Big50
Adventurer
I've been fortunate to become friends with a group of guys who founded Raptor Expeditions and now a play a small part in their future success. For those of you who aren't familiar with Raptor Expeditions, the company was founded in 2011 to draw Ford Raptor owners out of the urban jungle and into the Raptor's natural habitat, and to do it in a safe, enjoyable and exciting way. 14+ "Raptor Runs" were successfully completed in 2011 and 2012. Expeditions typically covered anywhere from 350 all the way up to 800+ miles for the more extreme "Runs" in 2 days.
In 2013 operations were put on hold while the direction of the company was redirected. We've now created a club similar to many Jeep & Toyota clubs where we get together for trips here in the US. We've also expanded into Baja, where we offer fully preran and supported expeditions.
Anyhow, below is a write up for one of our first club trips dubbed the "Carson 500". I hope you guys enjoy.
---
I hope I didn't miss any of the major details but so much happens when you're covering over 500 off-road miles in 2 days that it can become a blur at times. To begin...our adventure started 7AM Saturday at the Del Taco Parking lot in Carson City...
After arriving, everyone introduced themselves and began finishing the final touches of truck prep for the trail. Around 7:50 we (RE Crew) gathered everyone for a quick drivers meeting. After which, we all headed for our trucks as Matt (RSV-4) got a few fly over shots with the drone we've nicknamed the “Mesquito”. We then departed for the trail head.
IMG_4526 by Big5050, on Flickr
IMG_0433
We lined the trucks up and began sending drivers on their way in 1 minute intervals. This was to ensure we aren't driving in each others dust all day and allows us to keep a solid pace. This would not be possible without the required GPS and a VHF radio.
We made quick work of the first section of trail and began climbing into the mountains. We slowed the pace down quite a bit here due to the possibility of oncoming traffic. Apparently, we should have slowed it down even more as a local did give a couple of our drivers an earful. He was probably more surprised at how many trucks were on “his” mountain but it is important to be mindful of others while on the trail. After 30 minutes we began making our way out of the mountains.
IMG_0441 by Big5050, on Flickr
IMG_0440 by Big5050, on Flickr
Once we were out of the mountains the group was able to pick up the pace again and we began booking it towards Fallon. All was going well until we got a call from Glenn over the radio. He'd hit a rather large rock in the trail which had fooled the truck into thinking the airbags had deployed. After closer inspection it seemed the rock hadn't done any major damage other than messing up Glenn's alignment. Shortly after we reached the end of this trail where we all gathered. I was able to grab a couple shots as everyone pulled up.
IMG_0451 by Big5050, on Flickr
IMG_0454 by Big5050, on Flickr
IMG_0455 by Big5050, on Flickr
IMG_0464 by Big5050, on Flickr
IMG_0470 by Big5050, on Flickr
IMG_0474 by Big5050, on Flickr
We then hit the next section of trail which is the perfect “Raptor Road”. It has a nice section of rough terrain, and whoops which is perfectly suited for the Raptor. This section really allowed the Raptor suspension to shine. There's even a little jump if you are able to get enough speed.
photo 1 by Big5050, on Flickr
The Mesquito catching some fly by shots.
photo 3 by Big5050, on Flickr
After we made quick work of the trail we all gathered, as drivers pulled up it was great to see the smiles on everyones faces. I believe Jake (who drove all the way from Washington) said he was grinning from ear to ear as they took this section.
Once we'd all gathered, (takes a while when you have 17 trucks spread out over 10 miles) we headed into Fallen for lunch and to top off our tanks. This would be an important gas stop as it would be 200 miles until the next. This put us right at the limit of the Scabs.
After everyone had a chance to grab a bite to eat, we quickly headed out since we still had a lot of miles to cover (approx. 210). After making quick work of the first section of trail it quickly deteriorated into long rolling whoops with lots of embedded rocks. RSV-1 was able to make quick work of this section.
IMG_0443 by Big5050, on Flickr
The majority of us mortals had to keep their pace to around 20 mph to not damage their trucks. There were a few guys like Randy and Jim who were able to push it much faster due to their heavily modified rigs.
The trail eventually began to get better and we were able to pick up the pace. The next section was a lot of fun as it had a lot of rolling hills. Only tough parts was that there were a lot of washouts everyone had to keep an eye out for. The hills also caused transmission temps to soar for many.
IMG_0485 by Big5050, on Flickr
After the hills the trail opened up into what I like to call an “Offroad Highway”.
IMG_0489 by Big5050, on Flickr
There is a mining operation that semi's need access to so the road is roughly 3 cars wide and is well graded. This section of trail was roughly 30-40 miles. As you can imagine, we made very quick work of this section :biggrin:
After twisting our way north we began to approach Berlin Ichthyosaur State Park. This place is pretty neat as it's both a well preserved Ghost town and archeological site where they found several well preserved ichthyosaur fossils in the 1970's. We didn't have to explore the fossil site but everyone took the opportunity to explore the old town which had been a silver mine in the 1860's.
IMG_0504 by Big5050, on Flickr
IMG_0508 by Big5050, on Flickr
IMG_0510 by Big5050, on Flickr
IMG_0498 by Big5050, on Flickr
IMG_0500 by Big5050, on Flickr
IMG_0501 by Big5050, on Flickr
We were so spread out that we had trucks flowing in for 30-40 minutes.
IMG_0507 by Big5050, on Flickr
photo 3 by Big5050, on Flickr
photo 2 by Big5050, on Flickr
Couple of us were wondering how much this would fetch at a scrap yard.
photo 4 by Big5050, on Flickr
Here's the link to the rest of the adventure http://www.raptorexpeditions.com/carson-500-tripreort/
In 2013 operations were put on hold while the direction of the company was redirected. We've now created a club similar to many Jeep & Toyota clubs where we get together for trips here in the US. We've also expanded into Baja, where we offer fully preran and supported expeditions.
Anyhow, below is a write up for one of our first club trips dubbed the "Carson 500". I hope you guys enjoy.
---
I hope I didn't miss any of the major details but so much happens when you're covering over 500 off-road miles in 2 days that it can become a blur at times. To begin...our adventure started 7AM Saturday at the Del Taco Parking lot in Carson City...
After arriving, everyone introduced themselves and began finishing the final touches of truck prep for the trail. Around 7:50 we (RE Crew) gathered everyone for a quick drivers meeting. After which, we all headed for our trucks as Matt (RSV-4) got a few fly over shots with the drone we've nicknamed the “Mesquito”. We then departed for the trail head.
IMG_4526 by Big5050, on Flickr
IMG_0433 We lined the trucks up and began sending drivers on their way in 1 minute intervals. This was to ensure we aren't driving in each others dust all day and allows us to keep a solid pace. This would not be possible without the required GPS and a VHF radio.
We made quick work of the first section of trail and began climbing into the mountains. We slowed the pace down quite a bit here due to the possibility of oncoming traffic. Apparently, we should have slowed it down even more as a local did give a couple of our drivers an earful. He was probably more surprised at how many trucks were on “his” mountain but it is important to be mindful of others while on the trail. After 30 minutes we began making our way out of the mountains.
IMG_0441 by Big5050, on Flickr
IMG_0440 by Big5050, on FlickrOnce we were out of the mountains the group was able to pick up the pace again and we began booking it towards Fallon. All was going well until we got a call from Glenn over the radio. He'd hit a rather large rock in the trail which had fooled the truck into thinking the airbags had deployed. After closer inspection it seemed the rock hadn't done any major damage other than messing up Glenn's alignment. Shortly after we reached the end of this trail where we all gathered. I was able to grab a couple shots as everyone pulled up.
IMG_0451 by Big5050, on Flickr
IMG_0454 by Big5050, on Flickr
IMG_0455 by Big5050, on Flickr
IMG_0464 by Big5050, on Flickr
IMG_0470 by Big5050, on Flickr
IMG_0474 by Big5050, on FlickrWe then hit the next section of trail which is the perfect “Raptor Road”. It has a nice section of rough terrain, and whoops which is perfectly suited for the Raptor. This section really allowed the Raptor suspension to shine. There's even a little jump if you are able to get enough speed.
photo 1 by Big5050, on FlickrThe Mesquito catching some fly by shots.
photo 3 by Big5050, on FlickrAfter we made quick work of the trail we all gathered, as drivers pulled up it was great to see the smiles on everyones faces. I believe Jake (who drove all the way from Washington) said he was grinning from ear to ear as they took this section.
Once we'd all gathered, (takes a while when you have 17 trucks spread out over 10 miles) we headed into Fallen for lunch and to top off our tanks. This would be an important gas stop as it would be 200 miles until the next. This put us right at the limit of the Scabs.
After everyone had a chance to grab a bite to eat, we quickly headed out since we still had a lot of miles to cover (approx. 210). After making quick work of the first section of trail it quickly deteriorated into long rolling whoops with lots of embedded rocks. RSV-1 was able to make quick work of this section.
IMG_0443 by Big5050, on FlickrThe majority of us mortals had to keep their pace to around 20 mph to not damage their trucks. There were a few guys like Randy and Jim who were able to push it much faster due to their heavily modified rigs.
The trail eventually began to get better and we were able to pick up the pace. The next section was a lot of fun as it had a lot of rolling hills. Only tough parts was that there were a lot of washouts everyone had to keep an eye out for. The hills also caused transmission temps to soar for many.
IMG_0485 by Big5050, on FlickrAfter the hills the trail opened up into what I like to call an “Offroad Highway”.
IMG_0489 by Big5050, on FlickrThere is a mining operation that semi's need access to so the road is roughly 3 cars wide and is well graded. This section of trail was roughly 30-40 miles. As you can imagine, we made very quick work of this section :biggrin:
After twisting our way north we began to approach Berlin Ichthyosaur State Park. This place is pretty neat as it's both a well preserved Ghost town and archeological site where they found several well preserved ichthyosaur fossils in the 1970's. We didn't have to explore the fossil site but everyone took the opportunity to explore the old town which had been a silver mine in the 1860's.
IMG_0504 by Big5050, on Flickr
IMG_0508 by Big5050, on Flickr
IMG_0510 by Big5050, on Flickr
IMG_0498 by Big5050, on Flickr
IMG_0500 by Big5050, on Flickr
IMG_0501 by Big5050, on FlickrWe were so spread out that we had trucks flowing in for 30-40 minutes.
IMG_0507 by Big5050, on Flickr
photo 3 by Big5050, on Flickr
photo 2 by Big5050, on FlickrCouple of us were wondering how much this would fetch at a scrap yard.
photo 4 by Big5050, on FlickrHere's the link to the rest of the adventure http://www.raptorexpeditions.com/carson-500-tripreort/
Last edited:
