We had a great trip from San Diego's east county Friday night and ending at the Superstition Mtn.s on Sunday. We made it out of town around 6:00 PM and made our way north from the dirt Viejas grade to the on and off again dirt road of boulder Creek. After about 2 hours of weaving the back roads os San Diego County we arrived at the small mountain town of Julian. With the town already asleep and packed away for the night we slid the cards into the gas pumps and topped off the tanks. A quick 20 minute ride to the bottom of Banner grade and we found ourselves at the trail head that would lead us through gold mine country to our first camping spot of the weekend. We turned off the road and quickly started climbing up an old fire road that is seldom used and would eventually take us all the way to the desert floor and Hwy S2. But before we got there we had to climb about a 45 minute drive back up to the mountains above. Nothing quite like a string of rigs bouncing crisp off road lights off the hills and boulders while hearing anticipations chatter on the cb's. About 30 minutes into the truly off road portion of the trip a familiar voice came over the CB... Is that you Bob? Up on the mountain in the darkness of no where a sole wheeler was contacting us on his CB. I think I see your lights? ... are you coming up the hill now? Sure enough was Wymore! He heard we were going to be heading up that way from town so he made his way up from the desert town of El Centro to hang out and escort us back down the hill to his part of the world the following morning.
After snaking our way up and finding him alone on the top of the mountain we noticed that there was a trail of water coming from one of the rigs. Yep... An FSJ. heater hose decided it had enough and had to relieve itself right there. So a few beverages, jokes, brotherly insults and we were back on track to find a place to camp for the evening.
The next morning everyone was up early and ready to go. Found out later is it was cold and no one really slept too well so it was easy to get everyone moving again. Well with the exception of the rig with the bad hose. He had been pushing really hard to make the trip but just didnt have the time needed to fine tune everything after the engine, tranny, and tcase swap. He bowed out Saturday morning and returned to S.D.
We made it Down Oriflame trail to the desert floor shortly after 1:00 where we found a nice grove of trees and had lunch. A quick blast of the throttle through a few sand washes and we were at Hwy s2 and ready to jump on pavement for a 25 minute drive to the next trail head.
Now I could bore you with all the fine details of the entire run but we have all been there and done that a few times so I will just say we had everything from washed out trails to miles of silt. From Mud cave expiration to playing in the mud notches. Crawling to cruising and everything in between. We had a blast and fun filled weekend. Hope more FSJ'er join in next time... believe me we are a patient group and totally understand the FSJ pace! lol
Here's some pics for you to look at if you would like. And a lot more...
http://s142.beta.photobucket.com/user/D ... to%20Super
http://s57.photobucket.com/albums/g230/ ... UFF%20Run/
