Okay it here is hope I caught all the major highlights those that were

there feel free to add anything I missed.



Trail Report 15 - Middle Mountain

South of Hood River, Oregon

April 27, 1996

by: Doug Carman (first time)



Those Present:

Rick Anderson - 77 Blazer 

Guy Hammer - 79 Bronco

Tom Brown - 88 Cherokee

Denny Zander - 72 Blazer

Rock Muraoka - 95 Jeep Wrangler

Doug Carman - 89 Burb



Most of the group met at Starvation Creek State Park with the exception of

Denny who we picked up at exit 64 in Hood River. We stopped just after

Denny joined the group for gas and a few pictures then we were off heading

up highway 35 following Rick who did a real good job of getting us to our

destination with the exception of a little side trip in Odell. The side

trip did have the benefit of getting rid of the patrol car between Tom and

I. We arrived at Middle Mountain around 10:30 am and the weather was

beautiful. We started out with a hill climb just off the main road that was

some what of a challenge on the right side and after everyone had made at

least one pass Tom & I explored where the path continued on at the top

which we ended up coming back out on the main road and met back up with

everybody. Denny went up to check out the fork that Tom & I didn?t check

and called us on the radio to come up to the rock pit. Most everyone went

back up the right side of the hill except Tom & I who took the left side

which seemed to me more of a challenge. We found Denny in the rock pit and

Denny seemed to have the edge hear with his locker and posi in the Blazer

after playing there we headed back down the trail the way we came in to a

clearing for lunch and litter patrol. When we were ready to head out I

suggested we follow the road in the clearing which ends up taking out into

a area where they had clear cut and there brush and stumps left in it. I

took the lead and I?m sure a few were wondering why they decided to follow

me. Rick was the only one who I noticed didn?t follow us through the field

which I sure after watching us from the road he was glad he didn?t. I

managed to do okay with the Burb until I got to the bank that comes back up

onto the road and couldn?t find the right spot to get out so I decide to

let others go through and try again. Denny of course was able to go right

through and then the others followed with me finally find the right spot

and come out last almost taking out the camera man in the process. What

does it look like to see the Burb coming straight at you from only a few

feet? After that we headed back up the road pass the hill climb and on into

Middle Mountain exploring the roads we found several interesting trails but

they ended up being dead-ends after a while we also found several

interesting mud holes. We came to a spot in the road where it took off in

three directions most of the group had decided to go straight and were

stopped by something, Tom was in front of me and took off to the right, & I

was bringing up the rear and decided to go left. The road I was on seem to

be pretty nice until I came to the area where there had been a major land

slide and a 20 ft stretch off the road was pretty chewed up. I waited for

the rest of the group to catch up with me as we had come to the conclusion

that this was the main road which we thought was interesting. I went

through first in the Burb in 4 Lo and lots of horse power shot right

through, Rick was next and he had a little more trouble but his persistent

payed off and he made it through, then came Guy who made it look like a

walk in the park, next Denny who stops in the middle of the mud hole and

punches it just to stir things up for the next guy, Rock was next and got

hung up going in and had to be pulled back for a second try by Tom, there

was some wise remarks being made by one of the individuals who had already

went through and Rock payed him back by slinging some mud his direction as

he power through, Tom was the last to go through and had some minor

problems with tire spin but came right on through. After that we stopped at

a couple of other places to play then ended up back on highway 35 where we

aired up and most of the gang headed for Hood River and I headed home

traveling down 35 to highway 26 and over Mt Hood. I know I can speak for

everyone in my rig that we had a good time and enjoyed the outing.