200k Night Run

So our Toyota Land Cruiser was approaching 200,000 miles in the next 100 miles so i thought, what better way to celebrate than to have the rig in the dirt somewhere. So i posted on a few boards and asked everyone if they wanted to go on a Night Run in the local mtns. Well, we all met up at the local pizza place for dinner and then headed on our way..

The line up.. 9 rigs total. Wranglers, Xterras, Ford Trucks and of course Toyota Land Cruisers.



We headed out into the dark up Indian Truck Trail. Unfortunately my camera struggled to focus correctly in the dark, so many of the pictures came out useless.







Our plan of attack was about a 40 mile fireroad trip that took us up over the Cleveland National Forest from the Inland Empire to the OC side, then drop down into Corona again. Well that backfired, because the gate at Main Divide was closed to the North end. (Yes i checked all the Conditions before we left, and yes it said it would be closed) So me figuring there was a good chance the condition report was correct had a Plan B. We would head South on Main Divide and exit Ortega Highway. All was fine after that. Just made the run much shorter than i wanted it to be.



Dixie looking awfully scary with the LED dome lighting..


HID's lighting up the trail well. Pics don't do them justice. Not to mention the blurry picture looks terrible.


About the only decent photo i got on the whole run.


Cool shot of Dave in his F350 diesel rounding a corner with the city lights on the right.



Making our way through the trail with plenty of stops to make sure everyone stayed together.


More city lights.


Once aired up and back on pavement we ended our run at the Lookout Roadhouse just above Lake Elsinore on Ortega Highway. I turned 200,000 miles just before we pulled in. Not on the dirt!!! Oh well. Things don't always go to plan.





Thanks to everyone that came out. Especially you guys from San Diego and West LA. You know who you are. Your crazy! Here's to another 200k!!

The Return to Picacho

We enjoyed Picacho the first time so much, we figured we mine as well head back before 1, Arnold shuts it down 2, the crowds come and 3 the heat arrives. Well, we avoided the first two, but the heat we did not. It was hot!

This time we had some friends with us that made the trip that much better. They had never been to Picacho and one of the people joining us, never had been off road. That made it all the much funner.

This time we chose to take Indian Pass Road into the camp instead of Picacho Rd. It's a little faster when coming from the west California side.







This is the only sign when entering the park from the west end. If you don't see this, then your lost.



We pulled up to camp and didn't see one sole. It was great. Exactly why we come to this place. The entire beach was ours once again.



I think everyone was ready for a cold one!





Doesn't get much better than this. Talk about relaxing.



The water level was extremely high this trip out. I talked with the ranger and they said it has been like this for the last month or so.



After a quick dinner, the sun dropped and it was time for a campfire. We didn't see any racoons on this trip. That was a plus.



The next morning it was time for some fishing. Shot of James brother in law Jamie starting his day off with a few bites. He enjoyed his time away from work with a well deserved weekend break.



Bryan waking from his truck cave. It's actually a really cool tent. Tons of room inside too. Easy setup and break down.



Getting my pole prepped for the 'big one' - yeah right



It's a rough life, but someone has to do it.



Dixie enjoying laying in the dirt and soaking up the sun as always.



Did i mention already that it was hot?



She was getting pretty warm so i figured it would be a good time to test out her new life vest. She swam immediately back to shore as soon as i dipped her in.





The rangers came by and were nice enough to shoot a group shot of us.



After lunch we headed out for some 4 wheeling and exploring. We headed to north camp and down to Taylor Lake.





We found this grave on top of Picacho Point over looking the Colorado river.



RIP Lonsome, there were notebooks to sign, coins, photos and even news paper clippings at the site. We left everything just as we found it.





One heck of a nice view if you ask me.



Group shot at the site. Great background.



Heading through Black Bear canyon and up over the pass into Taylor Lake area.





Entering the Taylor lake area, the recommend 4 wheel drive vehicles only.



Taylor Lake



A shot from high at top the pass above Black Bear canyon.



After the run, we started on the pot luck. Everyone brought something amazing.







Even Dixie was spoiled with some dog treats.



After dinner we enjoyed a nice campfire. The weather was perfect at night. The temps dropped down to just the right level. About 65-70 degrees.



The next day is was all about relaxing. It was about 105 degrees out and the river felt mighty good.





My plan of attack was to make my way up to North Camp via Kayak. It would be longest run on the kayak so far. Fighting the current up stream the whole way. Took about 1 hour of nonstop paddling.





I made it successfully to north camp and enjoyed the reward of coming back with the current.

After i got back i decided to let Dixie try out the Kayak. This was the whole reason why i bought the life jacket for her. She wasn't excited at all.













I even got Yosh out in the water to try it. Talk about a lucky day! She actually liked it and felt very secure.






After a full weekend of playing, relaxing and eating like kings.. we headed for home. But not before stopping at our new favorite spot whenever we are in Arizona. Cracker Barrel. With our bellies full once again, i struggled driving home without falling asleep.

Until the next duo adventure, cheers!