The Calvary 4Wheelers hit Spring Creek again this year. Lots of nice people out on the trail, and we ran into some folks from Mile High again (nice Scrambler, by the way!). Normally trail damage is limited to someone breaking a bead, tearing a sidewall, or busting the occasional u-joint or drive shaft - BUT NOT THIS DAY. Despite the absolutely beautiful weather and conditions, we saw more people tear up their junk before dinner than I ever thought I'd see in an entire season of wheeling!
The first serious carnage happened at The Wall. One of our cardinal rules of having one spotter (chosen by the driver) was broken, and we had like 2 or 3 people trying to give advice. As a result, Brian landed his XJ on its side. Fortunately he had spare u-joints, so he was able to get off the trail (but no spare rear passenger door/glass):
The next one was just spooky. Josh had practically conquered The Wall when his engine stalled. He started it back up to nudge himself up the final couple of inches, when all of a sudden he slipped out of gear. The rpm's went WAY up (I still can't believe he didn't throw a rod) and he went FLYING back down that hill so fast. . .we're just glad that tree was there, and that he didn't break his neck:
Right before the next obstacle, James' steering started acting up. One look underneath, and the problem was revealed - amazing how those steering box bolts will work themselves loose:
I didn't see the next one, but I heard from Bill that one of the guys that got stuck behind our large group, who had been pretty patient with us most of the day, decided to start making his way around everyone because he had to get to work - he got a little careless, and ended up on his top:
Not long after that I ended up hitting my tie rod (something which has become so cliche' since I got my "low steer" setup from ORO - though this time it probably kept me from bending the axle housing). Josh made a spot I got hung up on last year look SO easy. . .so without getting out, or taking a spot, I figured I'd take it on (we were done with tough part on the Rock Garden anyway, right?):
BUT THAT'S NOT ALL. James and Bill, after locating some steering box bolts, still had to head up the mountain to get James' XJ. On the way back down, in a rush to get to Beau Jo's, someone took a VERY BAD LINE:
Needless to say, though certainly not the toughest trail we've done, it was by far the most costly. Fortunately, other than some minor whiplash and damaged pride, the drivers were remarkably unscathed. It was a wake-up call to all of us, that's for sure. Never rush through a trail, plan your lines carefully, and have a single trusted spotter. If you don't feel safe doing something, there's no shame in taking a strap or backing off altogether.
Originally Posted by Snotty
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