Went out to the coves yesterday afternoon with about 8 other Jeeps. Had a great time. It is getting too hot to be running with no doors though! The kids took a swim in the lake to cool off.

Here are some pics:
http://picasaweb.google.com/randall.taylor/ButcherJones0508

What a great day yesterday. The weather in AZ is unusually cool for this time of year and we took advantage of it. Went with a group of 4 and we ran Upper Woody and came out via Box Canyon. We were 3 for 4 on Geocaches. Got home in time to grill some burgers and have a few cold ones.

Video link to Yelacon getting some hang time!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LZP9nSx_2fw

Vehicle ban set for desert park

Sonoran Desert swath extensively damaged
141 commentsby Ginger D. Richardson - May. 13, 2008 12:00 AM
The Arizona Republic


Starting next month, a huge swath of the Sonoran Desert National Monument, one of the state's most prized parcels of public land, will be closed to off-road enthusiasts.

The federal Bureau of Land Management is banning all vehicular traffic, including motorcycles and all-terrain vehicles, from 55,000 acres of the popular desert wilderness because of extensive environmental damage.

The closure is expected to last two to three years. During that time, the area, which includes nearly 89 miles of vehicle routes, will be open only to hikers and equestrians.

Land-use officials and conservationists say the action is necessary because reckless riders have torn up the soil, ripped up the native plant cover and marred the desert landscape with illegal dumping.

"There are places in this closure (area) that look like a moonscape because the recklessness of these vehicles has been so extensive," said Daniel Patterson, Southwest director for Public Employees for Environmental Responsibility. "There is no plant life there at all."

The Sonoran Desert National Monument encompasses nearly 500,000 acres of public land about one hour's drive southwest of Phoenix. It is home to three congressionally designated wilderness areas, archaeological and historic sites, and a trio of mountain ranges.

The number of visitors to the area skyrocketed with the population growth in nearby communities like Gila Bend and Maricopa.

Land officials say they hope to restore the habitat by evening out the vehicle tracks and planting new vegetation.

"Basically, much of what we do is manual labor, hand labor, because we don't want to use equipment that will cause more damage than it actually repairs," said Karen Kelleher, acting field manager for the BLM's Lower Sonoran Office.

They also plan an extensive public-education program and are developing a future land-use plan designed to both improve recreational opportunities and minimize future environmental problems.

News of the coming ban was not a surprise to off-road enthusiasts. Don Hood of Cave Creek is vice president of the Arizona Off-Highway Vehicle Coalition. He said his organization understands that a lot of damage has occurred in the desert area south of the Valley.

"The explosion of off-highway vehicles has led to an increase of people out there who think this is just a game," Hood said. "They don't know the rules, they don't know where to go, they don't know right from wrong, because no one has ever taught them."

The new ban brings with it stiff penalties. Those who violate the order by heading into the closed area with a motor vehicle could face a $1,000 fine and up to one year in prison, said Pamela Mathis, public-affairs specialist for the BLM. Recreational users who are found to have caused damage to the area's resources could be hit with up to $100,000 in fines.

The ban is expected to take effect in mid-June, or 30 days after the BLM's order is published in the Federal Register. That publication is expected on Wednesday.

Looks like a couple of easy / just to get out of town runs coming up. It is starting to get hot here in Phx, over 100 for sure.

I have been practicing best use of space in the TJ. Hard to do after having an XJ far so long. Been looking at trailers and racks and other options to be able to carry more stuff.

Here is what is coming up for us!

5/17 - Camp Verde
This will be a trip to Camp Verde up to the rim country on a few different easy trails in the Massey book. The trails are Cedar Flat Road, Home Tank Draw and 2 short trips to Apache Fire Lookout and Mullican Canyon.

5/24 - Ham Radio Night Run
GAS PIPELINE TRAIL Black Canyon City to Table Mesa Rd.

6/7 - Blue Balls Run
Camping on the high country with some jeeping buddies. Various trail runs up to 3.5

6/28 - Cinders
Camping at Cinders ORV Park outside of Flagstaff.

10/3
Canyon De Chelly - 4 days! Whoo Hoo!