Hal Johns 4WD Trail
Black Hills, South Dakota

'96 Dakota Territory Challenge

by The Flatlander for

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GREAT day at Dakota "Rock Surfin'" today! The sun was shining, the company - first class and the rocks - huge, irregular, and slick. But these Black Hill's 4-Wheelers do there "rock surfin'" where no one else would dream of trying.

Study this picture for example. As I waited for Steve Jones (JEEPMAN), to bring his group up, I couldn't believe that any 4WD vehicles could possibly negotiate this normally dry intermittent stream bottom.

But the Black Hills 4-Wheelers can find a way through as Jeepman demonstrates.

This wheeler took off his new top so he wouldn't ruin it as his roll bars scraped across the rock on his right..

Notice how the "peanut gallery" forms so quickly at these difficult spots. I took about an hour to get 5 4WDs through this section.

This is a challenging obstacle. Any longer wheel base vehicles would get hung up on their under carriage. And it's not difficult at all to end up on your side here.

...As Ron Nelson and his '79 CJ7 found out.

But 'No Whining' here as Ron smiles and Jeepman directs hooking up the winch cable.

Now this Jeep is set up right! Check out that articulation.

Here's another shot at another tough spot. Incredible articulation.

Hal John trail leader and Black Hills 4-Wheelers President, Steve Jones (JEEPMAN).

Postscript: After the Black Hills 4-Wheelers inventoried all of the participants for battle damage it was learned that Hal Johns broke roughly 50% of the vehicles that were on the trail Friday.

TRAIL DESCRIPTION: THREE WORDS DESCRIBE THIS TRAIL. ROCKS, ROCKS, ROCKS!! IT DOESN'T GET MUCH BETTER (OR WORSE) THAN THIS SPANKY! THIS TRAIL IS SOLID ROCK CRAWLIN FROM START TO FINISH. THIS TRAIL HAS A UNIQUE FEATURE...THERE IS AN OBSERVATION TRAIL THAT RUNS THE ENTIRE LENGTH OF THE CREEK. IT CAN BE USED AS A BY-PASS OR FOR PEOPLE WHO JUST WANT TO WATCH THE FUN. TO RUN THE ROCKS, EACH VEHICLE MUST HAVE AT LEAST ONE LOCKER OR TWO LIMITED SLIPS...ADDED GROUND CLEARANCE IS A NECESSITY...LIFTS HELP. YOU WILL TAKE BODY DAMAGE WITH THE EXTENT DEPENDING ON DRIVING SKILL AND VEHICLE COMBINATION. NO OPEN-OPEN VEHICLES ACCEPTED. THE RUN IS LIMITED TO ROCK RUNNERS WITH A MINIMUM OF 33 INCH TIRES; NO FULL-SIZE TRUCKS. BE PREPARED FOR EXTREME ROCK CRAWLIN AND SOME OF THE BEST TIMES SOUTH DAKOTA CAN OFFER. ANY QUESTIONS, CONTACT SCULLY BEFORE THE TRAIL RIDE.

Difficulty 5- Not advisable for novice drivers; potentially dangerous situations; maximum ground clearance, lowest gears, minimum tire size of 33 inches, and one locker or two limited slips required; jacks or winches indispensable due to large boulders, steep inclines, etc; number of participants determined by the trail leader; vehicle damage is very likely. No full-size vehicles.

96 Dakota Territory Challenge Index Page | Hal Johns | Iceman | Badland Boogie | Kiecker's Pics

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