Flagstaff Fun

[XC-runner]

Hey all,

Fellow T4R owner here in Flagstaff Arizona. We got about 4 inches of snow yesterday and I thought I would get out the 4runner and do some driving and take a few picks. The roads were not bad and so last night my buddy and I took out our 4runner's and did some donuts. We screwed around for about 30 minutes and then decided to head in before we attracted alot of attention. The day before, Friday, it was sunny and I took the 4runner out onto some back roads to play in the mud and snow. Too bad I forgot to through in my camera for some pics of the drive. Just had it in 2WD most of the way until I had to turn around in the 8-10 inches of snow. Put the 4runner in 4WD high and had no problem driving right throught the snow and back down the road. 4runner handled really well on the mud and snow with no lose of traction. Hopefully, next time I can get the 4runner a little dirtier and take a few pics.

Check out more pics here: http://dana.ucc.nau.edu/~mwi2/4runner Pics.htm

__________________
98 T4R
V6, 4x4, SR5
TRD off-road decals

 

[4RunningGuy]

Nice 4runner. What kind of tires are you running?

 

[ToyotaDoodz]

How's Cinder Hills in the snow? I've done it in the rain and sleet in my 4Runner but not snow.

 

[XC-runner]

Thanks 4runningGuy. The tires I am currently running are Michelin LTX MS - P265/70R 16 tires. They seem to handle really well in the snow and are quiet out on the highway.
In response to Cinder hills, I have never been out there since coming here to Flagstaff. I do know the area you are talking about and I think it could have been done in the snow, but probably no alot of snow.

 

[ToyotaDoodz]

I did Cinder Hills when it was raining. The ash will swallow you whole when it's dry so airing down is a must to gain flotation. I'd think snow would help. It's a neat area. be sure to go with someone and take a winch or tow strap in case one of you gets stuck. Momentum is very important there. It's a huge area. GPS is almost a requirement to keep from getting lost in some areas.

The other reason doing it in the rain was great was there were zero ATV's on the trails. I was there in April last year.

Also running it in winter is good because the deep ash eats all your power and the cooler weather help prevent overheating since you're going slow.

PS, if your tires are dirty, going in, they won't be coming out. It cleans them right up.

 

[XC-runner]

Sounds like a lot of fun ToyotaDoodz.

I was looking at some pictures of Cinder Hills and there is a lot of ATV action when it is clear and dry. I will have to head out there some time and check things out. It has been a really snowy winter here in flagstaff so far. The snow conditions out there will be around for a while.

 

[ToyotaDoodz]

Here's what it looks like in sleet/rain. Very deceiving.

and

 

[XC-runner]

I could see that if you didn't have a map or a GPS you could head out and get lost pretty easy, especially when the conditions were what you were experiecing.

I really like your rig ToyotaDoodz, with the lift and all the gagets. Probably one of the better looking T4R's I have seen around. Keep the pics comin of your off road adventures.

I would like to head down to Sedona some time to check out the red rocks.

 

[ToyotaDoodz]

Thanks!! Yes a GPS there could be a life saver. There are meager "trail" numbers but they're hard to follow.

I did Sedona on that same trip. That was last year near Easter when AZ was having the 4 week long non-stop rain. Dang Sedona has a lot of RED mud, but it was fun. Big trails were closed but I also found some neat areas Near Hutch Mtn south of Mormon Lake, south of Flagstaff. Below is a pic of that area. It was snowing hard above 7,000 ft and rain below.

Big trails in the area were still closed. This was the trip when I figured out my stock 4th GEN was too low.

 

[XC-runner]

Looks like a lot of fun.