first time off-road today, great fun
 

Got my H3 for the first time off-road today, just got back. I baptised her on the Berdoo Canyon Trail, entered from Indio side. Lots of rock, sand, dirt - nice wilderness. Funny thing - there are hundreds of empty shotgun shells scattered all over the place, particularly on those few miles of "trash dumping area" before the actual canyon entrance; I even heard gunfire from somewhere up in the canyon, that left me with mixed feelings, however I continued. I went alone and didn't have time for the whole day trip, so I turned around after couple of miles, still had great fun. Next time I'll try to go all the way to Joshua Tree NP, I guess those 24 miles will take more then a few hours..

H3 performed like a champ in the 102F+ temperature, I used only regular non-locked 4hi (mainly in 2nd and 1st gear) and I finally got the satisfaction from the full off-road capability. I'll post a few pics later today.

Re: first time off-road today, great fun
 

Congrats!!! Just wait until you find some situations for 4 low locked. You are hooked now!!

Re: first time off-road today, great fun
 

find a friend, or heep owner and go deep into the dirty!:jump:

Re: first time off-road today, great fun
 

keep an eye out alone, incase you get stuck

Re: first time off-road today, great fun
 

..here are a few promised pictures; yes, you guys are right, I probably shouldn't be going alone...

Re: first time off-road today, great fun
 

Funnily enough, I did my first real off-roading today and in the same area. My family and I have a house in Big Bear and I found a killer couple of trails. my favorite though was one I found over on the 38 past Big Bear and on the way to Victorville. I was wondering if 31's were okay for some moderate to heavy stuff until I got 33's? I'll send pics soon to see if anyone knows the trail. Oh, and if anyone's in the Big Bear area, I'm here until thursday-- so let's fo wheelin'!!

Re: first time off-road today, great fun
 

I did too today in the Big Bear area. Anyone up around here want to go wheelin'? I'm here until Thursday.

Re: first time off-road today, great fun
 

Cool pics, Dave! :beerchug:

Re: first time off-road today, great fun
 

Looks very cool.
I thought you were supposed to take off your side-step bars before off roading.

Re: first time off-road today, great fun
 

those pix look classic in B&W :D

Re: first time off-road today, great fun
 

if your going to 33s why not put up some more cash and go to 35s, it will make a big difference. i did some offroading with the 31s when i had them and they did pretty well, though the terrain wasnt too tough. but with the 35s, huge diference.

Re: first time off-road today, great fun
 

oh and btw great pics.

Re: first time off-road today, great fun
 

Neat retro b&w shots

Re: first time off-road today, great fun
 

thanks for your comments guys, glad to hear that you liked the pics - BTW, they are shot on Ilford FP4+ 120-size rolls (B&W, medium format) - that's why it took me a while yesterday to post images; I had to process first, then scan the film. I had the 645ProTL with me, as well as old 6x6 Yashica. No off-roading today; after I'll clean the car I'll will be in the darkroom and print... here is one more from yesterday - it is a crop from 6x6 frame.

Re: first time off-road today, great fun
 

dig it! now all we need is some sepia toned pics with a western guns for the full photojournalistic spectrum.:popcorn:

Re: first time off-road today, great fun
 

Those picks make me miss that area, (used to be in Palm Desert, now stuck in Kansas) great work with the black and white

Re: first time off-road today, great fun
 

thats a sweet looking pic and truck :beerchug:

Re: first time off-road today, great fun
 

you said funnily...:giggling:
Im always down for off roading. Either one of you guys seriously just PM me and let me know when you guys are going. Im in Big Bear all the time. There are killer trails for sure. There is one that goes all the way down to palm springs its nice in the spring because of all the snow melt makes for some great stream crossings. Wheel the crap out of the 31s until there dead and then buy 35s, thats what Im doing. I cant justify wasting rubber, so I am just giving the beating to the 31s. Theres great trails off the 15 and the 10, Azusa is fun for a day of mud play. Hit me up! Nice pics by the way Dave! :beerchug:

Re: first time off-road today, great fun
 

sounds good - once I get the planned 33's or 35's, I'd probably be up for something; do you ever come down here to Palm Springs area, or Joshua Tree maybe?

Re: first time off-road today, great fun
 

Dang guy, you don't fool around with a point and shoot do ya!!!!

I've got two modes of shooting. Snapshots to capture the moment for web and viewing and RAW for large format printing.

Then there's your way of doing it! I admire your dedication. Awesome overkill. I bet you have some amazing prints.