Gold Mountain Trail 7-5-08

[Sanderhawk]

Well a group of about 8 of us met up at Gold Mountan Trail about 10:30 am. I was supposed to meet them at Discovery Center but I was running late. My wife and I got there so early that we decided to run that gold fever trail with all the little side things to go see. I was a little cheesy but fun. I think it was designed to keep you busy instead of exploring the history part of it in detail. I had never been up Gold Mountain trail before and it was way rougher on my rig than I expected. Its the first ( rock ) trail i`ve done. I`m lifted and I only have the stock front skid and the OEM rock rails. I drove up every obstical without any problems but bottomed out several times very hard. Later inspection showed I hit the rear diff hard a couple different times, the lower control arms couple times and hit the frame on the passenger side. On the plus side I never hit the rock rails once so they are good for next time. I was the only FJ there which was kind of weird since its almost always all FJs when we do these group outings. This time it was all jeeps and a unimog ( which is the biggest truck I have ever seen offroading 46 inch tires ) it probly stood 9 feet tall or more. We had one break down but i`ll leave that story to him. I don`t have any pictures because every obstical we got to my wife would get out to take pictures and then would just watch and forget to take the picture. I`m sure others have pictures that will be posted. I liked the trail but I won`t do it again until I get alittle armor installed. Thanks Dave for the invite it was cool.

[FJ_Vizzy]

Sorry to hear you got damage, I figured a lifted FJ would be fine. I went up Gold Mountain back in May with Toyota Trail team. Stock FJ, rock rails,OEM skid plate, no lift and stock tires. It was my first rock trail, also. I managed to escape almost damage free, some scrapping on the left rear lower link. The Trail Team spotter was great, he got me thru everything the lifted FJ's and Taco's got thru. I want to get a 3" lift and bigger tires. What size lift and tires do you have?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kk76uqKAKls" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=23W9PErqnr8" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[big dave]

The break down was me. Right off the bat on the first rock obstacle, i slashed the sidewall in my driver side front ProComp Xterrain. I was pretty much done from the start. Right after i slashed it, the front end dropped down enough to get me stuck on the trans crossmember. The engine and chassis were flexing so much that the starter positive cable hit the frame and cut all electrical to the truck, and drained my battery. After being pulled up to clear my wreckage from the path (about 20 rigs waiting behind us at this point), everybody helped me get her running and tire changed, then sent me back down the obstacle. I went around the back side to meet my buddy Jim and passed Sanderhawk on the way. Jim was right behind him, so we tried to catch up to Sander, but couldnt find him. We ran 1N12 all the way back down to Mountain Home, which was a gorgeous trail. I popped a tiny 3 inch coolant hose behind the manifold at the bottom of the trail, so we got that fixed quick and split from Jim in Redlands, and made it home comfortably. Sander, hope to trail with you again!

[Sanderhawk]

I didn`t get any damage just scrapes. But like I said I hit hard several times. I have a 3 " Lift and 285/70/17 Nittos. Dave I didn`t even see you pass me. I said good byes to Jim and group and me and the wife went to the discovery center. I looked for you at gold mountain trail where we started and I didn`t see you so I missed you. Yeah we will definetly hook up again for some wheelin. It will probly be up at big bear cause its getting real hot down here.

[big dave]

Ive only been on Gold Mtn one time, and we turned around at the same place i popped the tire. I have more pics, so does jim. Ill get them posted later today.

[cruiserlarry]

Last summer when we were leaving Big Bear, someone had rolled their vehicle off of Gold mountain trail and died, so while it is an awesome trail, it is not one to be taken lightly, or under-prepared.

(Actually, you could say the same for most trails, I guess...)

[Sanderhawk]

Jim said they had a picture of my FJ doing that first obsticle. They said they would post it up for me. I hope they don`t forget. I need proof for my buddies at work. Ya know what I mean? Looking forward to seeing the rest of the pictures.

[FJ_Vizzy]

I realize now having read this thread, being a Newbie and only having my Gold Mountain run, my only real run, as a reference, that I need to learn more and re-calibrate my view on trail difficulty. I had assumed this one was "safe" and "worry free" especially for non-stock vehicles, b/c "The Toyota Team wouldn't take people some place were they could get stuck, broken or hurt." I'm glad I check this site before I went out and got in over my head. Look forward to more photos and reports.

[cruiserlarry]

I realize now having read this thread, being a Newbie and only having my Gold Mountain run, my only real run, as a reference, that I need to learn more and re-calibrate my view on trail difficulty. I had assumed this one was "safe" and "worry free" especially for non-stock vehicles, b/c "The Toyota Team wouldn't take people some place were they could get stuck, broken or hurt." I'm glad I check this site before I went out and got in over my head. Look forward to more photos and reports.

The folks on the Trails Teams are very skilled off-roaders, and would not, for many reasons, put someone in imminent danger. That being said, off-roading is inherently dangerous, and without a skilled spotter or trail experience, one could easily get into trouble on many trails. For the novice, an experience with the Trail teams is an excellent way to try a trail that you might not attempt on your own. As you go on more outings, and watch more people work the trails, you will develop your skills and confidence, as well as have a better understanding of the abilities and limitations of your vehicle.

Part of the excitement of this hobby is the realization of your evolving skills, and the rush of navigating through a trail you previously thought to be undoable.

Happy trails !!!

[big dave]

Jim said they had a picture of my FJ doing that first obsticle. They said they would post it up for me. I hope they don`t forget. I need proof for my buddies at work. Ya know what I mean? Looking forward to seeing the rest of the pictures.

Here you are going up the first obstacle. Jim or Kim took this using my camera because her battery died.