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Thread: 2022-06 - Pickle Gulch and a mix of more

  1. #1
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    Default 2022-06 - Pickle Gulch and a mix of more



    We met at the Pickle Gulch campground parking lot, shook hands, aired down and adjusted radios. 1:30p we were moving. The trail near the trailhead was congested with pickups turning around - with attached trailers with side-by-side's. We made it past them easy enough and headed up. All of us made it up through the difficult section w/o significant issue.

    Out to the 4-way intersection we had a group of 15 or 20+ jeeps heading towards us - we were able to slip off at a left turn and avoid that large group. The mine tailings pile we used to drive up/down - it has been "reclaimed" - significantly bladed / graded / it looks like a mountainside now. No playing there - we kept rolling.

    Spits of rain here and there. Up to the saddle, the end of Pickle Gulch (in my book) we stopped for a bit. One guy who passed us earlier was coming back. He parked near us and opened the hood - he was having fuel delivery issues (aftermarket v-8 with throttle body fuel injection). The fuel pressure gauge in the engine bay was showing 3psi. We said he could tag along with us and we'd make sure he made it out but he was confident it would make it. From the stop the group decided what to do next. A couple were looking to hit Apex road back to 119. Others were looking to take the north exit to Tolland. I said I had time and Russell said he was looking to keep wheeling. We had a plan to do the Yankee Hill exit - but I missed the turn and we ended up at the intersection - north to Tolland or south towards Kingston Peak.

    The trail to the south was decently snow covered. Russell wanted to give it a try. He tried. Snow rejected. 1-hour winch-out. A good day. I headed north to Tolland and Russell planned to run back out Pickle Gulch.

    On my way north towards Tolland I came across a group of two debating to cross two large, full-trail-width, snow piles. I said I could pull'm out if they got stuck so they gave it a go - crossing w/o issue. I crossed and a third guy, rolling solo in a black pickup, wanted to try crossing (to where I just came from). I said I'd stick around while he tried. Rejected. He was heading north as was I. He mentioned a deep water crossing on a nearby trail and I said - let's take a look. He saw me cross and gave it a crack. Shortly after the water crossing he got stuck (a 10 minute pull back). He jumped in with me and we made it through the snow drift he got stuck - I made it through (both lockers on) but did get decently sideways on the trail. The down slope wasn't dangerous but we didn't want to slide there. Unfortunately, after two quick turns in the trail we came to a much larger snowdrift and I said - nope. Turning around we now needed to get back through the remaining drift. I tried to slowly push in to pack down the heavy snow - no progress. Momentum will be the answer.

    He started recording video (maybe I'll see a copy). I engaged both differential locks - chose a good gear and got the momentum rolling. A bit of snow flying - the momentum was just right. Straight through the pile with no down-slope slide.

    From there we parted ways and I stopped at the lemonade stand in Tolland (recommended).

    Highlight photos posted below with a full set (not too many) at this link:

    www.JimWilliamson.net/automobile/2022-06-04--trail--pickle-gulch--snow-blockages/





    The reclaimed tailings pile - one of the old trail paths - nowhere to be seen.










    Heading north towards Tolland


    Air-up scenery...

    .

  2. The Following 4 Members Say Thanks to Jim For This Post:

    DaveO (June 6th, 2022),Java (June 6th, 2022),RivetDRivet (June 6th, 2022),Tom (June 6th, 2022)

  3. #2
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    Default Re: 2022-06 - Pickle Gulch and a mix of more



    Do you mean the talings at the Snowden Mine area? It looks like that area in the pic. What a shame, that was one of the best parts of the trail. It was getting more dangerous each year, there was a big hole in the furthest (from the start) route that had become so big you had to go through it instead of around it, felt like a good place to roll last time I did it. Going up it was really nuts, but hence the sport...

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    Default Re: 2022-06 - Pickle Gulch and a mix of more



    Sounds like it was a great run! I really love the starting off picture with all the different vehicles. Looks like it was a good turnout! Thanks again for posting. Sorry I couldn't be there.

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    Default Re: 2022-06 - Pickle Gulch and a mix of more



    I just missed you guys, I was there at 1:30. Had check engine light issues again after almost a year off. I think my block ground to battery is bad.

    Anyway I did pickle gulch out and back. Had to deal with that massive group of Jeeps just sitting in the middle of the trail and looking at me weird because I wanted to continue down the trail lol

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    Default Re: 2022-06 - Pickle Gulch and a mix of more



    A couple of us
         

  7. The Following Member Says Thanks to Snowturtle For This Post:

    RivetDRivet (June 6th, 2022)

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    Default Re: 2022-06 - Pickle Gulch and a mix of more



    Paul previously posted:
    "Do you mean the talings at the Snowden Mine area?"

    Sounds correct.

    Google Map of the spot

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    Default Re: 2022-06 - Pickle Gulch and a mix of more



    RivetDRivet previously posted:
    "Sorry I couldn't be there."

    I hope you're all getting well !

  10. The Following Member Says Thanks to Jim For This Post:

    RivetDRivet (June 6th, 2022)

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    Default Re: 2022-06 - Pickle Gulch and a mix of more



    I didn't get many pictures
          

  12. The Following Member Says Thanks to Snowturtle For This Post:

    RivetDRivet (June 6th, 2022)

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    Default Re: 2022-06 - Pickle Gulch and a mix of more



    TyTheJeepGuy previously posted:
    "I just missed you guys, I was there at 1:30."

    WoW - you _just_ missed us. I looked at my cell phone's time and it said 1:30 as I pulled out of the parking lot / remainder of the group pulling out.

    That group was huge.

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    Default Re: 2022-06 - Pickle Gulch and a mix of more



    Yes the remainder of that group was airing down. I aired down by the big yellow Yota, but also I spent a good amount of time checking grounds and rerouting new winch cables in case they were causing interference

  15. The Following Member Says Thanks to TyTheJeepGuy For This Post:

    Jim (June 6th, 2022)

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    Default Re: 2022-06 - Pickle Gulch and a mix of more



    Jim previously posted:
    "I hope you're all getting well !"

    We are all doing better, just waiting for the isolation period to end...

  17. The Following 2 Members Say Thanks to RivetDRivet For This Post:

    Jim (June 6th, 2022),Tom (June 6th, 2022)

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    Default Re: 2022-06 - Pickle Gulch and a mix of more



    Had a great time out there, it was great meeting everyone. This is an awesome group and I'm looking forward to wheeling some more with you all. Some pics that I got during the ride:
            

  19. The Following Member Says Thanks to nds24 For This Post:

    Jim (June 6th, 2022)

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