Day 8: Saturday, July 12Rangely, Colorado, the Last Day
Some of us couldn't sleep; we lay awake all night just thinking about the two obstacles we were only going to be allowed to winch up. We knew there were guys in the group that wouldn't want this and could hear them now, "Winch up the obstacle on the first attempt, ahh at least let us try it." The reality of the problem was the incredibly great chance of rolling off the obstacle and sustaining serious injuries. After a quick breakfast, everyone jumped in their rigs and headed to the staging area. After meeting quite a few of the very affable locals and club members, Rick gave his morning drivers' meeting speech and we were off to the trailhead.
Rangely's OHV park is a geological treasure trove of fun. Its trails are already gaining national attention and a reputation as challenging. The park is only about a year old, but due to the four-wheel-drive-friendly community and environment, it's already seen a large amount of out-of-state wheelers. When we drove up to the staging area we could immediately tell the park's mesas and canyons offered just what we were looking for-steep off-camber challenges and technical slickrock obstacles. The area has a striking resemblance to Moab. Rangely has numerous slickrock trails that are on par with some of the best trails in the west.
We finally met the most challenging...
We finally met the most challenging and dangerous trail of the event, Megasaurus. This was in a way the gatekeeper of the trail, which is much more difficult than the Dump Bump in Moab. Most vehicles had to be winched over It, with the exception of Mr. Pw's and a few others.
One of the coolest parts about...
One of the coolest parts about Ultimate Adventure is that most of the participants are industry professionals like Mel Wade. This means we get to see their latest components in action-in this case, Mel's cantilever suspension for the JK. The suspension flexed and articulated flawlessly as Mel made his way though the toughest trail of the adventure.
This was the creepy obstacle...
This was the creepy obstacle of the day. Just to the driver side of the vehicle is a 30-foot drop to the rocks below. Although the vehicle had a tendency to lean to the right on the ascent and away from the drop, just knowing that it was there gave everyone a good case of the willies.
We finally made it to Megasaurus, the trail we heard was so difficult. The name is fitting since this is dinosaur country and a few of the obstacles are huge slickrock boulders with a potential bite. At first glace our immediate thoughts were, "that's impossible." But the longer we looked at the course, the more we could see the lines, and then "I can make that, no problem" ran through some of our minds. Towards the end of Megasaurus there's an off-camber climb up a ledge, which is similar to the first obstacle of the Moab Rim trail. It's not really difficult, it's the closeness to a sheer drop over a steep ledge that raises the pucker factor tenfold.
The trail action was intense Saturday, and there were moments when we thought a rollover was imminent. Thankfully that never materialized. Jeff Rector and the rest of the guys helping from the Rangely Rock Crawlers were exceptionally skilled spotters and worked hard getting us through their 541 acres of four-wheel heaven. After a great day on the trails we headed back to town and Rangely's Elks Lodge, BPOE #1907, for another incredible hometown meal. Rick's end of the Ultimate Adventure speech was inspiring and left us longing for next year's event. This year, Hobart stepped up and gave away a MIG welder to the driver with the most damage and repairs. Jonathan Cooper was awarded top honors and the MIG; he had continual issues with ring-and-pinion and brake components. He showed exceptional fortitude wrenching away each night after a trail run and sometimes working until sunrise. After dinner and drinks we headed back to our hotel rooms for a little shuteye and dreams of next year's event.
What can we say about the...
What can we say about the Megasaurus trail at Rangely Off-Road Park? We love the trail. It's like all of our favorite trails around the country rolled into one. At the start of the trail was the Gate Keeper, which most of the vehicles had to be winched up.
The second obstacle on Megasourus...
The second obstacle on Megasourus was a twisty set of rocks more than 10 feet high. The rocks also slanted off-camber to the driver side of the vehicle, where gravity wanted to pull the vehicles over a ledge to the left. True to form, James Watson powered his way up and over it unassisted in a matter of minutes.
Our trail leader Jeff Rector...
Our trail leader Jeff Rector was born and raised in this area and knows these rocks like the back of his hand. It was interesting to watch him skillfully maneuver his way around this technical rock course with ease. Now we know why his buggy is so clean-the guy knows how to wheel.
Saturday's Carnage
Fred Perry: Rebroke repaired axle, damaged passenger door and sideview mirror
Tom Allen: Broken rear axle and locker
Nate Williams: Broken rear axleshaft
Mark Brancieri: Broken Birfield
UA '08 DVD Ordering info
Only $17.95 plus shipping and handling.
Order by phone, online, or snail-mail at:
Rough Country Suspension systems
1400 Morgan Rd.
Dyersburg, TN 38024
888.886.8405
www.roughcountry.com/UADVD