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There's a new trail, yet unfinished, being built in Johnson Valley. It is a combined effort involving friends of a fallen comrade. Steve Riffel perished on the trails of Johnson Valley. An unfortunate accident on the Fissure Mountain trail claimed his life. A monument has been constructed there. In tribute to a fellow four wheeler, this new trail will bear his name.
Brian, the driving force behind the trail build, enters the gatekeeper. This run was scheduled to continue work toward completion of the trail.
Here's Brian showing us the line in as Roger looks on.
Staff Editor of OFF-ROAD magazine, Kevin Blumer, rides shotgun with Brian. Look for an article on the trail build in a future edition.
Someone referred to Casey's propane powered rig as the Rat Rod of rock crawlers. Looks like something out of Mad Max. He makes it look easy at the gatekeeper. Casey answers the question, Where's the rocks?
It's Mike's turn. He's driving his Dad's well prepared rig. V-6 power, one-off adapter plate for the auto trans.
With the camo paint scheme, you have to look real hard to see Roger's full size Jeep pickup in this shot. Roger said one of his buddies couldn't see his Jeep. How can you miss it?
Further up the trail, Leslie's digging the ride.
Pictures just don't tell the whole story. This is going to be a winch only trail.
Toyota Joe looks on as Brian negotiates one of many gnarly sections.
Notice the toe-in. The stress on steering components was too much for this stock tie rod.
Not to worry. Hey anybody got a spare jack handle?
That'll get you back on the move.
That's my rig, Tuffy II, in the background. I had to be strapped up this section too.
Joe tackles it next, with Casey spotting.
Made it this far.
Push, Mike, push.
Casey wrestles wild rock rigs. Joe actually made this section without a strap. Go Joe.
Zach get down from there before your Mother has both our hides!
Here's the reason we came out today. This is as far as anybody has driven. Now we have to get to work. We made access to the top of this little ledge....
and stopped to work out the next section. Progress is 10 feet at a time.
We pried and tossed rocks till Brian could roll up to the next obstacle, as yet un-named, but someone mentioned brown pants. It's just to the right of the bear cave.
He's ready to tackle this climb on the cable.
Up and over.
At the top, more surveying needs to be done to continue.
Walking the trail, and trying to determine where the next portion should lead.
Winter days are short, after awhile we need to get back to camp.
Brian's going to get turned around and head back.
These next shots show Brian exiting the entrance to the most recently built section of trail we just did. With no strap or cable.
Notice the right rear.
Nice touch.
Brian said this happened on the way in. The main leaf spring was broken. He didn't point it out till after the trail building got done. That's all of the building to be done this weekend. We didn't spend a lot of time building because it takes some doing just to get back there. When this trail is finished, I believe it will rank at the top of the list of favorite trails among the extreme rock crawling crowd. Tomorrow we plan to visit the monument constructed on the Fissure Mountain trail.
Saturday morning, we head out for the trail.
A little chilly out in the open.
At one point, Danny's Jeep just quit running.
You'd think with all these mechanically minded individuals, it wouldn't be long before the correct diagnosis was made.
Alas, it proved a daunting task. Some pundit leaves his mark. Everybody was baffled, no one knew where to look next. Suddenly, Mike pulls a wire hanging loose, away from the block and says 'try it.' Danny's jeep fired right up. A hot lead grounded. Taped it off and away we went.
Fissure Mountain Trial is a short run, relatively easy, but still challenging. At the top, the monument the Men in Black constructed on site, stands in tribute.
I have always been amazed how quickly, without a second thought, most people in the sport of 4-wheeling, are ready to assist someone else on the trail. Strangers jump in and make repairs, lend a hand, offer a spare part, or whatever it takes to keep you going and to return to camp safely. Even going out the next day to recover a broken vehicle. All at no charge or demand for something in return. Never has the sense of family been more evident to me, in that regard, than when I first saw this monument. This is huge. It's deep, and it's profound. The effort his friends have made to honor Steve, say more about the tenacious nature of kinship in this sport than words ever could. The people involved in the process can be proud of their efforts and the results. The motivation behind the desire to build a monument and a trail for a friend lost, speaks volumes for their character. It was an honor being invited to participate. Thank you to all of the Men in Black.
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