The Arizona Jamboree is usually a hotbed (no pun intended) of the latest suspension, engine, and drivetrain configurations. It also has a reputation for some of the most abusive trails and obstacles the Southwest has to offer, not to mention some of the most annoying hornets found anywhere.
Last year, the opening of Axle Alley caused more than a few broken hearts, broken parts, and flat tires. This year, Jawbreaker was in the midst of being made so we had to go along and check it out. The trail had only been run once before, and that group had gone down the wash bed. The first group through used mostly bypasses so nearly all of the obstacles were still untouched. Our unofficial run went up the more or less uncharted wash, taking as few of the bypasses as time would permit. Needless to say, we didn't get back to camp until way after dark, but with only one hornet casualty in our ranks. The hornets, however, suffered several fatalities.
So how hard is this new trail? We would say Jawbreaker is a little easier than Axle Alley, but more of the obstacles on Jawbreaker are driveable. It is, however, a very long trail and it starts farther away from base camp than any of the other runs. If you want to hit all of the obstacles you will need a very well equipped vehicle, and body damage is imminent. Wheelbases longer than a CJ-7 need not apply unless the bypasses are your kind of 'wheeling. Check out the unofficial Jawbreaker run and a few shots from ol' Axle Alley. For information on next year's event call 602/258-4BY4 and don't forget your bug spray.