June 2000 Upper Terminator 

Trail Rating - 4.0-5.0 (I'd rate it a 3.5)

Trip Leader: Dave King

Photos submitted by Chris Villarreal

Dave, from Asian Auto Parts of Arizona led runs down Upper and Lower Terminator on the weekend of the 17th and 18th.  I couldn't make the Lower Terminator run but managed to make it to the run on Sunday morning.  I met up with Jim Kawa from the Mesa 4 Wheelers about 7:15 just off of Table Mesa Road.  We aired down and a few minutes later Dave came buzzing down the road.  We followed him back to camp and met Geoff Beasley, Dave's son, Ronnie and a few others (sorry guys, I'm bad with names) before hitting the trail.

Here's Dave heading around  Pivot Rock.  We looked at going up and around and Dave actually started to climb up it but his 33's started digging into the body putting his birfield joints in jeopardy so he backed off.

I really enjoy trying the hard stuff as long as it looks possible so I gave it a go.  With my "small" 32's I needed to head straight into the wall to get the tire up on it.  No problem since the Samurai is so small.  I spun the tires here.  I gave it a few tries then dropped the air pressure further down to 10psi.  With a little push the truck eased up the wall...... 

and onto my nerf bar.  Man was that rock close to my door.  Geoff loaned me his clutch switch bypass and I used the starter to climb the last couple inches which leveled the Samurai.  Thanks to some great spotters I made it to the top.

Jim and Geoff made going around Pivot Rock look easy.  Any wider and you'd need a spotter.

I don't think any of us will forget this hill.  As Dave came up, popped a nice wheelie (before I could get my camera up) and yelled for some spotters.  He made it over and down with a little spotting.

Coming out of this canyon Jim slit his driver side front tire.

Geoff coming up the hill where Dave popped the wheelie.

Down the other side.....

and through the canyon.

 

We stopped to do a few trail repairs, Jim changed his tire and Dave replaced a torn transfer case mount. 

Further down the wash.