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2002 - Trail Building
We don't have any photos from Pokey's, but we do for Mossy. Pretend these photos are from Pokey's.
Garry (from GDS 4x4) suggested we have an inspection lane to drive through. It turned out to be a great idea once we got things in order. He reported that we had inspected 35 units by the time we had to hit the trail. Please check the web site for inspection requirements and be ready for the next work weekend. Those of you who did not pass need to be aware that you cannot run the trails without passing inspection. There were 5 Jeeps on Pokey's run with Billy (Pokey's son) leading. We tried
to put in a new pass through a little steeper part of the creek. I guess technically
we pit it in, but none of our Jeeps could get through once we finished building
it, and believe me, we tried. Later in the day found us trying to climb a leaf covered hill that left Billy in his tin roofed CJ up against a tree with no traction to go forward. I went around to the top and winched him on up. Garry, in his Black YJ, (black YJ's rule, right Todd?)with lockers front and rear, went up with no problem. I thought I could make it with my black YJ, and found myself on the hook end of a winch to get to the top after parking backwards against the same tree Billy found very conveniently placed in the trail. Once we had played there for awhile we continued down the creek to another
little step up and out. This little incline out did not seem to be too much problem
for the first couple of Jeeps but by the time Mike (Billy's buddy from school)
and I began the climb it had become really wet and slick from the others leaving
the creek and heading up the hill. As a result we wound up going backwards into
the creek from a new part of the trail we blazed and we fell back into the creek
from about two Jeep lengths up the incline. Then we The rains from the past weeks left two spots in the trail with new challenges and it took us some time to figure out the angle to attack the new washout. The uphill took a few tries before we all got through, and the downhill was fairly easy but very steep. A great day was had by all and except for a bent up and mangled exhaust system, to my knowledge no other equipment carnage was sustained. See you out there, and happy trails!
Saturday morning April 13th, and it's my first time trail building. I was very surprised at the number of members that turned out. I was picked for Ridge Rambler so lets get started. John is the trail leader, we have Tom and Cindy from Chicago, Warren with his Willys, Tim and Neta, Chad, Ken, Lori, Howard who is riding with me and a few others. The land owner, Hamer, and he has a chain saw!!! Nice to say, the project's very well laid out. We split up and one half of us needed to fill some holes while the other half started chopping trees, removing brush and actually creating a new trail. I was glad to see Hamer obviously knew how to handle a chain saw and had previously marked the new trail with streamers. The rest of the group, and without hesitation I might add, started moving the fallen trees, one of which required the help from a winch. Warren had the smallest Jeep (Willys) and had a huge chain saw. He easily handled the bigger stumps. Tom, whom I've dubbed as Chicago, was ready for a work out and attacked the smaller trees with a bow saw. Everyone was pitching in and before long we had looped back to the field. On to the next project which was filling in a wash out with a piece of culvert pipe that was 15 feet long. The ends were smashed partially closed and with the help from the high lift jack was easily corrected. After some digging the pipe was laid to rest. Next we filled around the pipe with logs and chunks of rock. Will it work? Ahhh it was a success and the Jeeps went over the pipe with no problem. After a little lunch Hamer and John decided we better run the rest of the trail. The trail run provided us with deer and turkey and the scenery was outstanding especially towards the end when we were able to view Hamer and Jenny's project: a beautifully constructed log home. Wait a minute, it sure doesn't look like the log homes I'm use to seeing around Peoria. Thanks to everyone and especially the Land owners, Hamer and Jenny for the opportunity to view this trail. I hope some pictures will follow this article. Don Wilson T-BONE
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Saturday, Feb.
15, 2002, the first day of Jeepin' this year, brought with it better weather than
anyone could ask for. The temperature peaked at about 45 degrees somewhere around
midday, with winds about 5 - 10 miles per hour. It was a little chilly outside
if you were not working, but great for staying cool while wielding a chain saw,
clippers or the like.
After
Brian wrapped his tail pipe around his rear axle we had a little down time for
him and Billy to cut the pipe loose with only a hacksaw blade as no complete saw
was to be found among our group. (Note to self: put complete hacksaw in the Jeep
tool box).
lined
up and tried it again with a little higher line away from the edge. This time,
with a little more speed and determination, we caught up with the rest of the
gang and continued with our work day.
