NextStepDesigns

My own corner of the world

Off Roading Galleries

SCLR-Horsethief Flats : 11/1/2009 - SCLR New Member Orientation Run - Horsethief Flats We had a great group! Participation and turnout was excellent. We had quite a few New and/or Prospective Members in attendance. We had participants from as far away as Oxnard to the north and San Diego to the south. We also picked up a new member from Big Bear who happened to be at the Discovery Center looking for trail info! Many of these new members were driving LR3's or Range Rovers and Range Rover Sports, as well as a few Disco's and a Classic. We also were very glad to see some of the clubs' long time members in attendance, including Paul von Klosst-Dohna in his super clean low mileage D-90, Hugh Wilton in his lightweight Series 109 open top, and Colin & Andrea in their thoughtfully and purposefully well set up (and rare) manual Disco 1. The SBNF granted us permission to use their ampitheatre at the Discovery Center, and that worked out pretty well. We had our orientation lecture there (I really need to work on making that shorter!), and then we headed out for the trail head. With this many vehicles, FRS communications were challenging, but were effectively accomplished with the help of Club President Omid Tebyani and my tail gunner, Chris Bradley. Thanks also to Colin who is also a HAM operator, ensuring that we had tip to tail comm's The trail was great. It had changed significantly since my last run on it less than 2 months ago. It was considerably more interesting this time around. I am really impressed with how well everyone did. Though it took a bit longer than anticipated to get to our lunch spot, we certainly all had something to talk about! The rocks, ledges, loose scree, hair pin switchback turns and off camber gulleys and 1,000' drop off were well suited to keeping our driver's focused on their precision driving skills The logistics of such a large group meant that I wasn't able to give the personal assistance to each member as much as I'd like, but many others stepped in to help, and I am very appreciative to Scott Horsley and Tawfik Benabdeljalil for their assistance in helping get everyone back up the rougher parts of that hill. I really enjoyed having Paul with us on the trail again. His calm, patient, humorous approach to the days challenges were an excellent example for us all. Paul's knowledge gained having owned nearly every type of Land Rover ever built was very helpful and welcome as well! Hugh's 109 was very lightly loaded, and consequently was a bit bouncy in the rocky bits. Sufficiently so, that he loosened the U-bolts on his spring perch enough to cause the locator pin to shear off, which caused his axle to rotate back about 6" on one side! We did a temporary field repair, then Paul assisted again by keeping Hugh under tow until we reach the trail head. Thanks also to John & Yoko for having a well stocked Rangie with all the tools we needed. In the end, I think everyone had a good time. I know that my family and I certainly did. It was a long day, but the trail was a nice challenge, and its always nice to explore new areas. Thanks SCLR, for another fine adventure.

SCLR-Horsethief Flats

11/1/2009 - SCLR New Member Orientation Run - Horsethief Flats We had ...

Updated: Nov 02, 2009 10:39pm PST

2N17X : Just a quick run with SCLR.org up 2N17X and Willow Creek trail into Arrowhead

2N17X

Just a quick run with SCLR.org up 2N17X and Willow Creek trail into Ar ...

Updated: Sep 27, 2009 11:20am PST

Government Peak & Randsburg : SCLR.org had a trail run hosted by Frank Buddenbrock, running up Government Peak, north to Randsburg for lunch, then northwest up through Goler Gulch, westward to Burro Schmidt Tunnel, then Last Chance, then up to the Dutch Cleanser talc mine. It a very nice day, with 8 rigs carrying new and old friends alike.

Government Peak & Randsburg

SCLR.org had a trail run hosted by Frank Buddenbrock, running up Gover ...

Updated: Sep 11, 2009 7:38am PST

Mojave Trail - 2009 : On a beautiful weekend in mid-March 2009, my 7 year old daughter Megan and I (along with a small group from MJR) took our Land Rover LR3 on the famous Old Mojave Road. Using Dennis Casebier’s wonderful and educational trail guide, we set out on our grand adventure. Unlike most modern trail books, this one purposefully does not use GPS coordinates. Instead, this book navigates you through history, referencing key landmarks and a system of rock cairns along the trail to lead the way. I loved it! for a full write up of our trip, visit: http://blog.nextstepdesigns.com/?p=84

Mojave Trail - 2009

On a beautiful weekend in mid-March 2009, my 7 year old daughter Megan ...

Updated: Mar 24, 2009 11:17pm PST

Bradshaw Trail : The first weekend of February 2009, six hardy adventurers and their friends and family set out on the historic Bradshaw Trail. The trail was created in 1862 by William Bradshaw following an old Chumash Indian route through the southern desertland of the Chuckwalla Mountains. The Bradshaw Trail was established as a “shortcut” for miners and prospectors from Los Angles who were racing to La Paz, Arizona upon the discovery of gold. Around 1877, the gold in La Paz panned out, and the trail fell into disuse, but for reasons unknown, the BLM maintains it to this day and it is in excellent shape.

Bradshaw Trail

The first weekend of February 2009, six hardy adventurers and their fr ...

Updated: Feb 09, 2009 5:09pm PST

SCLR - Nighmare Gulch & Last Chance Canyon :

SCLR - Nighmare Gulch & Last Chance Canyon

Updated: Jan 25, 2009 8:35pm PST

SCLR - Cleghorn New Member Run - Nov 08, 2008 : Southern California Land Rover's "New Member Orientation" autumn trail run once again proves very popular! We had a total of 18 trucks on the trail, and we all had a blast.

SCLR - Cleghorn New Member Run - Nov 08, 2008

Southern California Land Rover's "New Member Orientation" autumn trail ...

Updated: Nov 30, 2008 12:06pm PST

SCLR - Nightmare & Last Chance Canyon :

SCLR - Nightmare & Last Chance Canyon

Updated: Nov 24, 2008 7:24am PST

SCLR - Papoose Flats : SCLR hosted a trip to the scenic & historic Papoose Flats, located at around 8,500 elevation, just east of Big Pine. Along the way up the 395, we stopped at Fossil Falls and Red Cone for a bit of site seeing. We had beautiful weather, and a great group of friends from the Club. 10 trucks total, and about 26 people. A very pleasant weekend...though a bit smokey on day 2!

SCLR - Papoose Flats

SCLR hosted a trip to the scenic & historic Papoose Flats, located at ...

Updated: Jul 11, 2008 7:54am PST

SCLR New Member Run - Cleghorn - May 2008 : This spring's Southern California Land Rover (SCLR.org) "New Member Orientation" trail run was a lot of fun. We had 16 new members explore the scenic Cleghorn Trail, many of them venturing off road for the very first time!

SCLR New Member Run - Cleghorn - May 2008

This spring's Southern California Land Rover (SCLR.org) "New Member Or ...

Updated: May 11, 2008 3:19pm PST

SCLR New Member Run - Cleghorn Trail : Southern California Land Rover's "New Member Orientation" trail run experienced a very nice departure from our typical SoCal weather - it was cold and snowy! We had a total of 18 trucks on the trail, and we all had a blast. Note: we were very conscious of not rutting out the trail due to the wet conditions. Other than the unexpected mud from the thawing earth and melting snow, the Cleghorn trail handles water extremely well. In fact, many areas of the trail were easier than normal thanks to the damp soil.

SCLR New Member Run - Cleghorn Trail

Southern California Land Rover's "New Member Orientation" trail run ex ...

Updated: Dec 10, 2007 7:34am PST

SCLR Explores Nightmare Gulch-2007 :

SCLR Explores Nightmare Gulch-2007

Updated: Nov 20, 2007 6:37am PST

Nightmare Gulch - Oct 2007 : Oct 2007 pre-run for SCLR.org. Just three Land Rover LR3's and one nice Jeep to check out the status of this trail and make sure it's still passable.

Nightmare Gulch - Oct 2007

Oct 2007 pre-run for SCLR.org. Just three Land Rover LR3's and one ni ...

Updated: Oct 22, 2007 11:59pm PST

Coyote Flats - Inyo Mountains : A weekend SCLR.org camping trip into the Sierra Mountains just west of Bishop, CA.

Coyote Flats - Inyo Mountains

A weekend SCLR.org camping trip into the Sierra Mountains just west of ...

Updated: Jul 02, 2007 2:10pm PST

Rattlesnake Canyon : June 24 SCLR.org trail run led by Amit. Map of run: http://tinyurl.com/yoogbq

Rattlesnake Canyon

June 24 SCLR.org trail run led by Amit. Map of run: http://tinyurl.com ...

Updated: Jun 24, 2007 10:38pm PST

DeathValley - PreRun for RR7 : In preparation for the annual Rover Rendzevous gathering, Bill Ruttan and I pre-ran a number of trails. The photos in this gallery are of Cottonwood Canyon, Lookout City, Manely Pass, Fish Canyon, Furnace Creek, the Charcoal Kilns, and Panamint Springs Resort, taken April 7, 2007

DeathValley - PreRun for RR7

In preparation for the annual Rover Rendzevous gathering, Bill Ruttan ...

Updated: Apr 15, 2007 11:11pm PST

Cleghorn - SCLR New Member Trail Run : For SCLR's Annual New Member Orientation trail run, we held an "outdoor classroom" session, then broke the 20+ trucks into two groups and proceeded up the Cleghorn Trail. Accompanying the group was Marni Woods in a loaner vehicle (2007 Jeep!). It was a very fun day, but as one of the Trail Leaders, I didn't get to shoot as many photos this time around....

Cleghorn - SCLR New Member Trail Run

For SCLR's Annual New Member Orientation trail run, we held an "outdoo ...

Updated: Mar 26, 2007 11:41pm PST

Calico - Doran Canyon : Recently a group of Land Rover enthousiasts from several different clubs got together and tackled the knarly trails of Calico. We had 12 Land Rovers as diverse as 1990 Range Rover Classics to a 2006 Range Rover Sport, and nearly everything in between.

Calico - Doran Canyon

Recently a group of Land Rover enthousiasts from several different clu ...

Updated: Mar 09, 2007 1:39am PST

North Coyote Canyon : A private outing with Nate Kennedy (www.neight.net) at Anza Borrego's North Coyote Canyon. At one time, this was a challenging trail, rated 7 out of 10 for difficulty, but it recently been graded, and now it's just a wide dusty road. Still pretty though.

North Coyote Canyon

A private outing with Nate Kennedy (www.neight.net) at Anza Borrego's ...

Updated: Feb 19, 2007 9:26am PST

Joshua Tree - LR3 Scramble : December 2006 - a few LR3 owners braved the elements and headed up into Joshua Tree National Monument. We entered from the south through Berdoo Canyon, then headed east across Paradise Valley, and up Old Dale Road to the Brooklyn Mine trail. It was a great little day trip. Thanks guys!

Joshua Tree - LR3 Scramble

December 2006 - a few LR3 owners braved the elements and headed up int ...

Updated: Dec 28, 2006 5:51pm PST

Nightmare Gulch - SCLR 2006 : SCLR.org club run through Nightmare Gulch, in the Red Rock Mountains National Park. Very cool place! Check out my friend Omid's photos of this same trip: http://tinyurl.com/temob

Nightmare Gulch - SCLR 2006

SCLR.org club run through Nightmare Gulch, in the Red Rock Mountains N ...

Updated: Dec 17, 2006 10:23am PST

Wildomar - SoCal : Just a quick run to the local ORV park in South Orange County, known as Wildomar off the Ortega Hwy (74). Adam Spiker and his Range Rover Sport, my LR3, and new friend Gustaf Kupetz out for the day.

Wildomar - SoCal

Just a quick run to the local ORV park in South Orange County, known a ...

Updated: Nov 19, 2006 9:15am PST

Moab - LR National Rally - Day 5 - Fooling Around : On the last day in Moab, none of the SCLR group could decide what trail to hit, so we made our own itenary, and just fooled around in the Lions Back, Hell's Revenge, and Fins N Things area (Sand Flats), and had a great time. Adam & Joe did Lions Back, we found a mud hole, took lots of breaks, repaired a break, etc.... One of the most enjoyable days for sure!

Moab - LR National Rally - Day 5 - Fooling Around

On the last day in Moab, none of the SCLR group could decide what trai ...

Updated: Nov 15, 2006 3:01pm PST

John Bull Trail - SCLR and TTORA : Friends from the Toyota FJ Trail Teams got together with a few members of TTORA and SCLR in joint effort on the famous John Bull trail near Big Bear Lake.

John Bull Trail - SCLR and TTORA

Friends from the Toyota FJ Trail Teams got together with a few members ...

Updated: Nov 12, 2006 10:09am PST

Moab - LR National Rally - Best of Moab : These photos are amoung the best one's I've taken during the recent trip to Moab, or were taken by friends including Dave Lucas, Joe Nosal and John Gadd. These photos are all available in high resolution format, and are available for printing directly through SmugMug. Or, if you would like an high-res electronic version, please email me at "nathan" AT "woodsfamily.cc" - Thanks for your Support!

Moab - LR National Rally - Best of Moab

These photos are amoung the best one's I've taken during the recent tr ...

Updated: Oct 16, 2006 5:56pm PST

Moab - LR National Rally - Day 5 - Lions Back : Adam Spiker (Range Rover Sport) and Joe Nosal (DII) tackled the mighty Lions Back on our last full day in Moab....

Moab - LR National Rally - Day 5 - Lions Back

Adam Spiker (Range Rover Sport) and Joe Nosal (DII) tackled the mighty ...

Updated: Oct 05, 2006 8:41pm PST

Moab - LR National Rally - Day 1 - The Drive : Four Land Rovers made their way from Southern California to Moab Utah for the annual Land Rover National Rally. The trip was a little longer than planned, requiring FOUR stops along the way for roadside repairs. Ultimately, we all made it, and witnessed some beautiful country. Today is our first day on the famous Moab trails. Should be a blast!

Moab - LR National Rally - Day 1 - The Drive

Four Land Rovers made their way from Southern California to Moab Utah ...

Updated: Oct 05, 2006 8:41pm PST

Moab - LR National Rally - Day 2- Top of the World : Day 2 of our Trip to Moab, Utah for the Land Rover National Rally. The rally hasn't started yet (Check in is this evening), but there are hundreds of Land Rover people milling about town, so I arranged to meet up with John & George from Chicago to take us to the Top Of The World trail in their LR3. Afterwards, we checked in on Adam Spiker who is staying at the posh & very pleasant Sorrel Canyon Ranch, base camp for the Land Rover Experience events in Moab every year...

Moab - LR National Rally - Day 2- Top of the World

Day 2 of our Trip to Moab, Utah for the Land Rover National Rally. Th ...

Updated: Oct 05, 2006 8:40pm PST

Moab - LR National Rally - Day 3 - Klondike Bluffs/Arches : Our first offical Solihull Society trail run day. We met early at the staging area, lined up behind the trail leader for which ever trail we wanted to participate on, had a quick pep talk, then hit the road to the trail head. Today's destination, Klondike Bluffs and Arches National Park. Rated a 3 (out of 5), this is an easy trail, but goes through some beautiful country.

Moab - LR National Rally - Day 3 - Klondike Bluffs/Arches

Our first offical Solihull Society trail run day. We met early at the ...

Updated: Oct 05, 2006 8:40pm PST

Moab - LR National Rally - Day 4 - Fins N Things : My second "offical" trail run was hosted by Ralph, of the Solihul Society, and he took us on the extraordinary & fun "Fins-N-Things" trail.

Moab - LR National Rally - Day 4 - Fins N Things

My second "offical" trail run was hosted by Ralph, of the Solihul Soci ...

Updated: Oct 05, 2006 8:40pm PST

Moab - LR National Rally - Day 4 - Activities : Here are a few photos of the Vendor show and the highly entertaining "Smash a Car" event held at the Moab Land Rover National Rally.

Moab - LR National Rally - Day 4 - Activities

Here are a few photos of the Vendor show and the highly entertaining " ...

Updated: Oct 05, 2006 8:39pm PST

Pismo Beach with SCLR.org : Photos of SCLR.org's annual trip to Pismo Beach, in Oceano, CA, led by Quinten Kulh. Additoinal photos online here: http://www.discoweb.org/pismo2006/

Pismo Beach with SCLR.org

Photos of SCLR.org's annual trip to Pismo Beach, in Oceano, CA, led by ...

Updated: Aug 30, 2006 5:34pm PST

Cleghorn Trail - MVE Office Party : Far too many people in my office have shiny new 4x4 SUV's that have never seen dirt. Being unable to watch them deprive their trucks of much needed dirt, dust, rocks and sunshine, I organized a little 4x4 training day for my office. Here are a few photos....

Cleghorn Trail - MVE Office Party

Far too many people in my office have shiny new 4x4 SUV's that have ne ...

Updated: Jul 11, 2006 12:58am PST

Last Chance Canyon : SCLR hosted a two day trip through the Mojave (Jawbone Station) all the way to Lake Isabella. We started out Saturday through Last Chance Canyon (my first time there), then did some Baja style wheeling to the north (watching Joe Nosal catch 5 or 6 feet of air off the bumps in his DII), went up and over the scenic Bird Spring Pass, transitioned abruptly into Sierra county and dropped down into the Lake Isabella area. This gallery is the Last Chance Canyon portion of the trip.

Last Chance Canyon

SCLR hosted a two day trip through the Mojave (Jawbone Station) all th ...

Updated: Jul 05, 2006 11:11pm PST

Joshua Tree - SCLR 2006 : Joshua Tree in the summer… A group from Southern California Land Rovers packed up gallons and gallons of water and sun block and headed into Joshua Tree National Park for two days of adventure. We had 12 trucks and triple digit temperatures on the first day, as we made our way into the park from the south through Berdoo Canyon. We lunched at Squaw Tank at the south end of the Geology Trail. From there, the majority of Rovers headed home to cooler temperatures. Five stalwart Rovers remained for camping and Day 2, the trek to the Brooklyn Mine Jeep trail. Read the photo captions for more….

Joshua Tree - SCLR 2006

Joshua Tree in the summer… A group from Southern California Land Rov ...

Updated: Jun 25, 2006 10:36am PST

Main Divide - 2006 : A group of Rovers got together via www.DiscoWeb.org and hit the Main Divide trail in the Cleveland National Forest, Southern California. Note: The later half of these photos are a little off. My camera got bumped and went to shutter priority mode, so the images are a bit overexposed and blury. I saved what I could in PhotoShop, but.....

Main Divide - 2006

A group of Rovers got together via www.DiscoWeb.org and hit the Main D ...

Updated: Jun 13, 2006 8:19am PST