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Post subject: Intro to the Hammers-Clawhammer/Johnson Valley- Sat 6/6/09
Posted: Mon Jun 01, 2009 9:53 pm
KING OF THE HILL
Joined: Thu May 08, 2008 8:05 am Posts: 221 Location: Quartz Hill, CA
HD4W,
We need to take advantage of the unseasonably cool weather this coming week in the desert, so I'm going to lead a run out to Johnson Valley OHV area and the famed Hammer trails. We will run Clawhammer (doable on 33s) first, which is a good introduction to rock crawling. Then, for those that want to up the challenge a bit more, we will follow with a short run up the infamous Sledgehammer (35s required). This will probably be the only time we can run these trails until late Sept or Oct due to the summer heat. So get the rig ready, pack a lunch and come on out to see the world of real rock crawling firsthand!
Details:
When: This Saturday, June 6th 2009.
Where: Meet at the Valero gas station in Lucerne Valley (Intersection of Hwy 18 and Hwy 247) at 0800. We will caravan from here. It is another 25 miles east on Hwy 247 to the Boone Rd turn-off to Means Lake and the Hammer trails.
What to Bring: Cooler with lunch and lots of water. Make sure to bring lots of water. There are no services on Means Lake. This is a run in the desert in the sand and rocks, so wear appropriate sturdy shoes and bring hats and sunscreen
Rig Requirements: Clawhammer: 33s minimum/35s preferred. One locker (Both preferred)
Sledgehammer: 35s minimum. Locked Front and Rear. Casual attitude about body damage.
Full size rigs can run both trails (that's you Tom!)
DISCLAIMER: These trails are ROCK trails...very little dirt involved. So, if you do not like ROCK trails, these trails are not for you. Consider yourselves warned.
Joined: Thu May 08, 2008 8:05 am Posts: 221 Location: Quartz Hill, CA
BigV wrote:
how long do you think the trails will take to run - assuming no one breaks
That depends...
Seriously, shouldn't take all day. 2-3 hours for Claw and 2 or less for Sledge (that's if anyone wants to attempt it with me). I'll give you my estimates from past runs and you can get a WAG from there.
Clawhammer: I've only done this trail once before. Nick, his son and myself (3 rigs total) accomplished the trail round trip from the lakebed and back in just under 3 hours. This was with Nick getting high centered several times and needing to use his winch which slowed us down some. Also, the trail head is about a 15 min trip out from the lake bed and about another 25 minutes back from the end.
Sledgehammer: I've run this twice.
First, at Fun in the Desert with about 15 other rigs. That took about 6 hours including waiting at least an hour at the mail box for a Toy to swap out a broken birfield.
Second time was at New Years with Darrel and his buddies (4 rigs total). We did it, at dusk/night, in 50 minutes to the top of the escape route past the mail box. This was done with absolutely zero spotting and I only got out to move/stack rocks for myself. I don't think anyone else even left their seat. We all were spaced a ways apart so we each got in our groove on the climb up. It was awesome. Also, everyone had 40s except for me. As you can see, it varies.
Timeline: If we leave Lucerne by 0815 we should be at Claw by 0930 or before, off by 1230, on Sledge by 1300 and off the lakebed by 1500. Should be home before dark, knock on wood
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Joined: Sat May 10, 2008 1:49 pm Posts: 417 Location: Quartz Hill, CA
looks like I'll have to pass on this run , with how work is, I need to take advantage of all the hours that I can. let's put this on the calander for October's run. we could do some kind of camping trip out there, and explore some of the other trails as well.
Joined: Thu May 08, 2008 8:05 am Posts: 221 Location: Quartz Hill, CA
BigV wrote:
let's put this on the calander for October's run. we could do some kind of camping trip out there, and explore some of the other trails as well.
That is my plan. This weekend was just a quick last minute thing to take advantage of the weather. I want to introduce and familiarize HD4W to the area this time. Have them realize that it is not only for buggies, but jeeps, dirtbikes, quads, anything. Plenty of room to camp and relatively close. It would make a great club weekend camping outing.
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That took about 6 hours including waiting at least an hour at the mail box for a Toy to swap out a broken birfield.
, with how work is, I need to take advantage of all the hours that I can. let's put this on the calander for October's run. we could do some kind of camping trip out there, and explore some of the other trails as well.
