Run Date: January 21, 2017, Johnson Valley, CA
Participants: Rich Wohlers, (and Corky), Gary Martin, Tim Ragan, Mike Sullivan, Roman Cooper, and Bob Marshall [John Cary, and Wendy made it to breakfast]
Report: Gary and Tim lead the group from the Porter Ranch Park-N-Ride, at 6:30 am., and arrived at the Valero gas station in Lucerne Valley around 8:30 am, then we all had breakfast at El Coyote Loco, and headed towards the trail at around 10:00 am. We aired down, and headed to the entrance of Rattle Snake Canyon. As many of you know, Rattle Snake Canyon forms a corridor within the Big Horn Wildness area. A scenic canyon, very popular with all kinds of off-road vehicles.
On this day, one way up, we had the canyon to ourselves, we reached the mouth of Mattino Wash without incident stopping once to see how everyone was doing. The weatherman was correct, the weather was clear and sunny, as Rich said, could not have asked for a better day in January in the desert. There was a dusting of snow in the shady parts of the wash, and in some sections we got to make first tracks, but were able to proceed without any problems.
On the way up, there was some concern that Tim, with his 31’s, and no lockers would have a difficult time with the obstacles of Mattino, but with the help of everyone, and a few well stacked rocks, he made it up, and it seemed like at some point everyone needed a little help.
We got back to the top of Rattle Snake around 3:00 pm, and back to the highway around 4 pm, everyone aired down and was on their way by 4:30.
Overall, it was a successful trip, no carnage. Thanks to everyone for their help, and participation.