Orange County 4Play 4x4 Club - Run and Trip Report - Johnson Valley, January 1st through January 4th 2004

Orange County 4-Play met with Greg on Sunday at Hanna Flat Campground at 8am. We decided that the White Mountain Trail, 3N17 needed very little work so we would go directly to our latest adoptions which are 3N11 and 3N11A. They were both reported closed with downed trees. We ran the trail down to Wright Mine first and encountered only a few trees that had to be strapped off the trail and took a shade break at Wright Mine. We then drove back to the top and took the right fork around to 3N17 at the top of 1/2 Mile Hill. My Granddaughter Cortney was riding with Greg and it seemed around every corner her voice came over the radio, "we have another downed tree". We did a lot of bucking and winching to get them off the trail and by 3:30 we were getting done in and Greg suggested after getting this one were working on we turn around and go back out. But after we got through Greg wanted to go ahead to see what was ahead and with very little more work we went all the way through to 3N17. Near the top we encountered a snow drift and the "kids" along had a ball playing in it and having snowball fights.. Unfortunately for the "adult" drivers this drift was tapered from several feet deep on the right to nothing at the left edge of the trail. I had to drive across first and then tow several stockish rigs across so they wouldn't slide off the embankment under power. We then decided to dig a path across for the right hand tires and even then it was dicey getting the rest across with Mikes large 53 Dodge Power wagon needing a little help with his winch to keep the tires from spinning and sliding off the Hill and his buddies Unimog needing the same help. then Cal drove his Sami across sliding sideways under power winding up his turbo and came across ok. George was last and it was getting very slick by then but with a little guiding he made it ok and we were through. With the warm temps the snow won't last long and by next weekend there won't be any problem there. I was grateful for the large turnout from the club and really appreciate all the work everyone put in. Greg of course in true Greg form put us all to shame, but then that's normal for him. Thanks Greg.