Oriflamme Canyon Run - TBD

Very nice!!!

Did you guys see the cabin???

How was the rock garden? At least a little challenging? Sliders/armor recommended?

Again, very nice Shane!!! Looks like you guys had a good time!!!

 

The cabin off Rodriguez? I think so? We saw a little brick shack off the side of the trail but didn’t stop. Had a lot of ground to cover today.

The rock garden is quick and fun. Sliders and at least an IFS are always recommended in the rocks. You might be able to do it without sliders if you had a short wheel base but it wouldn’t be worth the risk. I was the first truck and started with no spotting. Kissed my front bumper on a rock but could have been avoided with better line choice.

We had a good time. It was a long day and about almost 90* in the wash. Been wanting to do Sandstone for almost a year now so that was cool. A little surprised on how easy it was but from my understanding the trail changes a lot due to rain so it could be completely different the next time we go.

 

Yeah the one off of Rodriguez. All good as I know about time to cover... TRUST ME!!! HAHAHA

One of these days I just want to check that cabin out even though probably not too big of a deal... just to check out and say "I" was there!!! HAHAHA
AWESOME though!!!

 

Oh yeah, I’d love to have free time to spend exploring the area. I’m sure there is plenty of cool stuff to find with all of the mines. I’d like to check out the wind caves more too. I usually just go out to wheel but it would be nice to take a hike or two.

 

I've been to The Wind Caves and it was pretty cool for sure. A little bit of a hike and the walking trail can be a bit slippery in some spots, but nothing tooooo gnarly, just watch your footing.

If you ever get the chance, it's a bit of a drive, but you gotta check out Swansea-Cerro Gordo Road. NOT that hard of a trail, but MAN the part that leads towards the "ghost town" is F***ING GNARLY sketchy!!! Super CLOSE to the edge and it drops pretty damn far!!! I was SO DONE at that point, HAHAHAHA!!!

What didn't help me though at this one part of the trail where it had snowed and there were trail tracks from someone else, but the "tracks" were already iced over and my front skid was SHAAAAAVING the snow in the middle section (i.e. the part of the snow that is in between the wheels and just 4wd 1st Gen stock height). I'm in 4-lo and barely inching along with STRONG wind gusts and a slightly slanted hill-side with the mountain drop-off not too far to my left!!!

Anyways, trust me, I'm NOT exaggerating my experience. Kinda got into a spat with another member with him telling me that his experience wasn't that bad, but my take is that 1) he wasn't there the same day I was... obviously 2) the weather he had was probably more tame than what I was going through 3) his rig is built better than mine (i.e. I'm only stock height on 235 75 15's) and I never expected snow/ice like that. By the time I realized what I was in, there was no backing up at that point... no if ands or buts.

Would I do it alone again... NO!!! Not advisable in my humble opinion.

Anyways, the Salt Tram and cabin are cool to check out and the Ghost Town I wanted to stop by, but at that point, talking about time, I needed to go further north to my main destination, Reward Mine. Anyways...

The trailhead of Swansea


About 2mi back was that crazy icy hill slant. I was too cocentrated not sliding down the hill to take any pictures. Plus, the wind gust was just INTENSE!!! Even the picture below the wind was kicking HARD!!! But the pic just doesn't do that part any justice. Also, it was F'N MAD COLD!!! HAHAHAHA


The Salt Tram


The cabin right next to the Salt Tram. I was there, again, all by myself and was starting to get spooked!!! Totally felt like I was being watched??? So, I took the pics near the cabin and GTF OUTTA DODGE!!! HAHAHAHA


I LOVE this picture for some reason???


This is at the end of the trail. About 4-6mi, maybe , back behind up the mountain, is the "Ghost Town" from this spot. I wanna say it was about 5:30pm'ish at this point???




Sorry if you saw these pics already, but just showing you that I had a good time even though I was honestly worried in some spots/situations. I just don't recommend going alone. It's a pretty long trail for sure and took me roughly 6hrs to do, from what I remember.

Something to go check out for sure!!! Recommend to anyone that you make a camping trip out of it. About 4.5hrs drive north from L.A. up the 395.

 

Saw your group pull up right before the asphalt on Split Mountain. I was in the GX, along with the Xterra and 5th gen 4Runner. Sounds like you guys had fun, we did the same run sans the Banner side.

 

I saw you guys drive by. We’re were airing up before heading home. It was a great time but a tiring day for sure. What did your group run?

 

Started off with a little detour, I usually take Canyon Sin Nombre or Great Southern Overland route over to Vallecito wash but there was “flowing” stream about half way through. Ended up back on the S2 and took the other side of Vallecito, passed Hollywood/Vine over to the mud caves. Came back down then up through Arroyo Seco, down Diablo and into Fish Creek. I usually make a stop in Sandstone but it was my buddies first time out there and we were a little pressed for time.

It was still kind of warm out there but the wife and I have a few more trips planned.

 

You covered lots of ground. We came through Vallecitio from the S2 and up Arroyo Seco Diablo. Didn’t see any water until the airport at Ocotillo.

It was a little warm but the shade in the Canyon was nice.