Johnson Valley ROOKIE Run

Trip report – November 4-6th , 2011 – “Rookie Run” Cougar Buttes

Early Friday morning (in the rain), Mike W, Mike B, Gerome, Bill C and Broughton O (guest) caravanned to Cougar Buttes and arrive late morning soon followed by Dwayne and Tina. RVs dropped and Jeeps/Buggies made ready to roll by 1 pm. Jeff S and Jeremy C arrived (they decide to set up and eat) just as the group was departing to explore Hammerdown trail in cold light rain. Upon looking at the gatekeeper we decided to proceed to other trail heads to scout. We ended up doing a lot of Cakewalk I/II and parts of other intersecting trails. Thanks to Mike W for leading the Friday run. Considering none had been on this trail before we had a great time wheeling. Bill sucked in a huge rock in between his right rear tire and fender well. No real damage, just a bent flair.. Time got away from us and before we knew, it was 4 pm and time to head back to camp.

Soon after arriving back at camp Rich and Corky followed by John C, Wendy and Laura (Mike W’s better half) made campsite. A small fire was built and the usual campfire story telling began. Jed C arrived around 8 pm. Temperatures dropped rapidly (low 30’s) as the sun set and wind picked up. In general it was a short night as everyone hit their respective RVs for an early night’s rest.

Saturday 8:30 am (a little on the chilly side) skies clear and bright saw the arrival of day trippers led by Russ M, Keith L and Joe P, Bob B and Judy, and guests Gary M and JP (more on him later). Greetings and pleasantries where exchange and drivers (14 drivers for a total of 21 people) meeting at 9:15 follow by trail departure at 9:30. For a larger group this was a most impressive timely departure.

John C led us for the day. First trail on the agenda was Bullfrog. We hit the trail head at 9:45. Nice trail with a number of challenges and safe bypasses, although I did manage to “need some assistance” on a seemingly benign “teeter totter”. Thanks to Jeff, Broughton and JP for jumping on my right rear corner to stabilize me as I backed off and avoided a flop. John then had his first bead pop of the day while choosing a tough line. We have all heard of using starter fluid popping the tire back on. Well, quite a demonstration was put on by Mike W and John. The tire bead was reset and John completed the obstacle. At about this time guest Lyndol J and his family met up with us on the trail (they shadowed us for the rest of the day). Russ had our first serious carnage for the day, a twisted front drive shaft. At that point we decided to get him back to camp (under his own power) and have lunch.

Lunch was nice with most of us all sitting around the fire ring. I thought I was hearing things. I could swear I heard an Ice Cream truck. Well others heard it as well. Low and behold a real Ice Cream truck showed up at our campsite. Some of us partook of ice cream sandwiches. It was a nice end to the lunch.

Saturday, 1 pm. We were enjoying perfect weather conditions (65 degrees and sunny). Second trail for the day is Cakewalk I/II. 80% of the trail reflects the name. However the other 20% is a different story. Bypasses rated at 3+, obstacles rated at 5. For most of the trail we “followed the leader”. One of the best features of CW (and Cougar Buttes overall) is the variety of intersecting trails and features. A lot of drivers sought their own lines and sub trails without major deviation from the main trail. It was quite a show put on by John, Mike W, Keith, Jeff, Rich and Jed as they took particularly difficult lines over rock piles and waterfalls. They made them look easy. John experienced an extremely bent tie rod that took a fair amount of team work, engineering and rigging to eventually straighten out (better now than how he started with it). He also popped his second bead. Bill managed to realign his tail pipe assembly, as well as munched his right rear shock. With some effort he was able to secure the tailpipe for the ride back to camp for additional work.

We arrived back at camp around 4:30. They day trip group bid their farewell. The sun started to set and the temperature again started to drop quickly. Thanks to Rich for the use of the “man cave” (covered car trailer) as we enjoyed cocktails, wine, beer and appetizers. That was followed by a leisurely yet massive food feast (15 people) in the man cave as well. I would like to express many thanks to all who contributed to the pot luck and to the spirited conversations around the table.

The evening was drawing to a close around the campfire when the new guest JP made quite the impression. He asked if we would mind if he shot off some fireworks. Sure we said. Well out came the mortars and the Roman candle. Impressive show! Throughout the day he had demonstrated an advanced photography knowledge and equipment (recent grad in film making) and he was kind enough to take a lot of pictures. They will soon be posted up along with the pictures taken by Jeremy.

Sunday 9 am found the skies getting cloudy with rain on the horizon.. Jeff, Jermey, Bill, Broughton and Mike B departed for home. Rest of remaining group headed to CrowBar (Soggy Lake). JP had a passenger shock extend to full length enough times for the shock shaft to tear out the threads on the aluminum base of his coil-overs. They removed the shock and he rode home on his bump stop.

Overall it was a most excellent adventure. We will be heading out there again.