When we arrived at the Cinders everyone aired down their tires to help increase flotation and traction. I aired my BFG M/T's down to 12 lbs. The lower pressure really makes a tremendous difference in this terrain. When we finished airing down and locking the hubs we headed out on the trails. Our first stop was a deep red cinder bowl which didn't give anyone trouble. It did provide a very nice photo opportunity though. 

After we all climbed the first bowl we proceeded to climb a very steep and loose section of trail. This section of the trail was full of very narrow gaps between the pine trees, our mirrors needed to be pulled in to avoid contact. When we got past the trees the trail became steeper and looser. The two Explorer's with M/T's made it through with no trouble, but Jack's A/T's got bogged down in the cinders when he lost momentum. 

The group who had made it to the top left their trucks there and walked downhill to Jack. Lee found a patch of ground that was a bit firmer than the surrounding area and Jack was able to get moving again and gained enough momentum to make it up the hill. Much of the group especially myself, found the climb back up the cinder hill very strenuous. the altitude was about 8000 feet and the loose cinders made foot climbing very difficult. From atop this hill we had a great view of our next destination, Double Crater.

Double Crater is just that, two craters in one volcanic mountain. The deepest crater is probably 500 to 750 feet deep. There is a trail that runs along the rim of the craters and the 360 degree panoramic view is just incredible. The Painted Desert lies to the East, Sunset Crater and the San Francisco Peaks lie to the West and cinders and pine trees are all around. On a previous trip I saw 5 or 6 prong horn antelope leaping across the trail on their way out of the crater.

Animated Sequence (113k)

The Cinder Hills OHV area is not a place to be driving around at night the black cinder trails are virtually indistinguishable in the dark. We aired up and left shortly before sunset. 

After the ride we had an excellent dinner at the Horseman Lodge a great steak house on the way back to Flagstaff. We had a good time discussing the days events. When we finally got back to our hotel, Lee started working on replacing his bent leaf spring. Flagstaff's temperature was in the mid 60's during the day, but the night time temperature dropped into the upper 20's. Even with the cold night air Lee was able to replace his bent leaf spring in short order. 

With the Zimmerman's  Explorer fixed they were  ready for a run at the cinders themselves. Sunday morning Jack, Jeff, and the Zimmerman's went back out to the cinders. I unfortunately had to drive back to Glendale, because my wife needed a ride to work. Kevin had driven back to Cornville the night before to stay at his Uncle's house.

Day two at the cinders was much more exciting than the first. Lee decided to drive the cinders like they were sand dunes climbing up the hills at an angle and arcing towards the top of the hill at high speed. At one point the Explorer went way up on two wheels and came down hard on the drivers side, popping the front left tire off the bead. The landing also managed to wedge cinders in between the bead and rim of the remaining three tires. Jack used his winch cable to help stabilize the Zimmerman's Explorer on the hillside. When the truck was stable they used a Hi-Lift jack to take the weight off the front wheel. Jack's Ready-Air compressor had enough power to re-seat the broken bead and air the tire back up. They say bad luck runs in threes, this should be the last bad luck for the Zimmerman's for quite sometime.
 

In all the weekend was a great success. I enjoyed meeting everyone who I have corresponded with for some time. Seeing all of the modified Explorers first hand was a great opportunity. I can't wait till our next outing wherever it may be. Next time we hope to have many more Explorer's in attendance. The Jeeps and Four Runners  have their jamborees it's now time for an Explorer Jamboree!