March 30?

[alanmikkelsen]

I'm out of town March 16, don't get back until March 24. I was thinking about joining a run on Chinaman on 3-30, but I'm a little nervous about it. I absolutely have to be on an airplane 4-01, so I can't afford to bend/break anything the day before and Chinaman is a bit notorious for that. Anyone have any other prospects for 3-30? I'm really needing to get out in the hills!

[FINOCJ]

Hi Alan,

I was in BV area on Sun (well just passing through), but overall the snow looked minimal and I think the trail should be pretty doable. I would say with your jeep you shouldn't have any real trouble with the run - its challenging in some ways (just seems to require a bit more clearance than many trails) and generally will put your skid/rocker protection to use. I ran it last year in my old cj on 33s so would think you should be in good shape. Maybe you have seen some different reports than I know, but wouldn't say its know for breakage - Maybe adjacent Carnage Canyon is getting confused with Chinalman's as its a fork off of Chinamans that returns to the TH. Going alone is always a use your own judgement case....I'd be more worried about getting stuck than breaking - but a winch and conservative lines should help keep you out of too much trouble. If you can find someone to go with you - I'd say your good to go. This trail is on my to do again list this year - but I will be up in Montana that weekend. The gulches are always another option at this time of year - but even they may have too much snow this year. The lil moab anniversary run should be able to give some feedback as to how much snow is out there. A final, and easy option, would be to check out the southern end of RRR - maybe connect across from Mt Herman road through to lil moab and either hotel or illinois gulch - we have some member down there that might be interested to get out.

[Tom]

alanmikkelsen previously posted:

[alanmikkelsen]

Thanks for the responses. I think I'll plan on Chinaman on the 30th and pick the easy lines.

[Getaklu]

alanmikkelsen previously posted:

[TDash]

i'm interested in this run might be taking my wife out for her first time


anyone familiar with my truck and this trail able to confirm i won't have any major problems?

[Getaklu]

Tough trail for a full size p/u, expect many battle wounds. A few may hang you up on the underside as well.

[alanmikkelsen]

The organizers are requiring 35" or more on newer Jeeps, 33" minimum on older, shorter vehicles. Also at least one locker and body armor.

[TDash]

hmm cosmetic or detrimental battle wounds?


i have 37" tires, 6" lift and no lockers

[TDash]

oh is this not being organized through front range, when you say "The organizers are requiring"?

[alanmikkelsen]

TDash previously posted:

[FINOCJ]

I would love to see the full size PU run Chinaman's! I mean that in both a good a bad way...as its hard to imagine a full-size getting through the a couple spots, but then again you handle it well. I thought that thing had a locker in the rear - it just requires quite a lot of wheel spin before it engages? I'd be happy to run it with you at some later this spring...just an option....

[TDash]

alanmikkelsen previously posted:

[Jim]

TDash previously posted:

[newracer]

TDash previously posted:

[FINOCJ]

Hey Alan - did you ever run Chinamans? How was it? Its on my list of places to re-visit as soon as I get my locker install finished (hopefully within the week).

[alanmikkelsen]

I didn't run it, James. I think the weather there was acceptable, but I'd have driven through 2 hours of snow, ice and slush to get there so I wimped out. I still want to run it, though. I'll be back in Colorado for the next three weekends, after this weekend. I hope.