3 More Rigs Conquer Upper Bronco

[EastCoast44]

Today we took a group of eight rigs out to Upper Bronco. No one had ever run it and we didn't know what to expect. At the end of the day three of us finished the trail,me in my comp buggy followed by Brian ? in a very nice buggy with Spider 9 axles, Dave (DSI) from Shaffers was driving my WIllys. I went ahead of everyone when the others stopped for the rest of the group to catch up. I was a long way in front of everyone when I got to the last waterfall. After a 30 minute battle I drove up and over the last waterfall and ran out of gas at the top. No one else saw it happen so if you don't believe me I don't care. About an hour later Brian and Dave got to the last waterfall. I winched Dave up then Brian winched off Dave to get up. Just winching up the waterfall was a pretty big deal. About 100 yards after the waterfall Dave broke the rear axle shaft in my Jeep, but made it to the end of the trail in 3wd.

After running the trail today I have to say that completing Upper Bronco is one hell of an accomplishment, and I have respect for anyone that finishes the trail. Brian's passenger was taking some pictures so hopefully he will post them.

[MR.ROCKAPE]

Today we took a group of eight rigs out to Upper Bronco. No one had ever run it and we didn't know what to expect. At the end of the day three of us finished the trail,me in my comp buggy followed by Brian ? in a very nice buggy with Spider 9 axles, Dave (DSI) from Shaffers was driving my WIllys. I went ahead of everyone when the others stopped for the rest of the group to catch up. I was a long way in front of everyone when I got to the last waterfall. After a 30 minute battle I drove up and over the last waterfall and ran out of gas at the top. No one else saw it happen so if you don't believe me I don't care. About an hour later Brian and Dave got to the last waterfall. I winched Dave up then Brian winched off Dave to get up. Just winching up the waterfall was a pretty big deal. About 100 yards after the waterfall Dave broke the rear axle shaft in my Jeep, but made it to the end of the trail in 3wd.

After running the trail today I have to say that completing Upper Bronco is one hell of an accomplishment, and I have respect for anyone that finishes the trail. Brian's passenger was taking some pictures so hopefully he will post them.


YOU SHOULD HAVE SEEN IT BEFORE THE STACKING...IT WAS WORSE!!!WHAT WAS THE DAMAGE REPORT OFR THE OTHER 5 RIGS???THAT TRAIL IS VERY UNFORGIVING....AND SINCE THERE IS NO REAL WAY OUT YOU HOPE YOU BREAK EARLY BECAUSE GOING DOWN SOME OF THOSE FALLS CAN BE WORSE THAN GOING UP THEM!!!HOW DID YOU LIKE THE FALL IMMEDIATLY AFTER THE EX-$2500 ONE???EVEN AFEW PEBBLES GOT MOVED FOR TWO OF THE THREE RIGS WHEN THE MAGAZINE ARTICLE WAS WRITTEN......:eek:

[izzy]

that definatly is a narly canyon. The other rigs that broke were a longside cromo front 44 in a yj, Adam gordon in his yota turned around, to pull Levi out, Mike Shaffer in the JK went in until the first waterfall int eh canyon before it gets crazy. Sheared shackle bolt ins a chevy. Phils yota, just parked and walked up. I got some pictures, i will post later, when my camera starts working again

[EastCoast44]

It did look like some spots had been stacked, but I wasn't sure. One rig was broken before it got to the start of the trail. A fourth of the way in, my Willys actually broke the front limiting chain and popped the front driveshaft out. We used Brian's mobile welding stuff and welded the joint to the straps and the yoke so we could keep going. Another rig broke a Dana 44 front shaft one third of the way in. The 5 rigs that didn't finish only went to that point and helped to recover the broken rig, then turned around and drove back out. The trail really started to get tough after that so the other 5 didn't get much body damage. When I went ahead of Dave and Brian I wasn't really sure if we would all be able to finish because it got to the point where there was just no easy line on anything. The climb after the waterfall was pretty tough and I don't think any of us got through without a back up or two.

[MR.ROCKAPE]

NOW THAT MY TWO SEAT BUGGY IS FIXED AGAIN(TRANS PROBLEM...)I THINK ME AND SPOON EAZY MIGHT BE LOOKING FOR A FEW MORE STOUT RIGS TO MAKE ANOTHER PASS AT THAT CANYON!!!!ARE YOU WANTING TO RUN IT AGAIN???(EASTCOAST44,MIKEY S,DSI????)

IT IS ONE OF THOSE PLACES WHERE YOU KNOW YOU WILL BE FIXING SOMETHING....AT LEAST WHEN YA GET HOME!!!!!NOT A GOOD PLACE FOR A RIG WITH A BODY!!!!(UNLEES DAMAGE ISNT A PROBLEM!!!).:Big Grin:

[Dirty Harry]

Great to hear Jesse, I bet that you are loving the hardcore trails close to home since you moved out to Carson City. I can definitely believe that you made it, I imagine that you were working the rear steer pretty good to get around the diff grabber at the bottom. Like you said, the section right after the waterfall is pretty nasty too. Lots of spots to get bound up on that trail.

[jeeper89]

http://s215.photobucket.com/albums/cc227/izzycherokee/?start=0

[EastCoast44]

NOW THAT MY TWO SEAT BUGGY IS FIXED AGAIN(TRANS PROBLEM...)I THINK ME AND SPOON EAZY MIGHT BE LOOKING FOR A FEW MORE STOUT RIGS TO MAKE ANOTHER PASS AT THAT CANYON!!!!ARE YOU WANTING TO RUN IT AGAIN???(EASTCOAST44,MIKEY S,DSI????)

IT IS ONE OF THOSE PLACES WHERE YOU KNOW YOU WILL BE FIXING SOMETHING....AT LEAST WHEN YA GET HOME!!!!!NOT A GOOD PLACE FOR A RIG WITH A BODY!!!!(UNLEES DAMAGE ISNT A PROBLEM!!!).:Big Grin:

Just let me know when you want to go. I still have to fix the Jeep and I'll be busy for the next 2 or 3 weeks. After that I should be up for another run up there.

[BryanD]

hell, i forgot to look here for info. if you guys didn't see, here is the reno link to the pics that i and my passenger took: http://www.reno4x4.com/forum/showthread.php?t=12391

i would go back again, but don't know if I would winch the last fall again. it's a f$%k'd spot even to winch. for a traditional buggy, even getting lined up to the wall sucks. after looking at the pics and thinking about it, i wonder if backing into the bowl, then hooking the winch while you front burn driver wouldn't be better. look - i backed up the wall until i stood it on its nose. The wall on the left is REALLY undercut and REALLY binds you up trying to get the front end over (that is when the winch line broke). getting winched through that crack on my side did the most damage. spent about a 30 minutes with a flap-disk and 1-1/2 cans paint to clean everything up. Really glade i spent the extra $$$ and time using 4130 on my chassis. sure minimized (almost elimanted) tube denting. just got rock-rash.

I hate to say it, but as the trail stands right now, my vote is to atleast do something with that f$%k'in rock right in the middle of the bowl at the base of the last waterfall.

let me know when you'all are going again. maybe i'll atleast run tools/beer all the way up. hell that is a trail-and-a-half to then turn around and go back.

[MR.ROCKAPE]

I hate to say it, but as the trail stands right now, my vote is to atleast do something with that f$%k'in rock right in the middle of the bowl at the base of the last waterfall.

let me know when you'all are going again. maybe i'll atleast run tools/beer all the way up. hell that is a trail-and-a-half to then turn around and go back.

THE ROCK YOU ARE TALKING ABOUT IS WHY I PUT THE $$$ UP TO BEGIN WITH!!!!LITTLE DID I KNOW DH WAS GONNA GO FIND TWO OF THE TOP THREE PEOPLE IN CRAWLING TO GO AND RUN IT!!!!

I AM AGAINST MAKING THAT TRAIL ANY EASIER(EVEN THOUGH ROCKS KEEP GETTING MAGICALLY STACKED.....:onrant:)BECAUSE WE DONT WANT EVERY IDIOT WITH 4WD TRYING TO MAKE THAT CANYON AND PAVING IT IN THE PROCESS!!!!JOE THE TOE CALLED IT THE PUNISHER AND IT IS A TRUE STATEMENT!!!!


PLUS IT IS DO-ABLE WITHOUT STACKING ROCKS(I WAS THERE I SAW JASON P,AND TRACY RUN IT....AT BREAK-NECK SPEED!!!).ONLY ROCKS THEY MOVED WERE AFTER THE $$$ FALL....THEN THEY PUT THEM BACK!!!!:Big Grin:

[EastCoast44]

THE ROCK YOU ARE TALKING ABOUT IS WHY I PUT THE $$$ UP TO BEGIN WITH!!!!LITTLE DID I KNOW DH WAS GONNA GO FIND TWO OF THE TOP THREE PEOPLE IN CRAWLING TO GO AND RUN IT!!!!

I AM AGAINST MAKING THAT TRAIL ANY EASIER(EVEN THOUGH ROCKS KEEP GETTING MAGICALLY STACKED.....:onrant:)BECAUSE WE DONT WANT EVERY IDIOT WITH 4WD TRYING TO MAKE THAT CANYON AND PAVING IT IN THE PROCESS!!!!JOE THE TOE CALLED IT THE PUNISHER AND IT IS A TRUE STATEMENT!!!!


PLUS IT IS DO-ABLE WITHOUT STACKING ROCKS(I WAS THERE I SAW JASON P,AND TRACY RUN IT....AT BREAK-NECK SPEED!!!).ONLY ROCKS THEY MOVED WERE AFTER THE $$$ FALL....THEN THEY PUT THEM BACK!!!!:Big Grin:

I agree. It is very difficult and quite an accomplishment to finish. Lets not make it something for everyone.

[MR.ROCKAPE]

I agree. It is very difficult and quite an accomplishment to finish. Lets not make it something for everyone.

FINALLY SOMEONE WHO HAS RUN IT THAT UNDERSTANDS!!!! I THINK THAT TRAIL IS.......HARD!!!! ,BUT REALLY FUN AND A REAL TEST OF DRIVER AND EQUIPMENT!!!!

LIKE I HAVE ALWAYS SAID....IT IS THE TRAIL THAT YOU WILL LIKELY USE THE WINCH AT THE END!!!!BUT DO-ABLE WITH A WINCH!!!

WHERES THE FUN IN MAKING EVERYTHING DRIVEABLE FOR EVERY RIG???

[BryanD]

Yeah, I suppose you guys are right! Its unfortunate that once stacking starts how FAST a trail changes. You could really see some stacking past the $$$ fall. Honestly, I don't think we stacked anything.

Well, hopefully the trail will stay somewhat the same for awhile. I know the word is getting around, and I guarantee you that non-capable rigs will be (if not already) attempting it. It's so nice to have a TRUE HARDCORE trail right in our backyard (30 minutes from home), without driving 10 hours to JV.

has anyone started off by backing into the bowl?

[MR.ROCKAPE]

has anyone started off by backing into the bowl?

ITS BEEN TRIED BUT THAT ROCK IN THE MIDDLE WONT LET YA GET FAR,SINCE IT HANGS YOUR REAR DIFF UP.

HOPEFULLY THE LESS CAPABLE RIGS WONT GET INTO THE MEAT OF THE TRAIL BEFORE SERIOUS DAMAGE OCCURS......HELPING THEM TO FIND THEIR WAY BACK OUT!!!!

ITS FUNNY SINCE THE SPOT IN THE PIC BELOW HAD NO ROCKS AT ALL IN THE CRACK (UNDER THE LEFT REAR TIRE)WHEN I WALKED THIS TRAIL FOR THE FIRST TIME.AND THE FIRST TWO TRIPS I MADE UP THERE,WE DIDNT MAKE IT THAT FAR.......AND THE ONLY OTHER GROUPS THAT WERE THERE(THAT I KNOW OF....)WERE JOE,JAKE AND TOM THAT WENT TO THE END.AND PJs 49 INCH TIRED RIG(IN A DIFFERENT GROUP) THAT IM SURE DIDNT GET TO THAT SPOT.......SO SOMEBODY WITH 42INCH+ TIRES HAD BEEN PAVING!!!!

http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c233/rockape81/100_1255.jpg

[BryanD]

ITS FUNNY SINCE THE SPOT IN THE PIC BELOW HAD NO ROCKS AT ALL IN THE CRACK (UNDER THE LEFT REAR TIRE)WHEN I WALKED THIS TRAIL FOR THE FIRST TIME.AND THE FIRST TWO TRIPS I MADE UP THERE,WE DIDNT MAKE IT THAT FAR.......AND THE ONLY OTHER GROUPS THAT WERE THERE(THAT I KNOW OF....)WERE JOE,JAKE AND TOM THAT WENT TO THE END.AND PJs 49 INCH TIRED RIG(IN A DIFFERENT GROUP) THAT IM SURE DIDNT GET TO THAT SPOT.......SO SOMEBODY WITH 42INCH+ TIRES HAD BEEN PAVING!!!!

It wasn't us!

I know tom, deric, phil (with the 49's) had been there. tom has been several times, but that doesn't sound like him AT ALL. phil never made it over $$$ falls because he didn't have a winch. that group turned around and went back out. someone else has been up there and did all that staking. funny also, because, hell, get to that point AND THEN START STAKING? the trail is over. if you've made it that far, you can surely get around that without staking.

[MR.ROCKAPE]

ITS FUNNY SINCE THE SPOT IN THE PIC BELOW HAD NO ROCKS AT ALL IN THE CRACK (UNDER THE LEFT REAR TIRE)WHEN I WALKED THIS TRAIL FOR THE FIRST TIME.AND THE FIRST TWO TRIPS I MADE UP THERE,WE DIDNT MAKE IT THAT FAR.......AND THE ONLY OTHER GROUPS THAT WERE THERE(THAT I KNOW OF....)WERE JOE,JAKE AND TOM THAT WENT TO THE END.AND PJs 49 INCH TIRED RIG(IN A DIFFERENT GROUP) THAT IM SURE DIDNT GET TO THAT SPOT.......SO SOMEBODY WITH 42INCH+ TIRES HAD BEEN PAVING!!!!

It wasn't us!

I know tom, deric, phil (with the 49's) had been there. tom has been several times, but that doesn't sound like him AT ALL. phil never made it over $$$ falls because he didn't have a winch. that group turned around and went back out. someone else has been up there and did all that staking. funny also, because, hell, get to that point AND THEN START STAKING? the trail is over. if you've made it that far, you can surely get around that without staking.

I DIDNT THINK IT WAS YOU...THAT HAPPENED LAST SEASON!!!!IT JUST PISSES ME OFF BECAUSE WITHOUT ALL THOSE ROCKS IT WOULD HAVE BEEN ANOTHER DRIVE IT OR WINCH IT SPOT.....NOW LOST TO THE STACKERS!!!!

[fab stud with issues]

I was on that trip with Tom, Joe, and Jake and not 1 rock was stacked. There was already alot of stacking done by then.

[Connect]

It's starting to sound like this trail has been run far more times then anyone cares to believe, before it was even Big Shit.

[BIG BLUE]

i think it was Connect doing all the stacking....had to get his xj thru somehow.:eek:
Unfortuanetly this happens with trails once they get a name. this one specially cause if you know where lower is then you know where upper is...its a little easier to keep serious hardcore trails on lockdown when only a few know of it and there is a secret handshake for directions.

[BryanD]

you know, i was looking at the pics from the past Bud Canyon run this past weekend, and holy crap, that last fall has been stacked and paved up the wazooo. it used to be an honest obstacle. i think my wifes mini van could make it now.

Seriously, i'm getting tired of folks taking their hard to find TIME to FIND new HARDCORE trails and them being ruined by guys with their "daily drivers" paving the sh** out of it. Hardcore'ers get sh** for pullin' rocks of the canyon walls, but know one says boo about stacking.

IF YOUR STACKIN' - YOUR SLACKIN':mad:

We need to find a trail like upper bronco that begins with a waterfall like the last. then you would have to winch into it, and this would stop all the STACKERS.

I'm going to find a few new ones - AND I'M NOT TELLING ANYONE!!!

Just my opinion of course:smile:

[MR.ROCKAPE]

you know, i was looking at the pics from the past Bud Canyon run this past weekend, and holy crap, that last fall has been stacked and paved up the wazooo. it used to be an honest obstacle. i think my wifes mini van could make it now.

Seriously, i'm getting tired of folks taking their hard to find TIME to FIND new HARDCORE trails and them being ruined by guys with their "daily drivers" paving the sh** out of it. Hardcore'ers get sh** for pullin' rocks of the canyon walls, but know one says boo about stacking.

IF YOUR STACKIN' - YOUR SLACKIN':mad:

We need to find a trail like upper bronco that begins with a waterfall like the last. then you would have to winch into it, and this would stop all the STACKERS.

I'm going to find a few new ones - AND I'M NOT TELLING ANYONE!!!

Just my opinion of course:smile:

IM WITH YA 100%,TIME TO KEEP THE BADDEST TRAIL SECRET!!!I USED TO THINK THAT WAS BULLSHIT, BUT NOW THAT I HAVE A RIG OR TWO THAT NEEDS TO GO BIG TO BE USEFUL......I WISH I HAD NEVER SAID OR PUT $$$ ON CANDYLAND EVER!!!!THERE IS SUPPOSED TO BE A BADASS ONE THAT SOME KLOWNIFORNIANS POSTED ON PIRATE A FEW YEARS BACK...BUT THEY WILL NOT DISCLOSE ITS LOCATION....I HAVE ASKED ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS!!!!:frown:

TIME TO GET A SECRET HARDCORE (BY INVITATION) TRAILS FOUND AND OPENED!!!!

[Connect]

TIME TO GET A SECRET HARDCORE (BY INVITATION) TRAILS FOUND AND OPENED!!!!

I know of one that I need to get out and explore, but I need a rig to do it in. Looks pretty bad from what I've seen so far. Let me know!!!!

[Sierra Valley]

You guys need to quite complaining and just unstack shit if it bothers you that much. You sold this trail out, $$$ was offered, everybody and their mom knows of lower Bronco, SO DEAL WITH IT even if we all dissagree with whats done.

We ran Budwieser this weekend, and guess what??? The third waterfall was stacked so that it was basically a ramp. So we unstacked every single rock that was there.

And guess what happened? Shit got hard again.:Big Grin:

[BryanD]

You guys need to quite complaining and just unstack shit if it bothers you that much. You sold this trail out, $$$ was offered, everybody and their mom knows of lower Bronco, SO DEAL WITH IT even if we all dissagree with whats done.

We ran Budwieser this weekend, and guess what??? The third waterfall was stacked so that it was basically a ramp. So we unstacked every single rock that was there.

And guess what happened? Shit got hard again.:Big Grin:

i did notice when i was looking at the pictures of the "Bud" run this past weekend about someone saying they were taken "before the unstacking fest" but didn't see pictures after that.

I think it would be nice if the community could adopt a policy of straps & winches, but IF YOUR STACKIN', YOUR SLACKIN'!

The next bitchin canyon I find will be named "No Stack"

[Sierra Valley]

Here is a pic of me running bud canyon on sat. This is my third time and didnt even break a sweat.

http://youtube.com/watch?v=vQk-iyAZS2E

Now here is my first time, obstacle was not stacked.

http://youtube.com/watch?v=Xxz-UTSNOjw

6 of us ran the last obstacle with out a hitch. Out of the final 6 who ran it, only one made it. I have a secret trail thats a few local boys in Sierra County have been working on.

[wix]

I have a secret trail thats a few local boys in Sierra County have been working on.

Watch it!

[Sierra Valley]

Watch it!


That between us locals. Speaking of, we need a work day real soon on that trail. Some rock rolling and chain saws ought to have it finished up.

[B2Krawler]

sweet pics, dont think my D44 will ever see that trail