May 2000 Charouleau Gap
Oracle, Az
Trail Rating - 3.0-4.0
Trip Leader: Steve Willoughby
Photos submitted by Chris Villarreal
We started this trail from Oracle, exiting via Catalina. This is the hardest way to run the trail because you have to climb the wall.... There were 3!?! Zuks and a Land Cruiser. I knew Thomas Picard (Tom P.) was going to show up but it was a pleasant surprise to have Tom and Nancy Howlett (Tom H.) show up at the last minute. The Zuks were all nicely setup, all had a locker and some sort of gearing. Steve Willoughby led the run in his Land Cruiser, he had his wife Diana, Kirt and Carol Rollins as passengers.
Tom and Nancy traversing the rut.
This trail comes at you right away with a lot of big ruts to play in. The last picture show Tom P's 1600 powered Samurai. With the dual mikunis it sounded awesome.
I enjoyed going down the washes the best. We had an "easy" time on the trail only because there was no running water. I can't imagine doing this stuff and not being able to see the bottom....
The "wall" gave our group the most trouble.
Steve gave up trying to climb the wall and instead tried this "bypass". Imagine ball bearings on a slab of granite. This was all the further he made it before calling for help.
It took me a lot of tries to get over this obstacle. I would either stall near the top or slide to the left. I eventually made it over with a little push from the spectators. Definitely a difficult obstacle for a short wheelbase vehicle. Oh, and note to self: make sure fuel pressure regulator is turned down BEFORE attempting this stuff.....
Tom and Tom scaling the wall.
Once I made it to the top we strapped Steve's Cruiser up and over the berm. Phew.
Normally this section is covered with running water making it very treacherous.
Hamming it up for the camera.
More climbing through the washes.
The sign reads "Hazardous Road, 4wd Required". That's Tom P.
Just when we thought we were done with all the four wheeling we came across this difficult spot. The hole on the passenger side would tilt you into the rock wall.
Whoa! We all held our breath when this happened. That's some serious air under Tom H's rear tire.