Update:
Went on another climb this weekend. Found a new trail up north and decided to give it a go. What started out as a couple hill climbs turned into an old mine road up to the top of a mountain.
Half way up the trail.
2/3 way up. Got steep from here.
I hate how its hard to gauge an incline in pictures, but this is 3/4 way up. Lots of loose gravel, big rocks, washouts and tight switchbacks.
The top. There were several filled in mining holes up here. Appears to be an old Copper/gold mining attempt. Grabbed a couple cool rocks and headed back down.
Ok with that one in the bag i got brave and wanted to try a run back at the last old mountain that I chickened out on. The road you see on the left is the one I have been taking up. Its a newer path and is plenty steep. The trail to the right is the old path, full of washouts, spinnouts, and loads of loose articulation. I cant say ive ever seen anyone make it up that trail since ive been coming here.
Better look down the gnarly trail. The top looks normal, but if you can zoom in the middle and lower section are a mess. Also this looks flat, but its so steep i nearly fell on my ass walking down.
Better picture showing how steep it is on the less steep top end. Me pointing camera straight in front of me.
So, i decide to give it a try. Put the truck in 4wd low, backed up 2 feet to engage the front diff. and took off slow in 1st gear. Bottom section was bumpy and full of ruts, so i just took my time. Then as i started the incline I just picked a steady RPM and plotted out my course up the face. The trail shifts to the left with several deep vertical washouts that clearly got other trucks sideways and stalled. There were also two large boulders in the path that were permanent fixtures in the landscape. Not knowing if I would clear, i straddled one. Several times I felt the rear end lose traction briefly, LDS kick in, then momentum continue. Towards the very top there was the largest washout with nothing but loose rocks. I kept my pace, hit it, both rear tires broke loose, felt my momentum slow, but then the fronts caught just before i started to slow to a stop. Gave the truck just a little more throttle and up we went. One of my favorite climbs with this truck yet!
Not a bad view either
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