Despite monsoon humidity and the promise of an afternoon storm, the sun shone brightly as nine drivers gathered with their passengers at Charleston Road Burger King. Jim was to lead us l into the Dragoon Mountains to run the China Camp trail and Saurin Pass. Jim traveled with Claudia, Bear and Daisy in the air conditioned comfort of the green suburban. We may not see Jim’s scrambler again until the weather cools. Jerry and Patty followed in their gold TJ with its fourth engine purring. Glen and Bob were next, each with a TJ-- Bob’s with a new lift-- and each with a guest. I, with Paul and Foxy, fell in with the only YJ, green. Behind me rode Stacy in his green Cherokee, followed by Dave and his red Cherokee with Kelly riding shotgun. Then came Mitch and Sue in their green TJ with Tom and Mona bringing up the tail in the Mudrunner, a Toyota.

The last time I was in the Dragoons I drove Miz Libby, a 4cylinder, manual everything, stock YJ with no lift and 27" tires. It was only my third trip off road. Now, a dozen trips later, I was driving Lady Freedom with 6 cylinders of power, automatic, 3" of lift , 33" tires and limited slip. I was excited to learn what difference more experience and a better equipped vehicle would make.

We quickly covered the 18 or 20 miles of pavement to the turn onto Middle March Rd where we aired down. Although recent rains had left the road moist, we still kicked up dust as we sped towards China Camp Trail. This rocky, narrow track climbs steeply up the side of the dragoons traveling through desert growth of ocotillo, barrel cacti, prickly pear and creosote all in lush growth from the Summer rains. The West facing outlook over Sheepshead Rock and Council Rocks gives sweeping valley views with every slight turn. It summits at a narrow pass through steep rock walls before plunging down into a grassy bowl with Oak trees that was China Camp. We stopped at the summit to take in the far reaching views with thunder heads already building over the mountains. We passed through China Camp and climbed out of the bowl over a mountain ridge to switchback up the side of another ridge. Six 3 point turns brought us to the end of the trail. Perched atop the world we enjoyed a near 360 degree view that stretched a 100 miles into the distance across mountain ridges, valleys and arid plains colored in desert pastels of greys, lavenders, pinks and dusty blues overhung with towers of clouds that foretold a coming storm.

The only way out was the way we came. On the way we turned a short distance to explore a mine. Many of the group bravely walked the plank that bridged a very deep shaft to enter the mine with flashlights with Dave as their guide. I don’t like drop offs any better on foot than I do in the Jeep, nor do I enjoy dark confined spaces, so I stayed at the cool entrance with Foxy. We stopped at China Camp for lunch under the shade of the Oaks. I always look forward to lunch and the opportunity to relax and experience the land through which we ride as well as for socializing and getting Foxy out of the vehicle. They always seem far too short a break on our runs.

I have had my transmission and transfer case worked on. Putting The Lady into 4lo is now an easy and sure procedure. I was also getting the hang of two-footed driving on this run. With surer control of my rig it was a pleasure to drive down the steep hill instead of coasting down to the valley below. I could enjoy the sweeping views and Paul took many photographs from the window.

Another distance up Middle March Road and we turned onto the Saurin Pass Road. This rocky track begins a gradual climb under a canopy of Oak trees. It passes watering tanks and windmills making ever steeper and sharper turns as it wends its way to several mines worth exploration. High above China Camp is a turn around on top of a peak with another of those far reaching views. A bit below the peak is a very large mine with six levels. At one time a chute allowed ore to be dropped from the top shaft down the cliff side to a loading platform many hundreds of feet below where it was loaded onto rail cars for transport. Again Dave was the able guide for the intrepid who went exploring. The Dunbars, Paul and I found comfortable rocks under a tree where we dozed, then chatted as we watched dark storm clouds that had built over the mountains begin their sweep across the valley. The others joined us with tales of their adventures. Claudia’s dog, Daisy was enjoying becoming a trail dog on her first such outing. However, she too had a bit of adventure as she explored an interesting scent that led her to a tumble over a steep precipice in the mines. Stacy came to her rescue as he climbed down to retrieve her and carry her topside to her concerned mistress. Despite a cut on her lip, she was none the worse for the experience, and seemed undaunted. Yep, she was a true trail dog.

Sometimes, when we travel our backtrail, it is sometimes as though we were on a whole new trail. That was the case as we returned down the rocky, rutted trail. New vistas rose to view. I noticed blooming flowers and the drainage below the roadway. We stopped to check out a cattle tank to see if bullhead fish were still swimming in its confines. They were. Jim showed us how to change a tire. His sidewall had broken and the tire had twisted off the rim to mangle itself. As always there was lots of advice and help. We were on our way to arrive at Middle March Road with no further adventures, as we ended the day’s run.

Did Lady Freedom and more driving experience make a difference? Indeed! What had seemed a goat trail in Miz Libby became a highway in The Lady.

Paul and I went into Tombstone to air up and to dine at The Top Of The Hill restaurant. Feeling relaxed we headed for home with a tired out puppy dog. As we drove up Ramsey Road we noticed a column of black smoke. Soon we were abreast of a large fire that was rapidly consuming a car, carport, storage shed and maybe a trailer. It was spreading into the brush. Paul and I are both retired from law enforcement so we stopped to help direct traffic. Before long five fire engines arrived to quickly put down the fire. Thankfully the propane tank did not explode and there were no injuries. Paul and I left for home as the last blush of sunset turned to ash. Paul commented, “you never get me home before dark!”