Trial by Fire- FIDO expeditions gets underway-Snoverland Expo!!

[yabanja]

Day 7: Heading North-House Rock Road for the second time on this trip!

Day 7:May 19th

We woke up to sunshine two days in a row. Woot Woot!!! View of the carnage inside FIDO:

Our lovely campsite in the pines: We had no more need for the cooler(what with the new Engel) but ended up carrying it for the rest of the trip because we couldn't bring ourselves to get rid of it.

The goal today was to get ourselves north of the Colorado river. This would be the last big mileage pavement day for a while and I was looking forward to having it behind me.

We stopped at the Marble Canyon overlook to stretch our legs. The river was the most beautiful I had seen! Usually it is brown.

We bumped into this guy there who was admiring FIDO. I was admiring his home cooked solar shower. It was made of pvc tubing with a valve stem and a kitchen sink sprayer with a disconnect. When not in use the sink sprayer slides inside for storage. When ready to use he pumps it up via the schraeder valve for pressurized water. The sun provides the heat. I though it was sweet.

Our destination for the evening was the House Rock Road-the same road with the stuck Prius I had camped on on the way down. This time we were going to access it from the south. It was also listed as a Major highway on our new map.

As soon as I pulled off the pavement I pulled over to air down. A couple Jeeps with off road camp trailers stopped to ask if we were ok-I said, yup just airing down. They cruised down the road. I am sure they were from the expo.

Sakshi used the opportunity to take some artsy photos:

We finished airing down and headed up the road. Just over the next rise the Jeeps were stopped and airing down. Sakshi wanted me to pull over so she could jokingly ask if they were ok. I slowed down, but they all hid on the far sides of their vehicles and wouldn't make eye contact. I wish they would have said hi or stopped to air down with us-we don't bite! I was curious about their vehicles, where they were from, etc..... Be social people!!!

Anyways....

Camp spots off the road are limited and they were all full until....we ended up camping at the exact spot I had camped at on the way down.

We took a nice walk in the desert that evening and enjoyed each other's company.



Day 7 Miles Paved:139 Dirt:28

 

[Curtis in Texas]

Enjoying the write up. Would you tell us how to pronounce your wife's name? Every time I read her name I pronounce it different in my head.
I dabble in French, Italian , Spanish and Korean. BUT have yet to be able to figure out the pronunciation.

Been trying get to get the wife to go there with me once I get my off road tear drop built. Your pictures will help me explain the beauty of that area,

 

[yabanja]

Sure! Sakshi is pronounced Sock-She.

I haven't even gotten to the pretty part yet!! Stay tuned.....

Allan

 

[Curtis in Texas]

Thank you Allan. My brain thanks you!

My brothers name is Alan. Small world.

I've done the North Rim before, when I was single, many years ago. SIL lives near there in Sedona. But she's a cocktails and lace kind of girl, so she's never been outside the Country Club.

Looking forward to the rest of the story.

 

[yabanja]

Day 8: The Buckskin and Toroweap

May 20th: Day 8

We woke up and discussed what the plan was over breakfast. It was my Mom and Pops 30th anniversary, and they had hiked the Buckskin for their honeymoon the day after they got married. We were just 5 miles away and decided that a day hike there was in order. We did a quick pack up and hit the road. I think we were the only ones at the trailhead from the US.(Most of us anyways ;-)) It always surprises me how few Americans I run into at all the coolest places. Too busy watching tv I guess.

We hit the trail, and I was very excited as I hadn't been here before but had heard so much about it. Unfortunately, the choke stone about a half mile into the narrows was a big drop and we were concerned it might be a one way trip so we had to turn around. At least I got a taste of it and will definitely be back for the full hike later.

We then drove up to Highway 89 and cruised into Kanab to top off on Fuel and Water. After that we headed southwest out of Fredonia to the Antelope Valley road which is the access point for Toroweap at the North Rim of the Grand Canyon.(another dirt road listed as a major Highway in our new Delorme map book) Our Destination for the evening would be Hack Canyon.



Sakshi was thrilled to get some more seat time in FIDO as evidenced by the Huge smile on her face.

The Antelope Valley road was lovely with giant valleys of red blooming flowers:

We turned West down the Hack Canyon Road and it was absolutely stunning:

We found a nice Dispersed camp spot and set up a cozy camp for the night.

Day 8 Miles Paved:53.3 Dirt:38

 

[yabanja]

Day 9: Toroweap Day Trip

May 21st: Day 9

The ranger in Kanab had told us that the Toroweap campground was on a 4 month waiting list. (we spoke with people later who got in on a cancellation) We decided to do a day trip, and that it would be nice to be social and all ride in one car. So we left FIDO at camp for the day and all piled into the 4Runner for the 76 mile round trip to Toroweap.

It was well worth the trip as I had never been there and the view of Lava Falls was lovely. It is the largest rapid in the canyon I believe, and looked it. When you are looking down nearly 5 thousand feet and a couple of miles away and it still looks big.....it must be huge. I had just finished reading "The Emerald Mile" about the fastest boat trip through the Grand Canyon and it had really sparked my imagination. If you get a chance it is a must read.

John stretching the legs of his 4Runner. I am always so impressed with the capability and comfort of these trucks. If you factor in the legendary Toyota reliability they are really a no brainer.

It was really windy at the rim, and we were glad we had chosen to stay in Hack Canyon so that Mom and Pop's tent wouldn't blow away.
The site was Sakshi approved.

We went for a lovely evening exploration hike into Hack Canyon:

After having a nice meal with a bottle of champaign(christening the launch of FIDO and Mom and Pops 30th anniversary....but really who needs an excuse?), we hunkered down for the evening.

Day 9 Miles Paved:0 Dirt:76

 

[yabanja]

Days 10 & 11: Indian Hollow Campground

May 22nd & 23rd: Days 10 & 11

Sakshi's Flight out of Flagstaff was coming up so we though we would amble in that direction. We broke camp early and started heading out of Hack canyon. Here is my first attempt at video. It is horrible. Don't watch if you are prone to seizures. I promise they will improve as the trip goes on.

[video=vimeo;129831351]https://vimeo.com/129831351[/video]

We stopped in Fredonia for supplies and Refuel and headed down Highway 22 back towards the North Rim. Our destination was Pop's favorite campground at Indian Hollow. It is a three spot campground which is first come first serve. There is no fee, and it is only a quarter mile from the rim. It was Memorial day weekend and we figured it would be full, but there wasn't anyone there and we had it all to ourselves. There is also a trailhead here to enter the canyon. The rain had set in again in earnest. We set up camp, and walked to the rim for a view. It was cold and wet but lovely:

The rain continued and we decided to lay low at Indian Hollow the next day as well. We went for a little day hike on the second day and found someone's food bag open and strewn towards the cliff on the downhill side of the trail....weird. We notified the ranger. Best case someone was hiking without their food.....worst case????

Our camp spot at Indian Hollow:

And another view from the rim:

Days 10 & 11 mileage Paved:29 Dirt: 46

 

[yabanja]

Day 12: Parting Ways/Mudarama

May 24th: Day 12

We were into our third day in a row of constant heavy rain. The time had come to part ways. Sakshi's flight out of Flagstaff back home to Salt Lake City was this afternoon at 2:00. Mom and Pops packed all their gear-it was one of those it is all wet so throw it all in the roof box to sort out when we get home sort of pack ups. Such a stark contrast to the normally almost tedious precision that goes into packing everything into it's perfect place. I was really appreciating having the shelter of FIDO at this point. Because it was the first trip we still had a lot of organizing to do, but I can see how nice it will be to get up, push a button to lower the top and go. So much less time fussing. This will be especially handy for long term travel as such a high proportion of the day can be wasted packing and unpacking.

It was with a heavy heart that I hugged my Sweety, Mom, and Pops and waved goodbye as they drove up the road. From here on out my trip would be solo. I didn't have to be back to Salt Lake City till the 1st of June which meant that I had 8 days to travel the distance that I had travelled in 1 on the way down.

Adventure time!!!

I packed up Fido and hit the road. Three days of pouring rain had taken their toll on the roads and it was highly saturated mud. My favorite.

I decided to take in some of the sights prior to beginning my trek to the north so I drove to Memorial Point which is the start of the Bill Hall trail:

I then decided to stop by Crazy Jug point. It was very muddy with deep puddles. As I drove up to the point there were a bunch of people around and they all turned to look at FIDO as though I were an alien invasion. They were stranded. One guy was in a motorhome and asked if I though he could get out. I said no way. Better to camp where he was than camp in the middle of the road a few hundred feet down the way! I took in the view then headed down the road.

I meandered around the area and found mud puddles 2-3 feet deep. Unfortunately because I was flying solo I didn't get to photograph as I was too busy driving. I experienced my only failure in FIDO of the trip! Apparently I submerged the solenoid for the roof hydraulic pump and the next time I used it it stuck on. I had to think quickly before the motor burned out. I rested my shovel on the top lowering switch to hold it on and release the pressure then disconnected the top motor from the battery. It was fine after it dried out and I didn't have any more problems with it. It is located inside the frame 3 1/2 feet off the ground. I am going to have to re do the wiring with a main battery disconnect and relocate the relay to prevent this from happening in the future.

At one point I came to a downed tree in the road and had to remove it. No obstacle is too big for FIDO. Sometimes it is fun to play lumberjack.

It was a blast finally really testing the off road prowess of FIDO and thus far I was quite impressed.

The day was wearing on and I decided to start heading north. I called my friend Scott with the house in Kanab when I reached cell signal and he was already in Sigurd on his way up to Salt Lake. Missed him again. He said I could stay at his house anyways and I needed to clean up so I decided to take him up on it.

Before I got to pavement I stopped to air up:

The truck was quite a mess at this point.

I got to Kanab and settled in at the house for a much needed shower, laundry, and even FIDO got a bath.(good thing Scott has a dirt driveway as I brought home half the mountain.)

I went for a walk in Kanab that evening. It was packed with tourists and motorcyclists for the Memorial day holiday. Welcome back to civilization. I was looking forward to getting back out of it as soon as possible.

This painting was stuck to a pole in the ground in front of the tourist office. Thought it was pretty cool. Reminded me of my first 4x4 when I was 18- a 1976 Jeep Cherokee Chief. That thing was a monster. It would do 4 wheel burnouts on dry pavement with an automatic transmission. (Probably got 8 miles to the gallon as well.)

Day 12 Mileage Paved:26 Dirt: 27

 

[yabanja]

Day 13: Cottonwood Canyon to Kodachrome Basin

May 25th: Day 13

I woke up at Scott's place much rested and ready to hit some dirt roads. The sky was threatening and today's route through Cottonwood canyon was known to be impassable when wet even with 4wheel drive. I topped the fuel and water and hit the road.

I headed East on Highway 80 to the Paria Ranger station and took a left to the north on Cottonwood canyon road. The road had dried out from the previous three days of rain and was passable. Thunder showers were on the horizon though. The flowers in the first section were out of hand!

I headed further on and it only got prettier.

I stopped to take a short walk in the Cottonwood Canyon Narrows. It was evident that there had been some BIG water here the day before. The canyon had clearly seen full flash flood. There were big thunderheads all around and I was concerned about a repeat performance so I did not enter the narrows. It was beautiful though.

I topped a rise and came into a low area where a wash had crossed the road the day before. The grey shows the size of the flood where fresh dirt had crossed the road. It must have been quite something. Two cars had passed in front of me and clearly made it through so I figured I would have no problems. (and I didn't.)

This was really a remarkably beautiful canyon. The road was very steep and winding. I can see why it would be impassable if it were really wet and was glad I hadn't been there the day before.

I decided to take the side spur to check out Grovesner's arch:

And that is when all Hell broke loose!:

[video=vimeo;129722892]https://vimeo.com/129722892[/video]

It turned out that the guys in the stuck truck had beat the storm to this river crossing. They hadn't had to deal with the mud at all and they still got stuck. They were within two miles of pavement. I had a repeat of the prius conversation just over the hill from the river crossing. It went like this: Some European tourists pull up in a crossover suv as I slide to a stop. They say "Hows the road?" I say there is a car just like yours buried up to the frame a half mile back. They say"Awww It doesn't look that bad" I say walk up there and have a look for yourselves. They say "You mean I have to drive all the way around?" I tell them I left the pavement three hours ago. I think they decided to go on. I didn't look back.

Unfortunately, I had to keep going through the worst stretches and couldn't take pictures.(Time for a gopro) There was one point where this river came into the road from the right side and the full width of the road became a river for about 50 yards prior to pouring off to the left. Yikes!! Hold on FIDO!

I got the last spot at Kodachrome Basin campground and settled in for the night. The ranger said that the local tow truck driver makes his living pulling people from that water crossing. The Delorme map says the road is a highway as well.

I must say Kodachrome is one of the nicest campgrounds I have been to! Hot showers, secluded sites, and lovely views.

Day 13 Miles Paved:43 Dirt:45

 

[hedmisten]

Really Enjoying this read! Sounds like a pullpal and winch tucked into that bumper might be a worthy investment for the future of soloing overlanding that awesome rig.

 

[TxTortoise]

Great memories...

Well said...

http://www.ralphmawyerphotography.c...-2015/49614963_CKN6xB#!i=4096012364&k=39pXs5z

 

[TxTortoise]

Must have just missed you. I remember the broken hub jeep that day. Glad we could get around her.

 

[david506th]

Really hope we get to see you on the trail one day. Love the area and I will want to see your notes when my wife and I make it that way in our Fuso.

 

[yabanja]

Self extrication

Really Enjoying this read! Sounds like a pullpal and winch tucked into that bumper might be a worthy investment for the future of soloing overlanding that awesome rig.

Self extrication....an interesting subject which I will be touching on shortly in the thread......

I finished the construction of the vehicle on the day of departure and have not had a chance to get kitted up yet. When I first wrote up a list of everything the vehicle needed in the early stages of design it was quite a list. It included front and rear winches and a pullpal. After putting some serious thought into it I decided that the weight and expense of a 20k pound winch($4-$5k and in excess of 200 pounds-each!) could not be justified due to the lack of anything substantial enough to attach it to in most situations(pull pal included). (Forests being the exception of course.) I do intend to have 4 sand ladders, and a set of chains for all four wheels. I already carry a shovel, ARB 30k pound strap, Jack, and numerous saws and tools which have been my standard kit for the last 20 plus years of solo off roading in my Jeep. Really the most important thing to have with you is adequate food and water to hang out for a week or more. I often carry enough for two weeks and always have water purification methods in addition to at least ten gallons of water. Given enough time it is amazing what can be accomplished with a little ingenuity and some basic hand tools. I am considering getting a block and tackle setup as demonstrated at the expo by the Land Rover crew. 250 feet of rope and 8 or 9 to 1 leverage will accomplish a lot. Particularly when combined with a Snatch strap if you are solo as it will hold the tension while you tie off and go back to drive a few inches further. I always let people know where I am going and when they should expect to hear from me next as well. Really, the best thing to do is not get stuck in the first place!

Allan

 

[yabanja]

Well said...

http://www.ralphmawyerphotography.c...-2015/49614963_CKN6xB#!i=4096012364&k=39pXs5z

Lovely photos! Thank you for sharing!

Allan