2009-09-05: BorregoFest Scouting Trip Report

[sdnative]

What a crazy day! The weather wasn't too bad, the cloud cover kept it under 100 for the most part. Many thanks to John and Craig for joining me on this run.

[cruiserlarry]

What an amazing day you guys had !!!

Glad to see you made it through the crazy desert weather OK...and sorry to see the damage to your rig...oh, the sacrifices we make to have a good time off the beaten path...

[BorregoWrangler]

What good is a trip report without pics?!

[gon2srf]

Looking S.E. this afternoon I noticed these incredible cloud formations and could only think potential flash flood weather. Little did I know you guys were living it! Great pics.

[BlueFJ]

I hate to say it, but this run turned out to be a wash out. No, really, we got washed out.
I've heard the stories of flash floods, but now I can say I've been caught in one! As we were driving thru Fish Creek on the way back from Hapaha Flats, I was listening to an AM radio station and could here the constant crackle of lightning strikes, so I knew the dark clouds above us were up to no good. Like Eric said, the temp dropped from 102 to 72 in less than 10 minutes. The rain started as we entered Split Mountain and by the time we hit the camp site between Split Mt. Rd and Split Mt., it was pouring and windy as hell. As I got out of my truck to use the facilities at the campground, the wind ripped my door out of my hand and soaked my dash and I had a battle with the wind for control of the restroom door. I can't believe how fast the wash turned into a river. The rain and hail came down so heavy, we could hardly see where we were going but didn't want to stop. I just wanted to get to Split Mtn Rd PDQ. I ended up dropping into a deep trench trying to stay on high ground and knocked myself out of alignment pretty bad, and now my VSC Off, VSC Trac, and Skid lights come on when I hit 40 MPH and my steering wheel is cocked at almost 45 degrees.

I didn't even notice that Eric had hit that wall and was wondering what was going on when he and John stopped and got out of the truck to inspect the damage.

All in all, it was an awesome and crazy day of wheeling. Thanks John and Eric!

[brentbba]

You guys covered a LOT of ground in one day. Sorry to hear about the damage to both of you and glad as hell you got out of the washes before the flooding! What an adventure for ONE day!

[OLLIE]

Looks like another day for the record books. Glad you all got out alright. Sorry I lost reception with you. Did you guys do that drop-off after split rock or decide to forgo it? Wish I was with you on this run. I probably could have made it but went another direction when I got off of work.

[sdnative]

Did you guys do that drop-off after split rock or decide to forgo it?

Yes, we went all the way to the base of Heart Attack Hill.

[Fetus]

Very cool pictures. Sorry about the trail damage, especially to that bumper. Maybe you can bang it out or maybe not.

Those clouds looked wicked. Glad you made it out in one piece.

Those flash floods can be deadly.

[BruisedFJ]

Eric, I did similar damage to the same bumper. To straighten it, you'll need a solid tree and some chain. Be aware, though - the pieces that bent will not be the ones that bend back, but superficially it will look straight. If you're not impatient to fix it, you can examine mine at BorregoFest.