorado this year?

dc


Did Kelly Flats, Seven Mile, then worked our way down south. Ballard, Old Flowers, Bunce School, camped one night up on Storm Mountian. Caribou Creek, Pole Hill road to the closed gate. Had a guy with me from another board I'm on. He had a 2nd gen X with 31's so we took it easy. I primative camp (dispersed camping). My buddy and his wife tried to hit a motel every other night.

Did a trip in the spring out in the Swell in Utah. Finished up running Arch Canyon.

The weather in Utah is essentially the same as Colorado, unpredictable beyond what you can see immediately over the horizon. In February it could snow, it could be in the mid 70's, it could be anything in between. Personally I wouldn't make set in stone plans for anything in this part of the world from November to March that involved leaving a paved road. It can be done, but it generally is a spur of the moment type of thing based on the next couple of days weather forcast & a good look at satellite photos. Getting caught out on Hole In the Rock trail in a winter storm would probably end up being a life threatening situation.

That's my way of thinking. If folks are going to drive thousands of miles for a trip they are going to want to do it when there is less chance of bad weather. We came out of Arch Canyon the middle of April this year in a snow storm. But that was not the rule for April.

Easter Heep Safari (they did HITR this year) is March 19-27 2005. This year Heep Jamboree ran Arch Canyon April 30-May 2. So I was thinking if we could make the a HITR run in between the two in the first part of April we should be good. Of couse the deeper into April the less chance for bad weather, and the hotter the weather we will have to deal with. And then there is a chance the cactus will be in bloom.

Ok I have decided on starting this on Saturday April 16th outside of Bluff Utah. I plan on driving as much of the 125 year road/trail as possible from Bluff to Halls Crossing Saturday and Sunday. Then go in the 8 rated HITR trail on Monday and back out on Tuesday unless a bunch want to hike to the bottom of Cottonwood Hill. Then the hike will be Tuesday and the drive out on Wednesday.

I can go out early and stay late. So if there is something else in Utah you want to do let me know and I'll do my best to work it in.

Here are some links.

http://broncoii.org/b2forum/viewtopic.php?t=2795

http://board.broncoii4x4.com/viewtopic.php?t=292

http://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/s...ad.php?t=315931

http://www.rrorc.com/forums/showthread.php?t=19958

http://www.kcareaexplorers.com/foru...s=&threadid=937

We are still on for Monday April 18 going in and back out on Tuesday April 19. I'm still open to spend a little time in Moab before (I'd like to take a look at Poison Spider). And have been asked about the possibility of Hotel Rock after. Elephant Hill would be nice also.

I have the info on Halls Crossing. I have been told you need to contact Lake Powell Resorts. 1-800-528-6154 or 1-928-645-2433 and ask for "family units" at Halls Crossing Marina. Lake Powel was so low last year they shut down the ferry and marina last year. They even closed down the Ranger station. The airport should still be open with gasoline. Just might get a shower in Blanding to be safe.

I have a bunch of stuff going on this week. But I'll try to make contact sometime and see if there is any info for what is available this year.

Bronkorob on the RRORC link above has offered to let folks stop at his place in the south part of Salt Lake City. So If your thinking about making the trip and SLC is on your way you might get in touch with him. He said he would like to caravan down.

Are you still coming all the way down to AZ?

If you are we AZ boys can take you on a trail run. Dustin, myself and a few others live in the Phx metro area. If you're interested PM me.

Are you still coming all the way down to AZ?

If you are we AZ boys can take you on a trail run. Dustin, myself and a few others live in the Phx metro area. If you're interested PM me.

Because what, you're not capable of leaving the state? Oh that's right, your probation officer wouldn't like it.

so you can run this trail in a stock rig? hmmmmm i might be in.

Trying to post. Haven't been able to in the last few days. Seems I have a very short word limit.

Well I can post short replys anyway. Try to edit a short post.

dogonmut,

:clap I can post again. Yep I want to get down south.

I want to go to Tombstone. I do some Coyboy Action Shooting.

And walk the streets of Tombstone. Now would be good weather for that.

Might be a little warm in April for me to do a lot of walking. But keep reminding me. Maybe next winter.

Broncbob,

Yep, stock truck can do it. But you have a very good chance of damage.

I was in Moab just Last week.
The weather was great. It was long sleeved shirt weather for us Utahns.
didnt do any wheeling, but took my spouse into Arches, and Dead Horse Point. there was snow on the north sides of plants, trees, sagebrush at dead hores point. Everywhere else was open. I have been to the actual hole in the rock a long time ago on Lake powell, it makes you wonder how they do that, for sure. I'll tell ya What, now before March would be the time to go to Maob area. The Motel rates are $30-32 VS 80+ in March. I would love to go, but probably wont have my Bronco and lift put together by then. Too many other projects going on right now. :banghead

I camp out on public land so I don't have to worry about the cost of rooms. A frend of mine from Texas is going to try to make it with his son. Right now the plan is to do HITR on the 18th and 19th. Then do Hotel Rock and maybe Elephant on our way to the Moab area. Then do Poison Spider. Before and after are still open though.

Ok I called the 1-800 number for Lake Powell Resorts. The familay units are available and you can make a reservation. They sleep 8. They are three bedroom house trailers with I think 2 baths and a sleeper sofa. Full kitchen with utinsals and place settings. Cost is around $150 a night. Not bad if you can split it 4 ways. This is where I plan to get a shower Sunday night. They also have camp sites for RV's and tents also.

Right now I plan on camping on the trail near a place called the "Fort". Camping is on public land and is free. But bring everything you need with you. All that is provided is a place to park and a fire ring made from rocks. On my first trip to HITR I flat towed a heep behind my 1/2 PU to this location. After you cross the creek though it's time to lock in the hubs.

Still don't have before and after nailed down. My friends from Texas wants to go in on Monday. Out on Tuesday. Go up and do Elephant on Wednesday. Then Poison Spider on Thursday. So the plan is to camp/stay at Halls Crossing Sunday night. Camp near Cottonwood Hill at the end of HITR trail Monday night. Camp/stay near Halls Crossing Tuesday night. Camp/stay in the Moab area Wednesday and Thursday night. We might not make Moab Wednesday night. That's a big move and about 6hrs. on the highway plus Elephant and any other side trips. We were thinking about putting Hotel Rock in front of Elephant. Just have to wait and see.

As I siad I plan on camping on public land every night. But nothing is written in stone. Just keeping everyone updated. Showers are available in Halls Crossing, Blanding, and Moab. Lodging is available in those plus Monticello. Monticello may have showers I just can't remember taking one there. Fuel is available in those places plus the Airport at the turn off for HITR and the entrance to Canyonlands where we go in to do Elephant.

Trailers should be doable on this part of the trip.

If you want to make this trip and have something you want to do just speak up. I can't plan it if I don't know about it. And others may have the trip full with other requests if you wait. Just 2 months and 2 weeks to go.

That's a pretty ambitious schedule you've got. Good luck on getting it all crammed into the timeframe you have.

Just depends on group size and how many stops we make. I don't like to do a lot of driving after dark and I don't think that will be a problem. I do like to get a shower every few days. May have to strech that some.