South Dakota Rocking
Pat owns Custom Welding in Williston, North Dakota, and builds some of the trickest 4x4 and Jeep stuff around... | 
...This family wagon CJ-7 sports dual Dana 60s, ARB Air Lockers, and all the trick stuff to cruise over the obstacles on Hal Johns. Wife Jan and kids Kelly, Greg, and Marley smile all day as they cruise in comfort, even if it's raining. | 
Broncos, Blazers, cab trucks, Jeeps, and others can do trails at the Challenge. A few trails like Hal Johns have bypasses and an observation road to the end, although it can be difficult at times as well. This trail has a 79-inch width restriction, so fullsize rigs should try another area. | 
Taking a fullsize Wagoneer on these trails is a bit nuts. But properly built and driven, these rigs make for great fun and a real challenge compared to a built rock buggy. This 'Gneer smoothed itself past many a rock on its way to ascending the Waterfall with ease. | 
Arizona boy and Jeep trash driver Kerry Hancock made the haul from the warm Southwest to brave the rain and snow of South Dakota. Kerry took his CJ-7 over the worst of Hal Johns without a scratch, which means he has to go back and do it again. | 
The famous Waterfall changes from year to year, and has even been used as a newsstand cover photo subject for our Feb. '96 issue. Trip leader Scott Wrigglesworth showed us the line as he took his slightly modified Ranger up and over the killer ledge. Scott has been running the Challenge for a few years now, and almost has his rig dialed in, as is evident from the fine finish and patina. | 
Rocks are a good reason for rules such as working winches and appropriate jacks! The trails of the Dakota Territory Challenge are full of water, mud, and mostly rocks, which make for some fun four-wheeling. | 
Taking the Full Monkey trail is a difficult 4+, but making a turn at the end into Kong makes it a 5+. Short-wheelbase rigs work well for the tight turns, but not the ledges, as this Toy found. The proper combo of power and momentum can make up for the lack of crawlability in the rain. | 
Some turns on Kong come after a tall crawl, and the only way to make it is to drive straight up and let the rig slide around to the bottom. Slow skill makes the difference here, not a lot of throttle. |
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