Smiley Rock - After the Expo

[ttora4runner]

After attending the Overland Expo I meet with a group from Expeditionportal in Chino Valley to run Smiley Rock trail lead by Mark (Crawler#976). I had run this trail once last year on a solo and had a blast and wanted to hit it up again. Eleven vehicles in total were to run the trail (3 Tacoma’s, 2 4runner’s, Jeep Grand Cherokee, 2 early Ford Broncos, Mitsubishi Montero, a Nissan Pathfinder and Frontier) only ten made it though, datupr in the Montero turned around before the rock garden portion of Martin Canyon to avoid undercarriage and rocker panel damage. Prior to that the Montero did a great job and surprise me a bit how well it did.
Enough talking on to the photo’s
Heading out to trailhead (I think I need to clean bugs off the windshield next time)

Mark moving a snake off the trail.

At the trailhead the line up

These two where hiding from the camera

But I think they were spotted by these guys

 

[ttora4runner]

Off to the trail:
Again I really need to clean those dang bugs off

Catus in bloom

The dang rock I missed last year and I don’t know how after seeing it

Looking up out of the trail and side creek

Shameless plug of the 4runner

This is where datupr had to turn around.

 

[ttora4runner]

The reason the Montero turned around: the beginning of the rock garden in Martin Canyon

The time I got up to the first rock ledge Crawler and JJackson had already gone though and where walking back.

Next was Rexsname

The Pathfinder was next (sorry, don’t remember your name)

Followed by weezerbot in her 4runner

Up next was the Frontier. Frontier had a little problem with this area but eventfully made it though a little ding up.

 

[ttora4runner]

Followed by one of the Bronco's

Next up was the another little rock ledge that made for some good poser shots and some rock slider action. I'll throw in a dented gas tank skid plate as well.
Rex

Pathfinder

Weezerbot coming though (only video I got of the trip). It's not the greatest due to tight location and trees but it is what it is.

Video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k0CSwW1-B-k

Next up was the Frontier. The longer wheelbase was cause it to hang up some, which eventfully lead to weezerbot backing up and giving him a tug out.

 

[ttora4runner]

Giving a little tug

Lastly the Bronco's which I didn't get very many photo's of.

The weather at the top where the other's group were camping for time was in the 50's, with a slight breeze. It felt great. Tired from the long day it was time to air up, grab some grub and gas and head for home. :coffeedrink::smiley_drive:

This was a nice break that was over due and sorely needed. Thanks for leading the trail Mark and it was great to meet everyone. Sorry, if I forgot your all names just give me some time and I'll get them. You all were a great group to go with. :victory:

 

[BigAl]

That trail looks like a lot of fun. nice pics

 

[FurthurOnTheFly]

Thanks for taking such great pics! Next time I'll remember to engage the locker earlier! :sombrero:

 

[toddz69]

Thanks for the great trip report and pics, Rex!

Todd Z. (in the blue Bronco at the back of the line)

 

[datrupr]

It was a great and a lot of fun. Sorry the Monty wasn't up to the task, but it was fun going up there with the group, and not to bad soloing back to Chino Valley. Most of the shots I got were the same that ttora4runner posted up, but here are a couple of mine.

The line up:

Posing in front of the Montero:

Jacki thought Smiley Rock looked a little stuffy. You know the saying? "You can pick your friends, you can pick your nose, but you can't..."

Turning around to head back out to Chino Valley:

One we didn't get a shot of but I wish we had was on the way back out. I managed to put the Montero on a two wheel stand, it was fun.

It was a great run and many thanks to Mark for putting it together and leading the way. It was nice either seeing everyone again or meeting for the first time. More proof of what great people are on this board. Camp Saturday night was a great time too. All in all, it was a great weekend. Thanks again everyone.

 

[ttora4runner]

If you all want any of the photo's that I took let me know and I'll get them to you.

Weezerbot did you catch the video?

How did you get the montero on two wheels?

 

[crawler#976]

Thanks to everyone that came out for the trip!

I was very pleased with the turnout - a great group of people and vehicles.

I was whupped by the time I got home - three times thru Smiley Rock in less than 24 hours was enough for me.

Didn't get too many photos that came out - found I'd set the camera in a manual mode...

Mark

 

[datrupr]

How did you get the montero on two wheels?

As we were heading back out I picked the wrong line going back down into one of the creek beds, my right front was up on a rock with a drop down under my left front, and then as it just so happened my left rear was frimly planted on the ground while my right rear was left hanging over a drop down. I came to a stop to check my line and tire placement when the truck started swaying like a ship in some high seas. I looked at my left front and saw that it was hanging there. With some careful application of throttle and a little left foot braking I got all 4 back on solid ground. I should have had Jacki jump out and snap a few pics, they probably would have been great flex shots of the independant suspension in stock form.

Thanks again, Mark. We had a great time, and it was nice once we got into the canyon and were shielded from the wind.

 

[Cypher]

What a great trail run, and great people to run it with! Thank you Mark for setting it up! Unfortunately I can't see the pics while here at work. I will have to check these out when I get home, especially the ones of me stuck between a rock and a hard place. hahaha!

 

[jeepmedic46]

Great pics, Looks like everyone had a good time.:smiley_drive:

 

[dirty Bakers]

We wish we could have run the trail but after reviewing the pictures our f-250 would have been turning around with the montero not that there is any thing wrong with that. We enjoyed another visit to the expo and it was better the second time. Thanks Rex for setting us up in that great camping spot and thanks Mark for scoping out the trail for us. It was a pleasure to meet you all hope to see you again soon.