Panament Valley

This is the third year Jeff and I have planned the Isham Trail trip. Every year we have had different drivers and had a great time.
This year was no exception. Those who went were Jeff, John, Damian and Russ. Russ was the day tripper.
This year we all arrived later in the day, so there was no Friday trail. Saturday, Russ arrived early and we were off to Isham. The trail over the last few years has become easier in some places and interesting in others. It is doable with 33's and lockers.
The second sharp turn has become interesting as the big rock to the right has been moved to the left making the ledge rather small. I think the change was due to Keith going on the right and moving the rock.
The V-notch is considerably easier than in the past as many have filled in the hole. All of us made it without dropping into the hole.
We had lunch in the canyon as the top was very windy.
We headed down the back and played in Fish canyon for a while, where Russ had a hairline fracture in his ankle while trying to help Jeff. Originally we thought it was just a sprain, but x-rays showed otherwise.
Saturday night was windy. Sunday we did Defense mine and all of us did the bypass except Damian. The mine tour was great and everyone but me climbed the ladders to the top.

Below are coments from the guys on the trip.
I would like to thank you for a wonderful run and being great trail boss. I had a great time and I love to run that trail. It is always nice to have an enjoyable group of guys. By the way I made it home but with severe pain to my left ankle. I called my doctor and described the injury and he told me to go immediately to the emergency room. I spent about 3 1/2 hours there for xray etc. They found a fracture in my ankle. I will be out for 6-8 weeks. I am hoping it will be healed by the time of the Big Bear Run in June.

Thanks John C for putting on the run. Jeff Sanders (With new Motorhome) and I (Damian) were the first to camp Friday afternoon, later John drove in. Windy as expected and we got an early start the next morning after Russ arrived and unloaded his jeep.
Our four jeeps wound up Isham,we had our moments on various obstacles and reached the top at noon then explored Fish cyn and tried blazing a new trail which Russ stepped on a loose rock and twisted his ankle. He made it back to his truck and we bit him fair well. Snacks and TV sports followed.
Sunday morning blazed up to Defense mine in Panamint Valley and explored side trails and walked the mine including some well built ladders to upper floors and came out to an upper exit. Back at the highway we aired up and bid fairwell as i blazed home, while the john and jeff packed up their motorhomes.

John led another great trip.
Exploring Defense Mine was dynamite.
I'll post a couple pics from inside the mine at a latter date.
This year Damian and I found the correct ladder system that takes you up approx. 100 vertical feet through various levels of the mine.
Russ, I hope your ankle heels quickly. Remember RICE.
I think the only real damage was to the rear limit straps on my suspension, broken welds at the lower attachment points.