B4W » Page 7 of 12

Above - an easy run on our way to lunch at the Oatman Hotel - by the way, the food is great. A mishap caused a brief delay on a short, fun, navigable wash (there is a go-around). Once at the hotel, we chowed down to fortify ourselves for Peterson's Pass below, one of the club's more technical routes.

Above - What a perfect day! The weather cooperated beautifully, and the chicken feasted too - at least a couple of dollars filled its belly. This is a terrific run if your rig is well set up. If not, fortunately there is a go-around with plenty of places to view the wash below and the rigs attempting the rocky terrain.

Above: Depending on the storms in the area, this run, "Pinto Wash," can be easy or quite difficult. On this day we were given a few challenges - not to worry we always get everyone through the wash. The first four photos you see are of well-setup rock buggies, it's quite a technical waterfall, very entertaining for the viewers. The entire run is scenic and as mentioned can be challenging at times such as "The Wall of Death," yes, there is a go-around. After that, we continued on to Big Wash always a favorite that changes radically with the whims of Mama Nature.

Above - The Hualapai Mountains. The first row is a combination of photos from a couple of trips. One of our favorite places to head when it's too hot in the Colorado River valley. Sometimes after a fierce deluge the trails are extremely difficult and other times, depending on how Mother Nature decides to bless us, quite easy. The last two rows are of Lower Moss Wash - some interesting challenges for well setup rigs. The first portion of the trip leads to the Mansion. The last 4 photos, well past the mansion, are of a mild looking waterfall, but it's very tricky with few vehicles making it without a strap.

1st two rows above. Working with the BLM Kingman Resource Area, some of our club members removed the old sign and installed the new kiosk at the entrance to our adopted trail, the "Sleeping Princess." We've worked very successfully with the BLM and have been responsible for the care and maintenance of "our" trail for many years. Working on this beautiful, challenging and scenic trail is, of course, a great pleasure for our members.

Last row 1st five photos: We also have an agreement with BLM to maintain four kiosks scattered throughout our area of Mohave County. Another important part of all club runs is to ensure the safety of the trails by reporting any mine shafts or diggings that may be a threat to motorists, equestrians and hikers. Last 4 photos we installed 2 warning signs at the site of a possibly dangerous digging immediately adjacent to the trail. One does not see it until almost on top of it. A real hazard for a fast moving ATV or dirt bike - even a slower moving Jeep.

Above: The Cow Creek run is a beautiful trip on the west side of the Hualapai Mountains. This run was in the spring and it was HOT. Rains had changed much of the terrain leaving the trails with more challenges than we had seen in the past. Only one vehicle developed a problem at the beginning, and he, with help from his two friends and their rigs, headed for home. The rest of the trail required a few tow straps here and there, but no one else had breakage. We were all hoping to find a tree-shaded area for a lunch break - our trip leader found the perfect spot. We had to share it with a bunch of cattle, cow piles and flies, but we were all hugely relieved to stop and stretch from the non-stop bumpy rock-strewn trail. Flies and all, we thought it was beautiful and restful. Hating to leave, we made it to the top of the mountainous trail - it was easy going heading back to the highway.

Above: The drive to the Music Mountains and back is a long one. No regrets though; new-to-us scenery from high-desert to pine trees. We arrived at the border of the Hualapai Nation where we were able to find two graves of Indian Army Scouts and all gave a silent prayer. On the way back down a cow claimed the right-of-way, eventually giving up and moving off the road. We visited a line shack; some grinding stones and petroglyphs. After a wonderful day we enjoyed an excellent dinner at the Off-Road Diner in Golden Valley.

Above: The 3-D Trail, as shown, is a technical trail, tons of fun with challenges galore. Yes, as promised, there are go-arounds and a fairly easy trail above the wash where one can watch the mayhem. Other than a few winch spots, on this day no one had a problem. Guests are always welcome to join us on our diverse runs. We consider our scenery quite spectacular and are probably prejudiced since we love the area. Contact information page 2.

Above: On Saturday, February 19, 2011 the B4Wers hosted the Arizona State Association of Four Wheel Drive Club's Quarterly. Sunday we had a nice run planned for the group on our adopted trail, the Sleeping Princess. Lo and behold - it snowed - which didn't stop a few eager-to-get-out-and-about club members. The first few photos show an area some have attempted to climb, no one so far, without a strap or winch. It was the first time we had seen it flowing with water. Right above the fall is the entrance to Miller's Extension (the entrance is well to the left of the waterfall). The hardy crew decided to tackle it - it was tough with the rain and flowing water which made the group decide to go no farther, but to explore the Tyro Mine instead. A very cold day.

Above: Club night runs are always exciting.The food tastes especially good too. When there's a full moon it's wonderful to turn off the headlights and follow the roads in the dim moonlight. The landscape offers incredible shadowy, ghostly images so ones imagination exudes creativity...We usually have these runs in the summer when it's too hot for anything during the day - sometimes even jackets feel good, so come prepared.

Above: The Powder Puff run. Yes, you dear chaps, on this fabulous run, the ladies did the driving. I didn't know so many men had so many hangups about their rigs. Tense jaws, voices raised while issuing "helpful hints," clenched hands with white knuckles while hanging onto roll bars - so silly! We gals knew what we were doing! Oh, okay. We didn't drive everywhere, just on the 1 to 3+ trails. We then graciously allowed the guys to enjoy a bit of fun...We had such a great time we all plan on doing it again, right guys? As you can see, we finished the run at the Oatman Hotel where we enjoyed stuffing our hungry bellies.