-Sonora Desert Scouts trail report for Pyeatt draw June 2010-
DISCLAMER: This is my personal rendition of the events that happened as I saw them. These are facts. Nothing has been made up or exaggerated.
Woke up Friday morning to a beautiful overcast S. east Arizona morning. Loaded up a still sleeping Nats into the Rallye scout and headed to Payson. Drive was uneventful but relaxing. Quick stop at Roosevelt lake to dip our toes in the cool water. I arrived in Payson around 8am and drove around a bit before heading out to Pyeatt Draw approx 12 miles northish of Payson. Around noon Bob arrived and we set up camp. I swear, Bob is the MacGyver of camping trinkets...He always has the newest and latest and greatest in camping comforts. It was a large area with trees and fire rings. There was also a family there that was waiting for their group to arrive. They were with the Copper State Cruisers club. A Toyota landcriuser club based out of Phoenix. They were actually some cool people and it was cool to hang with them. They had some cool "accessories" and had no problem visiting and sharing the camp area with us.
At around 7pm bob headed to the main road where he could get cell service to check on Teresa, James, and Jerrys group who caravaned together. He also wanted to see if he could make contact with Dan and Jasons group who were to arrive at the same time. I stayed behind to gaurd camp. At some point in time I must have been druged or hit over the head or something because I was awakened by 2 goofy dudes standing over me and a cummins diesel engine purring in the background. The sound of the cummins made me think I had died and gone to heaven, but realized I had somehow just lost consience. Anyway, It was Jason,Stephanie,Colt, Dan, and Jim from Flagstaff Arriving. Teresa, Jerry, James, Nicole, and kids followed shortly after. We helped everyone set up camp and visited a while before turning in for the night.
The next morning most of the group awoke to the smells and aroma of food. As usual, Bob and Teresa were standing over a hot grill with Pancakes, sausage, and all kinds of wonderful stuff. Soon after breakfast we were all sitting in our camp chairs digesting and what not when we felt a slight, slight rumble and shake coming from the distance. I Didnt think much of it at first until it continued to get louder and closer and pine needles started falling out of the trees sorta unnaturally. The ground was shaking. The Land cruiser guys started to look around as the rumble and shaking intensified. Natalie looked up at me with the most terrified look and said,"whats happeneing Dad?" Cruiser guys started to pick up their children and run for cover. The shaking got bigger and bigger, louder and louder. My first thought was earthquake...but then quickly remembered AZ doenst have earthquakes. My thoughts then went to flash floods, but then realized it hadnt and wasnt raining. The shakings and rumble started to knock over tents and camp chairs. Just when I was about to grab Natalie and run for cover, the source of the earthquake was reavealed and Armondo's beast came into camp. The eathquake stopped and dust cleared with the turn of his ignition switch to the off position. The land cruiser guys all poked their heads out of from under their little plastic cars, tents and logs that they had used to seek shelter under just moment before. Armondo and his beast had arrived.
Soon after Ronnie and Stephanie arrived in the little red bus. Couldnt have been better timing. We were ready to go Wheeling!
We were also very pleased that 76xlc (forgive me, im not good with remembering names) and his friend took the time to come and watch and be a part of the weekend. I can really appreciate anyone that is willing to travel a fair distance to attend a SDS function. With or without a Binder.
We hit the trail head at approx. 10-11am. Someone correct me if im wrong. Anyway, the trail was rocky with flat rock road like surfaces in some spots. Deep cracks and ledges. As I surveyed the trail, I could find a suitable "line" for my bone stock Rallye. The beauty of this trail is that several lines could be had, making it a great trail for stock to wild rigs. We soon came to a halt 10 min. into the trail. James scout II was having difficulties staying in 4x4 mode. It was determined the locking hubs were not working. Some say it was the trail. Some say it was the crappy IH auto hubs. But as I saw it, it was simply the shear torque of James's incredible 392 that had the hubs begging for mercy. Luckily, Teresa had axed me to bring some extra hubs for the Lego scout and we hadnt put them on hers yet. So being the great person Teresa is, she sold the hubs to James for James and Nicoles next born child. Which considering these were genuine IH hubs....I thought it sounded like a fair deal. Teresa even helped with the install. In no time we were back in buisness and moving again.
The trail was awesome. Plenty of trees and a nice cool breeze once in a while. At one spot, we came to a large boulder in the middle of the trail and it became Jasons mission and purpose in life to conquere it. After a few moments of spinning tires, Dan spotting, and four pissed off hamsters, he traversed it. He did have some issues with his front spring shackles flipping in the wrong direction, but not a problem for this group of wheelers.
By then, mid day temps were at their peaks but the group moved on. Armondos beast was busy crushing solid granite and spitting out marbles from the rear tires. There was one section where it was a very tight fit even for a scout. Armondo was having trouble with his carb loosng prime? or heat or? but continued to punish the rocks. One boulder the size of the hoover damn did manage to bend his passenger side rocker, but only succeded in providing Armondo motivation to install sliders, which was planned anyway. My hat off to big mookie and his beast. The rest of the scouts in the group made the trail look like childs play because of the great spotting and help from members. A few bent drag links may have prevented some right turns....but failed to prevent the bonded brother and sisterhood, friendship and sheer desire to have fun that the Sonora Desert Scouts posess.
We eventually came to the part of the trail that is the point of no return for stock vehicals. Myself, James and Teresa took the bypass road and waited at the "waterfall". Jim and Jason eased up in their scouts and Ronnie and Dan looked the situation over. It was clear the main waterfall was crazy tuff. We all agreed a class 5N1-24 tube buggy would be needed to traverse it. So, because Jason and Gumby are qualified (and willing) they proceded to tackle the bypass....if that what you want to call it. Couple hairy situations, and good spotting from Dan and a slight wisper of a tug from the Little red Bus's winch cable, and Jason could say he finished the trail.
In about 10 minuets after leaving the waterfall, we were back at camp sweet camp.Hungry, dusty and in good spirits, we were all living the dream....ok, my dream, but none the less, living. Teresa's gumbo was out of this world. I literaly made myself sick stuffing my face with that stuff. It was excellent and I thank her for providing yet another fantastic meal. Oh, and if you ever have a box of cheese-its, you can talk Jerry into doing anything....even sign the title to his scout over to you if you want.
Oh, and Dan...Ted Nugent called and wants his shirt back.
Sunday morning we all broke camp and proceded to leave. What started as a friendly Argument between me and Stephanie about Jack-in-the-box and Sonic. She won and we all thought it would be a good idea to hit sonic on the way out. Was a great idea. The IH parade thru town followed by a sonic over take was the perfect end to a great weekend.
I can honestly say I am very glad I didnt miss this run or chicken out after the first 100 yards. I can also say that if you missed this run, you simply missed out. This trail is very fun and can be had with a stock scout. I recieved no body damage, and only suffered a easy fix with my drag link once back in camp. If we ever do this trail again, you must not miss it. Period. To do this trail in a stock scout without my SDS friends wouldnt be the same. I can garentee you, the Cruiser boys and girls dont have the commodery and passion for their rides that Harvester folks do. And if by chance they say they do....we still got them on the cool factor. That is all. If I forgot anything, Im sorry.
My Pictures can be seen here:
http://sonoradesertscouts.com/Photo_Gallery/gallery2/main.php/v/soazbinder/Payette+Draw+Run/ Nicole also took some great pictures. Thanks Nicole!
Jared Hancock
P.S. If by chance any of the Copper State Cruiser guys are reading this, My real name is Jason Pfiefer, and I live in Phoenix.
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