With surprisingly little holiday traffic southbound, I was the first to arrive at the park on Thursday about 7:30p with Harry and Hannah at 8:00p, and Scott about 8:30p. sMike and Gif pulled in about 10:45p. Thankfully, there weren't many in the camping area so parking was plentiful. Camp and fire established and all relaxed until drowsy.
Friday morning, sMike and Gif headed out to the north property and the rest of us set out toward the south and ran trail 1C on the way. The logging in progress on the south property made the trails confusing and on our way around trail 22, Harry's radiator and power steering cooler were damaged by a branch. Rather than attempt a trail repair, we headed back to camp where he removed the old and installed a newly purchased parts store unit. While he was wrenching, the rest headed down Trail C and ended up at Yellow Jacket. No issue for Bronco Chris, then I made it but broke a lower control arm bolt in the process. Scott took the bypass while Chris found a perfect bolt and nut for a temp fix. Back to camp and the RC parts shed where I found a bushing, bolt, and nut. We met up with Harry's friends Reid and Caleb in their Cherokee. With all repairs now completed, we went to the comp course and then down to Stair Step. Caleb and Scott wisely took another trail and after gathering some additional firewood, we met back at camp for another relaxing evening around the fire. Gari arrived after dark.
"Gari's Day" - Saturday morning greeted us with a steady soaking rain. We took shelter in various trailers, tents, and awnings and told tall tales. sMike and Gif decided to call it and at about 11:00a, packed and headed for home. Shortly after they left, the rain subsided and the sun came out! We packed our gear and headed for trail O. Not far in, Caleb investigated a possible damaged center pin on a rear leaf pack and just up the trail, Gari broke a front ujoint. In time, both were vetted and repaired. Harry, Chris, Hannah, and I tried our skill at one of the hill climbs. All were successful. On to Yellow Jacket and then CV where Harry and Chris completed a couple of the difficult hill climbs. Then we picked up trail 4 and then trail 2 and ended up at Crawler Ridge. Gari was nearly at the top when a rear axle shaft broke. Not an easy or fast repair, the axle was stripped, the broken pieces removed, and the replacement installed just after dark. Back to camp for much needed R&R.
Sunday morning was foggy/misty. But it wasn't raining! After relaxing start, some good conversation, we straightened Scott's tie rod and bid him farewell. Gari took my passenger seat and we headed to the north property and trail 40, 32, 36, 37, 34, 31, X3, all completed uneventfully. About 1:00p, we decided to call it a weekend, part ways, and head home.
