Molina Ghost Run,
April 2000
The Molina Ghost run is the second of five major California
Association of 4WD Clubs runs held each the year. The crown jewel of these event's being Sierra Trek. All five CA4WDC Association
runs are fund-raising events to assist with the Association's struggles to keep
Although this trail is not known to be difficult, it does
provide a means of testing improvements that may been accomplish over the
winter break. Trail head is "Clear Creek" a managed BLM area, 30
miles northwest of Coalinga. The trail used travels over "
We arrived late Friday night to base camp where a friend and a member of the trail committee had saved us a spot for the weekend. Saturday morning will come early for us as we will be part of the first wave of locked and loaded vehicles. The CA4WDC trail committee has setup two trails, "HARD" for those having lockers, and "EASY" for those not having lockers. The first year for our attendance to the Molina Ghost run we were part of the "EASY" trail run. This year Jim and I get to test modifications made to our rigs on the "HARD" trail.
Saturday
morning,
By
By
We
proceed to the first check point and a fork in trails were
"EASY" and "HARD" take there own paths. Our first
challenge, a short hill climb over lose dirt and rocks. This works out well, as
we get to start off easy and progress to more difficult challenges as the day
continues.
So
we take our time and check out our new modifications are
working. We both passed with flying colors and proceeded to a very special
section of the trail. For those rigs with nice paint jobs this next section is
their worst nightmare, for there is no by-pass and there is one guarantee
results when complete, Molina pin striping.
Yes, Molina pin striping is the results of over grown brush
and trees applied equally to both sides of your rig. But once beyond the thick
brush cover you surface to an amazing 360 degree of the
. 
We're ridge running now with our next obstacle fast approaching. Nestled at the top of the next obstacle is a well prepared Jeep Commando. As we are guided up to a launching point, for what I thought was for hang gliders, we are told the trail heads downward a bit and to the left. All I saw was sky ... so out we popped to take a look.
A fairly steep down hill over a mixture of loose of dirt and small rocks, a good test for our new low gears. So geared down, we popped over the ledge, feeling a bit tense not being able to see where we where going. But both rigs made the climb down without the use of our brakes.
From here the trail wanders over hill and dale, sometimes taking us over a rock riddled path upward, or down a tree line dirt road with awesome views of the surrounding valleys. About twenty minutes later we arrive to a fork in the trail, to the right, the "Red Rock Loop" and optional hard route, or straight ahead. Decisions, decisions, not ... off to the right we went to face our next challenge.
Lockers
were required for this loop as you travel uphill over small red
rocks which was like traveling over a road bed of marbles. Our lockers
made this challenge look easy, but without them would have been a struggle.
Back on the main trail and headed to our second check point where we spot several rigs off to the left crawling up a very steep hill. Boy that looked like fun, but we seemed to be heading away from this trail climb, had we missed a turn. How do we get to that steep hill climb? All of this was to be answered at the next check point, and location of the famous Molina mud bowl.
The mud bowl alone usually attracts a large gathering and special group of long wheel base 4x4 vehicles. But at this year the bowl was fairly dry where we were able to drive through. Normally we wouldn't even dream of testing our rigs through six-eight feet of muck, but with only two-three, it provided a little play time.
The trail from the mud bowl was to head back to the hill
climb we had seen, and then back to the mud bowl where we would start heading
back to base camp. So off we went, excited about the hill climb to come, but
not realizing the challenges that are about to come. For what must go up, first
must go down, and the downward path we arrive to was a
also known in
Another
one of those pop-over a small ledge to a steep down grade. Only this down grade
was steeper than the last and there was no help as to the best line down. After
reviewing several motorcycles slide there way down my brave friend was the
first to the test the hill. Machine (actually low gearing) verses a hill of
loose dirt. We actually both made the descent without the use of brakes, but
the first part of popping over the legend got the blood flowing.
At the bottom we decided to pull off to the side and watch a few others make the trek downward. What you don't see in these pictures, but was a awesome to view is that as each vehicle crested over the top ledge all you saw was the under belly until the front tires flopped over.
From the bottom was a short distance to a gully that started our climb back upward. This actually did not look all that challenging, a little steep, but straddling the ditch looked as if it would be a cake walk upward. Well, as the it wasn't exactly a cake walk. as a rear wheel slipped and in the process of attempting to climb out the front end got a little air born.
In
fact it was so high and tilted to the gas intake side that gasoline started to
leak out. So slowly we backed out to take another line. After my front wheel
stand, Jim decided to take a different line that worked much better. The
remainder of the hill climb was indeed challenging and the trail was providing
increased difficulty as we proceeded along.
We arrive back to the mud hole where we stopped for lunch and watch others attempt the "hole". After a fairly quite lunch we started our trek back down off the hill and to base camp. One last obstacle remained. Not long after the mud hole we arrive to the most challenging rock loop that Molina has to offer.
Most of this trail loop looks to be a dry creek bed that rambles among the thick brush. Here much larger boulders are present requiring that you chose the proper path and approach.
Jim had no problems all the way through this challenge, unfortunately it was not my day for picking correct lines as several times I had the same problem of lifting my front higher than desired. At times our front lockers provided that little extra pull for what did indeed turnout to be the most difficult section of Molina.
As
we completed the last hardcore loop for the day, we still had to a long drive
of switch-backs back to camp. All in all, a good work-out and test of our
winter time improvements. What more could you want, a great day of wheeling,
good friends, warm weather and no broken parts...
For
more information regarding the Clear Creek area contract :
BAKERSFIELD DISTRICT OFFICE
District Manager,
(805) 391-6000
Clear Creek Management Area is 30 mi.
northwest of
CAUTION: soils, dust, and water in this area contain asbestos which can be hazardous to your health.