On the Trail with Azquadrider-Coke Ovens 04-15-06
On the Trail with Azquadrider. We had yet again another excellent adventure. The adventure started out Saturday morning @ 7:00 Am. We met in Superior at the rest stop. Today's riders are Roy, Chad, Wild bill, Jeff, Jeff Jr, and me Azquadrider. The weather decided to give us a break as it was supposed to only be about 80 for the day. It was hazy almost like a foggy morning from the heavy winds the day before. Jeff and Jeff Jr had 2 brand new Suzuki 700 EFI quads that needed to be broken in and this was a good trail to do just that. There are good uphill and down hill climbs, as well as boulder fields and even a fun water crossing to see how the quads would handle. We headed out to the S side of town and did a short loop before heading to the Cabins at Martinez mine. There was one small hill climb that Roy was at before but had a rider in a Ridge runner that couldnt quite make it up the hill. The 1st test was no problem and now we were in new territory. Unfortunately this trail just looped back to the trail we started on, so we were off to the cabins. On the way we came across a large bull snake (I think) It was stretched across the trail and I almost ran over it because I didn't see it. I was trying to get my camera out and all of a sudden it took off. I grabbed it by the tail but it got away. I had it a 2nd time but it was already 1.2 way into a hole so I let it go. I just wanted a photo. Oh well Jeff sent me one to post. To bad he didnt get one of me on my knees trying to catch the snake. After a brief stop we were off to the Luge loop. This loop has some good boulder fields to test the 4x4's and the under side of any quad. All quads made it through with flying colors. Jeff did find out that using his front diff lock made a big difference. One time he was high centered and had 1 wheel in the air and couldn't quite get off the rock, but after throwing the diff lock the quad crawled over the boulders with no trouble.
We stopped at Silver bell mine to explore. Wild bill, Jeff Jr, Roy and myself went into the mine quite a ways. We took the 1st left and there is a ladder that goes almost straight up. I took off up the ladder with my flashlight. It got kind of narrow at one point, just big enough for me to fit through. I made it to the top, I would say about 200 rungs and the mine went to the left. I stopped where it went straight down or had a ladder hanging from the ceiling. It was an interesting climb back down to say the least. On the way out Wild bill found a new friend hanging from the ceiling. I have a couple of photos of him in the galleries. From here we continued to the top. What a view down the canyon. It is amazing how just a little rain greens up the desert. This is a steep, loose rocky trail. Not overly hard but not for novice riders. If you are not paying attention you could go over very easily. We proceeded down the Luge which was a non event this time because of all the traffic. It is not nearly as steep on the lip and the moguls are almost gone. I think the 800 & 400 Bombardier did the best as far as engine braking going down the Luge followed by the King quads. The 2 Polaris bring up the rear. Polaris has a long way to go on engine breaking as only the rear brakes and it wants to swap with the front on steep downhill. We did try the fix on the Polaris engine breaking. How this works is: as you are pointed downhill put your quad in reverse hold down the over ride button and spin the wheels. Now put it back in high but don't use the throttle or it will come out of 4 wheel engine breaking. It works pretty good.
Now off to the Coke Ovens. This part of the trip is where we started getting into quite a bit of traffic. Jeff was kind enough to switch quads with me to let me test his new King quad. I can't believe he did that with his brand new machine. That thing is sweet. It is plush like my Polaris 500 but has tons more power. It will even do wheelies with no problem. It was a zoo at the Coke Ovens with all the people so we didn't stay long. Roy had talked to some Atv riders in the morning that said there was no water in the Gila river so we would have no problem crossing S of the Ovens. NOT!!! The river was about 80' plus across and running fast. We werent sure if we should try it or not. I tried to talk Jeff into trying out the new 700 but he was having none of it. Roy to the rescue. He waded out into the river to see how deep it was. He crested at just below his crotch. As soon as I saw him starting to get shallower I jumped in and started across. The river would push you down stream as you tried to cross. It was about the level of the headlights. What a blast. Now for the easy part of the ride.
We continued on through a sand wash across the dam and onto the main road headed to box canyon. Along the way Wild bill and Chad came around a corner and ran over a rattlesnake. Chad said it was still heading for the side when he looked back. I was the 5th of 6 riders back in our group. As I was slowly coming around a corner a truck pulling a large enclosed trailer was on my side or the road. I got up against the 3' high bank and stopped. The jerk actually clipped my mirror he was so close and never slowed down. Roy said he ran him off the road as well. Along the way we passed lots of Atv's, and Ruv's with lots of little riders with no helmets or eye protection. In my opinion if a rider is over 18 and doesn't want to wear a helmet that is their business. I have no problem with that, but don't put your 3 year old kid in front of you on a quad without a helmet or eye protection and go blasting around blind corners. For the rest of the trip through Box Canyon I was going about 5MPH and almost got hit 3 more times. If you ride in this area please be extra careful.
What a great day with good friends. The King Quads did an excellent job. It is always nice to see someone get new toys and enjoy them.
Read MoreWe stopped at Silver bell mine to explore. Wild bill, Jeff Jr, Roy and myself went into the mine quite a ways. We took the 1st left and there is a ladder that goes almost straight up. I took off up the ladder with my flashlight. It got kind of narrow at one point, just big enough for me to fit through. I made it to the top, I would say about 200 rungs and the mine went to the left. I stopped where it went straight down or had a ladder hanging from the ceiling. It was an interesting climb back down to say the least. On the way out Wild bill found a new friend hanging from the ceiling. I have a couple of photos of him in the galleries. From here we continued to the top. What a view down the canyon. It is amazing how just a little rain greens up the desert. This is a steep, loose rocky trail. Not overly hard but not for novice riders. If you are not paying attention you could go over very easily. We proceeded down the Luge which was a non event this time because of all the traffic. It is not nearly as steep on the lip and the moguls are almost gone. I think the 800 & 400 Bombardier did the best as far as engine braking going down the Luge followed by the King quads. The 2 Polaris bring up the rear. Polaris has a long way to go on engine breaking as only the rear brakes and it wants to swap with the front on steep downhill. We did try the fix on the Polaris engine breaking. How this works is: as you are pointed downhill put your quad in reverse hold down the over ride button and spin the wheels. Now put it back in high but don't use the throttle or it will come out of 4 wheel engine breaking. It works pretty good.
Now off to the Coke Ovens. This part of the trip is where we started getting into quite a bit of traffic. Jeff was kind enough to switch quads with me to let me test his new King quad. I can't believe he did that with his brand new machine. That thing is sweet. It is plush like my Polaris 500 but has tons more power. It will even do wheelies with no problem. It was a zoo at the Coke Ovens with all the people so we didn't stay long. Roy had talked to some Atv riders in the morning that said there was no water in the Gila river so we would have no problem crossing S of the Ovens. NOT!!! The river was about 80' plus across and running fast. We werent sure if we should try it or not. I tried to talk Jeff into trying out the new 700 but he was having none of it. Roy to the rescue. He waded out into the river to see how deep it was. He crested at just below his crotch. As soon as I saw him starting to get shallower I jumped in and started across. The river would push you down stream as you tried to cross. It was about the level of the headlights. What a blast. Now for the easy part of the ride.
We continued on through a sand wash across the dam and onto the main road headed to box canyon. Along the way Wild bill and Chad came around a corner and ran over a rattlesnake. Chad said it was still heading for the side when he looked back. I was the 5th of 6 riders back in our group. As I was slowly coming around a corner a truck pulling a large enclosed trailer was on my side or the road. I got up against the 3' high bank and stopped. The jerk actually clipped my mirror he was so close and never slowed down. Roy said he ran him off the road as well. Along the way we passed lots of Atv's, and Ruv's with lots of little riders with no helmets or eye protection. In my opinion if a rider is over 18 and doesn't want to wear a helmet that is their business. I have no problem with that, but don't put your 3 year old kid in front of you on a quad without a helmet or eye protection and go blasting around blind corners. For the rest of the trip through Box Canyon I was going about 5MPH and almost got hit 3 more times. If you ride in this area please be extra careful.
What a great day with good friends. The King Quads did an excellent job. It is always nice to see someone get new toys and enjoy them.
