SWFWDA Summer Quarterly
Farmington, New Mexico
July 30 - August 1, 1999
"The Iron Mountain Goats"
New Trail
By: Bob Norton - NM 4-Wheelers, SWFWDA 4WDrive Lines
Please visit our Sponsor, CLICK on the Banner above
Cody, member of the Rock Garden 4 Wheelers, convinced me to join a small group that would run a new, yet unnamed 4+ trail that was being developed. The start of the trail consists of several waterfall ledges and steps within a narrow, steep canyon. Partly due to the tight confines, our group (including some world class 4x4's) would find that a few well placed rocks would be necessary to scale some of the barriers. The only other option would be to dig deep holes in the sand as bumpers, spring shackles and steering components met immovable sandstone. And no bypasses exist on this portion of the trail.
 Cody, member of the host Rock Garden 4 Wheelers, shows the way to scale this waterfall on "New Trail". |
 This abrupt climb on "New Trail" would require a little momentum to successfully pop over. |
The slow rock crawling technique would not always be possible here. A steady follow though, or even a sharp bump of the throttle might be needed at times.
Just before reaching the mesa top, we encountered a nice big rock step that offered a medium/short wheelbase line at the left and a long wheelbase line at the right. Steep enough to force tire chirps/howls from everyone.
 The landscapes adjoining this challenging trail and from the mesa top are pleasant. |
 A step that coaxes tire chirps from everyone’s rig. |
The last portion of this new trail as completed so far is called the "Figure 8". Some fine scenery from this locale as the trail twists and turns up and down in the slickrock and pigmy forest. Cody looks over a rock wall no one in his club had previously tried. So we give it a try. Some of us made it more difficult while exploring alternate lines up the steep, sandy climb. Powering over the top while sliding a bit to the left would ultimately lead to a successful climb by all.
The last obstacle on the "New Trail" is pesky.
The return trip may utilize the same route. A quick exit on a branch road that descends the mesa and connects to a gas and oil well access road exists. The Rock Garden 4 Wheelers will continue to explore how to expand this trail with additional rock crawling challenges.
SWFWDA Summer Quartely Home | Secret Trail | Rock Garden | New Trail
Southwest Four Wheel Drive Association - Four Wheeling Responsibly!
Who/What are we? | SWFWDAland Trails | Events | History | Officers | Clubs | 4WDrive Lines | Membership App
New Mexico Trail Guidebooks, Trail Maps, and Trail Videos
| 4X4
BOOKS
.
com World's Best Selection of 4X4, Jeep, & Offroad Handbooks, Trail Guides, Videos, Maps, GPS and More |
4X4NOW
Feature Page
4X4NOW
Trail Reports | Moab
4WD Trails
4X4NOW
"How-To" | 4X4NOW
Buildups
4X4BOOKS
| MAPNOW
get Garmin at
GPSNOW
- Order by 5pm and have it Tomorrow!
Choosing |
for Laptop/Pocket PC | Basic
| Handheld Mapping | 2-way
Radio | Automotive | Motorcycle
| RV/Truck/Bus | Land & Water
Accessories
eTrex H | Legend
| Vista | Venture
HC | Summit HC | Legend
HCx | Vista HCx
GPS 18
DLX | 60
Mobile 10 | Mobile
10 for smartphones
GPSMAP 60 | 60Cx
| 60CSx | 76S
| 76Cx | 76CSx
| 276C | 376C
| 378 | 478
MapSource City Navigator
North America | US Topo | BlueChart
nüvi
200 | 270
| 350 | 360
| 370 | 650
| 660
| 670 | 680
Quest | Quest 2
Rino 110 | 120
| 130 | 520
| 530 | 520HCx
| 530HCx
StreetPilot 2820 | 7200/7500
| c330
| c340 | c530
| c550 | c580
Astro GPS dog tracking system
zūmo 450 / 550
© 4X4NOW