IMPORTANT NOTICE!
Dues are over due. If you couldn't make it to the meeting, please mail a check for $40.00 payable to "Arizona Lo-Rangers" to Ed Lyons, 936 E Wesleyan Dr, Tempe AZ 85282. We have to pay our Arizona State Association dues at the February Quarterly. If your dues haven't been paid this may be the last newsletter you receive!
Meeting Minutes January, 2001
Welcome to everyone by Vice-President Boetel at 7:05 P.M. followed by the Pledge of Allegiance. Nine guests were present: Mark Hill, Todd Gleason, Tim Kennedy, Gary Evans, Butch, Barry Burnett, Scott, Rob Lomax, and Rick King.
Members present were: Scott Nixon, John Tash, Charlie and Becky Babcock, Matt Parkes, Marty Boetel, Donald LeClair, Jim Smith, Ron, Brenda, and Jordan Couch, Ed Lyons, Rick Hanse, Glenn McConnell, Loran and Jake Gersztyn, Ziggy and Steve Ingles, Kerry and Joe Ann Hancock, Steve Graham, Dave Hickman, Sandee McCullen, Neal Handcock, Bob Trenton, Bruce Browell, Troy Munig, and Ed Melendy.
A moment of silence was observed for Dave Pike who is recovering from complications from his recent operation.
Old Business-
Trail Reports-
Dave Hickman house- lots of fun wheelin’. They also did a run to Sycamore Creek.
New Year’s Day- Jaw Breaker- 20 vehicles present- showed up at trail head to find "Brat Pack" broken down. After much deliberation the remaining six vehicles decided to head home. The Babcock’s made a bonsai run to the hospital for two stitches in Becky’s hand. It was a beautiful, sunny day!
New Business-
Future Runs-
February 3, 2001- Miner’s Revenge (4.5 rating) will be led by Linda Luik. Meet at the Texaco in Florence Junction at 8:00 a.m. We will be heading East towards 177.
February 17, 2001 - Adopt A Trail- Mud Springs- Scott Nixon will lead the trip- we will be meeting at the intersection of Bush Highway and Beeline Highway at 9:00 a.m.
February 18 - 19, 2001 Predator and Terminator- meet at the dirt lot off of I-17 and Table Mesa Road
March 3, 2001- Needle Rock area - overnight trip- more information to come from Marty Boetel. Call if you want more information (480) 926-3977.
Copperstate 4 Wheelers Treasure Hunt.
March 17 - 18, 2001- Safford Sand Dunes and Natural Hot Tubs- contact Sandee McCullen for more information Sandee McCullen at 480-832-8132. This area is on BLM fee areas.
March 30, 2001 and April 1, 2001- ASA4WDC Quarterly- Best Western Gold Canyon Inn- for more information contact Sandee McCullen at 480-832-8132 or Ziggy Ingles at 602-743-1126.
April 1, 2001 - Show me run- contact Sandee McCullen
April 27 - 29, 2001 - MDA Jamboree - see the Wheeldust for registration information and trail information: Thursday night, Friday, and Saturday. Sunday will feature 4x4 games and a rock crawling exhibition. Rock crawling entrance fee is $100.00 - hopefully people can get sponsors to pay for this. The event will cost $65.00 for Saturday and Sunday runs which includes a shirt and a dash plaque. If you choose to volunteer you get a $25.00 discount and get a staff and an event shirt. $40.00 of the registration cost is tax deductible. There will be TV coverage for this event. If you are interested in being a sponsor or know of anyone who would like to sponsor let Sandee know.
May 19 - 20, 2001- Cherry Creek - Young Highway- lead by John Tash. More information next month.
June 9 - 16, 2001 MOAB with Babcock, Couch, Nixon, and Tutor Families. More information to come as the event gets closer.
10 minute break- several members took this time to pay $40.00 for their yearly dues. If you have not had the opportunity to pay your dues- please sent them to:
Ed Lyons
936 E. Wesleyan Dr.
Tempe, AZ 85282
There will be an important meeting on Thursday, February 15, 2001 at 10203 E. McDowell Mountain Road. This meeting is being held by State Trust Land Dept. regarding land near Dynamite Rd and Pima Road. The State is getting pressure from the City of Scottsdale to close the area and mark it preserves. We need as many warm bodies at the meeting to show our dislike for closing more of the publics land.
Vice President Marty Boetel is forming a calling chain so that we can get information to our members when there is last minute information to share. If you are interested please contact Marty at 480-926-3977.
New members were voted in: Todd and Danielle Gleason, Tim Kennedy, James Smith, and Scott and Barbara Blattenberger.
A motion was made by Ron Couch for the meeting to be adjourned and was seconded. Meeting was adjourned.
Respectfully submitted,
Becky Babcock
Trip Report: Miners Revenge
by Linda Luik
Participants (signed in):
Arizona Lo-Rangers: Jay Kopycinski, Charlie Babcock, Scott Nixon,
Sean Murphy, Steve Graham, Bob Treton, Tim Kennedy, Matt Parks,
Linda Luik (trip leader)
Tucson Rough Riders: Jeremy Stein, Chad Kutkowski, Jess Hamilton,
Tim Naylor
Earnhardt No-Bull 4x4 Club: John Halvorsen, Mark & Lelia
Underwood, Steve & Dawn Newinan
Arizona Land Cruisers Assoc: Jim Spindler
Arizona Virtual Jeep Club: Doug Ballard, Michael Schwiring(?),
Chris Richardson
A bunch of kids and dogs.
First of all, thanks for putting up with the trip delay. A little
dental surgery forced me to reschedule this trail ride.
Most of the participants met at the Texaco on US60 near Florence
Junction. I accidently put out two different meeting times so our
start to the trailhead was slightly delayed. It worked out since
the folks
from Tucson were a bit late. Several of the 4x4 were towed to the
trailhead. The dirt road to the trailhead had a few good washouts
that were deep enough to capture 33" tires, but the trailers
survived the trip.
After airing down and
introductions we headed for the trailhead. The first vehicle fix
occurred before we got to the rocks. Jess blew a u-joint on his
highly modified Jeep Wagoneer. Since he was near the back and was
familiar with the trail, the rest of the group was not delayed. I
asked that the drivers take a look at the start of the trail to
help them decide the route they wanted to take. The MR trail
starts out with an alternate 2-stage waterfall that takes a lot
of guts to descend. We all opted for the bypass. I started down
the trail with Steve spotting me most of the way. It took a bit
of time to get all the vehicles on the trail. Minor/major
hangups, a few small repairs, a couple of drivers trying
alternate routes kept the group on the downhill section of the
trail until 2:00pm. Not bad for a group this size! Everybody was
in good spirits.
One vehicle bugged out at the escape route after deciding that they wanted off the trail before dark. They took off to find a fording point across the Gila River. Hope they didn't get lost!
We regrouped and headed toward the
waterfall. I had hiked the trail a few weeks earlier and knew
that we wouldn't have too many problems. The monsoons had moved
enough sand to bury the rock garden between the squeezes and the
waterfall. It was a super highway. Most of the vehicles went
through the Virgin's Regret, an obstacle with a tight entrance
and exit routes that, last year, were almost impossible to
traverse. On this trail ride, with the sand level up about 3
feet, they were not a
problem. Two vehicles opted for Charmin' Rock and going over the
small rock barrier. There was a row of boulders that had to be
crossed to get to the waterfall.
We made it to the waterfall around
2:30pm. I promised that the group would be off the trail no later
than 5:00pm so we had 2-1/2 hours to get everyone up the
waterfall. In the trip description I had made the
comment that I thought someone would be able to make it up the
waterfall
without a winch. Of course, many of us had to try it and see if
they would be the first. It made for some good shows! The
waterfall was flowing pretty good. The sand at the bottom of the
fall was very wet and each vehicle added wet sand to the face of
the waterfall. The kids assisted by rerouting the water so that
it was flowing right in the tire
tracks. Needless to say, no one made it without winch assistance!
This is the obstacle the gives the trail its rating.
The hill climb after the waterfall
was a little more packed since the last time I was on the trail,
but even still one Jeep got sucked into a washout next to the
trail and had to be winched back on. Another vehicle, the last
one up the hill, somehow slid to the right side and did a slow
roll back to the canyon floor. No one was hurt, but they were a
little shook up. Having a hill between the trip leader and the
accident made for some worrisome moments, especially since most
of the 4x4s had already left. There was enough help at the tail
end that everything
turned out okay. The ragtop was the only thing damaged. The last
4x4 was off the trail around 6:30pm.
Charlie Babcock, Scott Nixon,
Steve Graham and I set up camp and enjoyed
a nice cool evening under the stars. We left Sunday morning after
eating breakfast.
I hope everyone had a good time. Thanks for coming out.
Editors Corner
I wonder sometimes where they get my address. Oh, I know that almost every business sells their customer database for profit. The catalogs for truck accessories, camping supplies, and tools are to be expected. What I wonder is where the environmentalist groups got my address from.
If I'm bored I'll actually open them up and read them. Sometimes they throw in a dozen or so pre-printed address labels. Their little logo tears, and they make paying bills just a little easier. Mostly though, they are manipulative surveys that ask leading questions about my concern for the destruction of our National Forests, leading gracefully to a plea for money.
Finally, last week I reached the breaking point. After reading a two-page tear jerker about how our forests were being destroyed by logging, I decided to do something. Sure, the events of last summer would lead most reasonable people to conclude our forests are over grown tinder boxes that could use a touch of logging; but these people thought differently.
Fine, I thought. If they fear we are running short on logs in our forests I'll send them one. They were nice enough to include a postage paid envelope, so I sent them a nice thick brown log. My cat won't miss it, he cranks 'em out on a regular basis.
Scott Nixon,
Editor
Calendar of Events
February 15: Public hearing
regarding land Northeast of Pima and Dynamite. If this land
becomes a preserve, it will not only lock out lots of Mountain
Bikers and Motorcross people, it makes the land next to it that
we use all the easier to shut down as well. 500
"greenies" are expected! Cafeteria of Desert Canyon
Middle School in Scottsdale, 10203 E. McDowell Mountain Ranch Rd
at 6PM.
February 17: Mud Springs adopt-a-trail run. Meet at intersection of Bush and Beeline highways at 9AM. Trip leader is Scott Nixon. See elsewhere for trail description.
February 18: Predator and Terminator. Trip leader is Dave Hickman.
February 28: Monthly club meeting, 7pm at Peter Piper Pizza, NorthEast corner of Alma School and Elliot.
March 3: Needle Rock. Trip leader is Marty Boetel. Details in next issue.
March 16, 17, and 18: Copperstate 4-Wheelers 13th annual treasure hunt. Call Brad Jones at 480-897-2116 for details.
March 17 and 18: Hot Well Dunes recreation area near Safford. Come run the dunes and then relax in a natural hot springs tub. Trip leader is Sandy McCullen.
March 29 and 31: 2nd annual Lave Havasu Desert Run.
March 30 and 31, April 1: ASA4WDC Convention. Volunteers for Show-Me Run needed!
April 27, 28, and 29. MDA/ASA Jamboree. See Wheel Dust for details and registration form.
May 19 and 20: Cherry Creek. Trip leader is John Tash. Trail details after prerun.
June 9-16: MOAB! Start planning now, because you can't say we didn't warn you!
Trail description: Mud Springs
Trail rating: 3.0-4.0+
For a good description of this trail, including some top-notch color pictures pick up (or just thumb through at the grocery store) this months issue of "Off-Road" Magazine. Our very own Jay Kopycinski has an article in it covering the trail.
This is our adopt-a-trail, so bring gloves and bags for picking up trash. Most trash is usually at the start of the trail. Any stock vehicle can make it half way in to the first good obstacle. Once there you can turn around on your own or park and grab a ride with someone willing to tackle the big hill. We come out the same way we go in.
Two years ago the big hill was a 3.5. Last year it was a 4.0. This year is anybody's guess. After the hill is a long downhill boulder field, a loose hill, and a couple of washes. We usually eat lunch at the cabin and then head back out.
Hope to see you there!
Newsletter Cover Photo
This month's cover photo is Mike Tutor in his big Bronco and Charlie Babcok in his one ton Blazer performing a tow strap integrity test at this year's Christmas party. Thanks Steve Graham!
Joke of the month
Don't ask me, I found it on the Internet!