What is it about this trail that makes you love it so much? I want to run it so bad but am not getting much support from those in my group. Maybe I'll have to come run it on EJS with you.
Hi Old Geezer and Lifelong Jeeper,
Thanks for the link to the other thread.
The beauty of the area and being able to research the areas history, makes it very special place for me.
When I first ran the trail 23 years ago, it had hardly had any use, In many places it was very hard to find the trail.
This trail offers the solitude with challenge and is wonderful. As the word spread about the trail it has become very popular and used more. A lot of the solitude has been replaced with more quads and motorcycle use. I have no problem with this as the trail is all of ours to share.
The trail can be run with a stock vehicle and a excellent driver. I have done it myself! I have even done it with Jean Akens as my passenger in 2 wheel drive on a pre-run before EJS. This was not to show-off or anything we were just in a hurry to do the trail in one day. The best way to do this is the knack of picking the line to keep both tires in the ground of the drive axle.
A note about the north side of the trail to the actual "Hole in the Rock" from the Escalate side. Last year in a snow and rain storm, 3 road grades were coming out from the HITR as I was heading in (on the way to EJS). They have it bladed for 2 wheel drives, across the slick rock about 5 miles from the end. The blades made some nice banks along the sides. This left some long deep mud puddles in the road. When I got to town I was 75 pounds heaver with the mud.