A quick run was planned by Roger, Jerry and Jim for Sunday Morning. To test Roger’s new expanded springs and lockers and to test Jerry’s run notification plan. The plan must have worked. We had 12 or so vehicles turn up at Mustang Corners for the trip to Mansfield Canyon.

North of Patagonia is Mansfield Canyon, is a Class 3 run or could be almost a 4 if you take the hard ways.
The trail roughly winds up Mansfield Canyon going past many old mines and a couple of cabins and settlements. The first few miles were uneventful, just the rocky trail and boulder strewn wash. The first obstacle on the run is a small wash out or ditch; this crevasse about 4 ½ feet wide and 4 feet deep tested both articulation and traction, not to mention driver nerve. With your vehicle laid over at a sharp angle, you try to pretend that this side hill dosen’t faze you. Oh, did I mention the tree just over your head?
Most made it through, just showing lots of air. Then came the Toyota, the high lift jack standing in the back of the bed was a natural tree magnet and you guessed it, it nailed that tree. Everything came to a complete stop so fast that the front wheels of the little toy came off the ground. After numerous attempts at different angles, speeds and running starts and near turnovers, it was obvious to all that the jack wasn’t going to give in and neither was the tree. It was either get out the tools and take out the jack or hit the by pass. So with clutch smoking, I retreated and sadly did the by pass.

 Then came the waterfall, this small hazard is a short climb up slick rocks with large boulders and even BIGGER holes thrown in for fun. The fun begins when you try to get lined up to climb the rock ledge to avoid the metal mashing tower of a rock on the other side. If you’re not lined up just right, or you slip off the ledge, the rock monster will taste the side of your vehicle. Well, today it tasted at least 3. My Toyota was the worst casualty by far. Oh yea, did we mention the easy by pass around this one? For those less inclined to feed the rock gods there is an easier by pass with smaller rocks and lots of mud.After the falls was lunch break at the cabins. Nestled in the canyon are the remains of a small community, probably to service the mines in the area. Sitting in the shade of large trees a few building and ruins of out houses and water tanks are all that remains. They give a look back to what once was.
After lunch, the travelers started out on the upper half of the run. Now almost all in the canyon bottom, in the wash amongst the big rocks and boulders and mines that fueled so many dreams of riches for many miners so long ago. Near the top of the canyon is the last of the hard four wheeling, Mansfield Mine. There are many reminders of the big mine around. Old rail track, ore buckets, and lots of rusting boiler parts. This is the last of the 3 + four wheeling. Take the high road and watch those fool hardy enough to try to negotiate the low road through the tailing piles and rusty remains of the mine operations. A few tried to run the Gauntlet; some had to be strapped at the end to climb the last tailing pile out. And a couple others paid for the thrill with flattened tires.
With everyone clear of the obstacles, tires changed, it was up the mountain to another old cabin used by hikers and hunters as a place to escape the elements. Stocked with cold beer, table and chairs, pots and pans, and some food, it would make a great place to wait out nature’s fury.
At last it was getting late and time for the travelers to head for home. But the gods of four wheeling weren’t done yet. Mitch had to secure a wayward drive shaft. Some where along the trail, he sheared off the bolts holding the u-joints to the rear differential.
A quick stop to pull the rear drive shaft and we were back on the road. Once on the hard road it was clear that the locker in the front would make it impossible to drive the jeep home with just the front axle. So Jim hooked up the strap and pulled him home. At last, I’ll get rid of the hard luck award.