mkitchen

Thanks for posting. Your pictures and even more so, your fun and upbeat narrative, really made my afternoon. You really did a good job of expressing the fun that was had on the trip. Mikey

Sorry, I hate to cancel a run but with the added snow of this current storm, it is going to be too deep to have a good time in. Anything over 12 inches becomes more work than fun so I chose discretion as the better part of valor and have once again put this run on the back burner. Mikey

It's looking like we have perfect conditions in the mountains for a day in the snow. I have been waiting for a chance to get back up to Williams and December 22 should work fine. In the past I have done a run from Williams to Sycamore Canyon Viewpoint. It is a very scenic drive and last time we did it, we were the first on the roads and had untracked, virgin snow for the entire way. We will meet at the Williams parking lot at the corner of Grand Canyon and Railroad. The parking lot is across from the Pine Country Inn. Meet up will be 8:00 am and we must leave no later than 8:30. Or join us earlier for breakfast at the Pine. The least expensive gas can be had at the Circle K store in the middle of town. This will be an all day trip so bring warm clothes, and food for the day (on snow trips, it never hurts to bring extra). Wiper blades working? We plan to come up on Friday night but we have not picked out a motel yet. Otherwise you will be looking at a long day of driving. Mikey

Lance and I have posted this run in Expedition Portal and I though there might be some folks with some older rigs here as well. Feel free to drop me a line here or on EP. After visiting with 1 Leg Lance, we decided that it was time to put on another "Old Iron Run." We got short changed on the last trip due to snow, so we thought it a better idea to do this run a month earlier. Just one slight caveat though, last year the run was between 7,000 ft. and 5,000 ft. elevation. This year the trip is at 700 feet with some passes getting near 2,000. To be eligible to partake, you must have some Old Iron. Old Iron is classified as any vintage four wheel drive vehicle that is a 1980 or older. That vehicle can be a Land Cruiser, Rover, Jeep or any 4X4 pickup and we certainly don't limit any modifications that can be done (half the fun is seeing what folks do with their Old Iron). This is also why we are posting up so early, with rigs that old, sometimes they require some pre-run attention. So, hopefully folks can come and join us for a two night, three day run in and around the Kofa Wildlife Preserve. Kofa is not too far from Phoenix or Tucson or even my humble town of Kingman. It offers a great selection of backcountry roads and plenty of nice spots to camp. The runs will include Palm Canyon, Skull Rock, Big Canyon Mine, Castle Dome and possibly Kofa cabin. The pace will be casual and the destinations are simply goals. If the group chooses to spend more time at one area, this is not a problem. Due to the nature of the Kofa, we will not have a base camp. Each night we will be camping at a different location. There are no limitations on the age of the camp gear however a fellow would be getting some style points if he/she showed up with a couple of dutch ovens. I will be setting up camp at the base of the Palm Canyon trailhead on Friday afternoon (February 15th) and anyone can join us there if they choose to come out early. Palm Canyon is easy to find from either Yuma or Quartzite. The turn off is on the east side of Az highway 95 between mp 85 & 86. There is ample room there for many camps. Those coming in Saturday can meet us at the trailhead. I have travelled some of the Kofa and look forward to seeing more of the area. The scenery is Mojave desert at it's best and the weather that time of year is comfortable. I will post some teaser pics soon. Let us know if you can come, we will be posting additional information as we get closer to the event. Mikey

I keep my kit simple and try to have items that can function for different problems. I pack for the trip because to do otherwise, at least for me, things would become out of date and useless. I have found that a few maxipads work great for bad cuts on self or even a torn pad on your four footed partner. Leave them in their sanitary packages until needed. 4 X 4's and good medical tape is a must as well and don't forget the Steri-strips. They can pull a deep cut together almost as well as stitches will. Working in a jail with a lot of blood and body fluids, I have grown to really appreciate latex gloves. Keep many pairs in the right sizes and change them out often. they do dry out. I have bought some pretty expensive kits from Zee and other companies but I don't anymore. They are a bit pricey and each item fits in a special spot in the box and when you use it, you have to buy the replacement from the company for it to fit in that same spot. I have also found that I can come up with materials for splints etc. from other supplies or even from the area that I am in. Many times you can make do if you are creative. But I have also replaced U joints in the field with a pair of fencing pliers, a 70 penny spike and a single bit axe. Not letting the situation overwelm you is your most important tool to carry along. Just my two cents worth. Mikey

George, that is a good idea but, the metal used in a u-joint may be too brittle. If that is the case, watch for pieces becoming flying projcetiles. Mikey

Great shot of the owl. He looks very comfortable. Mikey

Make sure you stop at the lodge in Peach Springs and buy a pass and if you are very hungry, order an indian taco while you are there (and don't refer to it as a Navajo taco). They check pretty regularly on Diamond Creek and will cite you if you don't have the pass. I believe it is per person and around $12 for adults. Not sure on kids. The reservation does like to get their pound of flesh. The drive down to the river is on an easy road but with some washboards. The site is a beaut and certainly worth seeing but be sure to have all you need as there is little there but tables and shelters. You will no doubt see rafters if you are there for any amount of time as it is a very common spot for them to stop. If you have time while you are down there, you might enjoy a hike up Diamond Creek to the falls. That time of year, it will be a good flow. The hike to the falls is about three miles up the creek. If interested, and want more info let me know. mkitchen@citlink.net Mikey

We missed it due to knee surgery last year so we are heart set on going this year. I am not taking the Tacoma since it is going to be a pavement run all the way and we are hotelling instead of camping. I am really looking forward to the event and seeing all the bling that I just have to have. Mo is going along, I think just to keep me in check, and so is my son, Sam. It should be alot of fun and I am looking forward to seeing a lot of equiptment. I know that at car shows, even the parking lot can have a lot of neat vehicles to see and I expect to see that at the expo as well. I have two days set aside to see everythiing. Mikey

Oregon Fish and Game, eh? What areas did you work in? I lived in the eastern end of the state for many a year. I believe that you will enjoy AZ, there is a lot to do and see. Mikey

Back home with a down face and tail between my legs. I really hate bagging a run and especially when it includes a breakdown or something that did not need to happen. MK

I will be coming in from Barstow and could anyone tell me where would be the best place to fill up before the campground? I will be a bit later than most since I have to work Friday, but hope to be out of Kingman by two or three. As, like others, I am going to have my Tacoma and trailer packed before I go to work on Friday so I can hit the road right away. Been watching the weather and they are predicting a storm later this week but I am hoping as, as we are all, that it will pass on by. Mikey

My request for thursday and friday off has been denied. I am still going to come out, but we will have to leave on friday afternoon and just make it to the afton campground. Mikey

I believe that Mid Hills is still open and would work out well. Check it out. Mikey

If you are coming north to I 40 then you might want to check out Mid-Hills in the Providence mountains. It is a great camp site with little use and some fun house sized rocks to climb on. If I remember it right, it is about 20 or more miles from I 40 north but worth the drive. Let me know if you are coming this way, I might meet up with ya. I would guess that you would come up Cal 95 to Needles? Mikey