Spring Creek - 8/28/10

[scout man]

I made it back for anyone that was wondering. Drove 45mph back from idaho springs because any faster than they and my square shaft tried to rattle me apart. Got down, slept in the back seat for an hour, drove to Red Rocks for a load out, and now I am back home ready to grab a couple more hours of sleep before work in the morning. In other words, pics and reports from me will have to wait till tomorrow afternoon. Just wanted people to know my front shaft held out till I made it home.

[Chris]

Sorry to see the DS twist Steve, still better than last time!

Looking forward to details, sounds like the run wasn't without incidents.

[scout man]

ok, Ill post what little I have. I will save the actual write up for josh, but here are a few pics.

Oh, and I came extremely close to rolling right at the begining wall, but josh has it all on video so we will wait.

ok, no pics because it is being difficult and I am done trying for right now. Ill try again later.

[Haku]

I guess I should get around to posting some pictures and such huh?

So it was a good day, if a bit longer then expected. Everything was running quickly and smoothly until we got about a 1/4 mile from the Rock Garden. The Wall obstacle is always fun and some people walked right up, and others had some issues. I didn't take many pictures at the Wall, but got video of everyone so you'll have to wait a bit for that.

Some group pics after the wall itself
http://public.bay.livefilestore.com/y1punsURuOZtctUnITx1tsAPNPo1jIl3xwco5C-R2AsiJyAP8a4gVR950eeFB-h4YjyvYEKeQMHxNPnIY8ZSRNvjw/16.jpg?psid=1

http://public.bay.livefilestore.com/y1pgymlYnOPuu1x9mniL_SSufQCnkIfx6XHh_reqi5PV_SwKEm 1h3v_aIWhrHeSKTPv1SRswOZUk1HgFNTPClmVOw/17.jpg?psid=1

Steve tried the hardest and had the worse luck on this obstacle. He got a bit tippy when he tried to reposition, as you can see here...
http://public.bay.livefilestore.com/y1pgymlYnOPuu1BhQxnosGQlcwfqKwSUUcNyzZgp7ZmMW-0OLEdW3TyzsArBQIRPI3vALyCa-_1uLvUxDQFM4Mbgw/15.jpg?psid=1

We then moved on. There is a neat ledge about halfway up that provides some challenge, but otherwise its just a shelf road and a bunch of switchbacks. There is fun steep and loose hill about 3/4 of the way up and its a cool spot for some pictures. By this point, a dude in a Samurai caught up behind us and joined our group.

Tim's rig before it got sick
http://public.bay.livefilestore.com/y1ps8fJiQdxxvOIdGU4O1KcPLzzGguskoo-VNZ1kreB2K1JAu9HZTnc3MazZEz0MhgFvkWB8bh0DVW6ker_i_ JUCw/3.jpg?psid=1

Keith and his brother in the CJ
http://public.bay.livefilestore.com/y1pZNvr-AGR-IHLBkncPmbVk7YhZMO3XnNsdrWPjV608qGL73QWz6yIIGMEv7T Fr6qVjonHJ505b6_7qsepOyGYXA/2.jpg?psid=1

Todd making his way up.
http://public.bay.livefilestore.com/y1pJR1Q9oAD_9BwMshV3ntlqWbc8_51eIKYprI4lhL50_ey89M zrSXps1XBBf-3FKg0AOpPny4OyfhNEpIGEU2Jcw/4.jpg?psid=1

Steve after he made it up. Sorry Bryan, none of you since I rode up with ya.
http://public.bay.livefilestore.com/y1ps2XzNFeH5Na5jsMnbf5BxGOa6NffIHzuHmxwu2lAGnuFjbc kNY_75SsOgQiNwZvHxZmPDDqzFEGFGlmnS0ATrA/14.jpg?psid=1

The little Samurai that caught up with us. I was missing my old rig watching him wheel all day.
http://public.bay.livefilestore.com/y1p3ltU-UUE0aKma9ynIpD7qEDnVIw7fpXWe87sbOp04jFoxdJ2vnGds4q PQy69YhuAPZr2UYCem7Ktvmt3M4syHA/5.jpg?psid=1

There are more to come in my next post.

[Brad]

Awesome pics! Cannot wait to see the videos!

[Haku]

There is a fun hill with a bunch of rocks that get in the way about 1/2 mile from the Rock Garden. Again, no pictures, but I got some video of everyone there. There was pretty much one line there for anything but a buggy with 42" tires on it, but its fun and challenging.

About halfway between the last switchback and the Rock Garden, Tim all of a sudden started having issues with his rig. Essentially it wouldn't idle and would only stay running for 30 seconds to a minute, and even the he was having to rev it really hard. We spent quite a while trying to figure out the issue. There was a full contingent of amateur Jeep mechanics on hand, as a group from the Mile Hi Jeep Club were just behind us. There was no definitive answer, since he was getting spark, and getting fuel pressure. We think that it was the alternator going bad, but its hard to tell on that one without swapping it out. Hopefully Tim figures it out and lets us know. Its a frustrating situation though, since there is nothing obviously broken and the problem was intermittent.

We did get him to the Rock Garden eventually, as he could do small rush's up it while the engine would actually run. The Rock Garden is one of those places that is a challenge, but really not that hard difficulty wise. Its not very dangerous and with the right lines something that a moderately built rig can get up. However, it is really prone to breaking stuff, mostly because there are many big rocks, and most of them move around a lot. You never know where they are going to be or what orientation. One second you are going over a flat rock, and all of a sudden its on its side and wedged against something under you rig. There are definitely some stout lines through there too that will challenge even the heavily built rigs.

Steve found out how taking a slightly wrong line and having some bad luck will get stuff broken.....

Keith's Brother holding up the trophy...
http://public.bay.livefilestore.com/y1pbKlwd4yC1iVyIbpqW_nbWxqmuX44b2I-awFTnT3BqB6X4LHImTJFAk1HpeqyJepnvfDeqwPmIDyoDruy8j 80JA/1.jpg?psid=1

http://public.bay.livefilestore.com/y1pFtu8pLSTp_C2S6-dJ6m6PW3W-tZXiWbtyv_nSwjXMoxYSRxotRrDKHICcUGQpNUu_6I4aoPtfau cgm9TVyrCbQ/6.jpg?psid=1

The video of how it happened is here (its the only one I have uploaded so far as I am going to edit the whole thing together)


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wTsDD0FmLXw

Some people had good lines and just walked right through it. Others had to try a number of different lines, but at the end everyone got through. Here are some pictures. I got video of other people going through too, so there is more coverage.

http://public.bay.livefilestore.com/y1poy6CiOFTqeuKwGnohlccK2OS5SPLlvKsGfjcVbEntGj5Cyc TfUtvon49bGmf11wEarblj5Fz7IbaXp0ko-h3OA/9.jpg?psid=1

http://public.bay.livefilestore.com/y1pbnI2ef74MrGaxAKIyfYanlrZuPgkpYR5EnkF1EUAHQ4uWbO cLnENU7tNyPhl9Th_PKQf9rSwPrp6DnpSKhE91g/8.jpg?psid=1

http://public.bay.livefilestore.com/y1p88mWmgr-1zHDo1rMGnKQXgAt4UeUFKzdaZPtJ6wn-BZJcDszUfVfSDFDhTvpr9QCZhyI7pejpeL2CyRmv_L7tQ/11.jpg?psid=1

http://public.bay.livefilestore.com/y1p4ehmfZh9F62hbLq2l4-2IxHHqQTNN3xDg31knc2WXl-nLl7Q429qOXRUc_9ulisBpO4fsy41-NWCEIbp6-KcHQ/10.jpg?psid=1

http://public.bay.livefilestore.com/y1pGiVRjQL00WqNsUgpI5d9RhKxTiKCifZhtST9DDjbcqwvkxJ HfukFDZOKiIUH2ES7ePURpAYv_m1Hb_BclEgB2A/12.jpg?psid=1

I really dug this minimalist Toyota Truggy/Buggy thing...dude was really cool too....said he might join up on here...
http://public.bay.livefilestore.com/y1pGiVRjQL00WoQFOm9EuvhA1per1dEeZvvGy3kpdc2XAVI_Xq N-o2trLzXdB25V_FeJ5E2y_P0cqxK5quVAINluw/13.jpg?psid=1

Bryan was nice enough to help Steve out with a tow out of the Rock Garden. Since he had no rear wheel drive after the accident, and he isn't locked in the front. It meant that most of the time he only had traction on one wheel and thats not really enough on loose rocky terrain like that. Bryan's K5 did a great job getting him out of there and they got Steve up to flatter ground where he was more able to go under his own power. Once we got out of the harder terrain, he had no issues until he got on the highway. Steve's front driveshaft is made of square tubing, and isn't very well balanced, so above 45 it vibrated enough to knock you teeth out. Bryan (and me in the passenger seat) followed him till he got to Denver (not sure if you could tell that was us or not Steve).

Tim got about halfway up taking a few bypasses and such to make it easier on his rig. His poor clutch was getting a ton of wear and he was having to throttle through stuff so much that we decided that it might be better to get some pulling help. We started off doing it with the Toyota truggy in the picture above, but he was so light weight that he couldn't get any traction. Finally Todd stepped in and helped out. The extra weight definitely helped. Todd towed Tim from there pretty much all the way to Idaho Springs where Tim got a hotel for the night. As far as I have heard, Tim hired a tow truck this morning and everyone is back home and safe.

I'm gonna take a swipe at getting a video of all the fun put together later this evening.

Cheers,

Josh

[scout man]

Bryan (and me in the passenger seat) followed him till he got to Denver (not sure if you could tell that was us or not Steve).

Yea, I knew that was you. Didnt see you turn off though, and apparently the horrible vibrations vibrated my cb antenae loose, and I drug it all the way back to denver. It wasnt working so well anymore.

[scout man]

wow, that drive shaft really just kind of fell out of there. weird.

[Haku]

I think about 30 seconds before that you landed hard on the diff. Its right before I said "Dude, you are totally on your diff" or whatever. I think that started it, and then it just got worse until it fell out.

I am 90% done with the video editing part and I think ya'll are gonna dig it. A few more tweeks and then it has to render, so it should be up later tonight (though possibly after a few peoples bed times, but only the ones who go to bed before 9pm).

Josh

[scout man]

Its right before I said "Dude, you are totally on your diff" or whatever. I think that started it, and then it just got worse until it fell out.

yea, but usually you get a loud bang, or a thud, or something. That must have cracked most of the way through, then the final breakage was a small one. I am thinking maybe it was just time for that shaft to go.

[scout man]

Yea, but usually you get a loud bang, or thud, or flapping or something! It must have cracked most of the way through, then just went the last final bit. I am wondering if it was just time for that shaft to go. Plus it has never handled that kind of torque before since I just installed the gears. Just wasnt up for the task!

[scout man]

alright, Ill try some pics again

I didnt take a lot, because I was mostly getting drug around, but here is the best of what I have. Ill try some more tomorrow, my internet sucks tonight.

[scout man]

ok, a couple more

[Adam]

Having run the trail just a few weeks ago, I know exactly where that shaft fell off! A fun trail for sure, but the unexpected on that one is a definite possibility.

[KnuckleHead]

awesome pics guys..... sorry to hear about the drive shaft.... Glad to hear that you made it home

[Smash]

Man that did just fall right out didn't it!! Glad you got home Steve.

Nice shots everybody!

[4wdhunter]

Glad everyone made it home, and sorry again that I wasn't able to make it. Looks like a good time except for a couple issues.

[MelloYello]

Hi Guys! What a fun day. That is a fun trail. Some carnage, but it is expected when you push it. below are my pics. My brother and I had a great time and it was good to meet all of you. Glad everyone made it home. Has anyone heard what the issue was with Tim's XJ? Weird whatever it was.

http://i304.photobucket.com/albums/nn174/AtomicKD/Spring%20Creek%202010/DSC04141.jpg
http://i304.photobucket.com/albums/nn174/AtomicKD/Spring%20Creek%202010/DSC04150.jpg
http://i304.photobucket.com/albums/nn174/AtomicKD/Spring%20Creek%202010/DSC04153.jpg
http://i304.photobucket.com/albums/nn174/AtomicKD/Spring%20Creek%202010/DSC04154.jpg
http://i304.photobucket.com/albums/nn174/AtomicKD/Spring%20Creek%202010/DSC04160.jpg

[MelloYello]

http://i304.photobucket.com/albums/nn174/AtomicKD/Spring%20Creek%202010/DSC04166.jpg
http://i304.photobucket.com/albums/nn174/AtomicKD/Spring%20Creek%202010/DSC04170.jpg
http://i304.photobucket.com/albums/nn174/AtomicKD/Spring%20Creek%202010/DSC04173.jpg
http://i304.photobucket.com/albums/nn174/AtomicKD/Spring%20Creek%202010/DSC04182.jpg
http://i304.photobucket.com/albums/nn174/AtomicKD/Spring%20Creek%202010/DSC04183.jpg
http://i304.photobucket.com/albums/nn174/AtomicKD/Spring%20Creek%202010/DSC04193.jpg

[Toadman26]

We have not heard back yet but it is getting looked at as we speak.......

[Brad]

Excellent pics! Someday I hope my Rover grows up to handle that trail. Someday. :thumb:

[Haku]

Here is the video I put together...watch it in at least 720p if you have a good internet connection...


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JHDyoDZnpc4

A bit of a learning curve doing this one, mostly with the editing and encoding. First couple times I encoded it looked like crap, but I finally got it right. Unfortunately it takes about 2 hours for it to encode, even on my quad core machine. Then, I forgot that Youtube only lets you put 15 minute videos up, and it was a 15 minute and 30 second video, so after 3 hours of uploading time, it told me that it was too long. Needless to say its been a long process. Learned a bunch of tricks and how to do it right, so should be easier in the future.

Josh

[WINKY]

nice video josh! i like 1080p!

[Trailrat99XJ]

Good job Josh!

[Toadman26]

looks great. we did have some fun

[Chris]

Excellent video Josh, downloading it now. :thumb:

[MelloYello]

Tight vid Josh. Good job. Thank you for taking the time to shoot, edit and post.

[Brad]

Awesome Josh! That sound Steve's front axle makes hitting the rock is priceless!:D

[Scout77]

A chevy pulling a scout !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! NO WAY..... lol :eek:

[Chris]

Wow Josh, I just took a look at it after downloading and that's got great resolution, bigger than my laptop screen! 1920x1080 :cool:

[scout man]

Awesome Josh! That sound Steve's front axle makes hitting the rock is priceless!:D

haha, glad I could make you happy.

[Chris]

If it's any consolation Steve, the sound of your front axle hitting the rock brought a tear to my eye and seeing your DS flop to the ground was enough to make me cry.

[scout man]

awww, thanks Chris. haha, like I said before, this was a good day on spring creek for me!!

[Chris]

Looking forward to next time yet?

[scout man]

A year from now?? Sure! I am in!!

[Trailrat99XJ]

I need to go back and finish what I started!!!!!!!

[Red Rhino]

A chevy pulling a scout !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! NO WAY..... lol :eek:

I was very easy for the old Chevy, it did not even break a sweat.;) LOL

[scout man]

my scout is well practiced at being pulled around.

[Haku]

Wow Josh, I just took a look at it after downloading and that's got great resolution, bigger than my laptop screen! 1920x1080 :cool:

Haha....thats encoded down too. The raw footage looks even better. The biggest reason I bought my new camera is because it can take near film quality video. I had my last camera stolen out from under my nose at the Indianapolis Convention Center (set it down 10 feet away and someone walked by and swiped it), and wanted to replace it with something that I could be happy using for 10 years.

Its the Canon T2i (aka 550d) Digital SLR. If you know camera's, its the guts of a Canon 7d with a cheaper housing and a different auto focus. The kicker is that the T2i is almost $900 cheaper, so you get a ton of bang for your buck.

I did a ton of research and found that its very capable. 18 megapixel, image stabilization, capable of 1080p video in both 24 and 30 frame per second, and 720p in 30 and 60 frames per second, using a close to full frame image capture device (only the $2k+ 5d mark II is full frame right now with an SLR). All this makes for a perfect camera. I want to get a cheap steadicam for it, which will get rid of most of the gitters and such. Still getting shooting technique and proper exposures, but its getting there.

Thanks for all the great feedback guys. I aim to please and the process of getting there is enjoyable too.

[Red Rhino]

Nice vid work Josh, you went all out! :thumb: It was a long day but I still had a great time. Any day on the trail is better than the best day at work.

Bryan

[sunk]

I like the video, very cool. I dont remember the wall obstacle when I ran spring creek, is that the bypass right at the beggining of the trail?

[Haku]

Yep....very beginning of the trail. Straight to go to The Wall, right to bypass it.

[Chris]

Plenty of people on the run and good info right here to easily add this to the Trail Directory: http://www.frontrange4x4.com/forums/newthread.php?do=newthread&f=172 :thumb:

[scout man]

Plenty of people on the run and good info right here to easily add this to the Trail Directory: http://www.frontrange4x4.com/forums/newthread.php?do=newthread&f=172 :thumb:

alright chris, if no one else does it I will put one up either later tonight or tomorrow. Have to catch up on the 256 unread posts from this weekend first though!!

[Chris]

So you're a slow reader Steve? :lmao:

[scout man]

Is there a Jeff I am missing here, or are you calling me jeff???

I been working too much to keep up with things, but thats a good thing. i may be sparce till october... working almost every day till my wedding, then wedding, then honeymoon, then back to wheeling!!

[Chris]

Oops, confused threads Jeff. :erm:

Being busy is a good thing Steve. :thumb:

[scout man]

Being busy is a good thing Steve.

Yes it is!! Especially when I am taking a week and a half off at the end of the month!!

[Chris]

I'm guessing your fiance doesn't read this otherwise you'd be saying "Especially when I'm getting married this month!"

What is the date Steve? As has been said elsewhere - Congratulations!

[scout man]

yea, thats why I am taking the week and a half off. No work for me a couple days before the wedding, then after the wedding we leave for Jamaica! We get married the 25th.

[Chris]

Nice plans Steve, real happy for you both! :thumb: