Old Camp: another Jeep over the side

[MojoCP]

I don't own a 4WD. I don't go 4 by-ing. But let me ask you, why do you think it's called Santiago TRUCK TRAIL? Because it was a truck trail long before MTBs existed and long before us Johnny-Come-Lately MTBers started acting like we had exclusive rights to it. I've been up there plenty of times when a 4x has been up there. Doesn't bother me in the slightest. You enjoy your form of recreation and I'll enjoy mine.

When all the trails are outlawed, the only people left riding them are the outlaws. I'm left to poach this trail about once a week on my moto for this same reason.

Right, but my post was not to say that 4x4 hobbyists were bad or doing bad things. I was responding to the original commenter's statement showing feigned shock that we, "trail poaching deviant mountain bikers" could pass judgment. I clarified that very few of us MTB'ers do that kind of poaching and that, even then, the few people who would frown upon the poaching probably dont care quite as much, since there's virtually no environmental impact.

 

[roach]

It's hard to tell from the pics and this thread, but it seems the blame for this mess is on one of the obnoxious pipe barriers that litter
that trail?

 

[Dirtboy29]

No, the moron that removed it and the guy that sacrificed his Jeep. A combined effort.

 

[CarbonLegs]

....this is turning out to be the most exciting thread on this site in weeks

I agree, never heard so much poaching in one thread = )

 

[kioti]

Nothing around there....looks like it is at the pinch point that Kioti installed a few years back to keep the vehicles from traveling any farther down.

Either they tried to go around it and slipped down, or trying to do a 20 pt turn and rolled off the trail.....not very wide at that point.

That pinch point was installed to keep off-roaders from driving from Cadillac all the way to Modjeska, which they were doing. It was put in to protect the singletrack, as well as protect off-roaders from themselves, since there is a narrow, unstable, cliff-lined section about a half mile below it.

Numerous attempts have been made to permanently close Cadillac and keep this from happening, but none have stood up to the pressure. Pipe barricades have been cut, washed out areas have been filled in and the bottom gate was never strong enough. Signage has been removed by users. (FWIW, last year's driver was quoted $8,000 for a helicopter recovery.)

The Forest Service wants motorized access removed, but has not followed up. I hope no one got hurt this time around, and I wish this road would be shut down before somebody kills themselves or causes a fire.


FYI, I'm currently working on a ranch in eastern New Mexico, and off the grid. Just drove into town and logged onto a library computer to check things out, and I might not be back for a week or so. Try to stay out of trouble.

 

[CarbonLegs]

Just got back. It's a bummer to see. Doesn't look like it'll be going anywhere any time soon. It's in a tough spot. Fuel tank is laying on the ground behind it.

Finally got a chance to see this, i thought it would be much deeper into the mountain. But the other way around, what the hell was he doing that far down. He might as well come hang out at the Flag. I did not see any evidence of a drastic U turn and for the Jeep to facing the other way around is mind boggling. Looking up towards Cadillac, i can picture this Jeep coming down fairly quick. All the brush that was destroyed was from the Initial drop. I tried to help by pulling the jeep out with my bike and legs, but i forgot my wench-hahaha.

I took pictures of the inside, Jeep is almost new. Chromalloy roll cage is off the hook, nickle stack weld, perfect cut out, i know that is not cheap

That might be more for safety reasons than for vandalism reasons.

I agree, that fuel cell was not destroyed, very carefully removed.

 

[mtnbikej]

View attachment 158739

Finally got a chance to see this, i thought it would be much deeper into the mountain. But the other way around, what the hell was he doing that far down. He might as well come hang out at the Flag. I did not see any evidence of a drastic U turn and for the Jeep to facing the other way around is mind boggling. Looking up towards Cadillac, i can picture this Jeep coming down fairly quick. All the brush that was destroyed was from the Initial drop. I tried to help by pulling the jeep out with my bike and legs, but i forgot my wench-hahaha.

I took pictures of the inside, Jeep is almost new. Chromalloy roll cage is off the hook, nickle stack weld, perfect cut out, i know that is not cheap



I agree, that fuel cell was not destroyed, very carefully removed.

Problem is, now it really smells of gasoline....with the winds that are supposed to start blowing and the temps warming up.....hope it doesn't start a fire.

 

[CarbonLegs]

Problem is, now it really smells of gasoline....with the winds that are supposed to start blowing and the temps warming up.....hope it doesn't start a fire.

I can go up there with an Objective, If it is full of Gas, how do i bring it down ? I can do this, Tomorrow morning. Now looking at it a little closer, Fuel lines look to be cut, maybe fuel could have been spilled. If that is the case, i do not have a fold-able shovel.

 

[suicidesam]

I'd be up for a few engineer-auto-hobbyist MTB'ers disassembling it, piece by piece, and rebuilding it on a display ramp at the Luge flag!

i will buy the beer to see that

 

[Danimal]

i will buy the beer to see that

We can drink the beer while we watch it.

 

[wraschke]

Talked to a guy yesterday who was trying to take stuff off of it. its a 16 year old's kids Jeep. Was hired by dad to recover it but it's too far gone with you guys taking the gas tank... apparently the kid went up there in the dark and didnt see the pinch point. I told the guy who had driven his jeep to that point that the road was closed to motorized vehicle's. kind of a bummer that everyone on here is taking pieces off the truck. now it'll never leave which is really sad because I like how you get away from the sight of man on the ride to old camp from the flag pole.

 

[evdog]

wrahschke -

what on earth was a 16 year old doing up there driving a jeep in the dark?

and if the 4x4 community can't pull the jeep out of its resting spot in the first place why is it the MTB community's fault that someone yanked the gas tank off the thing? And why are you assuming that is who is removing parts off the jeep? Sounds like plenty of other jeepers have been up there doing just that...

 

[CarbonLegs]

Talked to a guy yesterday who was trying to take stuff off of it. its a 16 year old's kids Jeep. Was hired by dad to recover it but it's too far gone with you guys taking the gas tank... apparently the kid went up there in the dark and didnt see the pinch point. I told the guy who had driven his jeep to that point that the road was closed to motorized vehicle's. kind of a bummer that everyone on here is taking pieces off the truck. now it'll never leave which is really sad because I like how you get away from the sight of man on the ride to old camp from the flag pole.

You are missing the point. From the very first report of this Jeep, the fuel cell was already off the vehicle. Who is to say it was a MTBer that pulled it off !! Read post #67. With current conditions and if the cell is full of fuel, it can pose a potential threat. If it was removed from its current location, it would only be for the safety of wild life, civilians, hikers, MTBrs or a 16year old 4xing in the area (Sometimes poaching is necessary!).

 

[Heyitsdave]

its a 16 year old's kids, parents Jeep.

Fixed it for you.

 

[Danimal]

wrahschke -

what on earth was a 16 year old doing up there driving a jeep in the dark?

and if the 4x4 community can't pull the jeep out of its resting spot in the first place why is it the MTB community's fault that someone yanked the gas tank off the thing? And why are you assuming that is who is removing parts off the jeep? Sounds like plenty of other jeepers have been up there doing just that...

Of course its the Mtb community removing parts. I always carry a socket set in my camelbak just for occasions like this, don't you?

 

[CarbonLegs]

Of course its the Mtb community removing parts. I always carry a socket set in my camelbak just for occasions like this, don't you?

Were is the thanks button when you need it......... = )

 

[nmeofun]

Of course its the Mtb community removing parts. I always carry a socket set in my camelbak just for occasions like this, don't you?

That front bumper would look good on my Jeep... I wonder if I'll need extra bungee cords to keep it in my Camelback on the way down the Luge...

 

[bconneraz]

if the fuel tank is posing a fire threat, and it's less than 70 lbs, then I'd be happy to go up there with my Bob trailer and tow it off the mountain, if someone is willing to go with me, and properly dispose of the tank and gas once I get to the bottom.

 

[AaronK]

I don't own a 4WD. I don't go 4 by-ing. But let me ask you, why do you think it's called Santiago TRUCK TRAIL? Because it was a truck trail long before MTBs existed and long before us Johnny-Come-Lately MTBers started acting like we had exclusive rights to it. I've been up there plenty of times when a 4x has been up there. Doesn't bother me in the slightest. You enjoy your form of recreation and I'll enjoy mine.

When all the trails are outlawed, the only people left riding them are the outlaws. I'm left to poach this trail about once a week on my moto for this same reason.

I believe we can coexist together as well; I own a 4x4, a dual sport moto, a mountain bike and hiking shoes, most of them old and beat. But in the same breath I don't post on the internet that I use the trails illegally, I don't drive my rigs off trail where I can't get them out and I don't tear up the trail and dig trenches with a 600lb 70Hhp pig.

When someone drives their 4x4 off a trail or damages the the trail for the rest of the user community I would expect a little recoil. We live in one of the most populated affluent places in the country. We have a lot of toys and time to use them while the rest of the world is scraping to eat and survive. Our limited open spaces are under increasing pressure from our sense of entitlement. "This land is MY land".

{RANT ON}Next time you meet a trail user stop and say high. If you are coming down hill on your mountain bike STOP and say "hi" to the climbing hiker. If you are on your moto STOP and turn off your engine and say "hi" to the those with feet power. Make friends. Blowing by in a cloud of dust is fun for us but scary for everyone else. Don't be a Johnny Campbell or Greg Minnaar wanna-be.
The negativity revolving this issue is larger that this incident but the way to solve it is small steps; the first being face to face positive interactions with trail users.{RANT OFF}

 

[CarbonLegs]

My window of opportunity has come and gone, almost went this morning, but conditions were really bad. If you want to plan something, im willing to help tomorrow. I did not attempt to do this yesterday bc of the location of the cell (and would not do this alone). I climbed that jeep and looked over towards the back and its nasty.

It really comes down to, is the cell full of gas right now, who ever removed it, may of dumped it ?