Tip Top 4/19/09

[datrupr]

So the back story.

I have a friend at work that bought a 2008 JK Sahara last year with the intent of taking it off road. Since he has never driven off road before he was a little scared to go by himself, and didn't really know anyone that did any off road road travelling. Now, when we met and started to get to know each other I had already gotten rid of the Trooper. Now, with my recent aquisition of the Monty, that has all changed now.

Since I am a bit of a sentimental guy, and my first ever trip with any ExPo members was to Tip Top, I decided to go again. That, and I love the history and the area. So, with out further ado, some pics of the trip.

The spring flowers were in bloom, it was beautiful:

As you can see, they were of all colors, they were beautiful:

Even the Ocotillos were in bloom:

Does anybody know what this plant is? I think it's very pretty:

We had to turn at the old corral:

More to come

 

[datrupr]

More of the trip

The views were breath taking:

Started with a few Suguaros; can you spot the Monty?:

Then, all of a sudden, they were everywhere:

A shot of the trucks during a short hike/break:

We got to Tip Top with no troubles, it was time for lunch.

Lunch at the wellhouse of the town of Tip Top:

After lunch, a quick hike up to one of the 16 mines in the immedeate area. A ventilation shaft:

The main shaft for the mine:

It was very tempting, but since it is a vertical shaft, and we had no climbing gear with us, we didn't go down; as much as we wanted to.

More to come in the next post.

 

[datrupr]

We had to cross Cottonwood Creek. Only a little water in the creek:

Bryan negotiating an obstacle with no troubles:

Who says IFS doesn't flex?:

And IRS nay sayers? Jacki says "no sweat!":

Not to bad for stock suspension. And with the suspension on its own sub-frame, there was no flex in the unibody. Almost like a body on frame truck.

And of course we had to cross the Agua Fria River; not a problem as it was only 8" deep. The people sitting on a rock smoking in the middle of the river got a kick of us going back across, and had front row seats for the third crossing of the afternoon. We had to give them a show. They were out of frame off to the left of the picture, They loved it.

Trying to clean the Monty a little bit:

Bryan having some fun in the water:

All in all, it was a great day and I loved being back out in the dirt on an adventure again. The Monty was happy to be in the environment it was bred for. It performed flawlessly. And Bryan even gained a lot of confidence on the way out and the overland bug has bit him. He now wants to upgrade the JK and do more trips. Hopefully he will join this forum as he has a lot of questions, and I told him all of those questions could be answered here.

 

[Backwoods Rambler]

Nice report and great photos. Good work also on "hooking" a new member.

 

[FurthurOnTheFly]

Looks like you had a great time out there! I hope to make the next trip!

 

[datrupr]

It was a blast! Sorry you couldn't make this one. I did send you an email for the May Disabled Explorers outing. But I have not heard back from you.

 

[flyingwil]

Nice report!!! Looks like fun!

 

[FurthurOnTheFly]

It was a blast! Sorry you couldn't make this one. I did send you an email for the May Disabled Explorers outing. But I have not heard back from you.

You did? I haven't seen anything? There are going to be some changes to that anyway..........