K-trail April 25-27

[KCcarguy]

Well, the route is drawn, and the date is set. We'll be running the K-trail in about a month, so I thought I'd start a new thread to get final numbers and get this thing organized. After talking to some guys who have done this before, I wanted to pass on some info and thoughts about the trip. Firstly, I think we should try and limit the size of the group to 10-12 rigs. Now, obviously I'm not saying you should un-invite your friends or anything, but we may be getting to the point that the group could be so large that it hinders our progress through more technical areas. So, I'm simply suggesting that we should call this our group and not bring in anyone else. Here's who I have so far. Please add (+#) if you have others coming with you.

[MENTION=66624]KCcarguy[/MENTION]+2
[MENTION=45399]thebwlife[/MENTION]
[MENTION=84479]Petromaniac[/MENTION]
[MENTION=89026]JMG73072[/MENTION]
[MENTION=90685]kowski49[/MENTION]
[MENTION=52559]TexasAg[/MENTION]
[MENTION=73580]Laubage[/MENTION]
[MENTION=105493]fo' runnin'[/MENTION]

Now, let's talk about the Trail itself. There have been tons of stories and rumors about hostile locals down there. Most of them are blown out of proportion, but things do happen. Most of it is rooted in off-roaders trespassing on private land. Just be aware, that virtually all the land on either side of the trail is private, unless marked otherwise. If we keep to the trail, and stay friendly with anyone we run across, we'll be fine. And let's face it, no one is gonna start crap with a convoy of 12 lifted trucks. I've talked to a couple of guys who have run the trails multiple times, one of whom had a bad experience, and even he says it was an isolated incident and has returned since. Speaking of, keep in mind, it is turkey season down there and we probably have a better chance of running into both locals and authorities while on the trail. Because of this, I propose we all agree to not bring a firearm unless you're licensed to carry and keep it a CC compliant weapon, (i.e., don't bring your AR, AK or shotgun....I know, I love mine too).

As far as the schedule goes, There are several of us that plan to camp the night before at Clayton Lake SP. If we can get a solid number of commitments, I thought about calling down there and seeing if we could reserve a block of campsites. What do you guys think?

For our departure time on Saturday, I think we should aim for 8:00 from the state park. It's probably a 10-20 min drive to the actual trail head from there. If anyone is planning on driving form OKC that morning and thats too early let us know.

The guys I've talked to say the most technical portion of the trail is the section running from the start to the Indian HWY. After the Indian HWY supposedly it gets less technical but tight (pinstripe time), then from the firetower to 3-sticks its basically a dirt-road. They say that 3 Sticks is doable within a day, but we would really be pushing the pace and probably miss out on a lot of scenery/ fun. They suggested we take our time and have fun on the first section up to the Indian HWY then see where we are time-wise before continuing.

Any thoughts?

 

[JMG73072]

I am in plus 1 (JK) and both rigs totaling 6 people, of which 4 of us are card carrying members for conceal carry and will have arms on us. We all plan on camping at Clayton Lake and hopefully being down there early afternoon Friday. My group will have to be back sat night so we might bail at the highway.

 

[thebwlife]

I fly solo - I'll also be leaving Saturday night. #dadlife

Hopefully we have time to get to the fire tower, if not no big deal.

 

[KCcarguy]

I fly solo - I'll also be leaving Saturday night. #dadlife

Hopefully we have time to get to the fire tower, if not no big deal.

Yeah, I kind of feel like if we don't make the fire tower, we didn't really "run" the K-trail. But, I also want to enjoy it and get lots of pics. If we get a good early start, hopefully we can do both.

 

[JMG73072]

I recall reading somewhere about the possible need of a public land use permit or something like that, that ring a bell to anyone?

 

[thebwlife]

I recall reading somewhere about the possible need of a public land use permit or something like that, that ring a bell to anyone?

I heard that as a rumor, but I'm not to worried about it. We're not harvesting wood or game, I bet we're fine. Just be respectful and play dumb works everytime.

 

[TexasAg]

I was holding on as long as I could but I am gonna have to bow out on this trip this time. I hope to read and see all the great pics and stories! Sounds like a great plan and fun time-enjoy and be safe.

 

[kowski49]

I recall reading somewhere about the possible need of a public land use permit or something like that, that ring a bell to anyone?

You only need that permit for the Three Rivers & Honobia Creek areas. I'll know next week if my Houston trip is going to happen.

 

[KCcarguy]

I heard that as a rumor, but I'm not to worried about it. We're not harvesting wood or game, I bet we're fine. Just be respectful and play dumb works everytime.

You only need that permit for the Three Rivers & Honobia Creek areas. I'll know next week if my Houston trip is going to happen.

So, my understanding is the Clayton trail/ K-trail is essentially a public forestry road with open access any time. Is that right [MENTION=90685]kowski49[/MENTION]?

It is pretty confusing because even the WMAs are owned (or leased) by logging companies, then you have hunting clubs mixed in there. You can see why people have confrontations.

 

[KCcarguy]

I was holding on as long as I could but I am gonna have to bow out on this trip this time. I hope to read and see all the great pics and stories! Sounds like a great plan and fun time-enjoy and be safe.

Sorry to hear that.

[MENTION=66624]KCcarguy[/MENTION]+2
[MENTION=45399]thebwlife[/MENTION]
[MENTION=84479]Petromaniac[/MENTION]
[MENTION=89026]JMG73072[/MENTION]+1
[MENTION=90685]kowski49[/MENTION]
[MENTION=73580]Laubage[/MENTION]
[MENTION=105493]fo' runnin'[/MENTION]

 

[kowski49]

So, my understanding is the Clayton trail/ K-trail is essentially a public forestry road with open access any time. Is that right [MENTION=90685]kowski49[/MENTION]?

It is pretty confusing because even the WMAs are owned (or leased) by logging companies, then you have hunting clubs mixed in there. You can see why people have confrontations.

I've never been able to find an official document that specifically mentions the K-trail. I think you're right though. Everything I've read leads me to believe that the trail itself is public while everything immediately North and South is not. K-trail sees enough traffic from people like us that, if it was private and the landowners didn't want us using it, they'd gate it.

The rules for public land use in that area can be very confusing. Some of the WMA's are owned by timber companies. OK Dept of Wildlife leases the land from the timber companies and manages it, making it available to us. Some of the areas I've explored near Broken Bow and the Glover River are WMA's within a State Park within a National Forest! Of course there are different rules for each tier of bureaucracy and I've read them all.

 

[fo' runnin']

Everything in the original post sounds good to me! Can't wait!

 

[kowski49]

I will definitely be in Houston 4/25, so I'm out fellas. I'll keep watching the thread and can't wait to hear about the trail. With his new plastidipped T4R, let KC go first to break off all the tree limbs for you guys. Happy Trails!

 

[fo' runnin']

I will definitely be in Houston 4/25, so I'm out fellas. I'll keep watching the thread and can't wait to hear about the trail. With his new plastidipped T4R, let KC go first to break off all the tree limbs for you guys. Happy Trails!

Shoot, wish you could make it! I'll be sure to post plenty of pics/vids! Also, I'll be nice and go first in my old beater, pinstripes don't bother me one bit, just battle scars for the old girl! lol

 

[fo' runnin']

This is creeping up quickly! Everyone making their lists and checking them twice?! lol I believe there will be another small group of guys on the trail from expeditionportal.com, so we might run into them! I am pumped for this trip!!!

 

[KCcarguy]

This is creeping up quickly! Everyone making their lists and checking them twice?! lol I believe there will be another small group of guys on the trail from expeditionportal.com, so we might run into them! I am pumped for this trip!!!

It IS creeping up fast. I've got a ton to do....now I have to address my LR UCAs. I've read about too any failures the past couple days and I think I might switch back to OEM before the trip.... In addition to that I have to finish adding a tire carrier and shovel/ axe mount to my Rola Rack and install Airlift 1000. Ughh
:frusty:

 

[fo' runnin']

It IS creeping up fast. I've got a ton to do....now I have to address my LR UCAs. I've read about too any failures the past couple days and I think I might switch back to OEM before the trip.... In addition to that I have to finish adding a tire carrier and shovel/ axe mount to my Rola Rack and install Airlift 1000. Ughh
:frusty:

You're going all out! I'm just going to check my fluids and drive my turd wagon like it is! lol

 

[Petromaniac]

It IS creeping up fast. I've got a ton to do....now I have to address my LR UCAs. I've read about too any failures the past couple days and I think I might switch back to OEM before the trip.... In addition to that I have to finish adding a tire carrier and shovel/ axe mount to my Rola Rack and install Airlift 1000. Ughh

:frusty:

I've been reading some of that thread, and I'm not even sure which version of the bushings I have but I can tell you I've done a fair amount of wheeling, including the FJ Summit last year and put 20,000+ miles on mine without an issue...knock on wood!

 

[KCcarguy]

I've been reading some of that thread, and I'm not even sure which version of the bushings I have but I can tell you I've done a fair amount of wheeling, including the FJ Summit last year and put 20,000+ miles on mine without an issue...knock on wood!

I've got about the same milage on mine with no issues. But I do have the version with faulty bushings and I guess I'm just not willing to risk a catastrophic failure either on the trail or commuting with the kids.

 

[JMG73072]

I got my trail edition rack installed and my hi-lift brackets in so I have that taken care of if anyone needs that, hopefully not though. I am getting pumped up though, even bombed down some dirt roads to shake out any rattles the other day just for fun.