Defense Mine Cummings Cutoff Trail Run

Our first trail run since getting back from Moab was one that took us out into the Panamint Valley, up the Argus Range and to an old tungsten mine know as the Defense Mine. The trail is relatively short and for the most part easy to moderate but, if you take on Zero Fall and the Cummings Cutoff as we had, there's a lot of fun to be had. Unfortunately, we no longer have our son helping out with photos and, being that we spent most of our time filming, we only have a few photos to share. I do know there were others taking photos as well and it is my hope that they post up a few here as well. Anyway, I hope you enjoy these pics and, if I can, will post up more from video screen shots.

On our way to our next adventure...


Here's a shot of Don, Lori, Tony and Stephanie pulling into our basecamp...


Trail Bud mixing up some Bloody Mary's for everyone...


Dinner at our favorite pizza spot in Lone Pine - the Pizza Factory...


Wrapping up the evening with good friends and of course, American Honey - CHEERS!!


The following morning - all stripped down and ready to go...




Nothing like breakfast at the Alabama Hills Café...


On the edge of the Panamint Valley taking in the view...




Have I ever said how much I think people suck? Here's a shot of an outhouse that we found all shot up...


WooHoo!! Time to air down...




Tessa trying to cool off and take a nap...


Working our way up the canyon...


Making a stop to check out some of the local history...




Rocky section just before Zero Fall...


Don carefully working his way up Zero Fall...




Unfortunately, those were the only pics I was able to take here. Hopefully Dave, Doug or Stephanie has others that they can add to this thread.

Here we are working our way up the Cummings Cutoff...








Our destination for the day, the Defense Mine...




On our way back to our basecamp, Ray noticed he had a vibration and, upon closer examination, this is what we found...


It would have been great if that was the worst of our carnage but, just as we were leaving the following morning, Trail Bud suffered a break that would require a flatbed to take him home...




Not 100% sure what happened here but, it looks like this break was in the making for quite some time now. Of course, after 4+ years of playing hard, I'm not too surprised and considered it to be lucky that it happened here and not on the trail...




With his axle strapped up and wheel removed, it was just a matter of waiting around till the tow truck arrived...




Getting the Jeep on the bed was interesting to say the least...






All buckled up and ready to head for home...




Well, that's all I've got. Again, I hope others will post up their pics here as well. Otherwise, we'll try to get a video of this run up as soon as we can.

A big thanks needs to go out to all our friends, Doug, Moochie, Dave, Laura, Tony, Stephanie, Don, Laurie, Adam and Ray for coming out and joining us for this run. We hope to do it again soon.

Great pics Cindy and Eddie! Looks like a great trip and one we'll definitely put on the list!

Bummer for Ray and Doug... Hope their rigs are up and running soon! :yup:

Looked like a great time, Wish I could of made the 2,827 mile journey to join you!!!!:2thumbsup:

ProfessionalDriver said:

Great pics Cindy and Eddie! Looks like a great trip and one we'll definitely put on the list!

Bummer for Ray and Doug... Hope their rigs are up and running soon! :yup:

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Thanks, parts are ordered.
Should be up and runing by Friday for the weekend. :beer:

Here are a few more that I took with my phone:

Very nice! :thumb:

Bummer about the breaks!

A couple more:

wayoflife said:

Of course, after 4+ years of playing hard, I'm not too surprised and considered it to be lucky that it happened here and not on the trail...

Click to expand...

Or on the freeway doing 70!!! Glad everyone was okay!

Looks like an awesome trip. Hope to make it out with you guys one of these days!

Looks like for the most part you all had a good time! Sucks about the damage to the vehicles... Looking forward to making a run with ya"ll :drinks:

Looks like you all had a great time. Wish I could be in the area some day and run some trails with you all.

Zero Fall took out my passenger rear taillight. Don's bringing me his take off taillight to replace mine.
Thanks Don!

More pics

This was a great trip. Lone Pine is a fun little town to hang out in. The gang of people there were great too!
Finally the day on the trail was amazing!! The first obstacle was crazy fun. You had a rush when you were done. Thanks Eddie!!, You too Cindy!
Here's the pics.













To see the rest click on the link here.
http://trailbud.smugmug.com/HikingOutdoors/Panamint-Valley-Defense-Mine/29066763_S4ntx3

This run looked like lots of fun, both the trip and the company. Look forward to joining the next one.

With the exceptions of the few breaks, you all had some good smiles in the pics. Looks like a lot of fun. Nothing beats getting out and exploring with friends. :yup:

Looks like a bunch of fun! Defiantly a trail to do someday! Thanks for sharing Eddie!


Ray

Had a great time! I have some pics to go through and I will throw them up. Either tomorrow morning or tonight after work.

Thanks Eddie and Cindy an the rest if the fan for the fun time. And for keeping me awake. :cheesy:

Sorry to hear about the break Doug! That sucks!

Thanks for sharing. Despite the breakage, looks like everyone had a great time. :clap2:

Badass!!!!!!!!!!

How did he break? Was he trying to go over that wall?

Is it just me or is Doug( Trail Bud) always breaking his rig. He must have a curse or something. He is such a nice guy I can't imagine why he would deserve this.

Sorry to see yet another break down man.

Very nice. Too bad about your brake Trail Bud sorry to see that but you do have a reputation to uphold.

Looks like a fun time!