Grand Junction Desert
We got done earlier than expected on Bangs Canyon because we hit the wet clay, so we decided to check out the Grand Junction Desert. It ended up being one of the highlights of our trip because it was so different from anything we've been on before. We'd all like to spend some more time here next time.
There were lots of people at the trailhead, hanging out drinking and watching the action. Robert wanted to go through the mud puddle on his way out, so we went on to the hills.
We played follow-the-leader all through the hills, up and down the sides and across the tops. By far the best part was down in the washes where we spent most of our time. You had to go very slowly and you could hear our tires rubbing on our fender flares the entire time. You can't get much more flexed than this!
We found a great spot where everyone got a big wheelstand. The area was surrounded by weird "alien plants" as we were down in between the hills. It was a little damp but not muddy.
We kept playing until the sun started threatening to go down, so we headed out. When we got back to the entrance Robert headed straight for the mud puddle. It was definitely deep and slick and there were times he was gunning it and barely moving. At one point he had to rock back and forth for awhile before getting himself free.
A big full-sized rig obviously made with this mud puddle in mind came up and looked like it was going to drive through it like it was nothing, but then it lost its rear drive shaft and it was stuck. The female passenger dug around in the mud until she found it as the driver hooked up a chain to his front bumper.
Robert tried to pull him out but the mud was slick and his Jeep wasn't heavy enough. Finally a big truck helped the guy out of the mud.
Robert was covered in mud and we had to drive home to Denver so we stopped by the car wash. After getting his Jeep clean he found out his tires had flexed so far into his fenders that they were both dented. He had also crushed his tail pipe a little bit (it's no longer round). The inside of his Jeep had a lot of mud in it still, but we headed for home.
This trail was a blast! I hope we get to do it again and spend some more time in the washes. You can't get flex like that anywhere else.
