View Full Version : Paragon/Camping Weekend...DURING HURRICANE IVAN!!!
Okay, granted, by the time Ivan reached the Northeast it was diminished to just a bad storm. Nevertheless, BKLYNH2, Dan, Oldhiker, Spike and Zing headed out undeterred to the Pocono Mountains in Pennsylvania for a little adventure this past weekend. We camped the weekend and, all told, had about 5 inches of rain, lots of beer, awesome steaks (compliments of Dan) and a kick-ass time wheeling at Paragon.
Here's the H2 compound (after the storm passed through).
Okay, granted, by the time Ivan reached the Northeast it was diminished to just a bad storm. Nevertheless, BKLYNH2, Dan, Oldhiker, Spike and Zing headed out undeterred to the Pocono Mountains in Pennsylvania for a little adventure this past weekend. We camped the weekend and, all told, had about 5 inches of rain, lots of beer, awesome steaks (compliments of Dan) and a kick-ass time wheeling at Paragon.
Here's the H2 compound (after the storm passed through).
Okay, granted, by the time Ivan reached the Northeast it was diminished to just a bad storm. Nevertheless, BKLYNH2, Dan, Oldhiker, Spike and Zing headed out undeterred to the Pocono Mountains in Pennsylvania for a little adventure this past weekend. We camped the weekend and, all told, had about 5 inches of rain, lots of beer, awesome steaks (compliments of Dan) and a kick-ass time wheeling at Paragon.
Here's the H2 compound (after the storm passed through).
Arriving Paragon Saturday morning. Lots of washed out roads and deep water just to get here.
Oldhiker ready to descend
As we entered Paragon. For some reason this time they made us all open the hood to see if our batteries were tied down.
Place called Area 51 which is my favorite. Great open place to play.
Couldn't resist a poseur shot
Most of the rain came Friday night so on the impact of the storm was obvious on Saturday morning.
Dan popping his cherry on a hill which is much steeper than the picture shows
Oldhiker making it look easy
Man did we have some water to play in!
The one and only BKLYNH2, the man willing to attempt just about anything!
On this particular trip it became clear to us the limitations of the stock tire in muddy conditions. My tires were always all clogged with sand and mud and I could really feel the diminished traction on ascents.
Oldhiker effortlessly climbing up from Area 51! I have to say it was great hanging out with Oldhiker and I'm glad he made it out .
I really liked this trail.
BKLYN2 in action. Personally I felt like I was going to tip when I went through this spot.
I love this steep hills at Paragon
I don't know what I enjoyed more, all the water and washed out trails, or the fact that we had the whole park to ourselves!
I liked this little side trail, this was also one of my favorites
This little stream was tricky to cross
Lots of washed out trails like this one that were flowing like rivers
At the top the trail was badly washed out and close to unpassable. We were going to winch each other across but the park was closing in 1/2 hour and unfortunately had to turn around.
Here's looking down at BKLYNH2 from the top. We figure the storm cut this gully that previous night. You should have seen the water still gushing through here hours after the rain stopped.
Arizona Hummerboy
09-20-2004, 09:39 PM
Very nice photos, it looks like you all had a great time in the mud. http://www.elcova.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif
"Go ahead and try but I'm swift and you can't catch me..."
"...oh yes I can, don't mess with the SUT!" http://www.elcova.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_wink.gif
We realized that we were glad we had the storm. Man those were fun conditions. And these guys are cool. I can't wait to go back!
Damn those were some nice pics! I'll add some more http://www.elcova.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_smile.gif
I happened to meet up with BKLYN on the highway, here he is up front.
Here's Zing coming out of the lake crossing. Fun stuff! I love this pic....
Oldhiker coming through the pond. Man, that guy can hang with the best of 'em!
BKLYN at the start of a rough trail. 1½ hours to get 4 trucks 40 feet. The nasty stuff is behind his rig.
Waiting my turn through the rocks.
Zing dropping into Area51.
Awesome! Camera doesn't catch the "straight down" effect.
Through the woods. This was a fun trail up ahead...
All of the rain made some trails into small rivers!
Waiting our turn. http://www.elcova.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_wink.gif
And the campsite. This was Saturday. Friday nite was insane!
OldHiker
09-20-2004, 11:11 PM
What an awesome time we had. While a gale is howling, we are under a giant tarp and hanging by the fire. Awesome! 5 tents and not one leak. Somebody was making us pay our dues before we played. Awesome! Wheeling with these guys was a treat. It was awesome! Great food! Oh, did I say how AWESOME! it was.
timgco
09-20-2004, 11:21 PM
nice pics guys. thanks for posting.
Dan, good to see you put that SUT to work!
...too bad you guys can't come to Moab with us in three weeks.
DennisAJC
09-21-2004, 12:45 AM
You guys do us proud! http://www.elcova.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_cool.gif Nice to see the SUT in action Dan http://www.elcova.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_wink.gif.
Tim is correct, too bad you guys can't come to Moab.
We had a crazy nite Friday. Standing around the fire we couldn't hear each other talk the rain & wind was so loud. At about 4am the wind turned into a freight train. We all held onto our tent poles from the inside to keep them on the ground. In the morning we had all 5 tents still standing and everyone was dry. What a night! Extreme camping!!
Saturday was awesome for offroading.
DennisAJC
09-21-2004, 01:29 AM
Did you guys have to cuddle for warmth? http://www.elcova.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif http://www.elcova.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif http://www.elcova.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_razz.gif
Tim, Alec, Shags, Buckeye, and myself know a thing or two about keeping the tents from flying away! http://www.elcova.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif
Looks like fun. http://www.elcova.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_frown.gif I wish you guys would have invited me this time. That's ok, I see the way you guys are. Ditching me like that. http://www.elcova.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_wink.gif http://www.elcova.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_razz.gif http://www.elcova.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif
Dan, I really like your grey bra. http://www.elcova.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_cool.gif
Can I go next time? How about LATE next month or EARLY Nov.? Better yet, how about right after I get my truck back? http://www.elcova.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_frown.gif
Spike
09-21-2004, 03:47 AM
Here is a few more, almost all the trails were turned into small streams after the storm
Spike
09-21-2004, 03:49 AM
Oldhiker and Dan crossing
Spike
09-21-2004, 03:50 AM
Dan gettin it dirty
Spike
09-21-2004, 03:51 AM
Oldhiker at the top of the hill with his custom painted sky blue H2
Spike
09-21-2004, 03:53 AM
Old "Pops" had a blast that day
Spike
09-21-2004, 03:54 AM
Zing gettin some
Spike
09-21-2004, 03:54 AM
Dan too
Spike
09-21-2004, 03:55 AM
This shot was taken seconds before the big 3 way head on collision. Fortunately there were no injuries.
Spike
09-21-2004, 03:58 AM
Dan going for a swim
Spike
09-21-2004, 03:58 AM
Zing too
Spike
09-21-2004, 04:00 AM
Shot from inside
Spike
09-21-2004, 04:02 AM
Another inside shot
Spike
09-21-2004, 04:03 AM
One from the bottom
Spike
09-21-2004, 04:04 AM
Zing taken a bath
Spike
09-21-2004, 04:05 AM
In line for the bath
Spike
09-21-2004, 04:06 AM
Zing climbing
Spike
09-21-2004, 04:08 AM
Zing kinda missed the line on this one
Spike
09-21-2004, 04:09 AM
Ah thats better
Spike
09-21-2004, 04:10 AM
Zing gettin a leg up
Spike
09-21-2004, 04:11 AM
"Pops" (formerly known as Oldhiker) gettin it up!
Spike
09-21-2004, 04:12 AM
Dan in the rut
Spike
09-21-2004, 04:13 AM
Dan further down
Spike
09-21-2004, 04:13 AM
Zing in the rut
Spike
09-21-2004, 04:14 AM
"Pops" gettin ready to hit it
Spike
09-21-2004, 04:15 AM
"Pops" hittin it
Spike
09-21-2004, 04:16 AM
BRKLYNH2 gettin some at area 51
Spike
09-21-2004, 04:17 AM
Climbing another stream
Spike
09-21-2004, 04:18 AM
BRKLYNH2 headin upstream
Spike
09-21-2004, 04:20 AM
Waiting in line
Spike
09-21-2004, 04:21 AM
BRKLYNH2 cruising over a little erosion
Spike
09-21-2004, 04:29 AM
End of the road. BRKLYNH2 posing on top of the erosion
Great pics guys. I remember that steep hill. The girls got out and slid down on their butts. http://www.elcova.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif
Glad you survived Ivan.
Justin kyle
09-22-2004, 12:36 AM
Those pics looked like a blast. What a great place to go off roading. Thanks for sharing.
JustinKyle http://www.elcova.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_eek.gif
Looks like fun. The 101 area is always better after a good rain http://www.elcova.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_smile.gif (Sorry Area 51 though I've never heard it called that before). Nice and soupy. Bet it was fun cleaining the trucks afterwards, especially the engine bay. I have Paragon "mud" that even a power washer will never get off. All good though.
I know I skipped out on the last invite but darn, wish I had known. Looked like a good time.
Sorry Joe, our bad. That one trip we did was fun and we were bummed you didn't come last time. Will be sure let you know about the next time we get together.
I don't know where we got "area 51" from, although it's not named on the map.
I thought I saw that in print somewhere. Now I have to go look or it will bug me. http://www.elcova.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_rolleyes.gif http://www.elcova.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_smile.gif
Here's the map. I think Joe could be right because the trail right next to the area seems to be called "101" (for those unfamiliar, we're talking about an area south west of where it says "staging area".
that area is definitely called 101, but its not a big deal. Area 51 is cooler if you ask me.
Did you guys run Whoompum. From the one picture it looks like your running up the entry/exit to Whoompum. Couple of those trails would be pretty rough on an H2. Could be mistaken as the terrain blends after a while http://www.elcova.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_smile.gif
First Pipeline is also a good ride after a heavy rain.
We did do Whompum. The map above is dated I just realized; if you stay east on Whompom past that green trail at the pipeline it now goes straight through to Turtle, which is what we did.
yep, know the trail your talking about. We widened it (Chainsaws) during the National Event in July after I took a wrong turn on to it. One of those trails I don't think anyone runs yet it is a nice trail.
More updated map of the area we were in.
See, there it is on Dan's map. What a coincidence that you played a part in cutting that trail.
Joe, our observation is that the trails are poorly marked, and poorly mapped. Any idea why they don't do a better job? You'd figure it'd be easy to get a few guys with a GPS who know the trails to improve it for them.
well believe it or not the park use to be very well marked. Large signs with trail numbers but everyone kept stealing them for souviners. kyle got tired of replacing them. I understand that they where talking about selling them in the trailer in hopes of keeping the ones on the trails from wandering. They are planning to repost the park just not sure when. The map itself is pretty accurate and easy to follow especially if they get trail signs back up.
I've asked around for GPS coordinates to put in my iQue. Only thing I ever came up with was a list of trail start and end points. Not sure anyone has actually updated this in eons though.
In truth I've gotten so familar with the place I'm a bit lazy when it comes to putting in the work to GPS. Probably wouldn't be a bad idea as I get lost on the far side of the park down by Voodoo myself.
I see. Maybe the map is good, but since the tails aren't marked we often don't know at which intersection we are. Oh well, that's my only complaint, otherwise I love that place.
Same here, the place is awesome and can't wait to go back. Though many times I had no idea where we were.
I thought of the issue of people stealing the signs, but as Spike pointed out, even a small sign with a number written on it with a Sharpie marker would be better than what's there now. And probably less attractive to theives!
BKLYNH2
09-24-2004, 02:39 PM
Finally got a moment to get some more up here.
Unlike the pretty shots of the campsite on Sunday here is the mess we woke up to Sat. morning as Ivan was dumping on us hard. That tent to the right in 4" of water was mine. I forgot to put my snorkel on before going to sleep. http://www.elcova.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_confused.gif
BKLYNH2
09-24-2004, 02:42 PM
Dan's SUT charging up the hill.
Notice the bent pole in the picture of the campsite that was holding up the tarp before we took cover in our tents. http://www.elcova.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_wink.gif
that's not a hill, that's a bump http://www.elcova.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_smile.gif
seriously if you want to try and tackle a hill at Paragon run Hummer Hill. Just make sure you have a truck or two with winches. When you get on a trail thats overgrown and does not look like it gets lots of use thats it http://www.elcova.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_smile.gif
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