Saturday, Oct 6th
Pinyon Mtn (Difficult/Black-ish).
Requirements: 4WD with capabilities for 4L.
Good recovery points front and rear. Off road tires (AT/MT etc.) no street cross over types.
Comms: 2m 146.535
Info: This trail has a high probability of some trail damage mostly rock rash from the squeeze depending on the line you choose or lack of doing what the spotter is suggesting you do. Heart Attack hill is not for everyone. It's steep and long, you will experience a fair amount of sliding and three wheeled stands due to the IFS. You need to have good driving skills but it's a whole lot of fun. There are a few more obstacles along the trail that are fun but not terrible. I will do everything possible to get everyone through it as safely and damage free as possible. This is hands down my favorite trail in our desert!
Route: Begin at Pinyon Mtn Rd. off of S2 right outside of Shelter Valley AKA Earthquake Valley: (
https://www.google.com/maps/place/Pinyon+Mountains/@33.0532267,-116.3729314,7592m/data=!3m1!1e3!4m5!3m4!1s0x80da2beec01d028b:0xe2ac6d2dc9614163!8m2!3d33.056157!4d-116.3411238 ) We'll continue East along Pinyon Mtn and exit Fish Creek Wash and continue on to Split Mtn Rd. Take that North and hit Hwy 78 West until we get by the ranger station off of Quarry Rd. Shortly after that I plan to head out onto the Goat Trail which has some fun ridgeline travel another fun drop and a few minor off camber obstacles through a wash. We will come out into the San Felipe Wash and head back West and get to play around in some good sized sand dunes and come out in Borrego Springs for a re-fuel. There are no other fuel points along this trail and it wouldn't make sense to go into Salton City for fuel as it's too far out of the way for this planned route. We will head back to camp from Borrego Springs as a group when everyone is ready unless you/we want to stay in town for food or whatever.
This will be a long day and a re-fuel will most likely be necessary if you are operating one of the gas guzzlers out there. Bring what you want to eat and a little extra in case somebody breaks. Bring lots of water and at least a warm jacket and blanket for everyone in your vehicle. I don't plan to have any comms mandatory but if you have a 2M bring it. I don't plan on stopping very much and smelling the desert petunias (See 1st sentence in this paragraph) but I do plan to stop and have lunch somewhere probably in the shade of Fish Creek. This trail is a whole lot of fun and not The Spectre of Death many make it out to be. Yes you can get into trouble on it quickly but that's exactly why there will be spotters (Probably me) on the difficult parts to mitigate issues. I'm thinking 5 vehicles total but I will stretch those numbers if the extras are self contained. If you have questions ask them or PM me and I really look forward to seeing you guys out for this years CANVAZ!
Celt
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Cat Herder: XXX?
