theksmith 4,143 Posted May 3, 2013 Thanks for posting your pics and story Sarah, it's always fun to hear it from a different perspective. you mentioned some things that i'd already forgotten about! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kaspily 2 Posted May 3, 2013 Very welcome. I can't thank you enough for taking us out there. Nature is way cheaper than a therapist -Sarah Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
gearhead 468 Posted May 3, 2013 Two great trip reports! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
matt@expaz 2 Posted May 3, 2013 What an awesome three days you guys had! Let me see if I can answer some of the questions raised: All the debris you saw in the wash before Chiva was from a flood the last day of July in 2010. Chiva had 6 inches of rain in just over an hour. We went out there the day after and it was the only time I have not been able to make it to Chiva. The water was running too deep and too fast for me (though some people may have made it). And there was tons of mud. The water was about 15-20 high in the wash the day before. Here's some pictures and video from our trip out there. We told this guy not to go or try a different line. He decided not to heed our warnings and paid the price. He had to get pulled out, water inside the cab of his vehicle, engine stopped. Big mess. We also told this guy he shouldn’t go, but he did anyway. He had to get pulled out also. The water took out about 1/2 the trees in the wash. It also brought down a 20 ton rock at the pools. I would have loved to see this (from a safe distance). Video of two big rigs coming up the wash. One would get stuck, the other pull him out, then the other would get stuck and have to get pulled out. Fun to watch. Click the picture to watch the video. The pools are about a mile away from Chiva. I don't think you can see them from above the falls, but who knows. If you would have gone up the wash where you had lunch (under the big trees), you would have found them. Here's more info on the pools trail, most likely to be closed off by the FS shortly :-( http://www.experience-az.com/adventures/4wd/chivapools/chivapools.html The trailhead for the Gap was moved about 10 years or so ago. It had gone through private property. It takes you a longer way around the PP. Here's directions and GPS coordinates (with the new trailhead): http://www.experience-az.com/adventures/4wd/charouleaugap/charouleaugap.html The "Car Wash" at least as I knew it was closer to the Oracle side. A picture from the late 80s or early 90s (I don't think this was the actual car wash, but it was really close). There were a set of about three deep crossing you had to make. At one point, the water was so deep, we had to spend about an hour building a rock "bridge" to be able to make it across. The trail has changed significantly since then. Most of those spots (with deep water) are filled in :-( now. Here's a picture of Coronado Camp in the 90s: I believe it burned down when someone started a fire inside it, not meant to destroy the place, but either to cook or warm themselves. Dumb still the same. The big fire ~ 2005 also took its toll and destroyed it even further. There used to be no bypass to the step, but it was much easier (in the 80s and 90s) than it is today. Here's a video of my friend Mike going up and down the step in 2011. He wanted me to try. No way. I don't have the cajones. The last climb out of the wash, over the large rock and up the boulders (next to the rusted metal sign), used to be more difficult and had much more water. The first time I went out there, there was a guy in a six-wheel-drive amphibious vehicle doing "laps" in the pool. Although it was only about 18 inches deep where we crossed, it was about 6 feet deep and about 25 feet in diameter. Strange seeing this guy boat around in the desert. Glad you all made it home safely! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
dzJeepChic 2,565 Posted May 4, 2013 Great trip report and pictures Sarah! I'm so thrilled that you drove part of the way. That trail can be intimidating so I completely understood why and where you bailed because I would have done the same thing. But I appreciate that you're looking for opportunities for seat time because I think that we 'partners' should. You never know if/when you'll be called upon to drive because you really need to. Looks like it was a very fun trip - I'm glad you guys explored faster routes over the Catalina's! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
dzJeepChic 2,565 Posted May 4, 2013 This is what happens if you take the wrong line going up Kiss Rock. Poor G, he found out the hard way: Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
theksmith 4,143 Posted May 4, 2013 here's one of someone successful on The Step from just a few months ago: Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
gearhead 468 Posted May 4, 2013 It's too bad that they graded Kiss rock...it looks like that was a challenge! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
steve4570 0 Posted May 4, 2013 I have never heard a vehicle make noises like that is it normal? and what is it? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Number7 87 Posted May 5, 2013 I have never heard a vehicle make noises like that is it normal? and what is it? Yes that's normal, when a vehicle is always being pushed to its limits it develops noises from all the flexing on the body and the suspension. George:cool: Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
