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Post by 4WDnRocksNmud on Feb 20, 2005 12:25:48 GMT -5
Wish I didn't have to end up replacing my radiator. I'll make it next time.
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Post by jlmjeep on Feb 20, 2005 19:47:21 GMT -5
This is a great place to wheel. Lots of challenges at all levels. I rode the blue trails(intermediate) and had a blast. Thanks Fran for setting this up, Thanks Chris and Heather for having us. Here are some of the pics I took. Jack photos.yahoo.com/jacklmurray
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Post by CORE 4WD on Feb 20, 2005 22:45:02 GMT -5
Concur with JLMJEEP! Crozet was a blast and a great place to test out modifications. Thanks Chris and Heather you guys are awesome hosts (and spotters)! We'll be back for more. Those on trail ride contact me (core4wd@cox.net) for DVD's $5 to cover DVD price, payable on delivery. In-work on editing, DVD's should be done tomorrow.
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Post by FJ40Fran on Feb 20, 2005 23:25:17 GMT -5
Whew, what a great weekend. I feel a little stiff this evening, maybe because I stacked a few rocks for CORY today. But, that's ok, Cory there will be a next time. I want to thank everyone who came up to wheel this weekend. We cleared out the new Tidewater Trail by lunch time on Sat and the rest of the weekend was on the trails. After everyone ran the new trail on Sat and got their tires dirty, we stepped up a level of trail, and then another level, giving everyone a taste of what Crozet has to offer. Today, the group split with several riding blue trails and five heading off for a taste of black level trails. I'll let folks tell their stories, but I saw many smiles and sensed feelings of satisfaction when we were done. Not only did folks have fun, but I believe everyone learned a few new things and gained confidence in their vehicle's capabilities. I know anxieties got high at times (mine included driving and spotting), but that's what washing machines are for! I could tell stories of everyone, but it would get long. I do want to compliment Don Bishop and Debbie Economos. They are the dueling black Rubis. I hope folk's pictures do justice. Ken, you too. You were right behind them today coming down the creek bed. Hope everyone made it home safely. And, I look forward to more wheeling trips. Fran
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Post by 4WDnRocksNmud on Feb 20, 2005 23:43:03 GMT -5
Glad to hear y'all had a good time.
I spent today examining my rear diff and fixing a few other loose ends that hung me up last minute. I ended up with an annoying radiator leak and I found a couple pinion teeth broken off.
Guess it's the Jeep thing...
Just Empty Every Pocket
I'll be there sometime soon.
Anyone have a Dana 44 they want to get rid of? Might as well upgrade.
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Post by YJ Ken on Feb 21, 2005 0:18:39 GMT -5
This is place is just too fun. It has something for everybody, especially for my rock craving needs. The hosts/trail guides (Chris & Heather) are really good people that literally open their house for you.
Saturday began with the trail cutting of the new blue trail that goes around their house. With the amount of people that showed, we made short work of it and everybody got to run it before lunch. After a short break, we got in to 2 groups. But the 2 groups stayed together for the most part of the day, but the black group taking all the optional harder parts and giving the blues a good show. Especially Tim doing a nice hand stand and recovering. Sorry Tim, if you wanted a picture, you have to do it again. Day 1 ended about 5PM around the camp fire trying to come up with a name for the new trail.
Day 2 started by again splitting up in to 2 groups, but this time the black group took seriously harder trails. One of which that has never been run before. Lots of rocks on the black run. We ended the day by running the creek. The creek is knarly. A series of 3 or 4 waterfalls that tested your flex and skidplates. I believe we got off the trail around 3pm or so. There were no serious breakages or rollovers, but there was some body damage.
I didn't get any pictures, but willing to see them all, so post them up.
A big thanks goes to Fran, Chris, and Heather for all their hard work this weekend. They were out at every obstacle spotting and stacking rocks.
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Post by Sticks on Feb 21, 2005 8:38:22 GMT -5
Everything everyone has said so far is right on. I had called Fran about an hour out (can't be on time for anything)...said no problem. They were gonna get started and it was all good. Got there and they were already done with the cut and were testing it out. Not to waste any more time, I pulled Paul in YJ and we went for a round. Being the little guy on AT's the mud pit at the end of the new trail (no name yet) . . . well...was a learning experience. Crozet is masterfully designed and offers challenges for everyone. Almost everything we went to the first day was as an entire group and if you couldn't make it on the big stuff, well the escape routes worked just fine. Even the escapes were challenging . . so there are no free rides here. Definitely something for everyone though. We all retired out to the Campfire and cold. We learned chili makes everything better...and rum bottles make excellent missle hazards if inserted in-between the logs properly. Second day adventures really split the two groups. Our blue-group took to a murky creek bed (which is actually the tail end of a much more greusome set of rocks!) and a muddy hill-climb that I still haven't seen the end of...till next time. The end of the blue group had us at the latter half of the black group coming down a waterfall line with three "signifcant drops". A very, very, very impressive showing from the deuling Rubi's and Ken's YJ. I think someone said it best, "THIS is how they should advertise the Jeep in comercials". Overall, a winch here, hi-lift jack there, and some on-board air solved most issues. I can't say enough about the property hosts (Chris and Heather). They had great knowledge of the entire property and were with both groups 100% of the time. Anything that was theirs, was ours. Fran was an awesome guide/host/leader (and still sweating from the chili too). Everyone was really involved both days and if they weren't playing spotter, taking video or pics, or pulling on straps to avoid body damage, they were throwing rocks and pullling winch cables. It was an absolute pleasure for me and the family to be at such a nice event. Can't wait till April gets here. It's gonna be a blast!...not to mention looking forward to the next TW4 group event. Thanks again to everyone who made it such a nice weekend for us. We had a great time. Here some pics. Andy, Karla and the Kids (Sandee & Zeus too) photos.yahoo.com/sticksnstonesrus
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Post by FJ40Fran on Feb 21, 2005 9:55:43 GMT -5
If I remember right, around the campfire we had narrowed the trail names down to about three;
Outback Trail - because it's basically out back the cabin.
Tidewater Fourwheelers Trail - just something to keep it simple.
And lastly, the one that seemed add character, mixing a little of the pasture with creek, you end up with, DUNG RUN. It's a little flaky, but it sure fits. Thoughts , concurence on DUNG RUN?
Chris P. does need to know by Weds this week because he is having signs made for all the trails soon.
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Post by JeepinGoose on Feb 21, 2005 10:05:53 GMT -5
well im not a member (paid anyway) and i didnt go to crozet
but im not big on "dung run"
but do like "tidewater run"
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Post by YJ Ken on Feb 21, 2005 10:28:05 GMT -5
On Sunday, Chris was calling it the Tidewater Trail. I thought you guys decided after my 8PM departure to bed. There is an OCC trail out there, why not a Tidewater Trail.
With some of the trail names, Dung run fits in and is fitting for the trail.
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Post by FJ40Fran on Feb 21, 2005 11:30:23 GMT -5
I'm perfectly fine with Tidewater Trail, we have low lying areas here so the short mud gue area of the trail matches right in. Also by incorporating the Tidewater name in it states that we wheel there (at least I think folks are going back!!) A good compromise would be that we remember the unofficial name as being "Dung Run". Fair for everybody??
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Post by 4WDnRocksNmud on Feb 21, 2005 11:34:48 GMT -5
My question is, is Crozet open every weekend? How do you have to arrange trips? And I forget the fees for it as well. I'd like to make a run whenever I can..
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Post by FJ40Fran on Feb 21, 2005 11:44:26 GMT -5
My question is, is Crozet open every weekend? How do you have to arrange trips? And I forget the fees for it as well. I'd like to make a run whenever I can.. As of now, Crozet is not just open door. Chris and Heather ask that groups of five or more call or email to coordinate in advance weekends that you'd like to wheel. Based on numbers and type of trails you want to drive, they'll accomodate as many as possible. His land use fees are $20 for a day, $30 for Sat/Sun to include camping space Fri and Sat nights. And, there is bon fire to boot (you might be asked to help drag some dead wood over though).
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Post by Sticks on Feb 21, 2005 12:34:47 GMT -5
By the size of the fire from the pit, a few pieces is not just your average 1-1.5' log...were talking 3-4' timbers...but makes it nice-n-toasty. I think most of us had to "turn" like steaks after a few minutes of being within 6-7'. Either way, the accomodations that Chris & Heather provide, their sheer politeness, and use of the land more than accomodates any fees.
"Dung Run" works. "Tidewater Trail" is good too. Although, I think that a "Tidewater Trail" would be a good solid black trail that left something with you (like damage or rash OR a piece of you there). The trail, while a good blue, seems to fit more for a "run". And seeing how many "pies" you pass or run through on the new cut...Dung Run really fits. The compromise could be "Tidewater Run"? Whatever.
Just an opinion.
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Post by FJ40Fran on Feb 21, 2005 13:43:54 GMT -5
Note: I said bon fire, not campfire. But you're right about the log size. The trees and limbs that were drug over from the trail clearing I cut into 3-4 foot lengths for the fire. Your girls seemed to have a lot of fun, I enjoyed trimmng their six foot marshmello sticks. The smores hit the spot mid-evening after the bowl of chilli settled. Thanks. Oh by the way, the pile of ash, Chris says it's about six months worth of fires.
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