OCTOBER 1999

Saturday morning, skies are clear and brisk; the coffee is flowing as introductions are made. The campground is fairly empty so we have staked out the middle sites for a barbecue later in the day.

Trail head marker ... bottom right corner of the marker has a picture of the trail loop. Again this trail is part of the Adopt-A-Trail program and is maintained by (see CA4WD Central Clubs) 4x4InMotion.

We've travel several miles from base camp to the trail head. As we air down we review if the stock Dakota 4x4 truck, a.k.a. Dakota Jim for this trip, should take the by-pass or proceed with the group. Decision made ... see in pictures to follow.

Decision made ... Dakota Jim is proceeding with the main group. What you cannot see from this picture is the steepness of the downgrade and that there are two trees at the bottom, one for each fender if you mess-up.

Here is Jeeping Jim, again for this trip. Notice the tree to the right of Jeeping Jim's fender. There were two choices here, stay to the left and close to this tree, or stay to the right and either roll over, or more likely, end up parked in a tree.

Here's Brian of the Mendocino 4x4's picture with those trees at the bottom waiting for you to make a mistake...

Next in our group, and the most experienced, as well as a rolling machine shop, is Steve and his wife Diane.

The upper portion of the Niagara Rim trail follows along the top of ridge that looks down into two valleys. Back and to the left of us is a valley with a beautiful and pristine snow fed lake.

We've travel to a portion of the trail that is known for some minor mishaps. Again we are facing a steeping down-grade but this time large boulders are waiting for us if we make a mistake. Jeeping Jim is the first ski down...

Next up is Dakota Jim, but after watching Jeeping Jim's ski down has decided it would be best if he was lower down. So here we are preparing to use Troyce's FJ40 as a land anchor.

Here's Dakota Jim going down nice and easy...

Next down, our fearless trail leader, Mary, pictured next to the two large boulders that everyone skied passed. And I do mean skied...

This portion of the trail is used as a photo-op when 4x4 InMotion holds it annual Niagara Rim Poker Run, in late July.

Break time ... as you can see the day has turned out to be clear, in the low 70's, great weather for being the month of October.

Pictured again some of the great scenery that can be seen from the Niagara Rim Trail.

Approaching our next challenge, elephant's back, there are two ways to enter, the easy way, and the hard way. Steve has chosen the hard way ... or as some of us would say, the fun way.

Still approaching the elephant's back, Steve is doing a little pre-suspension testing.

Next to pre-test his suspension before elephant's back Jeeping Jim.

Staged and ready to attempt the elephant's back is Jeeping Jim, with Steve already half way up the elephant's back with the guidance of our trail leader Mary.

With Mary's guidance, Jeeping Jim attacks the last half of the elephant's back.

An unexpected, but very welcome break. Jeeping Jim has snapped a rear drive shaft, and is inspecting the damage. Meanwhile, with the time being just after twelve, it is decided that this is where our lunch break will be.

Standing in front of the vertical wall that snapped the rear drive shaft, Jeeping Jim's still with a smile, displays what is left.

Lunch time, time to kick back and enjoy the sunshine, jaw about the trail we have cover, what we are about to cover. Or in Steve's case, show Jeeping Jim how to climb a vertical wall forwards and backwards [of course the peanut gallery did a lot of arm-twisting here].

Some of the younger members discussing the days travels. Some whom this was the first time for this type of off roading...

One more challenge remains before heading back to camp after lunch. The Rock Pile ... This was the first time for all but our trail leader Mary who again provided the guidance through the. With only three vehicles capable of attempting the Rock Pile, Steve, Mary and Troyce co-pilot seats are opened up for timers and guests of Diablo 4 Wheelers. Steve and now co-pilot Jeeping Jim are the first up.

Steve and Jeeping Jim make their way to the top of the Rock Pile, where half the fun is coming down...

Second up, Troyce and co-pilot Dakota Jim. And did we mention, at a slight disadvantage, being Steve and Mary were locked front and rear, and Troyce only in the rear.

Almost to the top of the Rock Pile, Dakota Jim does his part to help avoid the large boulder on his side of the vehicle.

At the top Troyce and Dakota Jim are the first to make their way down a series of stair steps. Some of these steps have the added benefit of a well placed log [as you will see later]. Again guidance provided by our excellent trail leader and host Mary Krupka.

Here we see the best line was to the left, as staying to the right would have resulted in a parking your vehicle in a hole, or even worst, a rollover. Also notice the rear spare tire and how it shows the height of the last step...

Steve and co-pilot Jeeping Jim now make their way down the stair steps of the Rock Pile guided by Jeeping Jim's wife, Misa.

Here you get to see one of those well placed logs. Without these logs in some locations you could possible become high-centered ... It was here that my camera ran out of film, so it will be here that the trail reports for the most part. After Steve had completed the Rock Pile we hounded Mary into doing the Rock Pile, although most believe that Mary actually raced through the obstacle in record time.

The Rock Pile was the last activity for the day as it was time to head back, fire up the barbecues and sit around the campfire telling stories. Thanks again to our trail leader Mary Krupka.