Every true Jeeper knows that part of putting the "happy" in holidays means getting out on the trails.
5-MILE PASS / RATTLESNAKE TRAIL
The day after Christmas would find Dennis, Sam (property management), Joe (international sales), and Sterling (customer service) from TeraFlex at a local trail near Tooele, UT in the 5-Mile Pass area on Rattlesnake Trail.
The guys described it as a "clear and beautiful perfect day."
When asked what he liked about the trail run Joe responded:
"I only like going there for snow wheeling; it's really fun! Also, a lot less busy. Warm weather attracts a lot of ATVs, bikers, and other vehicles, so I avoid that area until winter comes."
He also described scenic landscapes, deer tracks, and fresh untouched trails. In the winter, one can expect to find untouched trail grounds blanketed with glistening white snow, begging to be blazed.
"Snow wheeling also provides a good opportunity to learn the limitations of your tires," said Joe, as he noted his own Duratrac tires' grooves remained relatively clear of packed snow, maintaining their traction fairly well.
"I always like to wheel with Joe,” said Dennis. “It just makes you feel good about your own driving skills."
The grandfather-of-the-year award goes to Dennis with his favorite Jeeping grandson, Connor.
"Well at least on this trip, Dennis did not run out of gas or get a flat tire," Joe said.
The day's adventure ended with a bang, as Joe and Dennis chased each other around a mile-long track, looping around and around, doing some snow drifting. The Golden Eagle from SEMA even came out to join in the fun.
A perfect way to end the year! Dennis had such a good time that as January approached, he decided to organize a last-minute trail run for the coming New Year’s Day of 2016.
PONY EXPRESS TRAIL
Dennis, Brian (accounting), Alex (shipping), Brandon (marketing), and Sam (property management) along with many off-road friends including John Williams of Impulse Off-road, Keith Holiday of a local Doug Smith facility, and many others all embarked on this historical scenic and low-key expedition on January 1st, 2016.
Dennis said:
“We had a good 14 Jeeps show up on a holiday, even at the last minute."
There were eleven JKs, one TJ, and even a Renegade to represent. The trailhead began at 5-Mile Pass before driving 175 miles up to Wendover, NV.
"It is not a hard trail,” Dennis explained. “It's just fun to get out with everyone and see it. We timed it just right though. The ground was so frozen and slick at below 0 F temp. We had a fun time sliding along without worrying about mud, driving about 40-50 mph most of the time."
The Pony Express Trail is a designated National Historic Trail and Backcountry Byway due to its use as a horse-and-rider-mail-delivery system. This section was used just over 100 years ago and ran from Sacramento, CA to St. Joseph, MO — a span of 1,900 miles. The Jeepers stopped to visit the station memorials along the way where the riders rested before completing their strenuous journeys.
Jeeping with friends. A perfect way to begin the first day of 2016.
