THE INTIMIDATION FACTOR by Mark Werkmeister Photos by Tom Hurt

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Damon Petersen drops over the first of several huge ledges that mark the beginning of the Intimidator.

Some four wheelers are intimidated by rocks. Some are intimidated by steep climbs or descents. Some people don't like being perched on the edge of a cliff. Almost everyone doesn't like the unease brought on by those off camber situations. When you hear of a trail called "The Intimidator", you immediately begin to wonder which of the preceding "delights" you are going to experience. What if the trail has them all??!!??

Jim Werkmeister insets his Scrambler into the "squeeze" in the canyon bottom.

The New Mexico 4 Wheelers had heard that the Cliffhangers in Farmington had created another sandstone monster in The Glade and they were calling it The Intimidator. There was no question, we had to check it out. The weekend of May 4-5 saw fifteen vehicles from NM4W head north and we knew we were in for a treat. We met up with about ten vehicles from Farmington and sorted ourselves into two groups. Since Trail Leader Harold Off and Garrett Sisson insisted that anyone tackling The Intimidator have both ends locked up, the second group was made up of open diffs and people who were new to the challenges of Chokecherry Canyon. They headed out for some saner action and would later rejoin us at a convenient observation point.

Guy Conway Positions himself to drop off of one of the intimidator's big ledges

We headed out to The Glade and pulled up at Armstong Action Hill. Instead of going up the hill, the group dropped into the canyon depths below over three monster ledges. In addition to polishing up any low hanging parts, the ledges also serve to make backtracking out of the trail almost impossible. Next up was a tight squeeze over some large rocks in the bottom of the canyon. So far, no problem! Looking up, we saw that the trail switchbacked up the side of the canyon in a series of steep climbs, off camber turns, and cliff edge trail sections. We were starting to see where the intimidation factor could set in. The progress was slow but steady as we fought our way up the hill. The sandstone in Farmington doesn't offer the kind of traction normally associated with slickrock, the decomposing nature of the rock guarantees that all surfaces are always coated with loose sand!

By lunch time, the trail leaders were sitting below the obstacle that has created most of the pucker marks on the trail. It was christened Crap Shoot by the driver of the first vehicle to go belly up at the spot and it had already claimed victim number two in the short time it had been used. The Cliffhangers didn't do our confidence any good when they broke out the latest in four wheel drive accessories, a broom. Yes, they were actually sweeping the rock face clear of sand and dirt in preparation for our ascent.

L.P. How wrinkles his seat covers by getting a little sideways on the approach to Crap Shoot.

The climb is very, very steep and starts with an eighteen inch high ledge that requires a rock pile ramp to get the wheels up. There lies the challenge. Hit the throttle at the wrong time and all the rocks disappear from under your tires. Bounce wrong off the ledge and it is time to test the roll cage! The trick is to hit the ledge and its ramp with enough momentum to avoid having to power through the loose rocks. Then when all four tires are one the cliff face, a light application of power keeps the wheels from hopping and you might make it.....

Pat Brady in his 35" shod '73 Bronco tries out the approach to Crap Shoot. This one obstacle took out about a third of our group. For once, the picture does a pretty good job of capturing the extreme angle of the climb.

The first half dozen vehicles all made it up Crap Shoot with varying degrees of "elegance" with several vehicles putting on quite a show as they bucked and bounced to the top. Hey! This isn't so hard. Wrong! The hill started taking its toll as parts started scattering. First a CJ axle snapped in half. Then a hub disintegrated. Then two vehicles almost rolled on the ledge in the canyon below Crap Shoot. An axle tube twisted in a AMC 20 housing, then a U-joint popped, and a starter gave up the ghost due to heat. It was getting to be a long afternoon. Finally the group's luck seemed to swing to the positive side again as the last vehicles came up clean. By this time, several hours had already been spent on Crap Shoot.

Derren Owen catches a little air on the final climb into the Graffiti Bowl.	The New Mexico 4-Wheelers employ some "human engineering" to help keep Derren Owen's front wheels in contact with Mother Earth.

One last obstacle remained. A twisty slickrock climb up into the Graffiti Bowl marked the trail's end and about half of the group took advantage of an easier bypass. Those that challenged the last climb were treated to some severe wheel-standing antics and by the time everyone was safely in the Bowl, we had had enough fun for one day. A half mile in six hours gives testimony to the level of challenge provided by The Intimidator.

This is the reverse angle of the climb shown on the cover of the October '96 issue of 4WD&SU. Mark's two-month old paint did a good job of repelling the sandstone and keeping the Scrambler upright.	Derren Owen climbs into the Graffiti Bowl to signal the end of the Intimidator Trail.

Pat Brady letting in ALL hang out on the domes at the end of RJ's Trail. The sideways slide had him pinned to his left with no where to go but up.

Sunday, most of the group showed their hard core spirit by turning out for RJ's Trail. RJ's Trail is another extremely challenging trail but lacks the hair-raising off camber situations of the previous day's trail. By mid-afternoon, everyone was headed back to Albuquerque with another great weekend of 'wheeling under their belts. Thanks to the Cliffhangers for hosting the continuous stream of four wheelers coming to play in Farmington and for continuing to plot some of the best trails of the southwest.

Intimidation factors? The Intimidator has them all! We came, we saw, we four wheeled, we enjoyed. If you are not easily intimidated, The Intimidator is great fun!

Reprinted from 4WDrive Lines, Vol 5, Number 2.
Submitted by Mark Werkmeister
Photos by Tom Hurt

The Southwest Four Wheel Drive Association is organized to promote interest and provide education in organized 4-wheeling and the safe and responsible use of off-highway vehicles; to keep members informed of the needs of vehicular recreationists, and to keep Association members informed of impending legislation and land use matters; to enjoy and protect all local, state, and national resources, and to assist various government agencies in the development of off-road trails and areas; to render aid and assistance as needed; to adhere to the principles and practices of United Four Wheel Drive Associations, and to maintain active membership in UFWDA as an Association.

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