View Full Version : Fordyce Creek, California (Renamed: Hell's Halfacre)
Here are some pics from my trip to California last week. I made last minute plans with HummBebe (H3) and Sewie(H3) to go on a wheeling trip before the season got to cold. We decided to run a trail known as Fordyce which is located North of the Rubicon, on the north side of I-80.
We left on Wednesday morning, planning on being back to the trailhead by Thursday evening before a snow storm was predicted to hit. That was the plan anyway......
Here's some pics of the first day:
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3Hummer
10-09-2007, 02:33 AM
did you say a snowstorm, its still 90 degress down here!
More of the first day...
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The creek is beautiful! We crossed it 4 times in all. We only planned to run half the trail, apparently after the last crossing called Committee crossing, there is a squeeze that is impossible for full size rigs to fit thru. Not that other parts of the trail aren't tight, especially for an H2.:giggling:
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Have you ever picked up a rock in your tire? Wow! Those new KM2's really have a lot of grip. Phew! This thing weighed about 10 lbs and was wedged in between the wheel well and the tire. I had to use the 2" air suspension lift to get it out!
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We kept going until late in the night because it started snowing right at dark. Bebe had made the river crossing that night and got high centered on a rock on the other side of the river. She freed herself from the rock but couldn't make any progress. This pic is at sunrise the next morning after Sewie went over to help her out. Her winch was jammed and she couldn't get the cable free by herself.
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I took the lead and snapped this pic.
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This is when her winch gave up the ghost for good.:rant:
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At this point, Sewie had broken his front diff. Bebe made one phone call and we had help on the way. The WeBuilt 4WD club came to the rescue! They were headed out to the trail anyway, and turned it into a recovery run. What a great group of guys! They were even nice enough to ask if my kids had food and clothes. (we did but it was very generous of them to ask)
These are the last pics I took of the trip. It was the last river crossing and it was the only time I had to take any pictures.
Thanks Gawd for WeBuilt 4WD Club :clapping: and WARN winch!:jump:
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What a trip!
H2Finally
10-09-2007, 03:24 AM
WOW! Sounds like a bigger adventure than our Rubicon trip Roxs! SNOW? WOW! We need MORE PICTURES!!
H2Finally
10-09-2007, 03:24 AM
P/S: How come you never visit me here at SoCal, huh? HUH?? :rant::D
WOW! Sounds like a bigger adventure than our Rubicon trip Roxs! SNOW? WOW! We need MORE PICTURES!!I thought of you! I had my kids with me, and they had to spend the last day in the car. I bribed em bad. I told them if they stayed in and let me work, I'd let them eat wherever they wanted when we got out. I found myself at the pizza place and the cheeseburger place later that night.:D They did awesome!:beerchug:
The Rubicon was easier.:o
CO Hummer
10-09-2007, 03:37 AM
Excellent pics, Rox!!!
Sorry to hear you guys had trouble. Glad you made it out OK.
Now............Do I have have say something again about the POS H3 diff? :D
CO Hummer
10-09-2007, 03:46 AM
OK, yes I do.
P/S: How come you never visit me here at SoCal, huh? HUH?? :rant::DYou never asked!:fdance:
OK, yes I do.Send that to GM would ya?
DennisAJC
10-09-2007, 04:18 AM
OK now,
When Rox doesn't break anything, it must have been an easy trail. That jammed rock tried to break her, but in an H2, it's just a pebble.:jump::jump::jump::jump:
Is ther ANY run where an H3 does not break something?:OWNED: & Nagged.:D
Looks like you guys had fun though! Great job Rox!:beerchug:
HummBebe
10-09-2007, 05:40 AM
I didn't break anything until I was off the trail LOL. Winch was a T-max.....it's going back.:rant:
here's some more pics
Rox on the first water crossing
http://i238.photobucket.com/albums/ff97/hummbeebee/FordyceOct07070.jpg
E aho la Ula :giggling:
http://i238.photobucket.com/albums/ff97/hummbeebee/FordyceOct07080.jpg
Our campsite the first night:
http://i238.photobucket.com/albums/ff97/hummbeebee/FordyceOct07088.jpg
Tree roots can sometimes be your friends...
http://i238.photobucket.com/albums/ff97/hummbeebee/FordyceOct07104.jpg
HummBebe
10-09-2007, 05:47 AM
It's steep, up and down
http://i238.photobucket.com/albums/ff97/hummbeebee/FordyceOct07037.jpg
http://i238.photobucket.com/albums/ff97/hummbeebee/FordyceOct07137.jpg
HummBebe
10-09-2007, 06:00 AM
CO, DRTY, And Dennis....
Can you do one of your gay pride chops with this guys rig....his name is Luigi
http://i238.photobucket.com/albums/ff97/hummbeebee/FordyceOct07143.jpg
I owe him one:D
H2 Doberman
10-09-2007, 12:46 PM
Looks like fun! I can't remember the last time that I went wheelin'. I'm ready to take a trip somewhere.
HummerHippy
10-09-2007, 02:34 PM
Cool pics! Thanks
quick question - what usually causes a front diff to break? too much gas applied with the wheels really turned?
Captain of the Titanic
10-09-2007, 03:15 PM
WOW WOW WOW...
Killer pics... Wish I had been there...
We have nothing (that I know of) like that here in TX...
As far as H3 vs. H2 offroad, since I have owned both, I found the H3 to be a little more nimble offroad and just as capable. It was on the highway that I hated the H3! :twak:
DRTYFN
10-09-2007, 05:12 PM
Congratulations on running another of the mythical Pirate trails. This is going to cause major butthurt for the Pirates.:giggling: :jump:
Beautiful pictures, too.:beerchug:
Bebe, I TOLD you about that winch. :OWNED:
Is that pic of Rox on the water crossing where she almost sank it?
HummBebe
10-09-2007, 05:32 PM
Bebe, I TOLD you about that winch. :OWNED:
Is that pic of Rox on the water crossing where she almost sank it?
I've been hearing so many I told you so's the last couple of days. I was a great trip!!!
Yes, that is where she almost sank it.....no worries, a wet fsan belt, a little noise. Dried her out fout for a little bit and kept on motoring.
HummBebe
10-09-2007, 05:37 PM
Cool pics! Thanks
quick question - what usually causes a front diff to break? too much gas applied with the wheels really turned?
It really depends. Sewie did the exact thing I did, he broke, I didn't.
Any sort of torque applied when either of the front wheels have to climb. If both wheels a climbing at the same time it's usually fine. Housing flex causes the ring gear to ride up on the pinion. Then, Kablewie.
It really needs to be fixed so that those of us who do wheel are not being left stranded in the middle of nowhere. Having to be strapped and winched off the trail.
The H3 should be able to do what the other models can do, albeit differently, without the risk of complete failure.
Sometimes you earn it, in the case of the H3 front diff, you usually don't. And that's sad.:(
DennisAJC
10-09-2007, 05:37 PM
I was a great trip!!!
You've been hanging around with HiHummer too much.:D
How did the Yotas do?
Not a fan of them front D-ring recovery points Bebes. Take em off!:rant::D
Agriv8r
10-09-2007, 05:42 PM
looks like a great trail...fantastic pics thanx...
HummerHippy
10-09-2007, 05:44 PM
It really depends. Sewie did the exact thing I did, he broke, I didn't.
Any sort of torque applied when either of the front wheels have to climb. If both wheels a climbing at the same time it's usually fine. Housing flex causes the ring gear to ride up on the pinion. Then, Kablewie.
It really needs to be fixed so that those of us who do wheel are not being left stranded in the middle of nowhere. Having to be strapped and winched off the trail.
The H3 should be able to do what the other models can do, albeit differently, without the risk of complete failure.
Sometimes you earn it, in the case of the H3 front diff, you usually don't. And that's sad.:(
Thanks Beebs
HummBebe
10-09-2007, 06:37 PM
You've been hanging around with HiHummer too much.:D
How did the Yotas do?
Not a fan of them front D-ring recovery points Bebes. Take em off!:rant::D
Uh, all H3's have em, unless I'm missing something.
Personally, I'm glad they are on there.:D
This was a great trail! Did anyone get a pic of Winch Hill 1? :eek:
Yes, that is where she almost sank it.....no worries, a wet fsan belt, a little noise. Dried her out fout for a little bit and kept on motoring.I tinkled, I'm sure. I think I sucked all the air out of the cab too. No time to hyperventilate I just gave it the GAS!
CO Hummer
10-10-2007, 01:58 AM
Sometimes you earn it, in the case of the H3 front diff, you usually don't. And that's sad.:(
The drumroll has started........ Time to announce your switch to the 2? :D
DennisAJC
10-10-2007, 03:14 AM
Uh, all H3's have em, unless I'm missing something.
No,
I'm just not a fan of them.:D
Boss Hoss
10-10-2007, 03:31 AM
Sweet pics...looks like a great time(and quite the adventure).
tower
10-10-2007, 03:32 AM
P/S: How come you never visit me here at SoCal, huh? HUH?? :rant::DForget Horace, Rox. :giggling::giggling::giggling: How come you never visit me here at SoCal, huh? HUH?? :confused:
HummBebe
10-10-2007, 03:43 AM
No,
I'm just not a fan of them.:D
Oh, I get it. Because you like me you want me to be cooler than th other h3's:clapping:
HummBebe
10-10-2007, 03:45 AM
The drumroll has started........ Time to announce your switch to the 2? :D
Are you trying to sell me yours?:p
Uh no. I'll keep banging my head against a wall till I've had enough of the H3 thang.
The more I talk about this trip, the funner it WAS.....:D :D
I just saw a couple of friends tonight that asked about my trip and if it turned out okay. By the end of the night, sleeping in the H2 with the heated seats and blasting hot air was like staying at the Hilton! :giggling::D ;)
Sweet pics...looks like a great time(and quite the adventure).Tellico plus snow?:D :beerchug:
dochummer
10-10-2007, 05:43 AM
Great pics Rox! Love the new treads!
RuggedH2
10-10-2007, 09:07 AM
Damn, bet you didn't plan on that whole adventure.
Very cool though. Everything I've seen posted about Fordyce always mentions the intense challenge of that trail (your pics back that up). Very gutsy of you three to go after it in basically stock Hummers. Good on ya!
Keep your heads up something good should be coming for the H3 front diff soon. ;)
HummBebe
10-10-2007, 03:04 PM
Unless they are giving me a new CI without having to pay a dime.....I'm not excited :crying:
Keep your heads up something good should be coming for the H3 front diff soon. ;)Usually I don't say too much about these issues, but as far as Hummer goes, they either want these vehicles to be capable at offroading, or they don't. If they want to pander to Hollywood street queens, fine. Just don't market any offroading capability. If they want it to go anywhere besides the dang grocery store, they need to pony up and fix these trucks so people aren't breaking things out in the middle of nowhere. They already sell Escalades and Yukons for people that don't do this type of wheeling. Shouldn't the Hummer stand up to the name and the image? Wasn't the H3 the answer to peoples concerns about an affordable, narrower, off road vehicle? I'm beginning to wonder...
RuggedH2
10-10-2007, 11:38 PM
I agree with you all on this point. I'm not going to defend that front diff at all, too small, too weak. I believe it was a mistake to make that housing of aluminum, period.
GM is selling a lot of H3's. Many (most) are mall queens. What percentage of H3's do you think actually wheel? Of all those that do wheel, what percentage do you think wheel like Sewie and Bebe? (Moab, Rubicon, Fordyce, etc) I bet it's a damn small percentage of all H3's.
Not defending that diff at all. Just saying those trails are among the ones that break serious off road rigs. Hard-core trail by almost every-one's standards.
If the H3 got a bigger cast iron axle, that was lockable.....might even be able to put a lift on that wouldn't wreck the CV's. Now that would be getting somewhere.
If I was just getting back from that trip, I'm positive I would be hating on that front diff myself! :D Still, those pics are outstanding, and there are not many H2's and 3's out there that can say they have run Fordyce.
HummBebe
10-11-2007, 02:30 AM
I run with built rigs all the time, the issue with built rigs is just that. They are built by folks in thier garages. I know guys in well bilt rigs who have run those trails without any breakage.
Really, with built rigs you break stuff cause you are either driving like an idiot, taking all the hard lines, or because you screwed up in the fabrication.
Fordyce wasn't that tough. The obstacles were tough, but the trail iself was fairly moderate.
Hell I led all the way to the second water crossing. It can't be tough.:clapping:
HummBebe
10-11-2007, 02:32 AM
IMHO, If I can run Fordyce in a mostly stock truck, like Rocks and Sewie, there really isn't much to improve on except that Damm Front Diff.
Alan06SUT
10-11-2007, 03:21 AM
:perfect10s: :perfect10s: :perfect10s:
WOW! What a beautiful trail. Getting away, camping, offroading, and having that kind of scenery, all in the same trip, is what its all about.
Sorry to hear about the breakage.
Sewie.. You ready with some pictures yet?
WOW! What a beautiful trail. Getting away, camping, offroading, and having that kind of scenery, all in the same trip, is what its all about.It really is a beautiful trail. It's not that long to the point where we exited. I'll try to make it back sometime when snow is NOT in the forecast.:D The river crossings are freaky!
Sewie
10-13-2007, 12:06 AM
Sewie.. You ready with some pictures yet?
Camera in truck. Truck at dealership. :o
I've been meaning to grab some stills from the vid but I've been super busy all week.
http://corbinstreehouse.com/images/calvin.jpg
HummBebe
10-14-2007, 12:52 AM
That captures Sewie to a T.
Attitude and everything :jump:
RuggedH2
10-15-2007, 08:53 AM
Camera in truck. Truck at dealership. :o
I've been meaning to grab some stills from the vid but I've been super busy all week.
Vid? Where? ;)
I read the busy comment.......so what Sewie, post it up man. :D
Gooey Gaybob
10-20-2007, 04:49 AM
Great pics! I never thought I would see a Hummer of any kind past water crossing #1. The last time I ran it I saw about 15 army H1s that were part of some off road training exercise. I bet you could have got the H3s past the squeeze.
I love running that trail. Didn't get a chance to run it this year, they closed it the weekend I had a run planned for. Wish I could have joined you.
Gooey Gaybob
10-20-2007, 04:53 AM
http://www.elcovaforums.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=44039&d=1191895041
Great picture.:beerchug:
So how did you like Winch hills #1 and #2?
HummBebe
10-22-2007, 05:40 AM
http://www.elcovaforums.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=44039&d=1191895041
Great picture.:beerchug:
So how did you like Winch hills #1 and #2?
We did the bypasses on both, by the time we got to WH#2, both the hill and the bypass were covered in snow. WH#2 bypass was pretty easy, Rox walked it in the H2, but it was really sloppy by the time I tried it.
I can't wait to go back and try it again.
DennisAJC
10-24-2007, 08:14 PM
We did the bypasses on both, by the time we got to WH#2, both the hill and the bypass were covered in snow. WH#2 bypass was pretty easy, Rox walked it in the H2, but it was really sloppy by the time I tried it.
I can't wait to go back and try it again.
Still coming up with excuses? Give it up. Get the H2 already!:D:D:D
HummBebe
10-25-2007, 03:16 AM
Still coming up with excuses? Give it up. Get the H2 already!:D:D:D
I can't now.....for awhile anyway.
Gooey Gaybob
10-27-2007, 01:54 AM
I can't now.....for awhile anyway.
You say that like it's a bad thing?
Anyway, I would love to see you H3's try to run the whole trail. I am almost positive you could make the squeeze after the 3rd water crossing. If I'm there with you I will be sure to block the bypasses to winch hills 1 and 2 so we can see what your rig is all about. I think you could do it. :beerchug:
HummBebe
10-27-2007, 02:00 AM
WH2 I agree, WH1??? It would take 30 minutes just get to it LOL
wpage
10-30-2007, 10:48 PM
Nice pic's:beerchug:
Sewie
11-01-2007, 07:04 AM
Vid? Where? ;)
I read the busy comment.......so what Sewie, post it up man. :D
OK. :jump:
Fordyce Video (http://www.h3adventures.com/coppermine/albums/uploads/vids/Fordyce1007.wmv)
RuggedH2
11-01-2007, 07:17 AM
Very cool video :cool:
:perfect10s: :perfect10s: Great Video!!!
The night snow river crossing brought it all back....:notallthere: ;) :D
HummBebe
11-02-2007, 12:00 AM
LOL and that is where I stayed until morning:fdance:
Great video Sewie!!!!
Aich Tew
11-02-2007, 03:53 PM
Cool pics! Thanks
quick question - what usually causes a front diff to break?
Not so sure about an H3, but spiining one wheel and having it suddenly grab claims a lot of diffs.
No locker available? It's gotta be a Dana somthingoranother carrier, doesn't it?
Sewie
11-02-2007, 05:12 PM
Not so sure about an H3, but spiining one wheel and having it suddenly grab claims a lot of diffs.
No locker available? It's gotta be a Dana somthingoranother carrier, doesn't it?
Spinning is one way. But in this case (and others) it was stuffing a wheel and trying to climb. Too much torque + weak gears/housing = kablooie. :crying:
GM doesn't use Dana axles anymore AFAIK. The H3 front is an AAM 760.
Aich Tew
11-02-2007, 06:18 PM
Spinning is one way. But in this case (and others) it was stuffing a wheel and trying to climb. Too much torque + weak gears/housing = kablooie. :crying:
GM doesn't use Dana axles anymore AFAIK. The H3 front is an AAM 760.
Stuffing a wheel?
Lodged in an undercut?
Sewie
11-02-2007, 06:32 PM
Stuffing a wheel?
Lodged in an undercut?
No, wheel stuffed into the fenderwell.
Aich Tew
11-02-2007, 07:43 PM
Oh. For some reason that stresses the housing, or is it just more indicative of the load on the drivetrain?
JoeHummer
11-07-2007, 11:41 PM
Great pics. Looks like lots of fun. :jump:
MRDM1
11-08-2007, 03:44 AM
:jump: nice pixzzzzzzzz
mikejr
11-25-2007, 10:19 PM
Great pics and video!
Sewie
04-18-2008, 10:25 PM
I was re-reading this thread and realized I never posted any pics. :o
Memories of the Bling-Mobile :(
http://www.h3adventures.com/coppermine/albums/uploads/fordyce1007/normal_IMG_0029.JPG
Sewie
04-18-2008, 10:26 PM
Beebs
http://www.h3adventures.com/coppermine/albums/uploads/fordyce1007/normal_IMG_0031.JPG
http://www.h3adventures.com/coppermine/albums/uploads/fordyce1007/normal_IMG_0036.JPG
Sewie
04-18-2008, 10:27 PM
..
http://www.h3adventures.com/coppermine/albums/uploads/fordyce1007/normal_IMG_0037.JPG
http://www.h3adventures.com/coppermine/albums/uploads/fordyce1007/normal_IMG_0041.JPG
Sewie
04-18-2008, 10:29 PM
:cool:
http://www.h3adventures.com/coppermine/albums/uploads/fordyce1007/normal_IMG_0044.JPG
http://www.h3adventures.com/coppermine/albums/uploads/fordyce1007/normal_IMG_0046.JPG
http://www.h3adventures.com/coppermine/albums/uploads/fordyce1007/normal_IMG_0047.JPG
http://www.h3adventures.com/coppermine/albums/uploads/fordyce1007/normal_IMG_0048.JPG
Sewie
04-18-2008, 10:31 PM
..
http://www.h3adventures.com/coppermine/albums/uploads/fordyce1007/normal_IMG_0051.JPG
http://www.h3adventures.com/coppermine/albums/uploads/fordyce1007/normal_IMG_0056.JPG
Sewie
04-18-2008, 10:32 PM
.
http://www.h3adventures.com/coppermine/albums/uploads/fordyce1007/normal_IMG_0067.JPG
http://www.h3adventures.com/coppermine/albums/uploads/fordyce1007/normal_IMG_0071.JPG
Sewie
04-18-2008, 10:33 PM
:D
http://www.h3adventures.com/coppermine/albums/uploads/fordyce1007/normal_IMG_0080.JPG
http://www.h3adventures.com/coppermine/albums/uploads/fordyce1007/normal_IMG_0082.JPG
Sewie
04-18-2008, 10:35 PM
:cool: :cool: :cool:
http://www.h3adventures.com/coppermine/albums/uploads/fordyce1007/normal_IMG_0087.JPG
http://www.h3adventures.com/coppermine/albums/uploads/fordyce1007/normal_IMG_0088.JPG
http://www.h3adventures.com/coppermine/albums/uploads/fordyce1007/normal_IMG_0090.JPG
Sewie
04-18-2008, 10:36 PM
:clapping:
http://www.h3adventures.com/coppermine/albums/uploads/fordyce1007/normal_IMG_0093.JPG
http://www.h3adventures.com/coppermine/albums/uploads/fordyce1007/normal_IMG_0095.JPG
WOW!!!! How cool is that?!:clapping:
BigPoppa1411
04-19-2008, 05:32 AM
awesome pics and vid!:perfect10s:
H2Finally
04-19-2008, 05:54 AM
Memories of the Bling-Mobile :(
http://www.h3adventures.com/coppermine/albums/uploads/fordyce1007/normal_IMG_0029.JPGI miss the bling mobile! We used to be the 2 most beautiful H2s in the wild!! :crying: :crying:
dochummer
04-19-2008, 07:21 AM
Rox, are you carrying a winch in the front and back?
Sewie
04-19-2008, 07:31 AM
Rox, are you carrying a winch in the front and back?
She moved it to the back after Bebe's winch shat the bed.
I miss the bling mobile! We used to be the 2 most beautiful H2s in the wild!! :crying: :crying:It's not gone! I'm putting some of the chrome back on it this week as a matter of fact, Dude. Don't worry. :cool: :D
Rox, are you carrying a winch in the front and back?Naw, I just did it for the picture.... ;) :D Good thing I didn't break my knees carrying that thing front to back on the snow.
H2Finally
04-21-2008, 06:08 PM
It's not gone! I'm putting some of the chrome back on it this week as a matter of fact, Dude. Don't worry. :cool: :D:perfect10s: :perfect10s:
The problem for my rig is I'm running out of things to chrome! :D
HummerRox
05-25-2008, 10:54 PM
looks like you had fun!
Angus
09-05-2008, 11:53 PM
those pics are so beautiful thanks for sharing
H3slate
09-14-2010, 03:46 AM
:perfect10s::perfect10s:
:jump::clapping::clapping:
alex009
07-28-2011, 09:13 AM
Thank you for information sharing, it useful to me.
Well, great work! You have helped me to improve my knowledge about this field. Thank you so much for sharing.
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canadianH2
05-26-2012, 03:51 PM
Another awesome looking area, man that river crossing shot was awesome!!
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