Holy Cross 04!

  Would a season be complete without a run up the Cross?  Not if you’re an Edge Head looking forward to this trail all year long!  This years run began at our trusty Buffalo Heard overlook meeting spot.  With a well-equipped group, we knew were ready to rock early on…  We assembled at the trailhead near 9:45am, making good time with weather in our favor.  After airing down and attaching our trademark Mardi-Gras beads, we attacked the trail, focusing on every obstacle one at a time. 

The tire-sized rock (that was so carefully placed next to the huge slab of granite) was thankfully moved a little further down trail this year.  We made our way to the off camber rock section.  There is a by-pass below this obstacle now, which makes things a little easier. Justin was the first to take the option to the right.  With erosion, he realized those rocks were a little bigger than the last time he had run it.  Rather than do substantial damage to his undercarriage, he decided to take the by-pass.  That didn’t stop Art from giving it a shot.  The Grand made the first part look easy until his vehicle continued to move, and his plastic rocker panel remained stationary.  I thought huh, something doesn’t look right!… 

Next we made our way up the “V” section.  I had no problem just pointing it up hill locked and loaded in the Crusher.  Justin took his trademark up the rocks line.  Everything went well, except the water on his tires, creating just enough slippage moving him a little too close to the edge.  Uncle Warn was there help out though.  Everyone else made it thought without any real problem.  Next we arrived at our favorite stream crossing.  Oh yea, the rocks were there to greet us as always.  I went up first locked, straight up my favorite line.  Then Justin made his way over, his TJ made short work of the big rocks.  Next was Glenn, ready to really test the Libby’s abilities!  Glenn got it almost to the top and ran out of tire!  One hell of a try with 30” BFG’s though!  Uncle Warn gave him a little tug and he had no problems up and over.  Next was Paul in his CJ5 Crawler with 35” BFG’s.  He decided to take the big dog line up the 4’ ledge.  He locked her up and began to claw his way up.  There wasn’t much of a problem initially.  He almost got his back tires up the ledge, when we all heard the proverbial bang from the front end.  We knew this meant carnage!  Yep, a broken front axle joint.  Definitely could have been worse!  What a try, we all thought he had it too…  Justin and Glenn proceeded to the city while the rest of us enjoyed a little lunch.  We later assembled for our descent, and couldn’t have asked for a better return to the Cross!  Can’t wait ‘til next year!  Cheers, Chris…