December 2001 - Annihilator
Trail Rating - 5.0
Trip Leader: Chris Villarreal
Photos submitted by Chris Villarreal, Erik Malm
Our group just got finished running Predator and decided since it hadn't rained we would try Annihilator which starts where Predator ends. The first thought that comes to mind when you see the first two waterfalls is "You can drive that?" These pictures really don't do the obstacles justice, but if you look at them as a whole and look at the various angles you can get a sense of the heights involved and the sheer size of this rocky outcropping. The key is getting a vehicle to the top either by winching or driving. After that you have a means to pull up anyone else who has problems. In my opinion if your vehicle is heavier than a Samurai, do not attempt this trail without a winch.
Here I entered an S shaped chute that continues to climb up thru the rocky outcropping.
Towards the to you need to make a hard right and line your self up for the climb shown in the second picture. We tied a strap to my bumper and had 3 guys at the other end to keep the nose of my Zuk down. Turns out I might not have needed the strap, the Samurai climbed like a mountain goat with no tire slippage at all (to my amazement). The last picture on this page shows better how steep this climb is.
Brian avoided having to navigate the S turn by going over the top of this rock.
In the chute.
Climbing the chute.
Turning for the final climb.
We were originally pulling on the strap but he slipped off the right line and closer to the edge than we felt comfortable with. So we quickly hooked the strap to my Zuk for more pulling power. When he got up and over I asked him "So, how did it feel?" I think the big grin said it all.