Ride Down Dictum Ridge
At GWNF March 24, 2007

Several of the FJBruisers did a run at GWNF in February 2007.  During the run we went down Dictum Ridge only to be stopped about a half mile from RT33 by a major rock obstacle. I saw a possible by-pass of the "difficult route" but the group decided not to take it.  So we turned back up Dictum Ridge and retraced the path that we came.

This time, Chris and I, decided to try to get down with our two old trucks.  No worry about trail damage here!

I went first and tried the "easy" by-pass. With Chris' spotting, I was able to get the Old Troop down with just a couple of minor dings. 
 

Then Chris went down the "hard" way. He started off his run quite well.

Well that was until he got hung up on the big rock in the middle of the trail. Ouch!

We were concerned that his driver's rear tire would slide off of the rock ledge, causing him to hit a tree and possibly roll off the trail.  (The tree had many marks on it!)  As he worked his way back and forth, the wheel got closer and closer to the edge

So we ended up using my hand winch to prevent his rear from sliding out.  With the rear supported, he was able to get down.  Notice Chris' Hi-Lift jack to the left of this frame.

Notice the slack winch cable behind the rig in this frame.

Once we got off the Ridge, we decided to play in the mud at Dry Rivers. Unfortunately, Chris' pick up doesn't appear to do well in the mud. Wait, Chris is in the bed, so who was driving?

Chris let his brother-in-law have a try at the wheel. Chase didn't realize that it is not a good idea to try crawling through goop, especially with worn tires.  Just look at that front wheel! Chase managed to get suck in almost the exact same spot as Phoenix did during the Fall Colors Run.

After a quick recovery by the Trooper, Chris let Chase try again.  The result was the same.  Another recovery.

At this point some other rigs showed up and Chris had to demonstrate that it was the previous driver who had issues, not his truck.  So we resumed having fun in the mud.  I eventually got stuck with my street tires and Chase had to tow me out.

When Chris hit a deep part of the creek, I finally lost him.  Seeing the water come over his sliders, I would not follow with the Trooper.

Link to the directions to the trails at GWNF (Dictum Ridge and Dry River).  
Link to a map of the section of GWNF near Dictum Ridge and Dry River.

Link to some of the RedTrooper's more memorable trail runs

Epilogue -- Chris reported that it was a good thing that I did not follow.  The current was so strong that he had to gun his engine in 4L 1st gear to make any headway.  After loosing me, he helped recover a Jeep and a Durango.  All in all, a very good day.