HenryJ
Expedition Leader
The plan is to spend the day exploring, tent camp the night and return the next day.
We will be meeting at the intersection of Hwy 95, Hwy 55, and Bunt Rock Rd.
N43* 32.697' W116* 51.110' There is an old scale there and an area to pull out in the Southeast corner of that intersection.
We will decide the trails as a group. There is an old highway just south of there leading to a 4wd trail that looks good. I have loaded waypoints for a mine reported to sparkle with quartz and also many of the area Geocaches. I can email the file for anyone who can use .wpt files.
This is desert. Bring plenty of water. There may be fire restrictions posted, so stove cooking may be needed. As of this time I have found no restrictions.
This is a list of local repeaters The "84" repeater is linked to a couple others on the weekends and is a good one for contacts.
From 4wdtrips.net freqs for simplex:
4WD 1 146.430
4WD 2 146.460
4WD 3 146.490
4WD 4 146.580
4WD 5 147.420
4WD 6 147.450
4WD 7 147.480
4WD 8 147.540
4WD 9 147.570
I will start the 2m on 4WD 2 and move down the list to find a clear channel if needed. We also carry FRS we run FRS channel 1 privacy 4. and CB channel 4 if needed. There may even be cell coverage up on the tops.
It has been a wet spring. I expect to run into more road damage than what may be "normal". Recovery points front and rear would be a very good idea, but we will find another way if anyone feels uncomfortable. Stock vehicles are welcome.
I like to share as much as I can and the news of the Mormon Cricket plague started some thoughts of the biological hazards that may be encountered on this trip.
The mormon cricket hatch has begun and hwy 95 has some very dangerous conditions. They are in such numbers that it is like driving on a sheet of ice. Extreme caution will be used when encountering the swarms on roadways.
According to our medical director, Lake Lowell is not far away and has had confirmed cases of west nile virus. With the wet spring comes the ticks as well. The area is grazing land , so cattle as well as deer, elk and antelope are prevalent. The tiny tick that carries lyme disease tends to feed and drop off. It is about the size of a pin head. Afterward a rash may be present. The larger tick , that we here are used to seeing , may carry rocky mountain spotted fever. It tends to bite and gorge. That is the type you will find hanging on. Ticks tend to go to the tops of vegetation and wait for a ride/meal.
This year vegetation is taller and more abundant than usual.
What can we do to protect ourselves? DEET. That helps for the mosquitos and ticks. Clothing that is tight at the sleeves and ankles is a good idea. lighter colors make the critters easier to see and can be cooler, since overheating is a big concern as well.
Snakes will be around. They are more afraid of us than we are of them in most cases. Make noise when you walk so they have a chance to avoid you. There are quite a few rattle snakes this year from what I have seen thus far.
Don't put your hands or feet where you can't see them and avoid heavy contact with the vegetation.
Just some thoughts.
I know that this is probably futile as there are no others in this area, but still I thought I'd cross post this here too.
Planning to meet 8:00 am MDT at the intersection of hwy 95 and hwy 55
We will be monitoring the 146.840 repeater and have cell phones on. My truck is pretty easy to pick out-
Anybody is welcome to join the day trip.
We will be meeting at the intersection of Hwy 95, Hwy 55, and Bunt Rock Rd.
N43* 32.697' W116* 51.110' There is an old scale there and an area to pull out in the Southeast corner of that intersection.
We will decide the trails as a group. There is an old highway just south of there leading to a 4wd trail that looks good. I have loaded waypoints for a mine reported to sparkle with quartz and also many of the area Geocaches. I can email the file for anyone who can use .wpt files.
This is desert. Bring plenty of water. There may be fire restrictions posted, so stove cooking may be needed. As of this time I have found no restrictions.
This is a list of local repeaters The "84" repeater is linked to a couple others on the weekends and is a good one for contacts.
From 4wdtrips.net freqs for simplex:
4WD 1 146.430
4WD 2 146.460
4WD 3 146.490
4WD 4 146.580
4WD 5 147.420
4WD 6 147.450
4WD 7 147.480
4WD 8 147.540
4WD 9 147.570
I will start the 2m on 4WD 2 and move down the list to find a clear channel if needed. We also carry FRS we run FRS channel 1 privacy 4. and CB channel 4 if needed. There may even be cell coverage up on the tops.
It has been a wet spring. I expect to run into more road damage than what may be "normal". Recovery points front and rear would be a very good idea, but we will find another way if anyone feels uncomfortable. Stock vehicles are welcome.
I like to share as much as I can and the news of the Mormon Cricket plague started some thoughts of the biological hazards that may be encountered on this trip.
The mormon cricket hatch has begun and hwy 95 has some very dangerous conditions. They are in such numbers that it is like driving on a sheet of ice. Extreme caution will be used when encountering the swarms on roadways.
According to our medical director, Lake Lowell is not far away and has had confirmed cases of west nile virus. With the wet spring comes the ticks as well. The area is grazing land , so cattle as well as deer, elk and antelope are prevalent. The tiny tick that carries lyme disease tends to feed and drop off. It is about the size of a pin head. Afterward a rash may be present. The larger tick , that we here are used to seeing , may carry rocky mountain spotted fever. It tends to bite and gorge. That is the type you will find hanging on. Ticks tend to go to the tops of vegetation and wait for a ride/meal.
This year vegetation is taller and more abundant than usual.
What can we do to protect ourselves? DEET. That helps for the mosquitos and ticks. Clothing that is tight at the sleeves and ankles is a good idea. lighter colors make the critters easier to see and can be cooler, since overheating is a big concern as well.
Snakes will be around. They are more afraid of us than we are of them in most cases. Make noise when you walk so they have a chance to avoid you. There are quite a few rattle snakes this year from what I have seen thus far.
Don't put your hands or feet where you can't see them and avoid heavy contact with the vegetation.
Just some thoughts.
I know that this is probably futile as there are no others in this area, but still I thought I'd cross post this here too.
Planning to meet 8:00 am MDT at the intersection of hwy 95 and hwy 55
We will be monitoring the 146.840 repeater and have cell phones on. My truck is pretty easy to pick out-
Anybody is welcome to join the day trip.
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Looks like a wonderful adventure. Just not in the cards this year though. I will watch the trip from here