Arizona Cinders Run & BBQ @ Rick's House

[Rick]

Tom Davis and I have been discussing a run at the Cinders OHV area in Flagstaff, AZ. We would like everyone to vote for the best weekend to make the trip. It will be either the 1st or 2nd weekend in June. Which is June 1,2,3 or June 8,9,10.

Along with the Cinders run will be a BBQ and swim at Rick and Char's house in Phoenix. For those who don't know Phoenix is 2 hrs south of Flagstaff.

Let's vote on the date and then work out further details.

 

[JDraper]

Awright! Who put Arizona so far away I'd love to, but I think the wife would have a fit if I drove cross country for that. I guess I'll just have to find some Northeasters to go 4 wheelin with.

 

[RockRanger]

The second weekend would work better for me. That will give 2 weeks after school gets out to get ready and 3 weeks before the rubicon. The cinders are a blast.

Matt

 

[mattadams]

wont it be superhot then? Sounds like fun, I'll have to see what I have as far as vacation. I know it wouldn't be the first weekend, since I turn 21 June 4th .

 

[Rick]

Begining of June should be very nice temperature wise. The super heat doesn't usually kick in until July.

 

[FMExplorer]

All I can say is I am jealous guys...

Have a great time and post pics - well, not of Matt celebrating his 21st!

Jon

 

[Char]

It would have to be the 8, 9, and 10th because I still have school the week before. The water will be perfect in the swimming pool and we'll fire up the BBQ.

 

[Perry]

Hey Matt,
Are we going to have a big party on Colorado for your birthday?????????????????????

Let us know if you do.

 

[tdavis]

Considering I spent a week a few years ago in Flagstaff, during the first week of June, it's great weather there!

I'm already hyped, and I haven't even figured how/when I'm going! Sheez!

I also have been wanting to head back to the Grand Canyon, so now I've got my excuse.

 

[Dre]

That's not fair! I can't squeeze it in this year. Between Attica, Moab and Pipeline there's very little time left for work.......................... work? who needs work? party on!

 

[Joe Dietz]

It's kinda close to Moab so I'll have to see about vacation time.
The second weekend 8th, 9th, & 10th sounds like I might be able to
swing it.

 

[Perry]

How far is it from Colorado????????

 

[Char]

Perry,

It's 13 hours from Denver to Phoenix going through Albuquerque, NM.

 

[BlueDogBandit]

Hey Rick, I'm in!

 

[Gopher]

i'm going to check with work, but i'm going to try and be there.
Rick or anyone else.
Would i be able to do some of the trails out there without being to much of a hinderance(sp) to you 4x4 guys?

 

[ntrpriz]

I plan on attending, but as you are all aware now, I wont bee 100% sure until much closer to that weekend.

 

[Brian1]

Rick and those of you who have been there before, please describe the type of terrain/trails. I have seen the video of rick and some others running up a hill but is there anything else except cinder bowls? It is only 5 hours for me and it would be a good get-away for me but I am not much for driving and backing down hills.

 

[RockRanger]

Its not all just driving up the sides of hills there are some pretty cool little tracks out in the flat areas that are fun to cruize around in. I know when I was going to NAU we would go wheeling right behind the university it was mostly mud but a few rocks to climb. If you look at my website there is a link to arizona wheeling from when I was out playing with some friends. It is a fun place to go. It is alot like going on sanddunes. I have always had fun out there. Just be ready cause it can get windy and one time we had plane fly about 20 feet over the top of us.

Matt

 

[Rick]

The Cinders area is not really technical fourwheeling, it is extremely scenic fourwheeling in a geologically unique area. On one side you have the 13,000 ft San Fransisco Peaks on the other side is the vast Painted Desert. The cinders themselves range in color from black to rusty red. Some of the hills are impossible to climb in a truck like the Explorer. They are ULTRA steep and loose and can only be tackled by highly modified ATCs and dirt bikes. Mainly the kind with extended frames and paddle tires.

There are loads of 4x4 trails to follow up and down the hills, through the pine forest and into deep volcanic cinder cones. It's not often you get to fourwheel in the center of a volcano!.

Gopher I really can't reccomend the are for 2wd or you will really live up to your name . Unless you hit the hills with extreme speed you'll never make it in most areas.

4 wheelers will need to air down as much as possible to get good flotation and traction.

Here is the link to the trip report for the '98 Cinders Run. http://www.explorer4x4.com/flag.htm

This photo shows the San Francisco Peaks in the backround, a large crater in the foreground and Sunset Crater off to the right.

To my back is the Painted Desert.

 

[tdavis]

If it helps any, I'll probably have an open seat you can ride in Gopher if you want to..

Or, I'll just say there's at least one open seat in my navajo, and it's open for anyone to use.