Cougar Buttes / Johnson Valley 12/27 - 12/29

I love my truck. It's the big ones that hurt

 

Ill be in big bear for the whole week during this time running some of the more moderate trails until i get my 35s, lift and bumper on. Ill keep an eye out for the tundra gang in case anyone ventures up!

 

I know you love your truck. It seems you really are more attracted to the heart than the appearance… uh, er, I mean, the truck is sexy, but the skin is a little… rough.

 

I'm probably going to arrive Sunday at the latest that way I can get some seat time.

 

I am so....Tempted to tag-a-long for this adventure....hmmmm is a BMC and 37s in my future....

 

I'll have to see if I can make these dates work. I'd like to get out of the house and Johnson Valley can be a lot of fun.

 

When and where did you get that one Cruzer

 

Can’t do Gold Mountain in a stock Tundra. But it’s a pretty easy trail with a built Tundra. Here’s the hardest obstacle.
https://youtu.be/uhRzhVaclj0

 

Hey is that the first obstacle, near the start of the trail, below the rock garden? If so, when I went this spring, the hardest was up above— after the optional route through the expansive rock garden: a sharp left turn into two routes, both of which are challenging and close on both sides. When I have time at a place with working internet, I’ll research it see if I can find pics or circle the approximate on GAIA. As usual, I didn’t run a camera….

 

This one?
https://youtu.be/H0LWVP4n0Rk

 

Yeah the first video was the obstacle at the start. We actually spent like 20 mins trying to get Alex over on the left line because he swore that was the easiest line up. It was a sumbitch, approaching impossible. After that, I was like… I’m taking the other line. Lol. That’s why at the end of the video Alex says to Warren, “yeah, that was an easier line.”

But we had no problems at all on the second obstacle.

 

I don’t think so. A big step created by rocks all the way across the right fork, requiring a mostly straight bump up because the trail is too narrow to approach diagonally. A new fork to the left that wasn’t there when I went in the past… and that one ends really steep… I drove Hulk up the right and my buddies took a built lastest-gen 4Runner up the left, and got the front way off the ground and a bit dicey, but eventually worked through it. Their locker was losing air, not working properly.

I wonder if Alex has run it this year with anyone that took video or pics.

It was a lot different this year, than last time I went in, I think, 2019.

 

So it sounds like you’re telling me I need to go back there.

 

Lol! I can picture all of that.

The first obstacle seemed easier when I did it in 2019 than when you guys did it before that… but had definitely changed a lot between then and this summer.

And upper obstacles that were easier than that first last time, were significantly more challenging this time.

 

Exactly.

 

I second this.

 

Looking to arrive no later than 9am on Monday. Might even get there earlier just to knock out at least 1 of the hard trails. When all the cats are rounded up we can then take on the long trail up to BB or hit a few of the intermediate rated trails in Johnson Valley. That'll take up the rest of the day.

 

This sounds good. I’ll hope to get a good camp spot Sunday… @des2mtn can help choose… or send us a pin if you’ve already got one a trusted buddy recommends.

 

You’re going Sunday?

 

It was a few years back up in the Sierras. A big thick ass branch was hiding under some skinny branches Polestriping?

 

Damn... you got that fix I take it since I did not recall seeing it at T2S. Mine is in the body shop now fixing the branch in the wheel well dents from Smiley rock...

 

Should be ready for Cougar Buttes yeah? Get some campfire dranks on

 

I just replaced the door from the junkyard

 

will see...

 

Most likely, Sunday afternoon - Tuesday early evening. I’m waiting for confirmation I can skip work Tuesday, but it should be good.

 

now I'm gonna try to shoot for Sunday afternoon as well. Just have to figure out an escape route from the without

 

I am running it Saturday morning... Meeting at the trailhead at 9am.. I won't be in my Tundra but my old XJ instead. Got a winch in case you need help

 

Lol. Keep inviting her to join you. As long as you could accommodate her calling your bluff if she ever does, the invite goes a long way. You may ask me how I know.

 

Oooooh, note taken, I like the strategic mind games

 

Ha! That is a big part of what “we” bring….