- Location
- The Village of Kay
Having shoveled snow for 4 straight mornings, I had grand visions of deep snow, fresh tracks, breaking trail, and giving the 4WD vehicles a workout on the 14th annual Freeze Your Tail Off. Between work and life, I was once again packing for a trip well after midnight the night before leaving. With a meeting time of 9:30am, a 2 hour drive from home to get there, and a trip to the grocery store still on the agenda, I set my alarm for 5:30am. It was 2am, I was in for a short night…
As we raced West across I-80, I was astounded at the lack of snow West of the lake. By the time we got to Wendover, I was in full awe at the lack of snow, like no snow at all on the ground. In that moment I was grateful I hadn’t packed my bulky and heavy tire chains.
After topping off my gas tank at the Shell in East Wendover, we buzzed to the Salt Flats exit to meet the group. A few vehicles were waiting as I arrived, with the rest of the group arriving right on time. We assembled on the North end of the parking lot, aired down our tires, then held our quick driver’s meeting. As is usual, I spaced taking a pic at the start as my mind was on waivers, handing out packets with stickers and shirts, and getting to know new faces.
With 17 vehicles ready to roll, we hit the pavement for the short jaunt over to the start of the Silver Island Scenic Backway. Without snow to fill in the washboard, the road was a little choppy. Speed helped to smooth it out, but you can only get a group that large moving so fast.
After a few miles, we turned off the main road to take the scenic way to our first stop; a cave looking over the Salt Flats. Most of the group opted to make the fun climb to the entrance of the cave, the hardest wheeling we would do the entire weekend.
A good looking group of vehicles, and an amazing view!
After a few minutes at the cave, we cruised north to Silver Island Canyon, where we crossed up and over to the north side of Silver Island, where we continued north to the end of Crater Island. It took about an hour plus a little to get from the cave to the mud flats on the north end of Crater Island, so we stopped here for lunch.
It was fairly warm with little wind, so lunch was enjoyable. We chatted as we ate, and enjoyed the warm temperatures while we had them.
Arriving to our lunch spot and the rest of the group coming off the mountain.
After a tasty lunch stop, we made our way south, up the hill, and made a quick stop near the Taylor Central mine claim where there is an open tunnel just large enough for a vehicle to fit in. Several in the group pulled down for the photo op.
With "pics or it didn't happen" out of the way, we drove to an unnamed mine claim that had enough room for our group. We poked around for a bit, took some more pictures, and enjoyed the view. It was great to get to chat with some old friends, and get to know some new ones better.
Short days and flying time prompted us to load up and press south with sights set on Wendover for fuel, wood, and facilities. Not long after joining the road heading west around the Silver Island Mountains, a call of slight distress came across the radio. The group stopped as those in the rear assessed the situation. After a few moments, the call came that the Tundra in the group had lost a tire. Not lost a tire as in a flat tire, but had a tire separate from the vehicle. With our progress on pause, I flipped around with a few others to head to the disabled vehicle to lend assistance.
One wheel stud had sheared off, while the remaining 4 were pretty buggered up. A couple of folks went in search of the prodigal wheel while some got the Tundra on a jack, and others got the spare off the back.
With the spare and spare lug nuts installed on the truck, we were able to get 3 solid lugs torqued and the wayward wheel loaded into the back of the Tundra. Alex in the group cruised a head to Wendover to try to find parts, but we found there were none to be had. Some calls were made to folks in SLC, and parts were gathered and sent with our late group, so the decision was made to limp the Tundra into camp with 2 other vehicles to get it prepped for new studs and lugs. The remaining lugs on the truck were torqued to prevent any more surprises, and we were on our way again.
Tis but a scratch...
Since everyone was moving again, the majority of the group made our way into Wendover to fuel up, grab some more firewood, and meet Alex who had raced ahead. We wound our way on some fun roads into and out of Wendover, then joined the Pilot Mountain Road towards camp.
Coming off the mountain, about to join the Pilot Mountain Road. A neat sight that a phone camera just doesn't do justice too.
After an uneventful drive to camp, we jumped out of our nice warm vehicles and were greeted by a brisk north wind. It made being outside FRIGID! Any part of exposed skin ached, and fingers protested anytime they were asked to move without a glove.
We got the fire started as camps were setup and dinners were cooked, and some began decorating for the light competition.
As we raced West across I-80, I was astounded at the lack of snow West of the lake. By the time we got to Wendover, I was in full awe at the lack of snow, like no snow at all on the ground. In that moment I was grateful I hadn’t packed my bulky and heavy tire chains.
After topping off my gas tank at the Shell in East Wendover, we buzzed to the Salt Flats exit to meet the group. A few vehicles were waiting as I arrived, with the rest of the group arriving right on time. We assembled on the North end of the parking lot, aired down our tires, then held our quick driver’s meeting. As is usual, I spaced taking a pic at the start as my mind was on waivers, handing out packets with stickers and shirts, and getting to know new faces.
With 17 vehicles ready to roll, we hit the pavement for the short jaunt over to the start of the Silver Island Scenic Backway. Without snow to fill in the washboard, the road was a little choppy. Speed helped to smooth it out, but you can only get a group that large moving so fast.
After a few miles, we turned off the main road to take the scenic way to our first stop; a cave looking over the Salt Flats. Most of the group opted to make the fun climb to the entrance of the cave, the hardest wheeling we would do the entire weekend.
A good looking group of vehicles, and an amazing view!
After a few minutes at the cave, we cruised north to Silver Island Canyon, where we crossed up and over to the north side of Silver Island, where we continued north to the end of Crater Island. It took about an hour plus a little to get from the cave to the mud flats on the north end of Crater Island, so we stopped here for lunch.
It was fairly warm with little wind, so lunch was enjoyable. We chatted as we ate, and enjoyed the warm temperatures while we had them.
Arriving to our lunch spot and the rest of the group coming off the mountain.
After a tasty lunch stop, we made our way south, up the hill, and made a quick stop near the Taylor Central mine claim where there is an open tunnel just large enough for a vehicle to fit in. Several in the group pulled down for the photo op.
With "pics or it didn't happen" out of the way, we drove to an unnamed mine claim that had enough room for our group. We poked around for a bit, took some more pictures, and enjoyed the view. It was great to get to chat with some old friends, and get to know some new ones better.
Short days and flying time prompted us to load up and press south with sights set on Wendover for fuel, wood, and facilities. Not long after joining the road heading west around the Silver Island Mountains, a call of slight distress came across the radio. The group stopped as those in the rear assessed the situation. After a few moments, the call came that the Tundra in the group had lost a tire. Not lost a tire as in a flat tire, but had a tire separate from the vehicle. With our progress on pause, I flipped around with a few others to head to the disabled vehicle to lend assistance.
One wheel stud had sheared off, while the remaining 4 were pretty buggered up. A couple of folks went in search of the prodigal wheel while some got the Tundra on a jack, and others got the spare off the back.
With the spare and spare lug nuts installed on the truck, we were able to get 3 solid lugs torqued and the wayward wheel loaded into the back of the Tundra. Alex in the group cruised a head to Wendover to try to find parts, but we found there were none to be had. Some calls were made to folks in SLC, and parts were gathered and sent with our late group, so the decision was made to limp the Tundra into camp with 2 other vehicles to get it prepped for new studs and lugs. The remaining lugs on the truck were torqued to prevent any more surprises, and we were on our way again.
Tis but a scratch...
Since everyone was moving again, the majority of the group made our way into Wendover to fuel up, grab some more firewood, and meet Alex who had raced ahead. We wound our way on some fun roads into and out of Wendover, then joined the Pilot Mountain Road towards camp.
Coming off the mountain, about to join the Pilot Mountain Road. A neat sight that a phone camera just doesn't do justice too.
After an uneventful drive to camp, we jumped out of our nice warm vehicles and were greeted by a brisk north wind. It made being outside FRIGID! Any part of exposed skin ached, and fingers protested anytime they were asked to move without a glove.
We got the fire started as camps were setup and dinners were cooked, and some began decorating for the light competition.
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