I was hoping to get back to AOAA yesterday but when I sent out all my usual feelers earlier this week no one was available however serendipity intervened when a guy I met once a while ago shot me a text looking to go. Turned out to be a perfect day on many counts, first off it probably never got out of the 70s with low humidity & bright sunshine all day so it was really comfortable. Also there was a major event at nearby Rausch Creek (the annual Topless For Tatas charity event) which attracted mostly everyone so AOAA was empty, I don’t think we ran into another Jeep until the afternoon when we were on our way back to the trail head to leave, though there was no shortage of quads & dirt bikes. But maybe the best part was I made my first foray into the Western Reserve, a whole different section I hadn’t seen before. Not a lot of technical trails but incredibly scenic, kind of the perfect place to be if you’re just looking to leave civilization and spend the day in your Jeep. Got a little history/science lesson too, really looking forward to getting back to this area next time I have Kimberly with me, she can take the wheel all day & I’ll just enjoy the ride.
This spot is called the 'scenic lookout' on the map, very cool place:
this was one great opportunity to do something stupid, the peak of this hill on the right is almost a perfect point, clearing it even with a tt would not be possible, you're going to take a chunk with you when cresting the hill then it's straight down on the other side. Just for fun I took a run at it open & got about half way up before spinning to a stop (it's incredibly steep), took a second run with lockers & got the nose of the Jeep nearly to the crest before momentum was lost & I spun to a stop. I knew from the feel of it I could easily crest it with a bit more speed on run 3 but after climbing up & really looking at he crest I thought the better of it & left it alone, several scenarios (none good) went through my head as to how it could go bad
once again had to take the mandatory tourist photo op with the giant tires
I didn't get any pictures of the Whaleback, it wasn't accessible from the trail, you have to park and walk a bit. That's on the list for next time, bring lunch & go check that thing out.
This spot is called the 'scenic lookout' on the map, very cool place:
this was one great opportunity to do something stupid, the peak of this hill on the right is almost a perfect point, clearing it even with a tt would not be possible, you're going to take a chunk with you when cresting the hill then it's straight down on the other side. Just for fun I took a run at it open & got about half way up before spinning to a stop (it's incredibly steep), took a second run with lockers & got the nose of the Jeep nearly to the crest before momentum was lost & I spun to a stop. I knew from the feel of it I could easily crest it with a bit more speed on run 3 but after climbing up & really looking at he crest I thought the better of it & left it alone, several scenarios (none good) went through my head as to how it could go bad
once again had to take the mandatory tourist photo op with the giant tires
I didn't get any pictures of the Whaleback, it wasn't accessible from the trail, you have to park and walk a bit. That's on the list for next time, bring lunch & go check that thing out.
