Item Subject: Trip 7A Edit Report Please Trip Report Trip #7A: Snow Peak, Oregon Oregon BushHackers 1995 Trip 7A Report. September 23, 1995 Snow Peak/Indian Prairie, Oregon 122deg 35' x 44deg 40' or somewhere around there By Bill Lewey Who was there: Bill Lewey: 78 CJ5, stock, 31s Guy Hammer: 89 Bronco, stock, 32s Doug Carman: 91 Suburban, 8" lift, 35s Everyone pretty much showed at once in Lyons. That was not really amazing because there were only 3 trucks. My 78 CJ5, Guy in hi 89 Bronco on a new set of BFG MTs and Doug and his 91 Suburban lifted 8" and 35s. Doug was saying he was impressed with he offroad handling of his rig. As you will read later so were we. We gassed up in Lyons and headed down Hwy. 226 south to Jordan Rd., Jordan Rd. to Morrison Dr., to Bilyeu Cr. Rd., to Upper Neal Cr. Rd. which jettisoned us into the canyon. The Neal Creek Canyon is formed by Snow Pk., Thomas Crn., two other unnamed peaks, and the ridge that I wanted to check out. Near the end of the canyon a left fork took us onto a rocky road that wound up the side of the mountain. No need to lock hubs yet but just a little bit of snow would have done it. At the top we park and take in a spectacular view of the peaks and the Willamette Valley as a back drop. We lock hubs and head down a trail I saw on an earlier trip. The trail turns into the grass and fern of a clear-cut and stops at the farside of a small saddle. Ahead is a very large rock or small cairn. We all bi-pedal to the top and get another rewarding view of the peaks to the west and Mt. Hood, Jefferson, and 3-Finger Jack to the east. Also to the east is an overview of Indian Prairie with its lakes and bordering hills. We spent some time there then moved on down to the prairie. Once to the bottom we decide to take a road marked 4x4 on the maps. It takes us back up on he ridge but on the south side of the aforementioned cairn. After exploring another offshoot we head towards a radio tower always looking for good places to get stuck. We head down one trail that becomes the first test of the Suburbans' agility on the trails. The trail gets very tight as we creep over large speed bumps that scrap my CJs skid plate and through trees that knock the mirrors back. The 'burb cattle deflector and lights are filling the view of my rearview all the way until I tell Doug to hold off until I check further down the trail. At this point Doug is in a wide spot while I'm looking at a steep drop down the port side and rocks up starboard. Two tree trunks are just a couple of inches off both front fenders. There is no way either rigs behind me can squeeze through this and things are looking worse down the road. I give the word to head back out. I swing the front around and back up on the rocks. After a few more tries and hanging the front right wheel over the edge (huge pucker intensity and praying for divine brakes and clutch) I get turned around and catch Doug in the middle of the same process. We all get out and start heading SW for the Snow Pk. Main-Line. On the way we talk to a guy who dropped a front drive shaft in his Toyota PU. At this point we are all pretty tired of a lot driving and not many challenges so I ask these guys where to go. They say there some good wheeling off the main-line just before the bridge near Lacomb. How right they were but first I wanted to stop and play in a shale quarry. After several unsuccessful hill climb attempts by all us we head down to the promised trails. The best challenges found on this trip were in a playground between Snow Pk. Main-Line or Island Inn Dr. and Hunter Cr. Red clay trails all throughout the woods here gave us plenty of opportunity to check the limits of our rigs. The first trial is a roundabout up a hill winding through trees and back down the other side. I spot a motorcycle hill climb that I try on for size. It starts out as a couple of tracks made by previous 4x4s but funnels into a deep single track culvert. I am doing pretty good straddling the hole when I back off the gas to avoid landing up onto the same spot the 'burb was scheduled to land from another trail. A bad idea. Feeling the Jeep slow up to much I hit the gas again and slip my right side down into the hole. The tilt-o-meter is pegged (40deg+) full tilt up and to the right. I am setup for a bad slide if back up and may roll the Jeep. I ask for a tug from Doug. Doug hooks me up and pops me out of the hole with snap-strap. I manage to pop my clutch linkage and the engine looses oil pressure from the climb out and is ticking quite loudly. I shut it down and check things out. After figuring that it wasn't as bad as it sounded I start the 304 and watch the oil pressure needle dance a bit before smoothly coming up to pressure. WHEW! Onward we go to the next trail. A ledge caused by a root is hiding in the shadows and I gracefully find it by launching my front end about two feet in the air. At the top of this trail is a sharp turn through stump and trees that is sure to give the stretched Blazer trouble. I run back to watch and guy is scraping and creaking through the woods but makes it through. Doug encounters the corner and backs up once then slips through. At this point Doug and his truck earn the "Greased Pig Award" for getting through a second tight spot. I will never doubt the size versus maneuverability of one of these really big Blazers again! Good job Doug. The last trail we get to is another up hill track but Guy and myself are about a 1/4 mile in when a couple of bikers tell Doug that there is no way out because of an obstacle called "The Wall." A steep cliff that drops off the end of the trail. Doesn't that sound like fun! Not wanting to leave Doug behind and not wanting to get stuck in a small space we go back to Doug and head back north. The Wall is something I would like to check out later. OK so we are heading for the tavern but stop off at a couple spots Guy had been 15 years back on Tree Farm Rd. near Larwood. Westward bound and crossing the Larwood covered bridge a cold beer beckons. Finally we dust of at the Crabtree Tavern, have a couple of beers, talk about the trip and such then head home. The Jeep is a little looser but the rebuilt Motorcraft carb performed well. The clutch linkage needs repairs and the rear brakes are a bit weak so I've got my work cut out. Doug's Suburban and Guy's Bronco faired well. Until next month...Bill Lewey Pictures whenever we get them scanned.