Any hope for another Hanging Tree run this year?

[TurboMinivan]

So far this year, I've had to miss every organized HTT run I've seen here on RME. If I don't get out there soon, this will be the first year I haven't run HTT since I initially heard about it back in 2012. Making matters worse, I've got a local friend (Tim) who is constantly begging me to take him for a ride so he can see this legendary trail and get more enthused about building his TJ in order to someday drive the trail himself. (He's currently open/open on 33s with 3.07 gears, so there is no way he can drive it now.)

Is there anybody (preferably a connected local) who might want to make another run in the next few weeks? I like having a local (or at least someone connected to the land owner) along with us so we can take the easy way out; I've not yet ever needed to drive back out on the trail itself. I told Tim it would probably need to be on a weekend because that's when most other folks are free, though he and I could probably make it happen on a Tuesday if that's an option that works.

Also: Tim knows a couple guys with well-built rigs who have never even heard of this trail. They brag about all their experience, telling Tim this trail can't be anything special because they've never even heard of it. Naturally, Tim wants them to make the trip so he can shut them up about it (LOL). So we may have 3 or 4 rigs in total on top of whoever else volunteers to lead/join us. Fear not: I will be very clear about the trail minimum requirements of 35s/dual lockers/winches/etc before I let any of his friends run with us.

Is anyone available and willing to help us have a fun day?

 

[Pile of parts]

No connection to the land owner but I would possibly be interested in running with you, depending on the weekend.

 

[SSR]

The county has placed big livestock gates where you enter the private land and again where you exit the private land coming down the canyon road. Neither gate is locked, just a sign that says the land is private, stay on the road and close the gate. Parking inside the livestock gate on private land is not allowed and will undoubtedly create conflict. Which means you can't park in the traditional "Hanging Tree Parking Area". The trail is dry all the way through and has seen a lot of traffic, not as challenging as in years past.

What date are you planning to run it?

 

[Omgbecki]

Minimum 35s? Pssh. Since when? Lol

 

[TurboMinivan]

The county has placed big livestock gates where you enter the private land and again where you exit the private land coming down the canyon road. Neither gate is locked, just a sign that says the land is private, stay on the road and close the gate.

So I have heard. I have no problems with closing gates as we pass through them.

Parking inside the livestock gate on private land is not allowed and will undoubtedly create conflict. Which means you can't park in the traditional "Hanging Tree Parking Area".

Yes, I've read about numerous conflicts in this forum. I would avoid it entirely and just park on the street near the Maverik.

What date are you planning to run it?

Umm... whatever date that can work for everyone involved. I'll be as flexible as I can.

 

[Greg]

I still want to run it, in my Flatty on 31's with a rear locker. Not sure if it'll happen this year and if/when I do, it may require plenty of patience from others in the group. I don't want to be 'that guy' on the trail, but I think the Willys is capable of running HTT without too much drama.

 

[SSR]

So I have heard. I have no problems with closing gates as we pass through them.

My point about the gates being no need for a local (other than more fun on the trail). Anyone can run it and exit out the canyon through the unlocked gate.

 

[TurboMinivan]

I don't want to be 'that guy' on the trail, but I think the Willys is capable of running HTT without too much drama.

Personally, I would have no problem with you being in my group. Karma says I deserve it. After all, it was me who (unknowingly) invited an open/open JKU to run the trail with us, and I didn't mind towing/dragging him over numerous obstacles throughout the day.

My point about the gates being no need for a local (other than more fun on the trail). Anyone can run it and exit out the canyon through the unlocked gate.

Is that true? Do we no longer need to speak to anyone specific and get permission in advance? If so, that changes everything.

 

[SSR]

Is that true? Do we no longer need to speak to anyone specific and get permission in advance? If so, that changes everything.

I'm not exactly certain where the locked gate was located on the exit route. I have been twice this year and exited out the canyon without trouble. The only interaction on the first run was someone checking on us as we were loading/leaving making sure we were not on the private property (we had parked along side the road east of the gate). The second time we parked in town and went through the trail without any issue whatsoever.

 

[Greg]

Personally, I would have no problem with you being in my group. Karma says I deserve it. After all, it was me who (unknowingly) invited an open/open JKU to run the trail with us, and I didn't mind towing/dragging him over numerous obstacles throughout the day.

My hesitation is that I've never ran the trail, so I'm gauging the difficulty of the trail based on pics & video. The Willys has successfully ran Moab Rim, Cliffhanger and the Pickle so it's capable enough. Being narrow and short, it's not hard to squeeze thru places that others have to drive over. While I don't want to incur senseless damage, I'm not afraid to beat it up either.

Is that true? Do we no longer need to speak to anyone specific and get permission in advance? If so, that changes everything.

I believe getting permission isn't required to run the trail, but a nice formality if you want to make the effort. The Ranch Hand (Carl) for the private property is on RME, named "You Know Who". You could reach out with a PM, give him a heads up and let him know that you'll be parking/staging off the private property and traveling thru to the trail. - https://www.rme4x4.com/threads/hanging-tree-trail.114936/

He also mentioned that he's always wanted to run the trail in a 4x4 but never has.... it would be awesome to invite him, if there's an open seat. That would probably go a long way towards building a working relationship with the land owner and his employees!

 

[SSR]

My hesitation is that I've never ran the trail, so I'm gauging the difficulty of the trail based on pics & video. The Willys has successfully ran Moab Rim, Cliffhanger and the Pickle so it's capable enough. Being narrow and short, it's not hard to squeeze thru places that others have to drive over. While I don't want to incur senseless damage, I'm not afraid to beat it up either.

Right now would be an excellent time to run it. It's dry, making it much less difficult than a lot of video portray it when wet. It's also had two large groups that I'm aware of pass through in the last 2 months massaging its rough spots. The last trip had a TJ (I believe on 33's) that made most of it look effortless.

 

[Greg]

Right now would be an excellent time to run it. It's dry, making it much less difficult than a lot of video portray it when wet. It's also had two large groups that I'm aware of pass through in the last 2 months massaging its rough spots. The last trip had a TJ (I believe on 33's) that made most of it look effortless.

Awesome! It may be time to plan a trip...

 

[YROC FAB.]

Im interested when ever ya'll figure it out. Fridays and Saturdays work for me.

 

[YouKnowWho]

Keep me in the loop on who what when and where. If you can, let's try to get a ride for me and my boss. Give us at least a week if not more prior notice.
I'll give an update on matters at https://www.rme4x4.com/threads/hanging-tree-trail.114936/

 

[TurboMinivan]

Awesome! It may be time to plan a trip...

Via PMs, it sounds like Greg isn't quite ready to run this trail so soon.

Im interested when ever ya'll figure it out. Fridays and Saturdays work for me.

I'm still trying to plan/coordinate for my small group, but I can assure you we won't run the trail on a Friday. I'll let you know if we plan on a Saturday outing, though.

Keep me in the loop on who what when and where. If you can, let's try to get a ride for me and my boss. Give us at least a week if not more prior notice.

I'd be happy to bring your boss along so he can actually see this insane trail which is the object of our obsession. I'm worried that I won't be able to make that happen on this trip, though, as I only have one passenger seat in my rig and currently have two friends fighting for that spot.

I'll let you know if it looks like we'll have room for you two.

 

[Omgbecki]

I could be down. Did we every found out about going out the gate up top? Since I drive my to to and from the trail I'd rather not do it twice.

 

[Omgbecki]

Might be tempting the gods at that point