dzJeepChic

The Shackle Lift came today. George immediately noticed that they were MUCH too long to accomplish a 1" lift (as advertised), so he called Daystar Don, who assured George that it is a 1" lift. With skepticism, George installed the shackles as is, and got 1.625" of lift in the rear. Waay too much, he said the Jeep looked STOOPID. Out came the drill, welder and grinder. He did some fab work on them to shorten them, and he used a piece of 1"x1" square tubing to truss them. So, here she is yesterday: And here she is this evening: Oooh, looking schnazzy! More Later,

There's a radio ad for a windshield repair/replacement company that says one customer's windshield cracked when he was washing his car. "He had a small chip in his windshield, and when the cold water hit it, CRACK!" It makes me want to say, "We're in Arizona, buddy! There is no cold water! I try to cool off in the shower, but I can't, because there is no cold water!" HeeHee

We used to have a similar boat that we took to Apache Lake to camp and fish. Apache is the next one up from Canyon Lake as you go up Apache Trail, and it's less used because of that. Back in the day it was nice. Blue Ridge would be a good place, as would all the lakes up on the rim: Woods Canyon, Chevelon, Bear Canyon, etc. Then there's all those lakes up by Flagstaff - all around Lake Mary there are lots of little remote lakes: Long Lake, Potato Lake, Deep Lake, etc. We camped but didn't fish at Kinnickiniki (sp) Lake a few years ago. Nice little boat - have fun with it! d

Update on what's been done. Sorry, no 'Before' or 'Work in Progress' pictures on a lot of this: Change all Fluids - Oil, Transmission, Power Steering, etc. Took the doors apart to see why they were rattling and hard to open/close. Found driver front had cracked, build bracket and rivited in place. Other doors received adjustments, cleaning, oiling, etc. Repaired broken fan shroud mount and ordered missing fan shroud New Brake Pads & Clean Drums, Paint Outer Drums New Brake Pads & Rotors Install Front 2" Spring Spacer Lift - Courtesy of TheKSmith. This is a kit he had for his WJ. It came with a set of 1.75" (F) and a set of 2" ®; we used the one for the rear on the front. Ordered 1" Lift Shackle Kit Oh, and she got her first bath today Look at the difference: Aug. 4, 2009 Today

And believe me, after discovering that cooler we considered staying one more night since still had one more pack of hotdogs but we were completely out of beer . . . d

Wowsers that's a lotta water! http://www.flixxy.com/car-wash.htm d

We chose to go over the Hoover Dam and through Las Vegas on the way up to Tahoe to run The Rubicon, because I wanted to see the progress on the bridge they're building to span the Colorado River just below the Hoover Dam (the by-pass to the Hoover Dam). Here are the pictures I took. We were diverted into an inspection lane because we were towing Number 7. All vehicles which could be carrying massive explosives are inspected. This picture shows an approach ramp to the new bridge Almost down to the dam from the Arizona side From the dam you can see that Lake Mead is pretty far down from earlier days From here you get a better view of the new bridge construction; so close to meeting in the middle! Lots of cool photo-ops as you drive along. Made me wish I was on foot! Last look as you make the turn out of the river canyon A lucky snap of the shutter out the back from the cab of the truck reveils the Colorado River The dam by-pass is less than a year away from completion. Won't it be interesting to drive above the Colorado River from such heights?

Got to drive it into Scottsdale today! I took -e- to emissions & she passed except for the gas cap; went and bought one, took her back & she passed. Then to MVD, got license plates. Stopped off at the Jeep dealership for some Mopar Limited-Slip Rear Differential sauce that is added to the diff. fluid. By the way, I asked if it's okay to use the Mopar stuff with synthetic diff. fluid, it is. When I got home George drained the rear and front diffs., checked the gears for wear, cleaned the covers and contact points (and used a wire wheel on the bolt threads to clean them up) and used grey RTV to seal and re-install the covers. Rear Dana 35 w/ Limited Slip Cleaned and re-sealed case: Dana 35 Front Dana 30 Front case ready to go back on It's cool, the original diff. tags are on -e-, she's got 3.55 gears. I guess it's rare that the tag is still on the vehicle and people have to guess or try to research what gear ratio their Jeep came with. More Later, d

What a difference a day makes, we got the interior put back together today. Some of the stuff was kind of hard to figure out how it went, especially the seatbelts, but by looking a the pictures we took, we figured it out. The front carpet was a little challenging; there are wires coming from under where the center console goes that need to be fed through, so you need to be careful which hole you feed them through. My buddy Phil also gave me a repair manual that help greatly with reinstallation of the center console. Hardly recognizable from the condition we brought it home in! New wheels and 31" tires courtesy of Phil Shaw; don't they look great? I am very pleased with the progress we've made so far. Tomorrow it's off to emissions, MVD, the dealership for some Mopar Rear Diff sauce, and the parts store for some other assorted goodies. More Later!

Got a lot of work done on the Cherokee today. We stripped everything out of the inside and cleaned it. It looked like the Jeep had never been vaccuumed, ever. Take a look: The seats and carpets were gross, I'm surprised George got them as clean as he did. He scrubbed them with a solution of dish-soap and oxy-clean in a spray bottle and a brush. They're already almost dry. He also scrubbed all the plastic trim pieces, console and seatbelts. I found out that part of the black around the bottom is just tape, so I took all that off today too. I think I'm going to sand down the black paint that remains and then re-paint it black. I went on line asking if anybody has any 31" tires, and it turns out my buddy PEShaw still has his take offs from his Wrangler and he's going to GIVE them to me! Woot-Woot! I'll be able to safely drive it tomorrow! I'm pretty excited; the thing is going to be like new when we get it put back together! More Later, d

We went to Kingman yesterday to look at a Cherokee at Precision Automotive that a friend told us about. It's a '96 that has 181K miles on it, with a '93 4.0 engine that has 80K miles on it. It runs really nice, and is a great base for building an expedition rig. First look: How do I look? Test drive with Kingman in the background: First stop on the way home, the tire store. It had a death wobble at about 45 mph, so I wanted to get them balanced. Turned out two tires had split belts. They wanted to sell me two crappy mudders for $90, so I decided to take my chances limping it home with the bad tires in the back. It was a long jiggly ride but I made it home with George following me. Say 'Hello' to the Jeep Named e!

Quick Tips for Responsible Mountain Biking To view this information in a brochure format, Click Here Travel responsibly on designated roads and trails or in permitted areas. Avoid trails that are obviously wet and muddy. Cross streams slowly, at a 90-degree angle to the stream. When climbing, use a gear that provides comfortable momentum and maintains traction. Avoid going around water bars. When descending, avoid locking your bike’s wheels, which gauges the trail. Ride in the middle of the trails to minimize widening of the trails. Avoid sideslipping, which can lead to erosion. Maintain a reasonable distance between you and your fellow riders. Make your presence known when approaching others and going around blind corners. Comply with all signs and barriers. Buddy up with two or three riders as riding solo can leave you vulnerable if you have an accident or breakdown. Respect the rights of others including private property owners and all recreational trail users, campers and others to allow them to enjoy their recreational activities undisturbed. Be considerate of others on the road or trail. Leave gates as you find them. If crossing private property, be sure to ask permission from the landowner(s). Yield the right of way to those passing you or traveling uphill. Yield to hikers and horses. Keep the dust down. Educate yourself by obtaining travel maps and regulations from public agencies, planning for your trip, taking recreation skills classes, and knowing how to use and operate your equipment safely. Obtain a map of your destination and determine which areas are open to mountain bikes. Make a realistic plan, and stick to it. Always tell someone of your travel plans. Contact the land manager for area restrictions, closures, and permit requirements. Check the weather forecast. Be sure your mountain bike is properly maintained. Prepare for the unexpected by packing a small backpack full of emergency items. Wear a helmet, eye protection, and other safety gear. Avoid sensitive areas such as meadows, lakeshores, wetlands and streams, unless on designated routes. This protects wildlife habitat and sensitive soils from damage. Other sensitive habitats to avoid, unless on designated routes, include cryptobiotic soils of the desert, tundra, and seasonal nesting or breeding areas. Avoid disturbing historical, archeological, and paleontological sites. Avoid “spooking” livestock and wildlife you encounter and keep your distance. Motorized and mechanized vehicles are not allowed in areas designated as Wilderness. Do your part by leaving the area better than you found it, properly disposing of waste, minimizing the use of fire, avoiding the spread of invasive species, restoring degraded areas, and joining a local enthusiast organization. Carry a trash bag on your bike and pick up litter left by others. Pack out what you pack in. Practice minimum impact camping by using established sites and camping 200 feet from water resources and trails. Observe proper sanitary waste disposal or pack your waste out. Following a ride, wash your mountain bike and support vehicle to reduce the spread of invasive species. Don’t mix riding with alcohol or drugs. Get more in-depth mountain biking information by downloading the Tread Lightly! Guide to Responsible Mountain Biking.

Tread Lightly!’s Tips for Responsible Fishing To view a pdf of the brochure Click Here Travel responsibly on designated waterways and launch your watercraft in designated areas. Travel only in areas open to your type of watercraft. Carry a Coast Guard approved life vest (PFD) for each person on board. Always maintain your watercraft at a manageable speed Keep an eye out for other boaters, objects, and swimmers. If traveling on land, stay on designated roads, trails or permitted areas. Don’t create new routes or expand existing trails. Cross streams only at fords where the road or trail crosses the stream. Buddy up with two or three anglers. Traveling solo can leave you vulnerable if you have an accident or breakdown. Respect the rights of others including anglers, swimmers, skiers, boaters, divers and others to allow them to enjoy their recreational activities undisturbed. Show consideration to all recreationists on and around waterways and on the roads and trails to fishing spots. Be courteous to other boaters while in boat ramp areas. Launch and retrieve your watercraft as quickly as possible. Be a sportsman; conserve fisheries and catch only what you need. Leave ample room for other anglers so as not to disturb their fishing experience. If fishing by boat, don’t crowd other anglers or watercrafts. On roads and trails, horses always have the right of way, and when driving yield to hikers and bikers as well. Keep the noise down especially around shore and other anglers. Be considerate of others on the road or trail. Leave gates as you find them. If crossing private property, be sure to ask permission from the landowner(s). Educate yourself by learning rules and regulations, planning for your trip, taking recreation skills classes, and knowing how to use and to operate your equipment safely. Obtain a map of your destination and determine which areas are open to your type of travel. Make a realistic plan, and stick to it. Always tell someone of your travel plans. Contact the land manager for area restrictions, closures, and permit requirements. Check the weather forecast for your destination. Plan clothing, equipment and supplies accordingly. Know your local fishing laws and regulations. Know catch limits and legal length/size of fish you intend to keep. Be prepared with alternative fishing locations if you arrive at an over-crowded area. Avoid sensitive areas and operating your watercraft in shallow waters or near shorelines at high speeds. In the backcountry, be mindful of damaging fragile vegetation and soils along shorelines and stream banks. Choose access to fishing spots wisely. Other sensitive habitats to avoid unless on designated routes include cryptobiotic soils of the desert, tundra, and seasonal nesting or breeding areas. Avoid disturbing historical, archeological, and paleontological sites. Avoid “spooking” livestock and wildlife you encounter and keep your distance. Motorized and mechanized vehicles are not allowed in areas designated Wilderness. Do your part by leaving the area better than you found it, properly disposing of fuel, oil and waste, avoiding the spread of invasive species, restoring degraded areas, and joining a local enthusiast organization. Pack out what you pack in. Never discard fish entrails in lake shallows or any area where others might come across it. It is unacceptable to bury it near the lake or stream or burn it in camp. Suitable alternatives include: bagging and packing out entrails, disposing of them in water at least 25 feet deep, or burying them 100 yards away from any lake, trail, or camps. Avoid using lead weights, which, if ingested, is toxic to wildlife. Use only artificial lures. Live bait has the potential to accidentally introduce exotics and cause more damage to fish when being released, as they often take live bait deeper. If practicing catch and release, use barbless single hooks to make release easier. Return fish quickly, handling them with a wet hand to minimize effects on the protective coating on fish skin. Minimize fishing during spawning periods. Release smaller fish as they are forage for many residents of the ecosystem. Larger and older fish are often the best producers, collect more contaminants, and are less healthy to eat—also making them good choices for release. Observe proper sanitary waste disposal or pack your waste out. Protect the soundscape by preventing unnecessary noise created by a poorly tuned vehicle or revving your engine without need. Carry a trash bag and pick up litter left by others. Following a trip, wash your gear, watercraft, and support vehicle to reduce the spread of invasive species. Make sure to remove all plant material from watercraft, motor, trailer and other gear and dispose on dry land in a garbage container, and drain livewells, bilge water, and transom wells at the boat launch prior to leaving. Please email feedback@treadlightly.org for questions or comments about these tips.

Tread Lightly!’s Tips for Responsible Hunting To view a pdf of the brochure Click Here Travel responsibly on designated roads and trails or in permitted areas. Keep scouting to a minimum. Always practice minimum impact travel techinques for your mode of transportation Stay on the trail even if it is rough and muddy. Walking on the track edge and cutting switchbacks increase damage, cause erosion, and visual scarring. Walk single file to avoid widening the trail. When traveling in open country on foot where there are no trails, spread out to disperse impacts and avoid creating new trails. Comply with all signs and barrier Buddy up with two or three hunters. Hunting solo can leave you vulnerable if you have an accident. Designate meeting areas in case of separation. Respect the rights of others including private property owners and all recreational trail users, campers and others to allow them to enjoy their recreational activities undisturbed. Be considerate of others on the road or trail. Be a sportsman and practice ethical hunting. Never take a shot unless you see the animal clearly, you can identify it, and you know what lies between you, the target, and beyond. Don’t shoot across roads, trails, and waterways. Don’t leave animal remains in wetland or riparian areas, or on campgrounds, roads or trails. Leave gates as you find them. If crossing private property, be sure to ask permission from the landowner(s). Always yield to horses. Educate yourself by obtaining travel maps and regulations from public agencies, planning for your trip, taking recreation skills classes, and knowing how to use and operate your equipment safely. Know the hunter education requirements for your area. Whether required or not, take a hunter education course. Obtain a map of your destination and determine which areas are open to your type of travel. Make a realistic plan, and stick to it. Always tell someone of your travel plans. Contact the land manager for area restrictions, closures, and permit requirements. Check the weather forecast before you go. Prepare for the unexpected by packing a small backpack full of emergency items. Dress in layers and carry a jacket. Know your state’s requirements regarding when to wear Hunter Orange. Know your limitations. Watch your time and your energy. Avoid sensitive areas such as meadows, lakeshores, wetlands and streams, unless on designated routes. Other sensitive habitats to avoid unless on designated routes include cryptobiotic soils of the desert, tundra, and seasonal nesting or breeding areas. Avoid disturbing historical, archeological, and paleontological sites It is damaging and unlawful to use a permanent tree stand, blinds or platforms as well as to place spikes, nails, wires or other metal objects into a tree to act as steps or to hold a tree stand on public lands. Avoid damaging or removing trees or other plants when putting up hunting structures or enlarging sight lines. Avoid “spooking” livestock and wildlife you encounter. Motorized and mechanized vehicles are not allowed in areas designated as Wilderness. Do your part by leaving the area better than you found it, properly disposing of waste, minimizing the use of fire, avoiding the spread of invasive species, restoring degraded areas, and joining a local enthusiast organization. Pack out nails, ropes, wire, rifle and shotgun shells and other trash. Dismantle meat poles and other structures used while hunting. Remove flagging and biodegradable tape used for route finding. Provide information to wildlife managers to help manage game and determine wildlife inventories. Report any poaching incidents. Carry a trash bag on your vehicle and pick up litter left by others. Practice minimum impact camping by using established sites, camping 200 feet from water resources and trails. Observe proper sanitary waste disposal or pack your waste out. Following a hunt, wash your gear and support vehicle to reduce the spread of invasive species. Click here to get more tips for all kinds of outdoor recreation.

TOP 10 WAYS TO MINIMIZE IMPACT WHEN CAMPING IN THE OUTDOORS (scroll down for Tread Lightly!’s Tips for Responsible Camping brochure) 1. Whenever possible, use existing campsites. Camp on durable surfaces and place tents on a non-vegetated area. Do not dig trenches around tents. 2. Camp a least 200 feet from water, trails, and other campsites. 3. Pack out what you pack in. Carry a trash bag and pick up litter left by others. 4. Repackage snacks and food in baggies. This reduces weight and the amount of trash to carry out. 5. For cooking, consider using a camp stove instead of a campfire. Camp stoves leave less of an impact on the land. 6. Observe all fire restrictions. If you must build a fire—use existing fire rings, build a mound fire, or use a fire pan. Use only fallen timber for campfires. Do not cut standing trees. Clear a 10-foot diameter area around the site by removing any grass, twigs, leaves and extra firewood. Also make sure there aren’t any tree limbs or flammable objects hanging overhead. 7. Allow the wood to burn down to a fine ash, if possible. Pour water on the fire and drown all embers until the hissing sound stops. Stir the campfire ashes and embers until everything is wet and cold to the touch. If you don’t have water, use dirt. 8. Detergents, toothpaste and soap harm fish and other aquatic life. Wash 200 feet away from streams and lakes. Scatter gray water so it filters through the soil. 9. In areas without toilets, use a portable latrine if possible, and pack out your waste. If you don’t have a portable latrine, you may need to bury your waste. Human waste should be disposed of in a shallow hole six to eight inches deep at least 200 feet from water sources, campsites, or trails. Cover and disguise the hole with natural materials. It is recommended to pack out your toilet paper. High use areas may have other restrictions, so check with a land manager. 10. Following a trip, wash your gear and support vehicle to reduce the spread of invasive species. TREAD LIGHTLY!’S TIPS FOR RESPONSIBLE CAMPING To view this information in a brochure format Click Here Travel responsibly on designated roads and trails or in permitted areas. While traveling to your favorite camping spot, stay on designated roads and trails. Follow best practices for negotiating terrain for your type of travel. Don’t create new routes or expand existing trails. Cross streams only at fords where the road or trail crosses the stream. Comply with all signs and barriers. Buddy up with two or three campers. Traveling solo can leave you vulnerable if you have an accident or breakdown. Respect the rights of others including private property owners and all recreational trail users, campers and others to allow them to enjoy their recreational activities undisturbed. Be considerate of others on the road, trail, or campground Keep noise to a minimum especially in the early morning and evening hours. Be considerate of other campers’ privacy, keep your distance and avoid traveling through their campsites. Camping supplies in natural colors blend with natural surroundings and are less intrusive to other campers’ experiences. Leave gates as you find them. If crossing private property, be sure to ask permission from the landowner(s). When driving yield to horses, hikers, and bikers. Educate yourself by obtaining travel maps and regulations from public agencies, planning for your trip, taking recreation skills classes, and knowing how to use and operate your equipment safely. Obtain a map of your destination and determine which areas are open to your type of travel. Make a realistic plan, and stick to it. Always tell someone of your travel plans. Contact the land manager for area restrictions, closures, and permit requirements. Check the weather forecast for your destination. Plan clothing, equipment, and supplies accordingly. Carry a compass or a Global Positioning System (GPS) unit and know how to use them. Prepare for the unexpected by packing emergency items. Avoid sensitive areas such as meadows, lakeshores, wetlands and streams, unless on designated routes. This protects wildlife habitat and sensitive soils from damage. Other sensitive habitats to avoid unless on designated routes include cryptobiotic soils of the desert, tundra, and seasonal nesting or breeding areas. Avoid disturbing historical, archeological, and paleontological sites Avoid “spooking” livestock and wildlife you encounter and keep your distance. Motorized and mechanized vehicles are not allowed in areas designated Wilderness. Do your part by leaving the area better than you found it, properly disposing of waste, minimizing the use of fire, avoiding the spread of invasive species, restoring degraded areas, and joining a local enthusiast organization. Pack out what you pack in. Carry a trash bag and pick up litter left by others. Repackage snacks and food in baggies. This reduces weight and amount of trash to carry out. Whenever possible, use existing campsites. Camp on durable surfaces and place tents on a non-vegetated area. Do not dig trenches around tents. Camp at least 200 feet from water, trails, and other campsites. For cooking, use a camp stove. They are always preferable to a campfire in terms of impact on the land. Observe all fire restrictions. If you must build a fire-- use existing fire rings, build a mound fire, or use a fire pan. For campfires, use only fallen timber. Gather firewood well away from your camp. Do not cut standing trees. Let your fire burn down to a fine ash. Ensure your fire is completely extinguished. Do not wash in streams and lakes. Detergents, toothpaste and soap harm fish and other aquatic life. Wash 200 feet away from streams and lakes. Scatter gray water so it filters through the soil. In areas without toilets, use a portable latrine if possible and pack out your waste, otherwise it’s necessary to bury your waste. Human waste should be disposed of in a shallow hole (6”-8” deep) at least 200 feet from water sources, campsites, or trails. Cover and disguise the hole with natural materials. It is recommended to pack out your toilet paper. High use areas may have other restrictions so check with a land manager. Following a trip, wash your gear and support vehicle to reduce the spread of invasive species. Click here to learn more about responsible camp fires.

Tread Lightly! Tips for Responsible Hiking To view this information in a brochure format Click Here Travel responsibly on designated roads and trails or in permitted areas. Stay on the trail even if it is rough and muddy. Walking on the track edge and cutting switchbacks increase damage and cause erosion and visual scarring. Walk single file to avoid widening the trail. If there are no trails, and hiking is permited, spread out in open country. Spreading out, rather than following each other’s footsteps, disperses impact and avoids creating a new trail. Flagging and marking trails is unsightly. If flagging is necessary, remove flags as you leave. Comply with all signs and barriers. Buddy up with two or three hikers. Traveling solo can leave you vulnerable if you have an accident. Respect the rights of others including private property owners and all recreational trail users, campers and others to allow them to enjoy their recreational activities undisturbed. Be considerate of others on the road or trail. Leave gates as you find them. If crossing private property, be sure to ask permission from the landowner(s). Keep the noise down. Be especially cautious around horses, bikes and motorized vehicles. Stay to the right of the trail and let them pass. Educate yourself by obtaining travel maps and regulations from public agencies, planning for your trip, taking recreation skills classes, and knowing how to use and operate your equipment safely. Obtain a map of your destination and determine which areas are open to your type of travel. Make a realistic plan, and stick to it. Always tell someone of your travel plans. Contact the land manager for area restrictions, closures, and permit requirements. Check the weather forecast for your destination. Plan clothing, equipment, and supplies accordingly. Carry a compass or a Global Positioning System (GPS) unit and know how to use them. Carry water and emergency supplies even on short hikes. Choose appropriate footwear for the terrain. Solid, lightweight walking boots are best. Sandals can be used on trail in summer and around your campsite. Dress in layers and always carry a jacket. Weather conditions can change unexpectedly. Your pack weight should not exceed 1/3 of your body weight. Avoid sensitive areas such as meadows, lakeshores, wetlands and streams, unless on designated routes. This protects wildlife habitat and sensitive soils from damage. Other sensitive habitats to avoid unless on designated routes include cryptobiotic soils of the desert, tundra, and seasonal nesting or breeding areas. Avoid disturbing historical, archeological, and paleontological sites. Avoid “spooking” livestock and wildlife you encounter and keep your distance. Motorized and mechanized vehicles are not allowed in areas designated Wilderness. Do your part by leaving the area better than you found it, properly disposing of waste, minimizing the use of fire, avoiding the spread of invasive species, restoring degraded areas, and joining a local enthusiast organization. Carry a trash bag and pick up litter left by others. Pack out what you pack in. Repackage snacks and food in baggies. This reduces weight and amount of trash to carry out. In areas without toilets, use a portable latrine if possible and pack out your waste, otherwise it’s necessary to bury your waste. Human waste should be disposed of in a shallow hole (6”-8” deep) at least 200 feet from water sources, campsites, or trails. Cover and disguise the hole with natural materials. It is recommended to pack out your toilet paper. High use areas may have other restrictions so check with a land manager. Following a hike, wash your gear and support vehicle to reduce the spread of invasive species.

Tread Lightly!’s Tips for Responsible Geocaching To view this information in a brochure format Click Here Travel responsibly on designated roads and trails or in permitted areas. If traveling by vehicle, stay on designated roads and trails. Don’t create new routes or expand existing trails. Cross streams only at fords where the road or trail crosses the stream. If hiking on a trail, walk single file to avoid widening the trail. If there are no trails and hiking is permitted, spread out in open country. Spreading out, rather than following each other’s footsteps, disperses impact and avoids creating a new trail. If possible travel on hardened surfaces such as gravel, slick rock or in sand washes. Use the “track back” feature on your Global Positioning System (GPS) unit rather than flagging and marking trails. Comply with all signs and barriers. Buddy up with two or three geocachers. Traveling solo can leave you vulnerable if you have an accident or get lost. Respect the rights of others including private property owners and all recreational trail users, campers and others to allow them to enjoy their recreational activities undisturbed. Be considerate of others on the road or trail. Leave gates as you find them. If crossing private property, be sure to ask permission from the landowner(s). Keep the noise down. If hiking, be especially cautious around horses, bikes, and motorized vehicles. Stay to the right of the trail and let them pass. If traveling by vehicle, yield the right of way to those passing you or traveling uphill. Yield to mountain bikers, hikers, and horses. Keep the noise and dust down. Educate yourself by obtaining travel maps and regulations from public agencies, planning for your trip, taking recreation skills classes, and knowing how to use and operate your equipment safely. Obtain a map of your destination and determine which areas are open to your type of travel. Make a realistic plan, and stick to it. Always tell someone of your travel plans. Familiarize yourself with restrictions and prohibitions in your area before you decide where to place a cache. The National Park Service (NPS) has strict geocaching regulations. Obtain permission first before leaving a cache on NPS lands. Check the weather forecast for your destination. Plan clothing, equipment, and supplies accordingly. Dressing in layers allows easier changing to meet unexpected weather conditions. In addition to your GPS receiver, always carry extra batteries, a map, compass, and know how to use them. Carry water and emergency supplies even on short trips. Avoid sensitive areas such as meadows, lakeshores, wetlands and streams, unless on designated routes. This protects wildlife habitat and sensitive soils from damage. Avoid placing caches in sensitive habitats including wetlands, caves, steep slopes, cryptobiotic soils of the desert, tundra, and seasonal nesting or breeding areas. Avoid disturbing or placing a cache in historical, archeological, and paleontological sites. Avoid “spooking” livestock and wildlife you encounter and keep your distance. Motorized and mechanized vehicles are not allowed in areas designated as Wilderness. Do your part by leaving the area better than you found it, properly disposing of waste, minimizing the use of fire, avoiding the spread of invasive species, restoring degraded areas, and joining a local enthusiast organization. Cache Placers Avoid burying a cache in the ground. It is the cache owner’s responsibility to maintain the cache and the surrounding area. If a cache’s area is impacted, confer with the land manager on how you will mitigate the impacts and seek their advice as to whether to relocate the cache. Never place food items in a cache. Don’t modify the environment for any reason, even when hiding a cache. Cache Seekers Use maps to find a route that will minimize impacts. Note waypoints during your journey to assist you on your return trip. If you notice a path has started to wear in the vicinity of a cache, notify the cache owner via email. Practice the “lift, look, replace” technique-- if you lift a rock to look under it, then replace it exactly as you found it. After you’ve finished searching for a cache, the area should look as though you were never there or better than when you arrived. Minimizing Other Impacts Carry a trash bag on your vehicle and pick up litter left by others. Pack out what you pack in. Practice minimum impact camping by using established sites camping 200 feet from water resources and trails. Observe proper sanitary waste disposal or pack your waste out. Following a trip, wash your gear and support vehicle to reduce the spread of invasive species. For more, check out this article about responsible geocaching.

Tread Lightly!’s Tips for Responsible Dirt Biking To view this information in a brochure format, Click Here Watch a great 7-minute video covering principles and tips for riding outdoors. Travel responsibly on designated roads and trails or in permitted areas. Travel only in areas open to dirt biking. On slick trails, moderate the throttle and use the clutch to gain maximum traction with minimum tailspin. On switchbacks, avoid roosting around the apex of the turn when climbing or brake-sliding during descent, both of which gouge the trail. Drive over, not around obstacles to avoid widening the trail. Cross streams only at designated fording points or where the trail crosses the stream. Comply with all signs and barriers Buddy up with two or three riders. Riding solo can leave you vulnerable if you have an accident or breakdown. Designate meeting areas in case of separation. Respect the rights of others including private property owners and all recreational trail users, campers and others to allow them to enjoy their recreational activities undisturbed. Be considerate of others on the road or trail. Leave gates as you find them. If crossing private property, be sure to ask permission from the landowner(s). Yield the right of way to those passing you or traveling uphill. Yield to mountain bikers, hikers, and horses. Do not idly ride around in camping, picnicking, trailhead and residential areas. Keep speeds low around crowds and in camping areas. Keep the noise and dust down. Educate yourself by obtaining travel maps and regulations from public agencies, planning for your trip, taking recreation skills classes, and knowing how to use and operate your equipment safely. Obtain a map of your destination and determine which areas are open to dirt bikes. Make a realistic plan, and stick to it. Always tell someone of your travel plans. Contact the land manager for area restrictions, closures, and permit requirements. Check the weather forecast before you go. Prepare for the unexpected by packing a small backpack full of emergency items. Wear a helmet, eye protection, and other safety gear. Buddy up with two or three riders. Riding solo can leave you vulnerable if you have an accident or breakdown. Designate meeting areas in case of separation. A DirtBike School SMclass provides a fast-paced, half-day, hands-on training session. Call 1-877- 288-7093 to enroll. Make sure your vehicle is mechanically up to task. Be prepared with tools, supplies, spares and a spill kit for trailside repairs. Avoid sensitive areas such as meadows, lakeshores, wetlands and streams, unless on designated routes. Other sensitive habitats to avoid unless on designated routes include cryptobiotic soils of the desert, tundra, and seasonal nesting or breeding areas. Avoid disturbing historical, archeological, and paleontological sites. Avoid “spooking” livestock and wildlife you encounter and keep your distance. Motorized and mechanized vehicles are not allowed in areas designated as Wilderness. Do your part by leaving the area better than you found it, properly disposing of waste, minimizing the use of fire, avoiding the spread of invasive species, restoring degraded areas, and joining a local enthusiast organization. Carry a trash bag on your vehicle and pick up litter left by others. Pack out what you pack in. Practice minimum impact camping by using established sites and camping 200 feet from water resources and trails. Observe proper sanitary waste disposal or pack your waste out. Protect the soundscape by preventing unnecessary noise created by a poorly tuned vehicle or revving your engine without need. Following a ride, wash your dirt bike and support vehicle to reduce the spread of invasive species. Don’t mix riding with alcohol or drugs. Want to learn more? Take the Tread Lightly! 101 Online Course. Or, download the Tread Lightly! Guide to Responsible Dirt Bike Riding.

Quick Tips for Responsible ATV Riding To view this information in a brochure format, Click Here. Ride Right! Below are some quick tips from the nonprofit Tread Lightly! on responsible ATV riding in the great outdoors. Also, check out our fantastic 1-minute ATV video. Travel responsibly on designated roads and trails or in permitted areas. Travel only in areas open to All Terrain Vehicle (ATV) use. On switchbacks, avoid roosting around the apex of the turn when climbing or brake-sliding during descent, both of which gouge the trail. Never cut switchbacks. Drive over, not around obstacles to avoid widening the trail. Cross streams only at designated fording points or where the trail crosses the stream. When possible, avoid mud. Save wet, muddy trails for another day when they are dry. If you do come upon mud on the trail, don’t widen the trail by going around it. Drive through it by going easy on the gas to avoid wheel spin, which can cause rutting. Comply with all signs and barriers. Buddy up with two or three riders. Riding solo can leave you vulnerable if you have an accident or breakdown. Designate meeting areas in case of separation. When winching always inspect your equipment, use the right winch for the situation, find a good secure anchor, and never winch with less than five wraps of wire rope around the drum. When using a tree as an anchor, use a wide tree strap to avoid damage to the trunk of the tree. STREAMS: Cross streams where the trail crosses the stream at a 90 degree angle.CUTTING SWITCHBACKS: Switchbacks are designed to maintain the stability of a trail. Cutting them destroys their integrity.OBSTACLES: Drive over, not around, obstacles such as small rocks and logs to avoid widening the trail. Respect the rights of others including private property owners and all recreational trail users, campers and others to allow them to enjoy their recreational activities undisturbed. Be considerate of others on the road or trail. Leave gates as you find them. If crossing private property, be sure to ask permission from the landowner(s). Yield the right of way to those passing you or traveling uphill. Yield to mountain bikers, hikers, and horses. Do not idly ride around in camping, picnicking, trailhead and residential areas. Keep speeds low around crowds and in camping areas. Keep the noise and dust down. Educate yourself by obtaining travel maps and regulations from public agencies, planning for your trip, taking recreation skills classes, and knowing how to use and operate your equipment safely. Obtain a map of your destination and determine which areas are open to ATVs. Make a realistic plan, and stick to it. Always tell someone of your travel plans. Contact the land manager for area restrictions, closures, and permit requirements. Check the weather forecast before you go. Prepare for the unexpected by packing a small backpack full of emergency items. Wear a helmet, eye protection, and other safety gear. Buddy up with two or three riders. Riding solo can leave you vulnerable if you have an accident or breakdown. Designate meeting areas in case of separation. Know your limitations. Watch your time, your fuel, and your energy. Take a class or the ATV RiderCourse SM that provides a fast-paced, half-day, hands-on training session. Call the ATV Enrollment Express toll-free at 1-800-887-2887 to enroll. Make sure your ATV is mechanically up to task. Be prepared with tools, supplies, spares and a spill kit for trailside repairs. Avoid sensitive areas such as meadows, lakeshores, wetlands and streams, unless on designated routes. This protects wildlife habitat and sensitive soils from damage. Other sensitive habitats to avoid unless on designated routes include cryptobiotic soils of the desert, tundra, and seasonal nesting or breeding areas. Avoid disturbing historical, archeological, and paleontological sites Avoid “spooking” livestock and wildlife you encounter and keep your distance. Motorized and mechanized vehicles are not allowed in areas designated Wilderness. Do your part by leaving the area better than you found it, properly disposing of waste, minimizing the use of fire, avoiding the spread of invasive species, restoring degraded areas, and joining a local enthusiast organization. Carry a trash bag on your vehicle and pick up litter left by others. Pack out what you pack in. Practice minimum impact camping by using established sites and camping 200 feet from water resources and trails. Observe proper sanitary waste disposal or pack your waste out. Spark arrestors are required on all OHVs traveling on public lands. Protect the soundscape by preventing unnecessary noise created by a poorly tuned vehicle or revving your engine without need. Use proper silencers on exhausts, which meet regulatory decibel levels. Following a ride, wash your ATV and support vehicle to reduce the spread of invasive species. Don’t mix riding with alcohol or drugs. Want to learn more? Take the Tread Lightly! 101 Online Course. Or, download the Tread Lightly! Guide to Responsible ATV Riding.

Quick Tips for Responsible Four Wheeling To view a pdf of the brochure Click Here Ride Right! Below are some quick tips from the nonprofit Tread Lightly! on four-wheeling responsibly in the great outdoors. You can also get some off-road basics with these fantastic 1-minute videos. For more tips on minimizing impact when ATV riding, snowmobiling, camping and other outdoor pursuits, click here. Travel responsibly on designated roads and trails or in permitted areas. Travel only in areas open to four-wheel drive vehicles. For your safety, travel straight up or down hills. Don’t traverse the face of a hill; you may slip sideways or roll your vehicle. Drive over, not around obstacles to avoid widening the trail. Cross large rocks and other obstacles slowly, at an angle one wheel at a time. Cross ravines slowly at a 45-degree angle. Straddle ruts, gullies, and washouts even if they are wider than your vehicle. Cross streams only at designated fording points, or where the road crosses the stream. When possible, avoid mud. Save wet, muddy trails for another day when they are dry. If you do come upon mud on the trail, don’t widen the trail by going around it. Drive through it by going easy on the gas to avoid wheel spin, which can cause rutting. Don’t turn around on narrow roads, steep terrain, or unstable ground. Backup until you find a safe place to turn around. Stop frequently and reconnoiter ahead on foot. Go easy on the throttle and avoid riding the brake or clutch. To help with traction, balance your load and lower tire pressure to where you see a bulge (typically not less than 20 pounds). Know where the differential or the lowest point on your vehicle is. Maintain a reasonable distance between vehicles. Comply with all signs and barriers. Travel with a group of two or more vehicles. Driving solo can leave you vulnerable if you have an accident or breakdown. Designate meeting areas in case of separation. Choose the appropriate winch for your vehicle size. Attach towing cable, tree strap, or chain as low as possible to the object being winched. Let the winch do the work; never drive the winch. Respect the rights of others including private property owners and all recreational trail users, campers and others to allow them to enjoy their recreational activities undisturbed. Be considerate of others on the road or trail. Leave gates as you find them. If crossing private property, be sure to ask permission from the landowner(s). Yield the right of way to those passing you or traveling uphill. Yield to mountain bikers, hikers, and horses. Do not idly ride around in camping, picnicking, trailhead, and residential areas. Keep speeds low around crowds and in camping areas. Keep the noise and dust down. Educate yourself by obtaining travel maps and regulations from public agencies, planning for your trip, taking recreation skills classes, and knowing how to use and operate your equipment safely. Obtain a map of your destination and determine which areas are open to off-highway vehicles. Make a realistic plan, and stick to it. Always tell someone of your travel plans. Contact the land manager for area restrictions, closures, and permit requirements. Check the weather forecast before you go. Prepare for the unexpected by packing necessary emergency items. Buckle-up! Seat belts are mandatory. Know your limitations. Watch your time, your fuel, and your energy. Take an off-highway driving course to learn more about negotiating terrain in a four-wheel drive vehicle. Make sure your vehicle is mechanically up to task. Be prepared with tools, supplies, spares, and a spill kit for trailside repairs. Avoid sensitive areas such as meadows, lakeshores, wetlands and streams, unless on designated routes. Other sensitive habitats to avoid unless on designated routes include cryptobiotic soils of the desert, tundra, and seasonal nesting or breeding areas. Avoid disturbing historical, archeological, and paleontological sites. Avoid “spooking” livestock and wildlife you encounter and keep your distance. Motorized and mechanized vehicles are not allowed in areas designated Wilderness. Do your part by leaving the area better than you found it, properly disposing of waste, minimizing the use of fire, avoiding the spread of invasive species, restoring degraded areas, and joining a local enthusiast organization. Carry a trash bag on your vehicle and pick up litter left by others. Pack out what you pack in. Practice minimum impact camping by using established sites, camping 200 feet from water resources and trails. Observe proper sanitary waste disposal or pack your waste out. Protect the soundscape by preventing unnecessary noise created by a poorly tuned vehicle or revving your engine without need. Following a ride, wash your vehicle to reduce the spread of invasive species. Don’t mix driving with alcohol or drug Commit to responsible four-wheeling and learn more about how to protect off-road access by becoming a Friend of Tread Lightly! free.

Here's another rig we saw on the Rubicon Trail this summer. It's a Nissan Xterra with a Titan suspension and under carriage. We were impressed by the abilities of this vehicle as much as we witnessed; capable and ROOMY!

We saw this FJ Cruiser while we were at the Rubicon. It seemed that the guy had hired a professional guide for the trail. They tried to pass us at the by-pass to $1,000 Hill, but the Toyota took a bad line off the bottom of the hill. We tried giving him a backwards tug but it didn't help. They were getting the high-lift off the roof when we left them. They passed us back on the By-Pass to Old/True Sluice and beat us to Buck Island Lake. They were at the Mechanics Area when we went by; luckily, we were aiming for a camp spot someone had told us about at the Dam.

Here are some pictures of the scenery along the Rubicon Trail. A tree that grows near the Little Sluice: A lily pond at the by-pass to the Little Sluice: Buck Island Lake The Rubicon River Rubicon Springs Along the trail beyond Observation Point Miller Lake all covered with Lily Pads These pictures were taken with my trusty point & shoot, an old Pentax Optio S5i. The thing's been dropped in the dirt, banged around and landed on by me, and it still takes pretty good pictures IMO.

Going past Kofa Butte: A while after we passed Kofa Butte, our GPS showed we were passing a trail which I thought should be the one we wanted, but which was not marked (unlike all the other trails had been), and was really just a wash. We went past it a ways until I made us stop and look at the map together, because we were starting down toward the southeast, which looked like the wrong trail. George told us to hang out for a minute and he’d drive forward just to see if the road kept going southeast or if it turned. So Phil and I watched and after a while we saw his plume of dust turn toward the northeast; the right direction, so we radioed him and told him we were on the way in Phil’s Jeep. We took off after him and sure enough the trail did turn in the right direction and we were headed for Courthouse Mountain. When we finally caught up to him, we found George hugging the trail marker, but I missed the shot because my camera was in my Jeep! Here we are feeling very oriented: From there we took Engineer Pass east, and then turned north up toward the Kofa Maganese Road. Engineer Pass is essentially a wash you drive through, nothing difficult, nothing spectacular, a little tight in spots so expect some pin-striping. The Kofa Maganese Road is long and generally runs north by northeast past the east side of the Kofa Range. It traverses many washes and plateaus with some very scenic views of the mountains off in the distance. Coming through Red Rock Pass was scenic because of the various colors of rock, and it was the only place where the road gets a little rough and washed out: At the end of Kofa Maganese Road we took a right on the Pipeline Road, went east a few miles and then made a left on what turned out to be the Vicksburg Road and drove a couple miles up to I-10 where we found a Valero Station and Convenience store. How Convenient! We used their $0.75 Air, bought some gas and got out of there quick. It was an incredible weekend and we were able to put a lot of miles under our Jeeps. The weather was absolutely ideal; although a little hot down in the canyons, but perfect for camping! Our Expedition Companion Phil was a lot of fun to hang out with, and we joked about how hard he was to get along with because he was willing to go anywhere we suggested! Thanks Phil for the good company, conversation and Recon Support! We’ll be planning a Kofa Expedition for the near future for those of you who want to experience the area first hand. Until then, we’ll see you on the trails! GnD