Scot45
06-27-2011, 07:40 PM
CRC (Chuck) and I went up Rocky Gap the backside last Sunday. Just wanted to give a heads up to everyone. The trail has changed significantly. Several times I actually found myself wondering if we were on the right trail. The rain really washed it out and it is far more challenging. Enough so I'd highly recommend stock do not do it unless they have some armor as a minimum.
A stock FJ or Rubicon will make it, but get sloppy and you will jack up a rim or hit a quarter panel. I used to do Rocky Gap in 4Hi the whole way. Not this time. I spent the majority of time in 4Lo with the center diff locked and still got stuck. Granted I was leading, the trail was new and I'm notorious for picking the crappiest lines. Never the less, it is a much more challenging trail. I pulled out two fullsize trucks on the red rock side who got stock in the super soft rock/gravel that has fallen down the mountain.
For the first time on this trail, I was stacking rocks. A lot of rocks. It was fun, but I would not go it alone, and I'd make sure to have a full set of recovery gear. I took a bad line and was a few seconds away from winching out until Chuck was able to spot me through. It was obvious a lot of trucks had been through there spinning out and digging holes. I trashed all four rims but who cares, they are painted stock rims and some day I will buy aftermarket rims. I will say thank god I have Budbuilt skids.
It was still a blast and I will post up when we go back, I want to run it down hill from the Red Rock side. Plan on maybe this Saturday or Sunday.
A stock FJ or Rubicon will make it, but get sloppy and you will jack up a rim or hit a quarter panel. I used to do Rocky Gap in 4Hi the whole way. Not this time. I spent the majority of time in 4Lo with the center diff locked and still got stuck. Granted I was leading, the trail was new and I'm notorious for picking the crappiest lines. Never the less, it is a much more challenging trail. I pulled out two fullsize trucks on the red rock side who got stock in the super soft rock/gravel that has fallen down the mountain.
For the first time on this trail, I was stacking rocks. A lot of rocks. It was fun, but I would not go it alone, and I'd make sure to have a full set of recovery gear. I took a bad line and was a few seconds away from winching out until Chuck was able to spot me through. It was obvious a lot of trucks had been through there spinning out and digging holes. I trashed all four rims but who cares, they are painted stock rims and some day I will buy aftermarket rims. I will say thank god I have Budbuilt skids.
It was still a blast and I will post up when we go back, I want to run it down hill from the Red Rock side. Plan on maybe this Saturday or Sunday.