In mid October, we had a gathering of about a dozen vehicles on a Saturday morning. The Arizona fall weather was gorgeous and we were itching to do some rock-crawling. WE had a diverse group of vehicles which would add to the fun for the day. We headed down Beeline highway and soon exited into Mesquite Wash. The wash had changed a bit in recent weeks due to rain and some water still stood in some places. Today we had decided to pass through Syc Panel Pass and then continue on to play on a few side obstacles. We had then planned to work our way back to the highway via a tight, rocky trail that traversed from Upper to Lower Sycamore Creek. We were soon at the mouth of Syc Panel Pass and made our way throught the tight area of boulders one-by-one, with some in our party taking the harder routes and others struggling trying to keep from spreading too much paint on the rocks.

Kim Boeldt squeezes his full-size Bronce down Rocker Panel Pass.

A short time later we were off and running until we dropped into a tight wash with a few very large boulders. Some in our group decided to take the by-pass while the adveturous ones crawled, leaned, and got air trying to get over and around the obstacles in the wash.

This brushy turn leads to some fun boulder crawling.

Eric crawls his well-built Wrangler over one of the obstacles.

We found a small area of shade in the wide part of Upper Sycamore Creek (realize this is a big dry wash at this time) and took a break for a quick lunch. While we were stopped, several of the trucks decided to play in the deep, sandy erosion ruts in the wash. Soon after, we heard a snap as a full-size Chevy broke a front axle u-joint trying to do something he probably shouldn't have been doing. Oh well.........

Stretching the springs in the wash.

Afterwards, we continued on to play on the Wall and the Rock. The Wall is a long, loose Arizona style hill that gave most all some trouble. Crawling was almost out of the question and momentum proved to be what most need to get up it. The Rock, a steep face, kept a few busy as well.

Dave Zelinka clawing his CJ7 up the Rock.

Bonnie Pinnups has a good time while husband Bill catches air on the Rock.

At the concrete water crossing near Sugarloaf Mountain, a few in our group headed for the short road to the highway. The rest of us continued on toward Lower Sycamore Creek.

Joe Chott pilots his unique FJ80 over some rocks.

The rock-crawling was excellent and after squeezing between two garage sized rocks, we soon emerged in to the wide sandy wash. Joe Chott found his Cruiser could make it through the two rocks, but with only one inch clearance on each side!

Dave slips through the rocks into Lower Sycamore Creek.

Hummers need not apply. Joe's Cruiser may be the widest vehicle ever through here.

We sped down the wash playing in the loose sand at speed and soon hit the highway back into town.

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Jay Kopycinski             '85 Toylet  (ROKTOY)
Gilbert, AZ                '91 4Runner (hers)

Arizona Lo-Rangers         ASA4WDC   UFWDA
Fun Country Fourwheelers   SWFWDA    TLCA
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