We started the day on Lower Amado, with hopes of completing lower, middle and upper sections and then heading off to either Hidden Valley or Coyote Canyon before day's end. Was slow going on the lower section as more recent heavy rains flooded the arroyo and the boulder fields were even more formidable that seen only three weeks ago, and more sand and gravel washed away. Leroy Lints tore off a valve stem and the run slowed to a halt. After changing that tire, we successfully worked our way through the first of two nasty boulder fields, then paused as we all had to put our heads together and sort out the best line through the rougher section that came up next. After much discussion, Doug Elkins went first with his, picking a line to the right and got hung up off camber only inches from a sharp ledge on the passenger side. With the help of several spotters lots of back and forth he found a way through. Mike and Janet Crosby went next, going along the same line and had an easier time as the dodged the biggest boulder. Jonathan Rivera and Nikolai Mondragon went more to the left and banged their way though with lots of enthusiastic spotters helping. Ric Henry went further to the left with his long wheel based Gladiator and bounced his way through after a couple hangups and Leroy followed with similar results
More trouble surfaced as Doug's JK stalled and showed low voltage warnings on the dash. We worked our way up to the base of Pucker falls and all marveled at how intimidating the main waterfall looked and wondered at the fact many years ago, past club members had managed to climb over. After lunch, we started again with Doug the first to climb the hill up the Great Escape. Things went from bad to worse as the JK went into limp mode and flashed the check engine and many more ominous codes. Leroy went ahead and we hooked up a couple recovery straps and dragged Doug up the hill back to the Causeway. By now it was obvious the day was over and the mission shifted to getting Doug back to pavement. We took a break from wheeling and dug out an "erroneously placed" trial sign and relocated it to it's correct location at the start of Upper Amado. Fortunately, after letting the limping JK rest for a bit, Doug found the cooling off worked some magic and was able to start and drive again in two wheel drive back to the pavement, and then eventually home to Albuquerque without any further issues, with the group following in case any problems returned.
The day was not the adventure we had planned, but we managed to get in some challenging and exciting wheeling, and got in some practice on repairs and recovery. Many thanks to the group for their patience, flexibility and commitment to getting a fellow member back off the trail and home safely!
