The responses started trickling in, "hey there's a local day run coming up at Rowher Flats this Saturday.... YAH, I want to go play too!"
Rowher is always a fun place to be, we aren't quite really sure why - short run, no rocks, lots of dust, tree roots and water ditches - but people do show up for this run and have a blast.
But then again there is the positive side, fun place to be, short run (home early), close by (home early), no rocks,lots of dust, tree roots and ditches, spectacular views of the valley floor and the reservoir - you get it!
Some 15 Jeeps and Rovers met up at the P&R in Porter Ranch Saturday morning and headed up to the Canyon Country area off Hwy14 for a quick gas-up and off to the trail head staging areas of Rowher Flats OHV. All vehicles did air and suspension modifications at the entrance to the park and then slowly inched our way past the new rock pile at staging area 1 and up to Lookout trail for the start of the days run. We had made a previous decision not to run the new rock pile, which was getting some very nice reviews in the local rags until after the theme run and lunch so that people could depart early if they had no interest in the boulder field.
As we started up Lookout we could see the missing 16th Jeep of Terry and Faith Work coming up past the first staging area so now we knew all were present and accounted for. Once on the top of the hill we all took a group picture on the small rock pile up there. Someone suggested that the 2011 President should have his Jeep in the pic so the Red XJ of Eric Bernocco was posed at the foot of the pile.
As we crested the hill and started our decent into the Bouquet Canyon Reservoir area, it suddenly became very clear to everyone that we had picked one of the most beautiful days on record to make our voyage. Although the reservoir seemed to have a low water level it still shimmered in bright blue beauty against the rustic brown beach fronts and dark green sagebrush surrondings. A quick turn-around at the bottom and back up the hill to the top for lunch.
By experiencing a trouble-free day with zero breakage or carnage, we were back down to the new rock pile by 1PM!! Wow, now that's a good day run. Some of our group were home in time to mow the lawn while others stayed behind to evaluate and assess the new rock pile.
Heck, these are some BIG rocks. Because of some very odd rock placement, shapes and spacing our front runners decided to make some mental notes and save the maiden voyage for later.
By the end of the day, the CB radios were reporting testimonials of the level of fun that was had by all. I hope I don't forget anyone but here is the list that I recorded.
Eric B
John C
Mike B
Jerome and Mike W
Dirt Dawg
Dave Jones
Tory V
Eric (Tory's friend)
Russ M
Bill C
Jeromy
Terry and Faith Work
Randy M
Rick F
Keith and Alex
Thanks to everyone who could make it. This just might be a good run to do again in a couple of months. Please let me know if I missed anyone and I appologize in advance if I did.
eric
Trail Boss