I finally got my computer to let me onto the site, so here's a quick review of Saturday's events.
We separated into two groups, modified and hardcore. Hardcore was Brian (MOPARTECH) and Barbie; Tom (OC) and Trevor; Chris (quadna) and Icky's brother; Lee (BlackRubi) and his girlfriend Julie; and me (BlueJ) and Erica's dad Mike. (Icky's family came along for the ride after hosting a night of camping on Mt. Lalik.)
The hardcore team warmed up on Drumstick. Mostly this one went well, although none of us could get up the rock shelf on the right side up the hill (we had done it in previous rides). We also plowed up the rock face at the top of the hill, and then around the top, only stopping to re-seat a bead on Lee's jeep.
Then on to M trail. This was a fun one. I scooted up to the top, then helped everyone else up. Some had some issues, digging holes in the dirt and hitting trees. I believe at least one taillight and one license plate frame were casualties.
After the rock field at the top, we decided to scoot on down to join up with the other group for lunch at Voodoo. I sufferred a brain freeze and went the wrong way, wedging myself between a rock and a hard place (a big tree). Pushing through, I went on a severe tilt to the left with the right tires on a BIG rock, and then coming off the rock almost toppled tail over head. If I had hit the brakes, I probably would have gone over, but luckily I had split a brake line and lost my brakes a second or two earlier.
After the dust settled (I don't remember much more), we took an inventory. It looked like only the brake line was broken, though it sure felt much more should have been. (I did get some matching dents on the other side of the windshield frame.) Brian and Chris crimped off the brake line, and we continued down the hill. Amazingly, Mike did get back into my jeep after our "near death experience". Tom followed my line and squeezed through, but everyone else went the right way and made it down uneventfully.
We then headed over to Voodoo, WWWAAAYYY the heck over on the other side of the park. We sped up Valley Road and the Pipeline, then debated where to turn. There were no trail markers, so weren't sure where Ridge trail was. I was about to turn into a trail, and Tom said wait, go up that hill, "Ridge trail must be at the top of that ridge, right?". Well, I listened to him and went past what turned out to be Ridge trail and continued on to Muddy Pipeline Bypass. After cirling around for 1/2 of an eternity, we found ourselves at Voodoo. None of us quite remembered what it was supposed to look like, but the "Guide Only" sign convinced us we were in the right place.
We looked around a while until the modified group caught up with us, and then we had lunch. A couple of us sickos then headed into Voodoo. Brian and Tom completed the trail (see separate post), but the rest of us turned back after repairing my broken front axle shaft (thanks everyone, especially Brian!)
Now we need a report from the modified group, as well as from the campers and the Sunday trail ride...