If you have more pictures of this run, please email them to administrator@arizonachristianwheelers.com to be included here.

A few of our members joined another group on a trail run they organized.  The group known as the No Club Club (NCC, http://myweb.cableone.net/khenson/ncc/ncc.html) scheduled a trip up Smiley Rock Trail.  Around 17 rigs were in convoy total, led by trail leader Michael Taylor and his CJ-8 Scrambler.  Everything from Cherokees, YJ’s, TJ’s, and the new Rubicon’s were present.  There was also a couple Toyota’s.  One of them was SilverBullet, the other was a late model Toyota Land Cruiser.  Our three members were in the back of the pack for the majority of the trail.

The day started off with a fair amount of rain as we progressed to our meeting location in Chino Valley.  Our group was a bit behind and had to catch up on Perkinsville Road due to a need to fuel SilverBullet.  Once we caught everyone, there was a stop for the usual airing down for those so inclined.

As we progressed up the trail, our convoy made progress mostly uneventfully, until in the streambed the Toyota Land Cruiser got wedged into a place which required some help.  After attempting numerous ways, including what finally amounted to 8 tow-straps hooked together to the nearest pulling vehicle, nearly everyone was stumped as to how to get him out.  When we are trying another approach to winch him out, a member of ACW got an idea and said those famous last words, “I want to try something.”  Well, his try worked, the Land Cruiser was freed and we all could move forward.

More progress and SilverBullet decided to “try something” and it ended in a huge “turn” of events.

As the truck climbed the rock on the passenger side, and was at the top, when the passenger side leaf spring unloaded all its force and pushed the truck beyond the point of no return on onto the drivers side.  The movement was very fast, and really, I was not sure what was happening until it was over, literally!

A winch was used to upright the Toy and all the fluids were checked, cylinders cleaned, and fluids substituted as needed to get out of the trail.  Aside form a lack of power from a slipping transmission (due to fluid loss), the Toyota had to progress slowely and carefully to make it out.  We only needed a strap once.

The remainder of the trail ride went with no additional incidents.  We all made it home and were safe.  The members of Arizona Christian Wheelers want to thank the NCC for allowing us to join them on their trail ride.

If you would like more information about the NCC, go to http://myweb.cableone.net/khenson/ncc/ncc.html