CobraNutt
Active Member
- Location
- Salt Lake City
I posted this over on ExpUt, but forgot to share it here...
I was invited to tag along with a few new friends last Sunday for a leisurely ride around the GSL. I think Rob, Dave and Dave (IM1RU, Maxterra and Blind_Io) just wanted a poor, non-Xterra rig to pick on.
Started the day meeting at the Flying J in Lake Point, then headed out west and north, hoping to avoid any Live Fire activities along the way. We made it to the causeway, and off we went to the Newfies...braving the light rain and snot-like mud out there!
Good time to air down a bit...save the tires and the spinal column!
Quick stop at the pump building. Wish I could have been around to see it in action! Impressive to say the least!
...and off we go...into the gooey desert!
Heading south toward the Newfies...the area had a little rain, but not too much, just enough to make the top layer nice and slick.
We ventured up several roads as we explored the range. Lots of terrific scenery and great views all around.
We were amazed at the color still out there. Due to all the rain this summer, it's not nearly as brown as usual. The juniper trees were full of berries, and the smell of the desert sage was quite noticeable. It was really nice to see!
...and you never know what you'll find to climb around on out there!
As we headed back to head around the north of the lake, the clouds rolled in a little lower...a little thicker...a little more full of water.
Ok...so here's where I think the Xterra guys wanted to have some fun. They knew it would be sloppy out there not too far from the tracks on the way back. I think they had it all planned. "Let's go stir up the goop in the wash for the new guy in the little Jeep and see what happens." I don't have action pics or video (I was a little busy) of the Liberty coming through the mud, but I got a standing ovation on the other side! The liberty decided to show the Nissan guys how to cross a mud puddle...by taking the hardest way imaginable. Of course I wasn't involved in that part of the planning, but that's what we ended up doing. The only thing I was in charge of was the go-pedal. The trajectory was decided by the Liberty and the Mud Gods. Half way through, I saw the bigs ruts headed off to the left. I steered a bit to the right to miss them. The Liberty said NOPE, and went for the ruts. I disagreed, but lost the argument. Not just one rut, but both of them. Pedal to the metal! I was either going to get through there or bury the Liberty trying! We made it through and welcomed the cheers from the crowd!
I think I gained two tire sizes and 500 lbs in the process...
The clouds followed us most of the rest of the trip, but only light rain caught up to us.
Dave took us up the side of a mountain telling us what a great view it was at the top. We all gave him a bit of grief when we got to the top because we were in the middle of a cloud and couldn't see a dang thing!
But it soon began to clear, and the view opened up for us. Spectacular! My pics don't do it justice.
Then off we went, back down the mountain, to head around the north end of the lake.
Lots of road to explore...many more places to go see!
We made a quick stop at the Golden Spike Museum to air up the tires and head on home. It was a fun trip with some new friends. I wish my back would have held up a little better, but between this trip and the 150 miles I drove Saturday on my expedition around Soapstone Basin, I think it had had enough of the Jeep seat for awhile!
Thanks to Rob for inviting me (and feeding me lunch!), and to Dave and Dave for allowing me to tag along! It really was a great time! It also motivates me a little to get that 2.5" lift installed! Soooo...whenever you guys are ready to help me...
Can't wait to run around some more with these Xterra guys!
Oh...and I thought I'd share this with you guys too...
I was invited to tag along with a few new friends last Sunday for a leisurely ride around the GSL. I think Rob, Dave and Dave (IM1RU, Maxterra and Blind_Io) just wanted a poor, non-Xterra rig to pick on.
Started the day meeting at the Flying J in Lake Point, then headed out west and north, hoping to avoid any Live Fire activities along the way. We made it to the causeway, and off we went to the Newfies...braving the light rain and snot-like mud out there!
Good time to air down a bit...save the tires and the spinal column!
Quick stop at the pump building. Wish I could have been around to see it in action! Impressive to say the least!
...and off we go...into the gooey desert!
Heading south toward the Newfies...the area had a little rain, but not too much, just enough to make the top layer nice and slick.
We ventured up several roads as we explored the range. Lots of terrific scenery and great views all around.
We were amazed at the color still out there. Due to all the rain this summer, it's not nearly as brown as usual. The juniper trees were full of berries, and the smell of the desert sage was quite noticeable. It was really nice to see!
...and you never know what you'll find to climb around on out there!
As we headed back to head around the north of the lake, the clouds rolled in a little lower...a little thicker...a little more full of water.
Ok...so here's where I think the Xterra guys wanted to have some fun. They knew it would be sloppy out there not too far from the tracks on the way back. I think they had it all planned. "Let's go stir up the goop in the wash for the new guy in the little Jeep and see what happens." I don't have action pics or video (I was a little busy) of the Liberty coming through the mud, but I got a standing ovation on the other side! The liberty decided to show the Nissan guys how to cross a mud puddle...by taking the hardest way imaginable. Of course I wasn't involved in that part of the planning, but that's what we ended up doing. The only thing I was in charge of was the go-pedal. The trajectory was decided by the Liberty and the Mud Gods. Half way through, I saw the bigs ruts headed off to the left. I steered a bit to the right to miss them. The Liberty said NOPE, and went for the ruts. I disagreed, but lost the argument. Not just one rut, but both of them. Pedal to the metal! I was either going to get through there or bury the Liberty trying! We made it through and welcomed the cheers from the crowd!
I think I gained two tire sizes and 500 lbs in the process...
The clouds followed us most of the rest of the trip, but only light rain caught up to us.
Dave took us up the side of a mountain telling us what a great view it was at the top. We all gave him a bit of grief when we got to the top because we were in the middle of a cloud and couldn't see a dang thing!
But it soon began to clear, and the view opened up for us. Spectacular! My pics don't do it justice.
Then off we went, back down the mountain, to head around the north end of the lake.
Lots of road to explore...many more places to go see!
We made a quick stop at the Golden Spike Museum to air up the tires and head on home. It was a fun trip with some new friends. I wish my back would have held up a little better, but between this trip and the 150 miles I drove Saturday on my expedition around Soapstone Basin, I think it had had enough of the Jeep seat for awhile!
Thanks to Rob for inviting me (and feeding me lunch!), and to Dave and Dave for allowing me to tag along! It really was a great time! It also motivates me a little to get that 2.5" lift installed! Soooo...whenever you guys are ready to help me...
Can't wait to run around some more with these Xterra guys!
Oh...and I thought I'd share this with you guys too...
