Calgary Jeep Association

General Forums => Chit-Chat => Topic started by: jandh on May 29, 2009, 08:11:42 AM

Title: Where should you go Offroading
Post by: jandh on May 29, 2009, 08:11:42 AM
Hey everyone, I was wondering if some of the more experienced members would be able to make up a quick list of all the common places to go offroading and be able to rate the difficulty for all us newer or curious people.
Just something simple like a rating on the 1 to 10 system, 1 being anyone with 4x4 can do it, and 10 being you'll never get you jeep back sort of thing.

Thanks in advance
this will help most of the noob's like me make the right choices when decideing where to go


Joel
Title: Re: Where should you go Offroading
Post by: Pookapotamus on May 29, 2009, 08:14:48 AM
what about 1 = the ford tempo can make it  10 = you'll need a front end loader to find your truck afterwards ?
Title: Re: Where should you go Offroading
Post by: joker on May 29, 2009, 08:42:28 AM
they purposly dont want us to know were to 4x4 till they know we will respect the trail, so i doubt CJA guys will tell you
Title: Re: Where should you go Offroading
Post by: Caddy on May 29, 2009, 08:48:00 AM
the closest areas are Mclean and Ghost.

thats the most detail you will get out of most guys until you "Prove" yourself.
Title: Re: Where should you go Offroading
Post by: jandh on May 29, 2009, 08:49:29 AM
I've heard that here before, but i was wondering on the more common ones that people already know of, like each trial in mclean creek - whiprous - Safari park - and so on.  not the "secret" places.

I do respect the CJA's reasoning behind sealed lips on offroading site's.
Title: Re: Where should you go Offroading
Post by: Ostego on May 29, 2009, 09:28:10 AM
Gotta go out on an adventure and find the good spots. ;)
Title: Re: Where should you go Offroading
Post by: jandh on May 29, 2009, 09:30:42 AM
I do somtimes - but farmers are quick with the pitchfork ;)
Title: Re: Where should you go Offroading
Post by: Ostego on May 29, 2009, 09:33:45 AM
Lucky its only a pitchfork, I get chased off my own 40 acres when I attempt to wheel in the pasture. :o
Title: Re: Where should you go Offroading
Post by: Spinalguy on May 29, 2009, 11:58:15 AM
The Ghost. Every legal trail is doable by any 4x4 with good rubber. Go out, have fun. Not alone.

Maclean. Check out map, do trails and see how you make out. Make sure you have recovery gear. Not alone.


Join a club. FWS or CJA. That is the way most of us found trails.
Title: Re: Where should you go Offroading
Post by: jandh on May 29, 2009, 01:41:30 PM
...

Join a club. FWS or CJA. That is the way most of us found trails.


Thanx, and yeah I plan on joining the CJA, just have to make sure i'm staying in calgary before making a comitment.
Title: Re: Where should you go Offroading
Post by: w squared on May 29, 2009, 03:14:54 PM
Thanx, and yeah I plan on joining the CJA, just have to make sure i'm staying in calgary before making a comitment.


The best bet is watch this forum (especially the "open runs") section for runs that match your schedule. Get out on some runs (JEEP 101 would be ideal, and Waytec does a great job of putting on an event that educates new folks), and then start attending some meetings. Third Wednesday of every month. Once the members get to know you, then you can look at joining the CJA.

By this time, three things will have happened.

#1. You'll know ifthe CJA is your kinda club.

#2. The CJA will know if you're the sort of jeeper that fits in here.

#3. You'll know if you're staying in Calgary.

Title: Re: Where should you go Offroading
Post by: jandh on May 29, 2009, 07:02:05 PM
Sounds like a plan, oh and I am already registered for the 101, and very much looking forward to it
Title: Re: Where should you go Offroading
Post by: Asia on May 29, 2009, 10:36:15 PM
Get a Gem Trek map of Bragg Creek and Elbow Falls, it includes the OHV trails at MacLean.  I started wheelin' solo (always better with a partner) by exploring the trails in a bone stock XJ and YJ with the stock Good Year Wrangler tires.  I always checked out obstacles on foot before I tried driving them, avoided obstacles if I could and turned back when I thought it was too difficult.  I went in relatively dry conditions, chose the best "line" and luckily I never got stuck on those early explorations.  I was able to complete several easy trails utilizing this method.  I then discovered the CJA and started going on runs with them, it was much better than solo: new wheelin' partners, group resources (winches), broad trail knowledge, camping trips, drinking around the camp fire, more difficult trails, building up the Heep, blah, blah, blah ...