In.

John B.

sweet, this is gonna be a extremely fun trip, I haven't been wheeling for quite some time now so I'm getting pretty anxious. I will try and find a group that has recently been out that way. If its washed out on the switchbacks then we might not want to run it. Unless you all want to wheel passed the mill and then turn around. Lets take a vote, if you wanna wheel it anyway say "YAY" if you wanna pass on doing it all together say "NAH".

up past the mill and back down is a loop, It's all rocks and the bypasses are still there so everybody will be happy.

Meh. I'll photograph. That kind of rock crawling is too slow-going for my tastes. I'll live for the camping and actual trail running (meaning above 5 mph). I have taken some good shots when I don't have to worry about driving...

John B.

you'll be fine you can park at the bottom and walk along and take pics for the wire it's a short loop.

[img]http://pics.montypics.com/johnnybfr...july_2005_montero_run___martinez_042.jpg[/img]

The above are from July 2005, Martinez, above the old mill. I had no problem walking, but I was thankful Kevin had Cokes.

John B.

I ran into a guy I recognized from the BLM meeting a couple of weeks ago while I was working today. We started talking about the trail closings and he stated that he was out by Martinez Cabin this past weekend and that it appeared someone was doing fencing work in preparation for a closing. He also said he thought BLM would act within weeks, if not days, once their plan gets signed off (rubber stamp) around May 8, especially on Martinez. He also said he remembered a BLM guy briefly mention just where the closure for that trail may be. He thinks the closure may come before the trail splits to go to the Coke Ovens...just another ploy by the Feds, he says, they say they're going to just close one trail and instead close an entire system by dividing it up. It's a long way around through Superior and south to catch the other trail into the Ovens... I hope he's wrong.

I had a feeling this would come down fast, especially on this particular trail, from the way I heard the tone at that meeting. At least we have pictures.

Who's doing anything this weekend?

John B.

As far as saturday I'm working from 3AM till about 12PM, On sunday I work from 3 to 7 in the AM nothing after though. Do you have some plans to hit the trail again this weekend johnB.

I would be really bumbed out if they decided to close the trails down earlier than expected. This is the reason for planning this trip. I figured it would be good for one last hurrah! Well I'm sure we could make due with what we have left out there for the weekend of the 30th.

also, Who all is planning on heading out there friday evening (29th). I'm just trying to figure it out so We can kinda plan on what day for sure where heading out. I would like to leave friday evening to have an extra night of camping, thats my plan as long as there is others who would be joining me. I know pat is meeting us out there on saturday morning so far. Is there anyone else planning on leaving on saturday morning?

BTW, I went to 4wheel parts today and ordered up a new set of rear shocks to compensate for the lift shackles, maybe my truck will get some flex now. I ordered the pro comp 9000 gas shocks this time instead of the pro comp 3000 oil shock. I'm hoping these ones last 10 times the life the 3000's did. They should be in Monday.

Pa_jero and toasty doing the far left V notch? Pa_jero can winch me up it i'm not gonna have my gears til after the trip.

Kevin, I don't get it...why use Pro-Comp? KYB Gas-A-Just, my friend. Be cool, like the Dos Equis guy.

I'm going out there the night after work on Friday. I can probably amend that to the afternoon of that Friday, come to think of it. It's always less of a pain to stay in the same place for two nights, but we can always move if you guys want to.

Kevin, if you want, give me a call after work on Sat. or Sun. No plans at this point.

BLM isn't making plans to close the trails earlier than "they" expected. Maybe earlier than "we" expected.

John B.