'97 Fall Quarterly SWFWDA 4WD Trails Clayton, Oklahoma Oct. 18-19, 1997

OKTOBER TRAILFEST
Clayton, Oklahoma

By: Bob Norton

NM 4Wheelers

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The allure of challenging, scenic trails in the Kiamichi Mountains near Clayton, OK brought together nearly 200 vehicles and 350 persons to the real "Fall Classic" known as the Oktober Trailfest. Hosted by the Ft. Worth-Dallas Four Wheel Drive Club, this event would also serve as the Southwest Four Wheel Drive Association Fall Quarterly meeting.

The entire region is heavily forested....quite a change for those of us more accustomed to the pigmy forests of the Southwest! Although warm weather has delayed the leaf color change of the deciduous trees, there were pockets of colorful displays to be seen. The weekend weather turned out to be ideal. Rains earlier in the week had left mud puddles but the trail surfaces had dried considerably. Incidentally, when it rains at Clayton, moderate trails become exceedingly difficult, if not impassible! The soils become absolutely slimy! Trail difficulty ratings are therefore based on dry surfaces.

A number of 4-Wheelers arrived in time to make runs on Friday, although the official event runs would be on Saturday and Sunday. A group of 9 capable vehicles gathered at the Clayton Lake State Park Friday morning. Kent, in his sharp lime green Willys Flatfender, led us on a warm up on Camp Creek Trail (rating 3 or 3+), a hint of fun to come on the Purgatory run the following day. We picked up the Upper Power Line trail to work our way towards 3-Stage Hill. A Jeep lost a hub when he got caught by slick rocks at a difficult climb. Loading up the tires with muck just before reaching the rock steps was a contributing element. A spare hub was offered and the fix completed quickly.

Farther along the trail, progress was curtailed at a location where a tree had fallen. The tree was perhaps 75 feet long and 12-14 inches in diameter. A short saw was produced but it could only cut a couple of inches into the tree. A winch was hooked up to try to break the tree in half at the cut. No luck. David Teague of the 4-Play club (Lubbock, TX) had an idea. He hooked his tow strap near one end of the tree. Then in an AWESOME show of power from his LT-11 powered CJ-7, proceeded to snatch the tree from across the trail and then tow the tree perhaps a hundred yards uphill and out of the way! Our group was so awestruck that no one took photos or videoed the entire pull!

At the start of 3-Stage Hill, rubber marks warn of a troublesome step ahead

3-Stage Hill is one of the most popular runs at Clayton (rating 3+ or 4). The 1st Stage consists of a steep climb up a slippery rock surface complete with a foot and a half ledge. This obstacle is difficult to impossible for most stock 4-WD vehicles. Some combination of lockers makes a big difference here. The common technique to conquer the ledge is to ease over with the front tires than bump the step with the rear tires, employing a judicial application of power. Even the most enhanced short wheelbase vehicles must bump the step. Perhaps the medium to long wheelbase 4-wheel drives with front and rear lockers could crawl over this obstacle. I wanted to try a crawl. But, as the rear tires approached the ledge, the crowds clamored "hit it"! So I compromised and drove over the obstacle at a steady pace.

"1st Stage" usually provides a good show

Other challenging rock steps await as the trail climbs steeply upward. Deep holes accompany many of the steps to confound matters. One stretch of 3-Stage has water oozing out of the rocks on the trail. There was no way I could crawl over these wet rocks.....a pace too slow only resulted in 4 tires spinning in place! Hitting the wet rocks harder was required.

The tree to the right of the notch on "The Wall" may find you!

At the crest of the steep climb the route split. A tiny sign pointing to the left said "Lookout". Following this route through the trees brought us to a rock outcropping known by the 4-Wheelers as "The Wall". The "lookout" being a higher point on that rock which provided some nice views. The surface to be driven up was littered with forest debris and newly fallen leaves, yet provided surprisingly good traction. The route over the Wall requires careful tire placement to cross a narrow notch and then to drop steeply off the back side. A huge rock past the drop awaits to snag the left side tires and trees are close on the right. Those with higher gears had to hit the hill a little faster which provided a show as they brushed the tree at the top.

I could not help myself! I just HAD to see how the suspension worked

Saturday morning, FWD-FWD run leader and event Chairman, Rick Neil led our group of 15 capable Jeeps off to Purgatory trail. Ours was an in interesting mix of Jeeps. Rick’s stretch CJ-5, 2 Flatfenders, plus CJ-5's, CJ-7's, Wranglers, a Scrambler and an XJ. Event rules required front and rear solid lockers, lifts and larger aggressive tires to qualify for this run. Friday evening while deciding what run to choose, one fellow told me that it was not possible to do Purgatory without body damage or breakage! Hmmmm, this could be fun!

The tough Purgatory trail is enchanting

The trail wound its way in and out of the stream. Often, big slippery rocks needed to be climbed....deep holes were hidden underwater. Our group advanced well, no doubt assisted by capable vehicles, experienced drivers and the water level being down a little bit. Still, submerged rock had a particular attachment to differentials, axles, tie rods, spring shackles and so on. One trail section required an off-camber drive at the edge of deep water and then through a masonry culvert. On the far side of the culvert, a drop back into deeper water, off-camber. At that point, run leader Rick drove over a submerged tree limb which promptly whipped out of the water and demolished the driver side mirror! Close call!

On the Purgatory run one CJ suffered a broken rear spring mount. A team went to work to accomplish a field repair. Mark Werkmeister, SWFWDA President, offered the use of his on-board welder. Two others on the run, experienced in welding, went to work. Hi-lift jacks and a winch cable and pulley were used to stabilize and support the broken Jeep. The repairs would take about an hour altogether. Several of us decided to "play". I eyed a big rock step in the stream and decided this would be just right to check out the articulation on the new suspension! Rick and David Teague tried out a new alternate route on Purgatory which presented even bigger rocks to climb. Only a stretch for the "Big Dogs", I took the bi-pass. After the spring mount repair was completed, several others tried this difficult alternate route. The sound of scraping and banging metal was abundant for a short time!

David Teague negotiates the pools and rocks on an optional route on Purgatory

Too Long Too Tippy

Run leader Rick Neil tries the big rocks with his stretch CJ-5

One of many rock steps on Lower Power Line easily climbed by Kent’s Willys

After completing the Purgatory run, our group started up Lower Power Line trail. This trail has considerable eroded areas complete with exposed rock ledges, holes and slippery loose dirt and rocks. A couple of spots were rather tippy. The rating of 3 or 3+ may be too conservative on the most difficult spots. Only incident on this section.....run leader breaks a bead on a tire.

Upper Power Line (rated 3 or 3+) includes a section that twists and turns tightly around trees and over rocks. Would be real testy for vehicles much bigger than the XJ and Scrambler! Creek bed crossings, rock ledges and a steep washed out ravine area are features.

The group bi-passes this steep washed our ravine on Upper Power Line

This climb is particularly difficult on Upper Power Line trail. First you drive through the slimy mud, then up the hill and over the rocks

We proceed, relaxing and thinking about the upcoming evening events. Suddenly, on the CB, someone says "fire!" A Wrangler in our group has a wiring fire under the hood. It is quickly extinguished and damage assessed. A V-8 had been added and some of the burned wiring was no longer needed. Wires were spliced in to allow the Jeep to run. Plus, a melted fluid line had to be patched.

Back to Clayton without further incident. That evening the High School Rodeo Grounds was the site for the excellent BBQ. The FWD-FWD Club sure knows how to feed hungry 4-Wheelers! Before the business of the SWFWDA began, the host FWD-FWD Club presented a check for $1000 for the SWFWDA Land Action Fund. Then they presented the SWFWDA with 2 plaques to serve as incentives for others to contribute to the Fund. One plaque will list the names of member clubs that contribute at one of several achievement levels. The other plaque will list individual contributions at several achievement levels. This is a great action by the FWD-FWD Club to help build this important Fund to help keep our trails open. Very nice!

Night runs and a campfire were offered for those not attending the SWFWDA meeting. Sunday the Club Challenge and several moderate runs took place. The 1997 Oktober Trailfest was a very successful event. We look forward to 4-Wheeling at Clayton again!

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