So it was my first time to the Florence area, the original plan was to run Martinez Canyon. Sonoran Steel Steve and the guys decided to hit up Elvis first where we ran into some TTORA guys as well as some Jeepers. That took a bit of time but was fun to watch. After Elvis we continued to Martinez Cabin & Canyon then left the area through Box Canyon after dark. I had a blast and thought it was a great group. We had no major damage and no breakage at all... Thanks in no small part to fine spotting by Steve, the Brians, Mark, Frank and Mike. TRDBuckshot Frank took a couple hundred pics (literally) but here are a few of the highlights.

ELVIS:

Me, getting started


Mike (BlknBlue) rockin the 31's. All bumper parts intact at this point




Brian W squeezing through




AZ4ME Brian follows. Look closely at his eyes.



Steve cruises up. Got Propane?



T-minus 3...2...1... Yeah I made it but it wasn't pretty.



Brian shows me again how its supposed to be done.



Entering the Martinez Canyon area



Martinez Mine:



Mike's passenger locates the Oh S*** Handle



Steve at Yellowbelly. The buggy is unstoppable.



Brian W at Yellowbelly... no problem...



Yes the 'Runner went up with ease too...



Gettin tippy



The canyon is gorgeous...



Mike manhandles the rock garden. No small feat with 31s. Note Sonoran Steve conducting the 4 Cylinder Symphony.



Still going...



Nearing the top of the Canyon



The buggy contemplates its freedom. Check out the "mudflap girl" bling.



View from the top.



Brian W drops into the luge.



Starting to look expensive. Escaped with only minor scratches & small dent near the taillight. The Luge is not recommended if you wanna keep your junk looking good on the drivers side. Unfortunately there is no bypass.



Right after that pic it got dark.

 

Looks like I missed out on the fun. Should came and rode along cause that's out of my skill range.

Looks like good times.

 

Good trip. I had a lot of fun and I am happy we got everyone through the trails without any serious damage, especially considering the condition of Martinez Canyon. It was in large part due to the good driving by Jon and Mike in their 4runners.

Thanks for taking photos Frank. You captured some good shots.

The photo of Mike in the rock garden at Martinez is great. That encompasses his run through Martinez. Impressive...especially with the manual trans.

Looking forward to the next outing.

 

Beautiful pictures, very impressive.
Thanks for sharing.

 

Yes. Thanks to Jon for starting this thread. To Frank for the photos (going to have to beg a copy!!) And to the whole group for helping me get through that sucker reasonably unscathed. I don't have many pics but I'll add what I've got. I'm diggin that one of me in the rock garden too. I can proudly show that one off at work.

I think these show the progression at Yellowbelly pretty well.




Brian was the only one to lift a tire on YB, and only a bit higher than this shows.

The rock buggy makes Elvis look like nothing.

And BLKNBLU in one of his few quiet moments.

 

Very nice pics. Good to see a wide spread of vehicles hitting some good trail. Steve's rig is sick.

 

Great pics guys. That luge section has changed considerably.

Nice job getting through all that clean. BLKNBLU... always impressive. You sure you want to SAS that thing?

Hadn't realized there would be water at YB and looks like a few other places along the way.

Did anyone in your group or the TTORA group try that super tight bender "J-Turn" to the right on Elvis... maybe midway through the trail? Westy did last time, just wondering how the buggy did there or anyone else for that matter.

 

Damn that looks like fun!! Nice pics!

 

We blew past the TTORA group. Yeah Steve and Westy ran that turn. Steve made it look easy. Westy had to work a little harder but was never really in trouble.

 

WOW! Great pics guys! Look at you guys, wheeling in December. Can't do that here, at least now right now.

 

geez i missed out again. soon ill be out again. my truck is gettin fixed.

 

It's kinda hard to see, but if you look closely, you can see the BBQ grill Steve added on the rear of his buggy. Make for great lunch BBQ's.

 

thats great seeing a ifs 4runner on 31s keeping up. I guess it shows how capable they are with a little work.

 

nuttin' like grilled jackalope on the trail, with a side of burned clutch.

 

Man... that's hella sweet!!!!

Amazing how smooth a driver Steve is to keep that grub in place. Don't tell me he's got the skills to hit bigger rocks and flip the food when it's ready for the other side.

 

Good news, get it ready and come on out.

What has been the issue with the rig??

 

rubber bushings wearing out, alignment keeps screwing up, need new tires, and a crack that needs to be welded. getting new tires and alignment this weekend. most of the bushings i replaced and still lookin for a welder. haha.

 

most likely need a locker for this place right? looks like an awesome trail, dont care to much about body damage just hope id be able to make it.