Back in 2010, Cindy and I caught wind of a challenging rock garden down in Rodriguez Canyon that guys were running and while we were familiar with area, we had never seen or taken it on before. Needless to say, we called up our good friends Moochie, Jeff and Megan to head out there and check it out. Of course, we would pick one of the hottest days in the year to do it but in spite of the scorching heat, we had a hell of a good time and here are a few pics from our trip.
After descending Oriflame Canyon, we decided to take a break and try to cool off under the shade of some old oaks down at an old settlement close to where Rodriguez Canyon begins....
As you can see here, Rodriguez Canyon is for the most part a very easy trail.
About a 3rd of the way up Rodriguez Canyon, there's a small rock garden that Moochie explained folks in the the San Diego area referred to as "the gatekeeper". Here you can see Jeff taking some time to walk the rocks and get a feel for what line to take.
Here's a shot of Moochie starting his way up.
Even though it had been a better part of a year since he'd gone wheeling, Jeff still climbed his way up like it was nothing at all.
Soon after clearing the gatekeeper, the trail splits off into 2 directions, one that goes into the wash to the right and one that bypasses it up and over to the left. Going to the right is where the challenge really begins and due to a mine near by with the same name, we decided to call this section, the Pandora's Box.
Essentially, this obstacle is about 100 yards long with very large boulders that you have to squeeze between and climb over with precision. Due to their close proximity to each other and sheer size, maneuvering between these boulders is near impossible especially if you're in a 4-door. If you aren't lined up just right for the next set of rocks, you can find yourself wedged in with nowhere to go. Lockers and rocker guards are a must and unless you have 37" tires or bigger, a winch is something I would recommend having as well.
Here's a shot of Jeff at the start of Pandora's Box.
The rocks only get bigger.
Here's a shot of Moby at the hardest section of trail and working his way up past a tight squeeze.
Unfortunately, I ended up sliding off my line and into this large boulder. If not for my LoD rocker guards and Rancho rock doors, I think I might have smashed in my B-Pillar here.
Finishing up the last and the hardest set of rocks.
Here's Moochie starting his run up the rocks.
Jeff pulling up the rear.
Running 35's, Jeff ended up getting a bit high centered and needed a tug off.
On the move again and rockin it!
After several attempts at climbing the last and hardest set of rocks, Moochie decided to breakout the winch and pull himself through.
Amazingly, the huge rocks moved quite a bit while getting 2 JK's through and so Jeff was able to take a better line through it. However, in the end, we still ended up needing to strap him up and over this obstacle.
At the end of the trail and airing back up after a great run.
And, that's our BLAST from the Past! A big thanks goes out to Moochie for taking us out and leading the way on a fun trail and to Jeff and Megan for joining us for the fun :thumb:
After descending Oriflame Canyon, we decided to take a break and try to cool off under the shade of some old oaks down at an old settlement close to where Rodriguez Canyon begins....
As you can see here, Rodriguez Canyon is for the most part a very easy trail.
About a 3rd of the way up Rodriguez Canyon, there's a small rock garden that Moochie explained folks in the the San Diego area referred to as "the gatekeeper". Here you can see Jeff taking some time to walk the rocks and get a feel for what line to take.
Here's a shot of Moochie starting his way up.
Even though it had been a better part of a year since he'd gone wheeling, Jeff still climbed his way up like it was nothing at all.
Soon after clearing the gatekeeper, the trail splits off into 2 directions, one that goes into the wash to the right and one that bypasses it up and over to the left. Going to the right is where the challenge really begins and due to a mine near by with the same name, we decided to call this section, the Pandora's Box.
Essentially, this obstacle is about 100 yards long with very large boulders that you have to squeeze between and climb over with precision. Due to their close proximity to each other and sheer size, maneuvering between these boulders is near impossible especially if you're in a 4-door. If you aren't lined up just right for the next set of rocks, you can find yourself wedged in with nowhere to go. Lockers and rocker guards are a must and unless you have 37" tires or bigger, a winch is something I would recommend having as well.
Here's a shot of Jeff at the start of Pandora's Box.
The rocks only get bigger.
Here's a shot of Moby at the hardest section of trail and working his way up past a tight squeeze.
Unfortunately, I ended up sliding off my line and into this large boulder. If not for my LoD rocker guards and Rancho rock doors, I think I might have smashed in my B-Pillar here.
Finishing up the last and the hardest set of rocks.
Here's Moochie starting his run up the rocks.
Jeff pulling up the rear.
Running 35's, Jeff ended up getting a bit high centered and needed a tug off.
On the move again and rockin it!
After several attempts at climbing the last and hardest set of rocks, Moochie decided to breakout the winch and pull himself through.
Amazingly, the huge rocks moved quite a bit while getting 2 JK's through and so Jeff was able to take a better line through it. However, in the end, we still ended up needing to strap him up and over this obstacle.
At the end of the trail and airing back up after a great run.
And, that's our BLAST from the Past! A big thanks goes out to Moochie for taking us out and leading the way on a fun trail and to Jeff and Megan for joining us for the fun :thumb:
