here is a link to the pnwjeep sight with some info
http://www.pnwjeep.net/forum/viewtop...0ac74fe71634ac

Brian, i will be attending the snowjam this year so this sounds like a good time for a get together.

about the busy wild..... i wont take my jeep on that trail unless it is bone dry during the summer. it truly is a minimum of 35" tire trail and you WILL get some decent damage. it is the worst trail around.

but yes evans does open up on april 1st.

 

Brandon is right about the busy. I kind of like my windows and the ability to open all of my doors so unless everyone is ok with guaranteed damage and a requirement of 35" tires and lockers we should avoid the busy. We can run every other trail out there with pretty much no requirements. A stock XJ might struggle in spots but there are bypasses for all the really tough obstacles and we can always pull the less built guys through. I say we plan on running the Sunrise, Mainline, Alder, Mainline Extension, Gotcha, and Rainier Vista. Then if we have enough time run them all again backwards. Here is a link to a good map of Elbe so you can see what I'm talking about. http://www.dogpoundoffroad.org/Maps/Elbe_ORV_Map.png

 

First off I want to thank Branden for the link to the Snow Jam flyer. I'd also like to thank Bill for the link to the awesome detailed map of Elbe Hills. That is the best one I've seen yet. The one I had looks like some four year old kid scrippled it out but it wasd all that I could find. I've had it for years. This is how long I have been wanting to run Elbe. Crazy thing is I grew up in Chehalis, Wa. I probably lived closer to Elbe than any of you other guys but, I have still never wheeled there. All of you guys who have posted are definitely invited, Zac, wannagojeep, jonesinxj, etc. 32" tires are fine. I wheeled Evans Creek on 32s with that crazy crew from Bonneylake. I had my issues but I had a great time too. The snow can make some trails more forgiving and others harder. Seriously, airing down and a little common sense will get you through in the snow. So, as I was reading the Snow Jam flyer I noticed the Countyline guys charge and entry fee. I'm sure that is due to the food and stuff they are raffling off. It also appears that they do poker runs as they sale "Hands". That usually means cash prizes or even trophys sometimes. So, we need to decide if we want to join them or just do our own thing for free.

 

So, Evans opens back up on 1 April...LOL...I'm thinking there is an April Fool's Day run in our future.

 

Well I'm game for either way if we wanna join the snow jam or wheel on our own. I will be towing up and I just took the day off for it so I'm set. Bill your route sounds good.

 

Tire size doesn't really matter as much as how much tread you have. The 22nd sounds great for me. And yeah I would rather not run the busy wild, maybe if i built a buggy.

 

I went to the snow jam last year and we ran forest service roads

 

So when and what trails? I`m in! I think!

 

from what i remember of your jeep. i think it could handle it.
but ill go, i just dont want to slow anyone down. ive never ran elbe, been there once and rode shotty, still a rookie, no winch but have tow strap and hook up points. but im sure ill be ok with 32, apprently the XJist i got my 31s said "these same tires went through the busywild." but he said it was a loooong day crawlin an winchin.
i say do our own thing, no busywild.

 

Well there is no way Im running forest service roads all day. I say we stick with the 22nd as it seems to be a good common day to go for everybody. Basically we pick a time and place to meet up in the morning. Like say somewhere in or near Elbe that has great biscuits and gravy and good coffee Then after some chow and a brief grip and grin we head out to run the trails. We can stop and chat with the County Line Offroaders, find out what trails they are running, then each guy can decide to wheel with them or us. How does that sound? I still need to look at a map and find the quickest route to Elbe for me. Heck, it would probably work to just meet up with you guys at our regular place, The Bonneylake Fred Meyer parking lot and just all head to Elbe as a group from there...or maybe in Puyallup. I'm not sure which way you guys go to Elbe from Bonneylake but, I do know both are south for me. Puyallup might be better for Bobby too since he is coming from Ft. Lewis. Let me know what you guys think.

 

I vote puyallup cuz I live there and it would be easier for me to hopefully find an empty seat in a xj if someone had one

and theres some pretty good little mom and pop places that have good food

 

Bill threw out Sunrise, Mainline, Alder, Mainline Extention, Gotcha and Rainier Vista as ideas for possible trails to run. After looking at the map he posted that is pretty much all the trails there except Busy Wild...lol. I'm the Cherry Boy to this place so I'm up for running any of them.

 

I really think Puyallup is going to be the best central location for all of us to go to and meet up. Dusty, the only exit in Puyallup I am currently familiar with is the one for the fairgrounds. Is there a good place to have breakfast close to there?

 

hey if i go, im just guna head south and take hwy 12 to morton then up to elbe or head through yelm. i could meet ya there in elbe.

 

actually there is up to 2 exits depending on where you are coming from. if you are coming from the the tacoma area then theres 2 exits right near the mall or if you are coming from the downtown freeway there is one near the mall. idk the exits exactly ill try to find a google image of it. But yes there is cattins by the fairgrounds that has decent food. other than that alot of stuff is on top of the hill thats on the way to elbe anyways