Martinez, take II - Feb 24, 07

[goodtimes]

OK, lets try this again.

Martinez mine loop. Saturday Feb 24th.

Departing Jerrybobs diner on Valencia (east of I-19) @ 7:00am Sharp!

Meeting northerners @ price Road [Florence] at 9:00am, leaving at 9:15am sharp!

VHF 146.460
CB channel 4

Hoping to be at the cabins around 10:00am, to meet anyone who wants to come in via Cottonwood Canyon instead of Box Canyon. Because of this, I will not be wasting much time in the Box...the plan is to run through it quickly, run the Martinez loop, then take our time on the way out.

This run will take the better part of the day. With drive to/from Tucson, it is a full day. The trail is generally mild to moderate, with a couple spots that well keep things interesting (fun, safe) for stock vehicles, and a couple optional obstacles for those who wish to play. I have heard that some spots are washed out, making it more difficult than previous years...but don't let that scare you away! We will get everyone through...and you get to lookforward to a absolutely stunning canyon....seriously, this is one of the most scenic trails you will find in southern Arizona.

I highly recommend one locker and rock sliders, but not absolutely required. Stock tacomas have made it through with no damage.

Bring lunch.

Committed:
goodtimes (wrangler)
articulate (wrangler or Frontier)
erin (tacoma)
Sean (custom buggy)

Possible:
rockcrawler (scrambler + inlaws)
John Shotts (tuna boat)
JeffryScott (4 runner)
Jim (wrangler)
MadBaggins (80 series cruiser)
crawldit (wrangler)

 

[articulate]

OK, lets try this again.

Bring lunch.

You have my attention. I'll consider it. I've got no good reason not to do it . . . okay, sheez. Count me in.

 

[Rockcrawler]

No can do, my in laws will be here that weekend.... On second thought... I'm IN!!! j/k. Have fun!

 

[erin]

Count me in, I didn't get to run this last time, ran out of time.

 

[goodtimes]

updated first post with list of "cool guys".

 

[jeffryscott]

let me check, but I think I'm available that day. I want to be at least.

ok, no plans, so I'm in.

 

[ShottsCruisers]

It's not Tuna Boat. It's Big Orca Whale.

 

[crawldit]

I have to make sure with my wife (yes I'm whooped :violent-smiley-031: ) but I want to come too. Been through that trail twice and it's gotten into my blood. Definitely my favorite trail in AZ.....so far. I was supposed to run it on the 3rd but unfortunately my father passed away so life pretty much got turned upside down

 

[ShottsCruisers]

Update on the loop per Joe Chott from last Sunday:

John,
We had three vehicles that scraped up their rear sides, one vehicle that slid sideways into a ravine (with a 300' dropoff closeby), a flare torn off, an 80 Series bumper torn off, a flat tire, an 80 Series that needed about 250# of ballast to get its wheel back on the earth (on the verge of tipping), a few vehicles getting strapped, etc. Allen's 100 did remarkably well. Luckily, I wasn't a part of the carnage (but I came SOOO close, it makes me shiver!). I would rate Marinez as a 4+ right now, but shortly going to a dangerous 4+. Taking an 80 Series on it right now almost assuredly will get you body damage.

We also saw a crazy jeeper (Coors powered) that was trying to drive up the Luge Bypass, in 3 wheel drive. His front wheels came to rest on his best try on top of the hill at the start of the Luge Bypass (once the dust and rocks settled so you could see). It also started raining hard before a few of us could get down the Luge-slicking up the rocks quite nicely. Excitement, what excitement!

Joe

 

[goodtimes]

We are a week away! Time to submit those request forms to the appropriate authority if you haven't already done so.

First post is updated with current logistics.

 

[Desertdude]

you so like to pick dates when I am on another trip :littlefriend:

 

[goodtimes]

you so like to pick dates when I am on another trip :littlefriend:

Not my fault your planning department has such deficiencies!

Of course....my planning department doesn't talk to the weather guys....

 

[jeffryscott]

wife's sister is coming into town ... damm it. have fun. I'm still scheming, but not too sure if it will work. I need to get this street queen onto the trail.

 

[goodtimes]

It was a supurb day to be on the trail. The weather was nearly perfect, not a cloud in the sky, and the trail was incredible.]

There have been some rumors floating around stating that Martinez has washed out so bad that it deserves a 4.5 rating. Hogwash! It is still a solid 3.5, but still passible by a mildly modified vehicle with a competent driver.

The only thing getting ugly is the luge bypass...it has started to wash out. I lost my drivers side mirror to it before the group decided to fill it in to level the spot off. The remainder of the vehicles made it through with no problem.

But we may be in for some trouble as the luge bypass continues to get shorter and shorter...since the downhill side of the gulley that used to direct water past the bypass and into the original luge is pretty much gone...the water is running down the bypass instead....it could get ugly. If we lose that hill, we might lose the trail.

Anyway, here are a few pics...

1: Sean playing on rocks bigger than my jeep.
2: Another view....for perspective, those are 39.5" tall tires.
3: the mill.
4: Hey dad! We're stuck!
5: Spike waving to the croud.
6: Nice 4 runner we met along the trail.
7: Luge bypass, note how off camber the top is.
8: It is nearly impossible to stay any further away from the wall.

 

[kcowyo]

Sick pics and sick trail, as usual.

Goodtimes indeed! :bowdown: