!!!UPDATE!!! Pancake Rock Trail Run, Seminar, and BBQ
Kevin Darmody
Last Saturday a few of us pre-ran the trail as we had never run it
before. With the large amount of rains we have had recently the trail
is definitely not basic. There were large ruts and V-notches as well
as some unfortunately placed rocks. That being said, it is still
totally passable and the trip to the rock is an adventure. The down
side to this is that this will _NOT_ be a suitable run for a
"Back-to-the-Basics" or beginners run.
So - we are still meeting at Janet's at 7am for Breakfast. We are
still meeting at the parking lot (left side of the road off Japatul
Lyons Valley Rd - N32.72973 W116.69496) after breakfast, probably
around 8:15am. We are still aiming to be on the trail by 9am, and we
are still going to ORW on Balboa after the run for the BBQ lunch and
the seminar - my goal is to be there no later than 1pm.
The difference is the type of drive I suggest should come - I believe
that stock Jeeps will have an almost impossible time with portions of
the trail due to lack of articulation and ground clearance (Note - I
did witness a stock JK Rubicon tackle this trail). A lightly modified
Jeep with a competent and experienced drive who knows how to pick the
right line for his/her vehicle should be able to get through without
banging around too much (one of our group did it on 33" tires and no
lockers with no problems). A more highly modified vehicle will allow
for less experienced drivers to get through obstacles. No matter how
modified your vehicle though, this trail does demand some degree of
experience and off-roading knowledge due to the off-camber portions
and the V-notches.
I know some of you and some of your vehicles, but many of us have
never met or driven before. I cannot say whether you and your
specific Jeep will get through. It has always been a mission of SD
Jeepin' to limit the politics of the group and to do away with some of
the draconian rules of other groups, and as such we won't tell you
that you can't come. The only thing I ask is that you consider
yourself and your vehicle and decide whether you are up for the
challenge. We will do our best to get people through the entire
trail, but considering the time frame we're working under and the
degree of complexity of the trail, I don't want us stuck dragging the
same Jeep through obstacle after obstacle because they're in over
their head, and I don't want you to damage yourself or your Jeep
either. Unfortunately - there are few if any spaces to pull over or
turn around once you start up the trail. I don't mean to be dramatic
or fatalistic, just honest and up-front.
Personally - I think this was one of the best trails I have ever
driven. It presented a constant challenge, is close to San Diego, and
the actual assent onto the rock at the end and the subsequent view
makes it incredible. I am excited to drive it again and to share it
with those of you who will come! I hope I haven't scared off anyone
unnecessarily, and sorry for being so long-winded.
We _WILL_ be having a Back-to-the-Basics beginner run soon, once we
find a trail that is of the appropriate difficulty.
-Kevin
SD Jeepin' Board of Directors
On Thu, Mar 24, 2011 at 11:34 PM, Kevin Darmody <kdar...@gmail.com> wrote:
> That's right, another beginner run for those new to the Jeep world,
> those looking to freshen up on your off-roading skills, those looking
> to test out your newly modified rig in a safe environment, and those
> looking to come share your off roading knowledge and experience with
> everyone else! This trail will be far more challenging than the first
> Back-to-the-Basics run, but still reasonable for stock vehicles and
> new drivers.... We're going to tackle Pancake Rock
>
> We'll be meeting up at Janet's Cafe (1696 Greenfield Drive, El Cajon,
> CA 92021) for breakfast at 0700. Our goal is to be at the trail head
> by 0830 and on the trail by 0900. Anyone needing help with airing down
> tires or disconnecting sway bars, show up early and ask. If you fit
> into the "here to help" category, please bring tools and equipment to
> lend a hand to the newbies. Anyone familiar with the trail - please
> provide coordinates for the trail head, and if you're willing to lead
> the group let us know!
>
> The run should take around 3 hours, depending on how many rigs we have
> and how much help people need getting set up. After the run we'll
> reconnect sway bars and air-up then hit the road headed West.
>
> ORW off Balboa (7915 Balboa Ave, San Diego, Ca 92111) has been kind
> enough to sponsor SD Jeepin' for a BBQ lunch and seminar on trail gear
> and equipment. This is an awesome opportunity available to the SD
> Jeepin' family only! If you can't make the trail run, you should still
> join us here. We hope to be there between noon and 1pm, but this will
> all depend on how long it takes us on the trail.
>
> Bring snacks and drinks for the trail, and money to spend at ORW!
> We'll have shirts for sale, and we'll be on the CB so don't forget
> your antennas.
>
> Please RSVP by the end of Tuesday if you plan to, and whether you want
> to join us for breakfast, the run, the seminar, or any combination of
> the above. RSVP to SDJe...@gmail.com and let us know how many will
> be in your group.
>
> See you on the trail!
>
> -Kevin
> SD Jeepin' Board of Directors
>
Kevin Darmody
-Kevin
Hey Guys,
I'm a lurker waiting to ride with you all! I'll be crawlin' in the
desert with the family this weekend - otherwise I'd be there.
I rode Pancake Rock about a year ago. Kevin is 100% correct. When I
read this was a beginner ride, you could have parked my Jeep in my
mouth. This is anything BUT a beginner ride! Like Kev said, it is
narrow, has deep V outs, rocks and obstacles and virtually no place to
turn around. Fortunately, you'll immediately know what you're getting
into when you start. The entrance is tough, off-camber in its
'rutty-goodness'. It only gets harder from there. If that is over
your head - don't continue.
I have a 97 Wrangler Sport with BFG 33's and a 4'' Pro Comp Series II
lift. I do not have lockers, disconnect anti-sway bars (forthcoming!)
or a winch and made it up fine. Having a spotter made a huge
difference and we hooked up with other Jeeps - following their lines.
Stock Jeeps would get hammered due to clearance issues. Anything
longer than a Jeep would also have problems due to how narrow it gets.
The top was insane - Pancake Rock. I'm ashamed to say my grapes
turned to raisins and I did not crawl to the top. I simply could not
comprehend how a Jeep could climb something like that.
I'd rate myself an Intermediate who enjoys getting over his head too much.
For those who go - ENJOY!!!! I'll see you all on the trail very soon.
Kevin W. Loomis <><
President
Xyon Business Solutions, Inc.
Accredited Member San Diego Better Business Bureau
619/501-4567
http://www.linkedin.com/in/kevinwloomis
http://www.xyonglobal.com