The DTC had decided to go do some GPS coordinates of some small trails we need to get into the trail inventory.  So Greg and I figured out where they were going and decided we needed to take care of this starting problem we had before venturing into the hills.

THe DTC members that headed out for the day were: Rayland and Corbin Bender in Rayland's 4-Runner, Mike Heitland rode with Cody Thorson in Cody's 100, Kent Renaud rode with Jeff Marrs in Jeff's brand new 4-Runner.  They headed out to GPS the bypass trail of Jake, they then madea  run through Sidewall, and they all made it without taking out a tire.  Next they stopped for lunch at the bottom of Dead Tree Draw where Greg and I met up with them.  The problem with Tigger was a dead optima battery which was quickly remedied at Chimney Canyon 4X4.

Poor TIgger had a tough time last year, he was parked due to severe steering problem that Greg had solved the day before, and as a result of sitting there lonely and neglected his battery up and died on us.  But, we got him up and running and raced out into the Hills.  We made a judgement call that we should meet up with the crew somewhere near Dead Tree Draw, and our judgement was correct.

The tricky park was they were having lunch when we raised them on the CB and we said to stay there we were coming down.  Someone didn't get the message and we met them half way.  Dead Tree is a very narrow trail, so the turn around for Tigger was a little bit tricky, it might have been easier if Tigger was locked.

So, after the big turnaround we nead back up the draw, and through the woods on our way to Raspberry Ridge.  This trail can be tricky with a little snow on the groud, but today it was not a problem until Rayland slid off a rock onto his rock sliders.  I guess that is what they are for.  With a little jacking and winching he was finally free.  Off we went over the Whoopies.

The rest of the trail was a nice ride through the woods, with little or no trouble.  Except for that last really steep hill.  The further back in line you were the slipperier it got.  Thank God for gears in Tigger, he kept trying to take the same slippery lines as the rest.  The others weren't blessed with a manual tranny, and brakes on a snow covered hill did not make it any less slippery.

I'm so glad we got Tigger running because there is nothing like going out in the Hills on a beautiful winter day.

                                                                                                                       Rhonda Mumm