KUMA's Adventure Thread

[KUMA]

About time I get my Adventure thread going on here...

Well guys here is the start of the new adventure thread, I went out on Monday with 3 other Xterra's all of which were 2nd Gen Night Armors ...and 1 jeep who was friends with one of the X owners. The plan was to go all the way around the Great Salt Lake. Here we all are meeting at the Flying J gas station in Tooele... From left to right maXTERRA, KUMA, Blind_Io, Sindicatex, and not sure the jeeps name.

After fueling up we headed for the bombing range, a military base that has 1 road through a live fire range (they close it off when they are doing runs with the jets), this is where we aired down

Next onto the causeway, we stopped to let a train past and it was sure freezing cold when it did

This picture was wayyyyyy over exposed so know that I played with it in photoshop just to show the scenery and liked the way it looked after

We stopped at the Pumps (these were built to move water from when the Great Salt Lake started overflowing one year back quite a number years ago and really haven't been used since... just every once in a while they fire them up and keep them ready)

While we were hanging out and resting for a bit a few of us talked out in the cold

We noticed they put huge amounts of grease in the sections where the cement is, dunno why really but wasn't tar like I thought it was originally

Just about to head out, we go north from here and head towards some cool look outs!

The first look out we got to was this little peak, I am starting to get better at the stitching pictures together... this is two pics I took and stitched together manually not bad without a tripod!

Over looking the Great Salt Lake which is very very low at this time!

I got a few shots of each the trucks like this but I figured I would show maXTERRA's custom bumper here

Next I switched to my zoom lense (55 to 200 mm) and snapped this of the little islands out there, it's interesting because this picture without any photoshop you can't see anything because of the bad inversion but with a little adjustment it looks amazing I think

Dog!

Looking back to your right you see The Newfoundland Mountains which is one of favorite places to explore and is pretty remote!

Next up to the next destination, here is Justin about to reach the turn off

Blind_Io looking at me like "What?"

Jeep caught up!

The grass was pretty golden it was really nice but still not much color out there... The sky looks great in the pictures but it was pretty gray in some areas.

Hanging out for a moment

These are Pathy rim's that are stealthed, I like it!

More pictures to come later!

 

[Jmac289gt]

Great pictures and good story to go along with them

 

[Macland]

Ahhh, to live vicariously through Kuma.

 

[Alpine Spirit]

Cool

 

[KUMA]

Thanks guys! I got more coming right now!

After climbing a nice accent we ended up on a huge hill where we parked and ate lunch...

This is the view we had of the northern part of the lake!

I walked down the trail and snapped this pic of the jeep so you can see how high up we are on this hill

Great shot of Blind_Io's rig

I really like this one in full size because everything is blurring but when I reduce the size it gets a sharper So maybe I will post a full size as a wallpaper for anyone who wants a generic background screen that says offroad.

After a nice little lunch we headed back down and on to the gator mountains I believe is what it is called... Snapped this one of maXTERRA at the top

Everyone following up

I know there isn't much scenery really in these pics and they are mostly the vehicles close ups but at this time of the year there's isn't a ton to really look at until spring

At the peak of the rocks was this nice little survey marker, Dave pointed out this was a place where an eagle likes to come and we could see fur around the area

This time this is the top of the lake which is now dry looking towards promontory point or golden spike.

Turned around and snapped a shot of my rig, I am really digging these lights but am going to drill new holes and move them back a bit when I start wiring them which may be this next coming saturday...

We got some nice dust

I like this pic

Finally we reached Kelton which use to be an old ghost town but not much is left just a few stones and an old graveyard

Yet another of my rig

Someone had brought out fake flowers and posted them around each grave area

Stay tuned, post more in just a moment!

 

[KUMA]

This was next to the entrance as you enter the fenced off area

William H.

A really old one that is almost gone...

Wood tomb stone

Most of this has been weathered so much you can hardly read it up close you have to stand back

All lined up ready to play

Thinking about submitting this as an XOTM?

Here is a fun picture for you guys, I really played with the lighting on this one

Close up of my spare tire, love the Duratracs!

I really like this pic at Elephant rock.

Just something while we were checking the code on Blind's truck

New found friends

By the way if you are wondering what Hammer Tone Powdercoating looks like up close here you go...

To end the day we aired back up and then headed to ATK to see their rocket display, they build a lot of the solid rocket motors for most of the NASA rockets and for most of our Military's missles such as the patriot missle I believe...

Quite a collection they have

I should send this one to them

I like this one because I caught the birds flying in a V north, I have noticed they are starting to fly north in January that is a not a good sign... seriously I have counted maybe 10 or 11 groups flying north just in the last week I guess we wont get much more of a winter in Utah

Crazy one

All in all a great day!

Welp until next time enjoy these pics

 

[KUMA]

Oops double post.

 

[AbuseTheElderly]

Nice, Kuma. Your adventure threads are always a pleasure to read and look at!

 

[Jmac289gt]

Very nice indeed, love to at least see that kind of scenery since I can't be there.

 

[civicjoe]

dude looks like i missed a blast, good thing i was sitting in a office!
Next time if its on a weekend maybe i can make it over.
Great photos.

 

[KUMA]

Hey Thanks guys! And yeah Joe I am looking forward to meeting you one of these days!

Alright guys back on the 18th we did the UXOC Annual Pony Express Trail! I just barely finished editing my pics and ready to post!

We started by meeting up in Saratoga Springs Chevron at 9 am!

That's a BIG rack!

After meeting up for a few minutes and arranging our CB channel we were off, after passing through faust and hitting our first dirt we pulled over to air down, total of 11 trucks. I went through and took a couple pictures. Here is Jtaoj!

I love the yellow but I gotta say for whatever reason they always photoshop a little differently from the other trucks.

Soon to be the first Titan Swamped X in Utah! Can't wait to see it come together

Back on the road we pulled over in at the pet cemetery to play around on pride rock, here is maXTERRA and his beast of a bumper

Everyone up at top taking turns and posing for some poser shots while we got the sunlight!

Rj's rig taking his turn!

Jtaoj went down a road down a road then turned around and came back up Rj who started to follow soon found himself running from the 5" of lift fury!

On the way back down the hill I stopped and snapped a few pics of various X's as they went down... Love the reflection!

We had 5 Night Armors, 4 Yellow, 1 Red and 1 Granite

I tried to pick at least one pic out of maybe 4 or 5 of each truck to post on here so you will see a lot of close ups, right now where the desert is still kind dull in color the most interesting thing on the road is the X...

Stock friendly

I like this one best of yellows and the blue sky!

We passed across the road for a few minutes to visit the cemetery before continuing on

Stopping at Simpson Springs for our lunch break, this for those who have been following the Josh Powell case is where he brought his two young sons to go camping in the middle of December the last night Susan Powell was seen.

Sweet angle shot, need to start taking more like these!

The mountains in the background are actually where you can find a Jet Engine up at the top after some hiking some distance, they are I believe if I remembering right the back of the Vernon Mountains.

We watched a helicopter flying low around the Simpson Springs area, I thought might have something to do with the powell case but looks they were rounding up wild horses however it was kind of weird how they went some where then came back later.

I swear I have taken a million pictures now of this building

This use to be a fun little area to drive up too, looks like there was a trail off to the right out of the picture that I have never been up and want to go check out sometime!

Not sure who's dog but it was sure enjoying whatever it was eating.

Lunch time!

UXOC stickers, we MAY possibly be selling some of these at goneMOAB if anyone is interested!

Pony Express Trail Run stickers, you get 1 for each year you have attended which for me would be 3 I believe but I don't put many stickers on my X so I opted for the UXOC and the big window decal you will see next!

Back window decal!

My dad and myself call these the Desert Zombies, we see them almost everytime we are out there. They will never look at you, they will never smile and they seriously just walk place to place. We think they are a group who actually lives out in the West Desert and travels around.

 

[KUMA]

After leaving Simpson Springs and just in time (Heeps pulled up!) we continued on to the summit entering the next valley and passing the Dugway Mountains. I snapped this one of the X's as they caught up.

Everyone lined up but I couldn't get most of the X's in view because of my angle.

Don't know why but 3 of the yellow X's and several of the knight armor just kind of took off and went, talk about anti-social... The rest of the veterans stopped at the summit to line up and relax for a second. We knew the day would go fast and it's more fun to visit various spots then to just drive the whole trail.

Snapped a pick of mine and maXTERRA's rear ends, gotta love rear tire carriers. Something about it just makes you about being a soldier packing your gear!

5 of us sitting, a few years ago when we did this we stopped here where it was foggy and snapped some awesome pics.

One of my favorite of my X!

Continuing on, might as well get the whole adventure out as much as possible tonight! We continued on into Fish Springs where we took a much needed potty break! After that we headed off a little ways to the natural hot springs, where there is a sunken bus and a lot of mud!

Muddy!

I like seeing the tread full of mud, makes it worth having a cross terrain tire!

I like this pic

Max aka maXTERRA's dog, definitely was intent on something

Leap frog!

Looking out across the way I could see a sign but not make it out until I snapped a pic and zoomed in, it says No Trespassing US Military Property

After a bit the slackers caught up Just kidding you two!

Turning around and heading out, spinning out in the mud!

We then headed off to a trail above the Utah Mine, it was a bit of a fun trail but very short

Lead us up to a nice over look of the valley below, we decided this would be a great chance for a photo session!

Looking around!

I like this one for some reason reminds me of Morridor

All lined up and ready to play!

One part of Utah Mine is visible here, I did take a picture of the other entrance but I just decided to post just this one

Next we headed on into Callao, a small light farming town! Didn't take any pictures of the place though I want too come back really badly and do some great black and white shots of the old builds and small wood structures around. I did however take a picture of the classic "Do Not Hump" sign on one of the box cars.

 

[KUMA]

Heading out towards Gold Hill I decided to take a picture of these mountains on the left, they are a bit interesting they look they have been split in half

So we took a wrong turn and went down Overland Canyon and met up with South Gold Hill Rd which lead us out just barely north of Ibapah. Here we stopped at the stop sign deciding which to head into Gold Hill or just head on in to Wendover.

We decided to do the Gold Hill visit as it is part of our usual adventure, here Jtaoj is taking off on the paved road

After a bit we got back into Gold Hill

I didn't switch out my zoom lense so most of these pictures aren't showing the full surrounding

Nice little spray of mud on the back of the X!

Here is probably the most photographed place of all times the main store in the heart of town which has sat abandoned for quite sometime

On the left side

Showing the full store

About ready to head back to Wendover to call it a day

Jtaoj flipping around

Next on our way back, I noticed one of the X's leave the main road that was Carson and his friends (awesome bunch of guys) went off on a different trail I got worried and tried to call on the CB but no answer, SyndicateX came back and we spoke for a moment he tried the FRS radio and no answer, I told him to go ahead and catch up to the group and I would go follow them to make sure they are okay. After about maybe 3 or 4 miles down the road and getting a little ways above Gold Hill city I found them at some pretty cool mines!

Stay tuned yet again for more Mine madness...

 

[KUMA]

After finding Carson and them I figured I would stay around and check the place out though I got to admit I acted a bit cautious not only because I didn't know them but also because places like this that are so close to town are probably still be worked or fresh enough that they can easy easily collapsed if not built by professionals. Safety first! Entering the first and main mine which only went a little ways in before seeing it had collapsed there was this spit jar with the lid on and full of yes... spit.

Main entry door

For those of you don't know much about mines they are extremely dangerous! My brothers, father and I have been contemplating joining a local group that does mine exploration, documenting and preserving of artifacts. But I didn't have any gear, no hard hats, no digging tools and no food or water on me so I was trying to be cautious of everything.

Towards the end looking back out at the trucks

Here is the collapse, I wouldn't say this was a very soft one notice the pillars are every direction, it was probably either intentional or vandalized.

Turn up and to the right was a bunch of stairs that were yet again collapsing down

Out at the top you come out under this tree

To the left of the tree was a huge part you could tell was collapsed roof... Doubt this one was intentional because of the shear size of the place

After climbing over the debri there is this hole which was maybe 30 feet deep but it went up as well I could see quite a few braces.

Back out front you can see the structures that were erected to separate materials

Here is the top view

Looking at the trucks

This thing was the size of my head if not bigger, looks small in the pic though. I wonder how many years it would take for that thing to rust into nothingness...

Two of the guys went off further down the trail after a bit it started to get dark so we hopped in the cars and rollover the next hill to view what was there and find them. We came out to the next mine, one across the way and one to the right which you will see next

Turning to the right you see the end of these tracks which is where material and rock is dumped

Keep in mind most of the mines around Gold Hill are prospects meaning digging deep and straight looking for signs of any rich materials, most of the mines are still being worked locally alot of people with nothing more then a pick axe and some manual labor!

This one went a bit deeper but was mostly just straight

At one point the rock changed, almost to a white fine rock.

At the end it just ends...

Going back up noticed quite a few of these, I don't know what they are but I imagine as you can see they look like battery terminals with corrosion similar to lead acid batteries so I am assuming some kind of blast charge.

Heading back up, notice the shims on the left! THIS IS A BIG RED FLAG! When you see shims like that it doesn't necessarily mean a strong support and who knows how old it is. It's not as old as we might think but it's enough it could still be dangerous.

Back out! You can see Gold Hill on the right hand side

Just an FYI I don't ever endorse going in mines, so if you do be cautious and don't touch things. Also like I said make sure you have had a hard hat, it's easy to take one to the head and carry water, protein bars and a mask. Most mines carry some heavy gases and some stuff that can be pretty harmful so don't risk it! I had a blast with Carson and his friends, as much as I worried about them being out their after dark and with a huge snow storm (supposedly forcasted for 8 pm at which time it was a little after 6 pm) I just wanted to get back to Wendover and make my long drive home! Well that concludes the adventure so until next time!

 

[idratherbe]

Awesome. Simply, Awesome.

 

[Kris&HerX]

Love it all Alex! Great job as always.

Kinda creeped out by the Desert Zombies though. I don't think I'd like to see those guys in person.

 

[KUMA]

Thanks guys and well I guess I should say guy and gal! Yeah the desert zombies are a bit weird and we see them all the time out there! My brother found a place where they had an alter and looked like some blood, not even joking with you! We think they actually have a religion and do animal offerings but I could be wrong it was just a creepy area!

 

[civicjoe]

Awesome as always Alex, the wife and I and the dogs will be at MOAb so im sure we'll meet.
Dont you know youre supposed to stay out of mines! Stay out stay alive! LOL
At least thats what they say around here

 

[Kris&HerX]

Thanks guys and well I guess I should say guy and gal! Yeah the desert zombies are a bit weird and we see them all the time out there! My brother found a place where they had an alter and looked like some blood, not even joking with you! We think they actually have a religion and do animal offerings but I could be wrong it was just a creepy area!

Did you find any fur? Because maybe they aren't JUST animal offerings. If I met someone who didn't talk or look at me I'd be worried that they're plotting a mass murder. No lols there.

Anyways, I hope to be out closer to this soon. Utah and the surrounding states look amazing!

 

[AbuseTheElderly]

Congrats Kuma, the first page of this thread crashed my work PC from all of the pics. Just as I was getting to all the new ones, lol. I'll just have to look at them from home.

 

[KUMA]

Hahaha sorry man! What I can say pics though large and quite a few of them make a good thread and that's a fact! It like a picture book or a magazine! Everyone knows you look at the pictures first then read once something captures your attention! Haha

 

[AbuseTheElderly]

No problem, it's a sure sign of an epic thread!

 

[xearth]

Nice shots man! I always enjoy updates on your trips

 

[KUMA]

Alright it has been a while and for good reason, just trying to enjoy summer a little and relax. I will soon be posting pics from goneMOAB! I just wanted to let everything die down but I will try keep post pics over the next few weeks to give an update for everyone too look forward too!

So lets start with my most recent adventure, went up to one of my favorite place in American Fork canyon and did Lake Forest Trail with a friend of UXOC. It was a gorgeous morning and crisp!

Stop at Tibble Fork reservoir to air down before hitting the dirt. The mountain in the background is Timpanogos.

The water is soo clear you can see the undergrowth...

Air down

This is Don's rig

Heading up the trail

It looks rocky but it's much worse then you might think

Stopped for a second and talked to a guy who owns Moab Outfitters, he was very nice and asked how we liked the Xterra's and a little bit about the locker.

Working our way up the trail snapped a few pics of Don climbing over a few rocks

I liked both these sooo much that I decided to use both pics. I love my 35 mm prime lense.

Even in late July the green is blooming!

This is almost at the top!

But first we would have to try and get around this... The jeep barely made it through with touching his side on the wall...

We found another way that had a stump in the way we tried to cut out but the wood was soo dense neither a saw nor an axe worked! We had to hug a tree, this after we squeezed past.

Finally we reached the top and setup for lunch next to the lake

Such a perfect day, we had lunch for an hour two in this spot!

I snapped this picture in the water its the reflection of the clouds!

Walked around the lake and looking around

The water was full of these! You would think that it's fish but nope!

Tiger Salamanders!

Butterfly's were out everywhere!

On our way down we took a nice little detour

I ended up snagging my rear diff on a rock and it started leaking. Didn't know until my brother pointed it out the next day, I bought a new BlueTorch Fab diff cover should be here this thursday!

I will post more up later!

 

[Timrich]

Nice pics as always Alex!

 

[KUMA]

Thanks Tim!

 

[Roadwarrior]

Dang Alex.. you always seem to outdo your photos.. Ever so impressive

 

[idratherbe]

Awesome pics as usual! I had a couple of those Salamanders as pets once. They lose the horns and move out of the water eventually. They were sold as "Water Dragons".

 

[KUMA]

Interesting I never knew that! I never see them out of the water up here!

 

[J Everett]

I used to sell them in the pet department at Wal-Mart when I was in college. Everyone calls them water dogs or mud puppies around here.

 

[Kris&HerX]

Mud Puppies. I've heard os those alot back home on the East Coast.

Great pics Alex! That place looks so serene and relaxing. I've got one in mind for POTM.

 

[Mr.Ed]

Nice pics, Utah looks amazing!!!!!

 

[OKXterra]

Great Pics!

 

[drbandkgb]

Sweet land man...

 

[xearth]

I'm sure this has been asked many a time and you are probably tired of answering, but what type of camera do you shoot with? What file format do you use? And what type of editing do you do post awesome photo shoots?

 

[KUMA]

Thanks guys, as for the camera it's a Nikon D5000, I shoot fine jpeg (for some reason my RAW format is messed up) but I try to always shoot at the lowest F-Stop I can, on this lense I was shooting mostly between 2.2 and 2.8 ISO low and always in Manual mode! I use Photoshop CS to do all my edits, I edit about usually 8 to 12 layers for each pic thats why it takes me sooooo long and why I haven't gotten the goneMOAB pics 100% finished yet. Just get sick of sitting at the computer 16 hours a day, I already work 8 hours a day at the computer. But don't worry I am going to start posting asap!

 

[Roninjiro]

Makes me want to move back to Utah... nice pics Kuma!

 

[xearth]

Thanks guys, as for the camera it's a Nikon D5000, I shoot fine jpeg (for some reason my RAW format is messed up) but I try to always shoot at the lowest F-Stop I can, on this lense I was shooting mostly between 2.2 and 2.8 ISO low and always in Manual mode! I use Photoshop CS to do all my edits, I edit about usually 8 to 12 layers for each pic thats why it takes me sooooo long and why I haven't gotten the goneMOAB pics 100% finished yet. Just get sick of sitting at the computer 16 hours a day, I already work 8 hours a day at the computer. But don't worry I am going to start posting asap!

Thank you much! I'm currently looking at DSLRs or something like the Sony Nex5N and was just curious. Thanks again for the insight

 

[drbandkgb]

Nikon is the way to go...
2nd pick would be Cannon... Sony is weak sauce in the SRL game to me..


I do like their pocket cams though

 

[xearth]

Yea, the Sony one isnt a DSLR its a new mirror less camera I'm contemplating. Used it a couple times but I'm still not sure if I want that over a DSLR