OKTOBER TRAILFEST & SWFWDA FALL QUARTERLY
Clayton, Oklahoma - October 16-17, 1998
Story & Photos by: Bob Norton, NM4Wheelers

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Apprehension was running high as the clouds rolled into Clayton, Oklahoma....just in time for the Oktober Trailfest & Southwest Four Wheel Drive Association Fall Quarterly Meeting. Held October 16-18, 1998, the celebrated reputation of the variety of trails in the area and that of the sponsoring club: FWD-FWD, would attract 259 registered vehicles and over 400 participants. The largest number ever of participants arrived early. A long line of vehicles waited for Tech Inspection Thursday evening and trail choices filled rapidly early Friday morning.

Many veterans to ‘wheeling here say that if it rains, they stay away from the trails. Why? Greasy clay! Well, it would rain off and on through the event which did indeed add interest to the trail runs. A number of challenging and/or scenic trails were run on Friday and Saturday to spread out the 4-wheelers. The SWFWDA Club Challenge and some short runs were held on Sunday.

Fortunately, the rains held off Saturday evening until folks were through the line for the excellent ‘burgers, ‘dogs and fixin’s. A successful raffle was held with a winch as the big prize. All proceeds went to the SWFWDA Land Use Fund. The business meeting started inside a building at the Clayton H.S. Rodeo Grounds as the downpour hit.

With only 2 days to participate, I wanted to drive some trails that I had not previously. Floyd’s Hill would have to wait for another visit, a drier one! I would run the Yanush Trails on Friday and the Snake Pit on Saturday. Lower Power Line was on the return route Saturday.

YANUSH TRAILS

This run takes place on a select route among what is actually many trails in an area 14 miles north of Clayton. Perhaps this trail run is underrated at 3+ to 4. Loose dirt, tippy ravines, ledges and rock climbs are features.

Our run was scheduled for a 1 P.M. departure. As we headed north, each of us eyed the menacing rain clouds to the southwest. Starting up the trail off the main highway, it was obvious that recent rains had left the trail surface damp. We approached a washed-out uphill ravine. Our trail leader Rick, with his sharp yellow early Bronco, chose the bypass and got out to spot anyone foolish enough to drive up the ravine. He underestimated us. ALL in our group lined up for the challenge!

The idea is to drive up the "V", lifting a tire now and then over the uneven terrain and finally climb steeply out of the eroded roadway. Not so easy! Tires become loaded up with a thin layer of the greasy clay. A tire might slide down into the center of the "V" and dramatic wheel stands result. Good articulation would be an asset here. The climb out at the end would prove to be very difficult, particularly for the shorter wheelbase 4-WDs. A number of our group got into tippy situations at this obstacle.

Climbing out of the ravine was quite spooky, very tippy for some....

Now just where did my spotter go?

Rick decides he should try too and swings back into the vehicle line-up. Up he goes...a bit off camber and suddenly, "plop", on its side! Minor dents, scrapes and scarred paint are new features on the Bronco. One Jeep in the group suffers mechanical problems after attempting the climb and calls it a day. This Yanush Trail run is off to a great start!

Moving along, we come to a "T" on the trail. We turn right and immediately stare down a very steep eroded slope. It is pretty washed out so a few rocks are tossed in the bottom for safety should any vehicle fall in. Most of us drive downhill partially in the "V". The big, wide pick-up truck on our run straddles the "V" all the way down!

Soon we come to a steep hill climb that continues up and out of sight in the distance. This stretch includes the toughest obstacles on the trail run. First, a long stretch of loose dirt, loose boulders, ledges and rock protrusions must be climbed. Differentials and other low lying components would take a beating on this stretch. Even those vehicles locked front and rear would work very hard here! One after another, our group attacked this climb. Parking just beyond this climb, our group faced the worst obstacle.

The most difficult part of our run in the Yanush Trails lies in the climb ahead

Loose boulders, loose wet dirt, rock and a difficult ledge are encountered on this long climb

Everyone had trouble at this pesky ledge

Here are more rock protrusions, more slick coating of clay on the tires and a nasty looking ledge. Today, this ledge would prove to be very difficult to climb for EVERYONE in our group. Whatever line one chose, even high to the left, the vehicle would ultimately slide hard to the right. The passenger side rear tire would be stopped by the rock ledge and dig the existing hole deeper and deeper. The vehicle wheelbase or the speed of "attack" seemed to make little difference. Several required a strap. The rest of us needed some rocks in the hole. The big pick-up truck leaped far to the right after topping the ledge, nearly driving right off the side of the hill!

After this obstacle, we came to an intersection. It was obvious from one of the choices, another eroded downhill, that many more challenging routes exist in the Yanush Trails area. But, darkness was approaching and we’d had enough fun for now. Fortunately, only an occasional sprinkle of rain had teased us this afternoon. The shortest route back to the highway was chosen.

SNAKE PIT

This trail has replaced the Purgatory Trail which is now closed to vehicles. It can be very difficult for many, rated a 4 to 4+. Large wet rocks and boulders must be traversed as the trail winds in and out of a creek. Deep holes and rocks hidden underwater are a menace.

The rains had arrived in Clayton Friday night and continued Saturday morning. We headed out before 9 A.M. for our run. Turning off the paved highway and heading up the county dirt road showed us quickly how slick the clay in the area can get after a good soaking.

Down a forest trail with evidence of recent logging activity, then finally, we drop into a valley and the start of the trail. It is dark due to the overcast skies and heavy forest cover. Perhaps loggers have put up the sign that says "Snake Hole". Rick Neil, "Trail Boss" and President of the host FWD-FWD Club, tells us that indeed, this area is infested with poisonous snakes. He does not elaborate as to species, how quick one might expire after a bite....Rick does caution us to be alert for reptiles. I’ll do that! FWD-FWD apparently prefers the trail name "Snake Pit" vs. "Snake Hole" in any case.

Soon, we are slipping and sliding on the wet rocks in the creek and on the wet soil and leaves adjacent. A little drizzle at this time makes little difference. The new owner of "Ole Spot" slips into a hole and the top and frame is damaged by a large rock slab. No way out of this jam without the use of a winch.

The rocks in the creek get bigger and the holes deeper as we move further downstream. Run leader Rick gets his stretch CJ-5 high centered on a rock outcropping and grenades a hub! A spare is dug out and the repair is underway. Fishing for dropped tools in the creek adds excitement to the occasion.

Yes, there is rock-crawling to be found at Clayton, OK!

Water and big rocks ahead

Jeeps crossing the wet rocks

Next, we approach a section with bigger drop-offs into the water. We are given the option to take a bypass. I choose the harder route. With the front dropping into the deep water, I get high centered. The more I work at it, the worse it gets. The vehicle is pivoting on the transfer case skid plate and I’m getting sideways....a real predicament for sure. A winch is attached and pulls me back off the rock. I spot a better line for my Cherokee and give it another try. This time, success. Albeit with a resounding crash on the rear bumper as I drop off into the water. By now, another run, led by FWD-FWD member Scott, catches up with us. After lunch, we proceed the rest of the day essentially as a combined group.

The last section of the Snake Pit trail is fun. One must negotiate over some large rock slabs, avoiding hanging up on "underthings" and avoiding too tippy a line. The 4-WD is then pointed downhill and one sort of drives / slides into the water. From there, cross the pond and up a slick bank. Large underwater rocks limit you to a narrow line though the water. Part way across the driver’s side rear drops into a deep hole. Startling, even when you know it is coming!

A tedious descent into the water near the end

Oops, is THIS the real "Snake Hole"?

A climb out of the valley marks our joining up with the Lower Power Line trail.

LOWER POWER LINE

Large rock ledges, loose dirt, boulders, washouts are all part of this trail. A number of up and down hill sections exist on the route. This trail too may be underrated at 3 to 3+. Add rain and the obstacles on this one are very, very bad!

The trail starts a steep climb uphill adjacent to a deeply eroded trench. A drive parallel to this trench is required for several dozen yards, all the while off-camber. Spooky with clay slickened tires. Then the route turns left at a badly eroded corner. Here are exposed rock ledges, slab boulders and more wet clay. Taking an uphill line at the right side of the corner usually led to a slide downhill right back into the rocks. The mix of vehicle wheelbase lengths and driver’s choice of lines makes this spot very interesting. And a few take a bypass around the eroded trench and corner obstacle.

There will be no let up once past this corner. A seemingly never ending series of slick ledges await as we climb towards the hilltop. Numerous attempts may be required at some ledges until the right combination of line and application of throttle is discovered. Or the winch cable is accepted!

A number of rock ledges, boulders and slick soil are encountered on the long climb upward

The obstacles are relentless. Some might require numerous tries

What a shaggy trail....more throttle oughta do it!

One Jeep begins to suffer a whole series of mechanical maladies from this point till the end. (Aggravating delays, yes. But, in our sport, sooner or later it may be you or me. And everyone must get "home".)

We breathe easier after finally getting everyone up this formidable hill climb. But, it "ain’t" over! A slick descent, across a narrow eroded wash crossing and....up a steep, slick, ledge infested climb all over again!

Down again, up again. Dunno, I lost track of how many ups and downs. Even though the Cherokee has performed very well on climbs throughout the day, by now I (and probably all my fellow ‘wheelers) have had enough. Relief when we finally reached the county road that would take us back to civilization. A few miles of fish tailing on the slickened clay road surface would punctuate the days events.

Will I return to Clayton? Absolutely....more trails to do. And if the weather forecast calls for rain? Yup, Slippin’ and Slime’n is OK with me!

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