Before we could even get started on the trail, we had our first breakdown. Doc's Jeep never made it off the gravel road!

We started running the trail backwards, led by Gary Schreiter (aka Doc), Gary Shadwick (aka Shaddy) and Randy Whitaker (aka Randy). Our 11 Jeeps stopped at the first obstacle to watch Shaddy winch himself out. Andy Hill was next but fell to the same winching fate. With a few last words of wisdom from Doc "you'll make it if you're lucky", Matt Springer wrapped himself in a tarp and drove into the mud. With mud flying everywhere, Matt came out the other end with a mud colored jeep (which netted him second place in Pine Lake's dirtiest rig contest). After Matt made it through and a couple of Jeeps chose the bypass, Todd V. Sr. proudly exclaimed "my boy will make it through it!" Much to Todd Sr.'s dismay, Todd Jr. took the bypass.

We paraded through the trail with no major "injuries" until the creek crossing just before lunch. Shaddy's U-joint failed as he attempted the obstacle. No problem though, as he fixed it over lunch, with all the guys watching. We were also joined by OR, Tim Miller and Dave Christensen at lunch.

After lunch we hit Magic Mountain, a steep hill climb made of loose rock where a wrong move sends you tumbling backwards. Some climbed successfully, some had trouble with the bypass!

At some point in the day, Dave Stecker found his CJ7 hung up on a log. Todd Sr. hooked a tow strap on the front of Dave's jeep and jokingly gave the strap a tug and actually pulled the Jeep over the log, He-Man style.

The day was rounded out with Susie's Knob and some rock crawling. We hit a series of wet rock ledges that required proper wheel placement and precise go pedal application. These rocks were sharp as Matt found out the next morning when his front tire was completely flat.

No major breakdowns, a few minor scrapes; Todd Jr.'s fender found a tree, Jeff Bayer broke a hub and some trees lost some bark (sorry Randy).

It was a great day on a great trail! We can't wait to try it again!

	xxx