February 2002 - Lower Morningstar
Trail Rating - 4.5
Trip Leader: Chris Villarreal
Photos submitted by Chris Villarreal
Aerial View
The lower section of this trail is pretty short, consisting of two waterfalls and 2 ledges and some minor rockcrawling in between. I put some stats on the last webpage but I would guess the actual rockcrawling section of the trail is only a half mile or so.
(Click for larger images)
The line to the left of this spot proved too hard to get lined up for, so I chose to climb the main rock face. It would be easy if there weren't two big rocks right in front of the rock face :) My wheelbase conspired against me and I was left trying to climb with all four tires at the same time.
So out came the winch cable. I used a strap and wrapped it around the rocky outcropping at the top of the waterfall.
This is at the commitment point, my rear tires were about to drop into the opening between the rock face and the two large boulders. Once they were in the hole there would be no way to back up.
I was nearly to the top but had to stop and unhook the winch cable, I had Larry tug on while I continued. Definitely time for some gearing, the clutch was heating up pretty good as I tried to climb the rest of the way up.
Larry's wheelbase really helped here. You also want to line up for this line before you crest the first rocky outcropping shown in the 2nd picture of this sequence.
