Bobby Hank
Well-Known Member
- First Name
- Robert
- Joined
- Oct 14, 2023
- Threads
- 45
- Messages
- 691
- Reaction score
- 1,224
- Location
- Gulf Breeze Florida
- Vehicle(s)
- 2024 JL Wrangler Rubicon X 2D
- Occupation
- Educator
- Thread starter
- #1
We drove up to Munford , Alabama Friday afternoon after school let out, then hit the trails for the bulk of the day. We (my wife and I) did Forest Service Roads 600-2 and 600-1 backwards from the numbered waypoints on Trails Off-road. The reviews of the trails (rated 2-3 difficulty) said they were much more difficult than the rating, so I was excited to see what we could find, freak my wife out a bit, and see some beautiful unspoiled Alabama country.
I aired down for the very first time in 2 Jeeps to 18psi (brought along a ViaAir 88 which worked great. Set it on a towel when using it to keep the dirt out), and for the bulk of 600-2, I thought I had wasted my time. Then we hit the divide, where a road cuts through, and things got much more interesting. There was a road closed sign which we ignored, and the leaf cover was much more intense, showing very little traffic. Things got very rocky, and often the leaves covered said rocks for surprises and slow going. But the views down the mountain were beautiful. We caught up to a solo bicyclist doing the Eastern Divide Backpacking Trail (Newfoundland to Key West on as much off-road as possible) who told us he heard it was rough going ahead. He was carrying his rig at the same pace as we progressed in some sections. He was on hand (see pic) to help me scout my route through the most difficult challenge, which is a long section of washed out trail with a LOT of rocks, some big, some sharp, some that break under weight, and placed so that you can't straddle the gully easily (40" rigs w/spacers would have much less issue) or stay to one side. I did it all in 4WD High Part-Time and sway bar disconnected. Only once did I consider using 4WD low, but the next run (Late December plan) in the opposite direction I think I'll need it as that will be uphill and there will be a bit more washout by then. Luckily, when we got to the end of 600-2 the gate was open (there is a land dispute issue [I did have a bolt cutter and lock to replace any cut links]). The cyclist had gotten out in front of us by the time we reached the end, and had met a small group of more bicyclists. It was there that he complimented me on my driving ability, and another guy told me my Jeep was, in his opinion, a "Perfect Jeep", which put me over the moon after Jean-Louise (Jeep's name... JL, plus Extreme Scout [To Kill a Mocking Bird]) had done so well with the rocks.
600-1 is very scenic, great trail for that. The first part we did (going NE to SW) was again very easy, provided great spots to get out and relax, and then got nasty. VERY rocky, with a lot of the rocks hidden by fallen leaves, making the driver continually have to pick a careful line to avoid damaging the skids and other more important parts. Through it all, I managed to avoid and marks. I worked hard to avoid even scratches, and was surprisingly successful. My wife loved it. She makes a lot of noise, and was having fits as we reached heavy pitch and roll. Wish she had better pics and video of that, but she was holding on for dear life during the rough stuff. We were over 20 degrees roll several times, and I was glad to have the doors on to keep me in comfortably. Many short, sharp drops and climbs. I came away with more confidence in my rig's ability to negotiate obstacles and my ability to handle the wheel during same. Great pair of trails.
I'm stock with 1 1/2" lift, 33" tires, 2D, 3.6). If I had had issues I may have pushed for the 35's earlier than planned, but I do not see an immediate need. I cleared a lot of rough, high stuff that the 2013 Rubicon 4D (stock) would have scrapped for sure.
I aired down for the very first time in 2 Jeeps to 18psi (brought along a ViaAir 88 which worked great. Set it on a towel when using it to keep the dirt out), and for the bulk of 600-2, I thought I had wasted my time. Then we hit the divide, where a road cuts through, and things got much more interesting. There was a road closed sign which we ignored, and the leaf cover was much more intense, showing very little traffic. Things got very rocky, and often the leaves covered said rocks for surprises and slow going. But the views down the mountain were beautiful. We caught up to a solo bicyclist doing the Eastern Divide Backpacking Trail (Newfoundland to Key West on as much off-road as possible) who told us he heard it was rough going ahead. He was carrying his rig at the same pace as we progressed in some sections. He was on hand (see pic) to help me scout my route through the most difficult challenge, which is a long section of washed out trail with a LOT of rocks, some big, some sharp, some that break under weight, and placed so that you can't straddle the gully easily (40" rigs w/spacers would have much less issue) or stay to one side. I did it all in 4WD High Part-Time and sway bar disconnected. Only once did I consider using 4WD low, but the next run (Late December plan) in the opposite direction I think I'll need it as that will be uphill and there will be a bit more washout by then. Luckily, when we got to the end of 600-2 the gate was open (there is a land dispute issue [I did have a bolt cutter and lock to replace any cut links]). The cyclist had gotten out in front of us by the time we reached the end, and had met a small group of more bicyclists. It was there that he complimented me on my driving ability, and another guy told me my Jeep was, in his opinion, a "Perfect Jeep", which put me over the moon after Jean-Louise (Jeep's name... JL, plus Extreme Scout [To Kill a Mocking Bird]) had done so well with the rocks.
600-1 is very scenic, great trail for that. The first part we did (going NE to SW) was again very easy, provided great spots to get out and relax, and then got nasty. VERY rocky, with a lot of the rocks hidden by fallen leaves, making the driver continually have to pick a careful line to avoid damaging the skids and other more important parts. Through it all, I managed to avoid and marks. I worked hard to avoid even scratches, and was surprisingly successful. My wife loved it. She makes a lot of noise, and was having fits as we reached heavy pitch and roll. Wish she had better pics and video of that, but she was holding on for dear life during the rough stuff. We were over 20 degrees roll several times, and I was glad to have the doors on to keep me in comfortably. Many short, sharp drops and climbs. I came away with more confidence in my rig's ability to negotiate obstacles and my ability to handle the wheel during same. Great pair of trails.
I'm stock with 1 1/2" lift, 33" tires, 2D, 3.6). If I had had issues I may have pushed for the 35's earlier than planned, but I do not see an immediate need. I cleared a lot of rough, high stuff that the 2013 Rubicon 4D (stock) would have scrapped for sure.
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