- Location
- Grand Junction, CO
We were lucky enough to get invited to to the 'Warn Fans' Trail run to Flat Iron Mesa Trail on Monday. They did a very limited drawing on FB and while I entered in the contest, I wasn't chosen.... but @Hickey was! Unfortunately due to a last-minute change in his work schedule he wasn't able to attend and asked if I could go in his place... the good folks at Warn said Yes! It's been YEARS since I've done an organized run during EJS and was excited to have my wife along for the run. Flat Iron Mesa has some amazing views all along the way with the La Sal mountains looking over Kane Springs Canyon on the north, Hatch Wash Canyon on the west.
We spent the day with a pretty big group and quite a variety of vehicles, Jessi Combs in her Stock Class winning King of the Hammers Jeep JK (named Goldie Rocks), Shannon Campbell in his latest rock crawling car (solid front axle, GM LS front engine, mazzive Nitto tires, Warn Winch of course). Warn had several company vehicles along for the ride including the iconic AEV Brute 4 door JKU truck on big BFG KM2 tires, with an even bigger wheel-base. There was also a brand new Jeep JL sitting on 35's and outfitted with Warn bumpers and a Warn Zeon winch. In addition to those rigs, there were a couple of highly modded Flat Fenders, the famous Oklahoma Tornado Jeep, and many others.
The chute was a steep climb, about 25' high overall that has a couple ledges on the way up, with the steepest being the last one. There is a bypass, for those not interested in defying gravity. The shorter wheelbase rigs were getting pretty light in the front at the very top and their rear axle was still trying to climb a pretty steep ledge at the same time. Most gave it a few tries, got a bit light then opted for the winch. It was pretty fun to watch the team from Warn doing what they know.... recovery! They had a system and worked quickly getting the big group up this nasty climb, one by one.
We spent the day with a pretty big group and quite a variety of vehicles, Jessi Combs in her Stock Class winning King of the Hammers Jeep JK (named Goldie Rocks), Shannon Campbell in his latest rock crawling car (solid front axle, GM LS front engine, mazzive Nitto tires, Warn Winch of course). Warn had several company vehicles along for the ride including the iconic AEV Brute 4 door JKU truck on big BFG KM2 tires, with an even bigger wheel-base. There was also a brand new Jeep JL sitting on 35's and outfitted with Warn bumpers and a Warn Zeon winch. In addition to those rigs, there were a couple of highly modded Flat Fenders, the famous Oklahoma Tornado Jeep, and many others.
The chute was a steep climb, about 25' high overall that has a couple ledges on the way up, with the steepest being the last one. There is a bypass, for those not interested in defying gravity. The shorter wheelbase rigs were getting pretty light in the front at the very top and their rear axle was still trying to climb a pretty steep ledge at the same time. Most gave it a few tries, got a bit light then opted for the winch. It was pretty fun to watch the team from Warn doing what they know.... recovery! They had a system and worked quickly getting the big group up this nasty climb, one by one.
