Holy Cross 2009 Trip Report
TRIP REPORT FOR: July 24, 2009 - Holy Cross
Once again God’s creation is an awesome place to play! To start the trip Randy Musselman led the group that was to camp from the Springs to the campsite around three miles up the Homestake Reservoir road. Later on in the evening Pete Johns arrived at the campsite. Everyone who camped enjoyed a roaring fire and the cool night air along a flowing stream.
Morning greeted us with clear skies and temps around 40 degrees. As we ate breakfast the remainder of the group arrived and we headed off to the trail around 8:35 AM. In total there were eleven vehicles that started the trail. We were the 3rd group to start the trail, so the early start was good. Soon after starting the trail Randy’s transfer case in his XJ started to give him some trouble. After some quick inspection we continued on our way. As we drove along the trail we were greeted with all of God’s beauty in the wild flowers and the surrounding countryside. Before long Randy’s transfer case would not allow him to continue. Randy decided to call it a day and head home instead of dealing with a crippling condition. On the obstacle before French Creek I took a hard line, slipped off, and needed to winch to clear it safely. Thanks to Doug and Michelynn for being my anchor. In the process of clearing the obstacle I contacted my rear driveshaft on a rock and twisted it like a pretzel. I was done! While I removed the driveshaft others in the club spotted the rest of the group up the obstacle. Thanks guys!
French Creek was next, so with some eating lunch and others snacking, the creek was crossed without many problems. The rest of the trail up to the town site was pretty straight forward except for the off camber spot that is proving to be a better challenge each year. I enjoyed the walk to the town site with some friends and ate some wild strawberries along the way. After the picture taking and exploring was done at the town site. We headed up to Cleveland Rock to watch other vehicles attempt this hard obstacle. We had only one taker to drive it, JD. Be sure to check out the videos showing JD going up and down Cleveland Rock. As we started up the trail rain made itself know and some decided to head back to camp and home. At Cleveland Rock there were two built Jeeps climbing the obstacle. One made it with some winching up the left side and the other ended up rolling trying to climb the wet slick rock on the left also. They winched the Jeep back over and up the rock leaving a pool of oil at the bottom. We helped them clean up the oil and then it was JD turn to try. He chose to take the line to the right/center. After some good attempts we pulled the cable and got him up. We thought about hiking to the lake but it was late in the day so JD turned around . I think JD preferred going up Cleveland Rock to going down! Being the good driver that he is he was able to descend the rock with no problem.
The trip back to camp was uneventful. Not much waiting at the creek. There was a built full size Dodge truck that just crossed the creek but in the process broke a lower control arm bolt. He moved to the side to inspect and fix. We did not have any hardware to help in the repair but his buddy did. We exited the trail with no further delays. At the bottom we ran into the Jeep that rolled at Cleveland Rock. Asked if all was ok. The engine was knocking a little due to low oil so I gave him two quarts of oil to get him to his trailer without blowing the engine. At the camp site all but two groups stayed the next night. Skot and Jodi, myself, Zac, Dale, my friend, and two of his sons. We enjoyed dinner, fire and conversation together.
The second night was much warmer than the first but we woke up to rain. The sun did come out which allowed us to dry our tents. Skot and Jodi departed to do some hiking and I started home on my front locked axle. For those of you whom never have had to drive this way it is NOT the preferred method! God is good and we made it home with no problems. Thanks for all who came and all for helping.
May God bless you and hope to see you soon.
Pete Johns
