Isham Trail

Isham Trip Report
Jeff and Lance, Tom, Ric and Lisa, Mike Bourdon and Broughton, plus Damien and Eric arrived late. It was a little windy, but the skies were clear.
Saturday morning John and Nova, Mike and Laura, Scott, Bill, and Tori with Noah left at 5 dark thirty from Porter Ranch
We arrived around 8:30 and got ready for the trail. The weather was great, no clouds and a slight breeze, in the high 60’s.
It appeared the trail had not been driven for some time. The first waterfall was easy, but from there, the trail had changed and was more of a challenge than expected. Some big rocks had moved making the tight turns very interesting. The wild flowers were in full bloom, giving the canyon a palette of colors.
With 11 jeeps, we were making good time until approximately 1/3 of the way where we had two tight off camber turns. I had come back down to help those in the back when Bill almost rolled. Mike was further down on a very tight, off camber turn. The pictures tell what happened next. I happened to be right under him when he started to roll, but had enough room to get out of the way. The damage to his jeep was not extensive. He broke the mirror, bent the windshield frame, cracked the windshield and a slight ding in the door and his ego was slightly awry.
The problem with the roll over, was the jeep was in the middle of the canyon, and there were no good points of attachment. We tried attaching to a large rock up the hill, but in moved. Looking further up the hill, they found a rock about 100 feet up. With 6 tow straps and a snatch block, we were able to upright the jeep. Based on its position, we had two jeeps (Scott and Damien) hooked up. Scott was attached to the snatch block and Damien was attached to the rear axle, so he would pull the jeep from the bottom into the center of the tail as Scott was righting the jeep. I understand from the guys at the top, as the jeep started to come up, a small crack started to form in the rock, but by then the jeep was almost upright. The jeep started on the first crank. Not like Jerome in Utah, where we had to pull all the plugs.
We had lunch just below the V notch. The notch is a lot easier, because the hole has been filled in, minimizing major damage to a vehicle. As I recall, we only had to winch two jeeps.
The hill going out still has all the round rocks and was always interesting to go up. We arrived at the top around 3, taking a group shot, deciding it was too late to do Fish Creek, headed back to camp.
From there Mike and Laura, Bill, Scott and Tori and Noah headed back. The rest of us spent a great evening having snacks, including a large bowl of guacamole, and margaritas. With the fire lit and the temp only in the high 50’s most of us did not hit the bag until after 9:30.
On Sunday, Tom, Ric and Lisa, and Eric did Defense mine, while the rest of us headed back.
All things considered, especially the weather, it was a great trip. Mike definitely felt he had been initiated. Luckily, minimal damage.
If I missed anything, chime in.
For those who don't know this has been an almost annual trip for the last 4 years or so.
John had the great idea to do this in the spring. I believe the first run had just 3 vehicles.
Great Job as Trailboss, John.
Thanks for leading another Isham Run. Dedicated to Kody.
Great teamwork getting everyone thru the trail.
Thanks also to Ric and Lisa who provided the margaritas and Guacamole and spinach dip. - Jeff.

I forgot to add that we made the trip in honor of Kody.
A good report John, thanks.

I just wanted to add one thing.

Some of you may remember that for 10 years of wheelin' I usually had two Golden Retrievers with me, Kinzie and Kody.

Unfortunately, we lost Kinzie on Aug 1, 2007 (my birthday) and recently on April 7, 2010 we lost Kody to health complications. Because Kody would just light up at the simple mention of the word "Jeep" and he lived to ride in "his" Jeep, I dedicated this Isham run to him.

I will carry Kody's tags in the Jeep so he will be with us on every run we make. I mentioned his passing to the Isham group and everyone offered their support in remembering Kody. - Eric B.

John