I get it Rog...I've been apprehensive on several runs. If the OP wants to break in slowly, I'm down for casual rides on some of the easy trails always.

If he wants to see what the Jeep is really capable of, I concur that he should go out with the experienced spotters and get the full rush.

I can relate, having done Copper Cache twice, V-crack, and Bronco Falls in the Sahara with good spotters from here!

 

When I bought my Rubicon unlimited I never imagined I'd do anything SUPER serious. I never thought I'd even lift it. I really got into wheeling to escape the desert heat in the summer and all the people of the city. I joined a group of "older" offroaders who had been-there-done-that who just like exploring the outdoors and I had an absolute blast taking my Jeep out. Even on easy trails I managed to get stuck, bang up the under carriage, and pin-stripe the crap out of it. I slowly started getting into stuff that required a lift and that's where my passion for wheeling really took off.

Some people have to get warmed up to the idea of putting scratches and damage on a $35,000+ vehicle. It's a big investment that you don't want to see damaged right away. I don't regret any of the places or things I've broken on mine but right out of the box (even with proper spotting) I wouldn't have done some of the trails like Nelson or even Potato Ridge. When I first ran Potato Ridge I thought that was one HARD trail! And I still do think it's a bit much for first time outing. It all depends on the level of damage you're willing to get and who's with you. I happened to be by myself the first time and completely stock. I was also out of town then. I bought my jeep thinking I wouldn't have to put another dime into it. That's why I doubled-down and financed the beast but since then I've probably spent thousands.

How do any of us know what all Mark has seen or driven off the pavement? You only see what he's done with us. For all you know in his past life he was a W.E. Rock champion! I think he was only poking fun at you Roger because I think many would agree that you are one of the wildest and most daring out of our group. You've earned that reputation by rolling your jeep many times and attempting almost any obstacle. I'm not saying this is a bad thing it's just others may not share that exact same passion (or have as deep of pockets) as you. That's no reason to hate on Mark.

With all that said there is a small group of guys who are running Mormon Wells Road on Tuesday the 7th. This is a scenic easy trail that may have some snow on it. PERFECT newbie run! Info can be found on the Jeep Thrills meetup group or message me and i can get you the info.

 

Good post Preston. I was sketchy when I first got my Sahara too...in Roger's defense though, he called me before my 1st run and told me that there will be guys on the trails that will give you shit for not trying to do something or risking a break. He said to blow it off and just come out and have some fun. I might have had a whole different perspective on it if he hadn't given me that advice.

With all that being said, I say, "Fu** it. Put some tall cold ones in the cooler, and lets get in some dirt! Who cares where?!!!!"


(P.S. I ain't doing Devil's Peak! )

 

Oh come on.... I just think you should let the newbys come out and try it. You give everyone shit just like I do. Cris has said what I tell others and of course I push it just to have fun and to say it was done by my 4dr. I have taken alot of carnage over the years. But when I started out years ago if someone was warning me off I would of never gotten where I am today. Iam just saying invite others out to see what we do. If they don't feel comfortable they can bypass or even ride in a differnt jeep. I consider myself a good spotter and many more will contest to that. Hell even Randy has made a few mistakes spotting. It is all about trust with who your with. You know I trust you Mark, you have spotted me many times. Iam just saying let's get the off roaders out there using our public lands before we loose them. Support or local clubs. Go do trail clean ups and let rock crawl. I never intended this to be a lashing more of a come on let's play and don't scare of the newbies. Travis has come a long ways in the last few months with us and iam sure eddie will to. So get your jeep fixed and let's teach others our sport. Love ya!

 

You guys got me scared about Devils Peak now!!

 

Don't be its hard. But nothing you hqvent already done in logendale

 

Unless i go ill try any thing.

 

Your missing the whole point of the conversation Mark

 

All this talk and i really want to check it out. Unfortunatly i work on the weekends, only have mon. tues. off. I'm off at 4 though so if there's ever some evening runs i'm deffinatly down.

 

Personally, I wouldn't take a stock rig through Devil's Peak. I'm not saying that because that's where I rolled my jeep with 6500 miles on the odometer but because there are rock garden sections that challenge lifted jeeps. I'm sure a stocker could make it but it would be extremely slow and there will be plenty of scraping. Not trying to sway people one way or the other but bad things seem to happen on this trail, it's weird. Just my .02...