Big Bear Backcountry Adventures Summer 2013

SUPERWINCH
Talon 9.5
Winch Review
Contents
Backcountry 4x4 Jeep JK
Project
4
Big Bear Area Map
8
John Bull Trail
10
Lake Arrowhead Area Map
11
Juniper Flats Area Map
12
Superwinch Talon 9.5
Winch First Look
13
Mickey Thompson Baja
MTZ Review
15
Editor/Publisher
Marketing/Sales
Copy Editor
Don Alexander
John Bryan
Eileen Bryan
Published By Backcountry 4x4 LLC
FROM THE DRIVER’S SEAT
PO Box 6711, Big Bear Lake, CA 92315
Ad Sales: call John Bryan (800) 330-7501 Don Alexander
jrb@backcountry4x4.com
© 2013 Backcountry 4x4 LLC
We are blessed in Big Bear to have great access for our motorized vehicles on local public lands. Considering that we are surrounded
by one of the largest population centers in
the US, it’s a good thing. But there are always threats to our access, from other users
groups, from lack of funding for our public
land management agencies and from irresponsible motorized vehicle
users.
One reason we have such great access in the San Bernardino National Forest is our local Adopt-A-Trail program. With nearly 50 Off Highway Vehicle and other clubs (nearly 5000 members total)
volunteering to maintain our forest roads and trails, a large burden is
taken off the shoulders of the Forest Service and the public benefits.
Over the last few years, volunteers have averaged over 25,000 volunteer hours annually.
Several local clubs have adopted trails, including the Bear Valley 4x4
Club. Consider joining them or one of the other clubs helping to keep
our forest accessible. Go to www.SBNFadopt-a-trail.com for club
contact information or scan the QR Code below with a smartphone.
Help Save Our Backcountry
Adopt-A-Trail
Adopt-A-Trail
web site
site
web
Of all the vehicles I have test over the years,
including some high performance exotics, no
vehicle has attracted as much attention or
comments as our Backcountry 4x4 Project
Jeep Unlimited JK Rubicon. It’s the Gecko
paint. Most love it, some hate hate it but everyone notices it.
One purpose of this project is to try new
projects and look for the best combination of
These billet door stops hold the JK front
doors in an open position. Great if you are in
parking lot or on a slope. From Armadillo
Industries
4
We are using the Hanson JK fullsize
Fenderbar Front Bumper which accommodate the stock JK driving lights,
a winch and shackles. The steering
skid plate is also Hanson
daily drive and 4 wheeler that can tackle
any trail in our backyard, the San Bernardino National Forest and surrounding
desert areas. We’re not too concerned
about the extreme trails like the Hammers in Johnson Valley, but there are
many challenging trails that we want to
explore and the JK with 35” tires and a
mild lift should get the job done.
We still have to install a lift, but with
the stock height, we have several mods
The Hanson Rocker Slides are easy
and we have several 33” tires to test,
to install, bullet proof and stylish.
starting with the Mickey Thompson Baja
MTX mud terrain tires on the stock Rubicon wheels.
The Backcountry 4x4
Jeep was purchased from
Loren Campbell at Redlands Jeep 4x4.
The other modifications undertaken so far
are covered in the photos and captions.
For more info, photos and
A Superwinch Talon 9.5 with
video, go to
steel winch line and a roller
www.backcountry4x4.com or
fairlead is in place. See the
scan the QR Code here.
first test elsewhere in this issue. We will test a synthetic
Inside storage is at a premium in
the JK, so we added the Olympic
Mountaineer Rack. divides and
doubles the storage space behind
the rear seat.
A Hi-Lift Jack is
mandatory for the
JK. We are using
the Xtreme version
and carry the Off
Road Kit, Jack
Base and Wheel
Mate, as well as
the Handle-All Accessory bag. The
jack mount is from
Rugged Ridge.
Quadratec makes a great CB antenna mount for the spare tire carrier on a JK. (below) They also
have a cool quick release mount
for the Firestik Firefly CB antenna we are using for better range.
For airing down we
use the Extreme
Outback Mil-Spec
Multi Choice Deflator. On Board air is
from a 15 pound
PowerTank, by far
the easiest and
quickest way to air
up when hitting the
highway.
Big Bear Lake, CA
World Class Adventure Land
A Trasharoo is used for
hauling trash or other
bulky items.
Great Products!! We
use the BOLT Spare
Tire Lock and a 6’ cable
lock on gear attached to
the spare tire. Simply
insert Jeep’s ignition
key into the BOLT lock,
turn it once and the lock
mechanically learns the
key code. BOLT Series
of locks lets you set all your Jeep locks to
work with your ignition key!
Also for extra
storage, we
installed the
SmittyBilt
OG.E.A.R.
Tailgate Cover. These
storage bags
use the GEAR attaching system, are portable
For extra
storage of
recovery
and misc
gear, we
are using
the
BESTOP
RoughRider Organizer. Lots
of room,
easy to install and convienient.
6
Located in the beautiful San Bernardino Mountains and surrounded by
National Forest, Big Bear offers outdoor adventures for everyone. And
it’s located within 2 hours of most
SoCal locations. Check it out!
Round Town Ron
Big Bear Local
For More Info on
Big Bear, go to
www.roundtownron.
com for 100’s of videoa or Big
BearLocal.com for a
smartphone app.
Scan the QR Codes
California OffRoad Vehicle
Association
(CORVA) is a varied group
of outdoor recreationists
who are extremely active
in promoting the positive
aspects of vehicular access
on public lands and protecting that right.
The group is composed of
the owners of "Green
Sticker" vehicles such as
ATV's, motorcycles, 3wheelers, trail bikes, and
dune buggies, as well as
"street legal" 4X4 vehicles,
dual sport motorcycles,
bajas, and desert racers.
CORVA's main purpose is
to work with the land managers for responsible offhighway vehicular access
and recreation opportunities. Secondarily, we educate our membership on the constantly changing rules and
regulations and promote clean-up and trail maintenance
projects.
We coordinate with other multiple use organizations ranging
from snowmobiles to horse enthusiasts to protect multiple
use rights from the environmental extremists. We are "dedicated to protecting our lands for the people, not from the
people."
CORVA proudly provides its members...
Ÿ 40 years of continuous promotion of multiple land
use objectives!
Ÿ Continuous appeals of unfair and unjust closure of
access to public lands!
Ÿ Extensive oversight of the California OHV "Green
Sticker" Fund and OHMVR Commission
Ÿ OFF-ROADERS IN ACTION
Ÿ Monthly Newsletter subscription to keep you informed of off-road legislative battles.
Ÿ League of Off-Highway Voters' Voting Guide!
Ÿ Membership Kit with I.D. cards & decals!
www.corva.org
PUBLIC LAND USE ISSUES AND TRAIL/ROAD
CLOSURES ON THE NATIONAL FOREST
More and more public lands - YOUR LANDS - are being
closed to motorized vehicle travel. If you are concerned
about this trend, you need to get involved. The first
place to look for information is on our web site where
you can log on the PUBLIC LAND ISSUES headlines and
find all sorts of info, articles and contacts.
www.backcountry4x4.com
Or JOIN CORVA
http://www.corva.org/
Scan the QR Code to go to
the CORVA web site and
please join to support their
efforts.
Map to trailhead
3N
36
Map to trailhead Map to trail-
3N69
3N12
head
3N16
3N10
3N
12
Delamar Mt.
12
3N
Y
79
2N
A
09
2N
0
3N8
14
3N
Bl 2N
ue 7
Qu 1
a
Ro rtz
ad
2N
08Y
Holcolm
3N16A
Valley
Van
3N79
Duesen
2N09 Canyon
3N09
Polique
CanyonMap to trailhead
2N09
38
Big Bear
Discovery
Center
Gold
Mountain
Jeep
Trail
38
Big
Bear
City
Map to trailhead
2N93Sugarloaf
2N Knick
08 erb
o
2Ncker
08
2N
10
38
2N93
93
2N
B
10
2N
2N10
Erwin Lake
2N27
Big Bear
Lake
Moonridge
Snow
Summit 2N10
Resort
38
Moonridge Map to trail-
Bear Mt.
Resort
2N10F
2N21
2N93B
2N27
Map to trailhead
2N10
2N22Y
Map to trailhead
2N93
2N93
N end Wildhorse
117.47
Canyon
2N06
Radford
Truck Trail
1N04
1N54
Clarks
Grade
04
N
1
1N
45
Seven Oaks
1N
72
1N
86
B
6
1N0
1N
86
1N84
Barton Flats
1N
82
1N04
1N0
4F
ro
nt
lin
e
1N
84
Y
62
1N
Map to trailMap to trail-head 1N84
38
Map to trail-
head
2N08
1N72
head
2N
93
2N93
Rd
.
38
1N38
1N5
6
1N0
5
1N56
San Gorgonio
Wilderness
1N0
No Vehicle traffic allowed
5
in wilderness areas
A
37
1N
Map to
trailhead
1N86
2N93G
Map to trail-
02
1N
5
1N7
38
2N93D
2N93F
Sugarloaf Mt.
Map to trailhead
na
ta A
San River
head
2N02
18/38
head
Skyline Dr.
2N10
3N03F
3N03G
18
2N10
A
11
2N
18
3N69
18
B
11
11
2N
2N
2E
3N03
20
Burns
.3
Canyon
2E
20
.2
Map to trailhead
Map to
trail2N10 head
18
2N8
5
Cactus
Flat
Staging
Area
No Vehicle
traffic allowed
in wilderness
2E
20 areas
.1
Baldwin 2N02
Lake
2N09
2N
86
3N16
3N09
Fawnskin
70
2N
3N03A
3N16
Map to trailhead
8
Holcolm
Valley
Horsetheif
Flat
Jacoby
Canyon
3N16
3N19
M
t.
1
3N6
3N81
2N80
2N
70
A
3N1
6
John
Bull
Flat
3N
2N84
Tr
uc Co
x
k
Tr ey
ai
l
3N82
Tr
ai
l
t
Fla
rnt 2
Bu
0
E
12
3N
8
3N0
Little
John Bull
2
3N3
3N83
3N
08
3N10
Bu
ll
3N
10
43
3N
0
3N9
84
3N
3N16
Jo
hn
3N54
k
de
ra
G
3N10
3N16
3N36
ac
kh
aw
Rattlesn
Canyon
203
RC3
White Mt.
Bl
ry
bu
en
sh
Cu
18
Map to trailhead
RC3
204
3N14
R
C
35
20
RC
34
41
C
R
RC2320
23
22
RC2324
47
3
2
RC
M
a
W tin
as o
h
RC
14
39
Top Mt.
RC
2N
Br
01
o
om
F
RC2217
2N90B
2N90A
os
e
RC2206
23
46
Rose Mine
V
al
le
y
Y
61
2N
la
t
R
RC
49
22
2N90
2N02
02
2N
No Vehicle traffic
allowed in wilderness areas
RC2414
Bighorn
Mountain
Wilderness
14
21
2N90C Tip
RC
3N03
R
C
Sp
rin
gs
New Dixie Mine Rd
RC2330
23
33
33
31
RC2340
RC
is
ce
ra
42
23
V
RC
2N04
Trails and
Roads on
BLM land are
not rated for
difficulty
23
30
31
33
Map to trailhead
RC3444
RC
RC
RC
RC
3N03
Bighorn Mountain
Wilderness
17
34
n
yo
an
p to trailhead
No Vehicle traffic
allowed in wilderness areas
RC
C
Bighorn
Mountain
Wilderness
49
34
ke
na
es
tl
at
3N61
34
13
53
34
R
to trailhead
RC
RC
29
33
33
23
RC3410
RC3
429
RC
33
31
RC3440
34
12
R
RC3321
To
RC3319
33
15
RC
C
e
ak
sn yon
e
tl
n
at Ca
RC
05
RC33
RC
R
25
33
75Y
2N
2N64
2N73Y
Heartbreak
Ridge
Pipes
Can-
1N
Old Timer
Canyon
11
22
2N68Y
2N
76
Y
C
2N61Y
R
Juniper Springs
KEEP PUBLIC LANDS ACCESSIBLE
PLEASE BE RESPONSIBLE!
Map to trailhead
1N01
38
Map to trailhead
1N38
Map to trailhead
1N02
NOTE: Trail conditions often change due
to weather, rock slides, etc. Occasionally
the Forest Service changes route difficulty ratings. The sign at the trail head always supersedes this map. Some roads
and trails are seasonal, some closed in
winter. Check with the Big Bear Discovery
Center or the Mojave BLM office for the
ADVISORY
latest updates.
All backcountry roads and trails
are subject to closure at anytime
due to weather, fire, season and
safety concerns
BIG BEAR LAKE AREA
Rimrock
Map to trailhead
RC2211 Rimrock
Burns Canyon
Adopt-A-Trail
web site
Pioneertown
9
May 31-June 1, 2014
Adventure Sports
Dirt Bikes
4x4s
Side x Sides
ATVs
Extreme Sports
Trail Drives
Recovery Gear
Convention Center
at Big Bear Lake
Getting Unstuck
Expedition Gear
Jeep Exhibits
Survival
www.Backcountry4x4.com
May 31-June 1, 2014
Referred By:
Name ____________________________
Employer _________________________
Contact email address _______________
Must be 18 years of age or older to win drawing prizes
Map to
trailhead
Trails and
Roads on
BLM land are
not rated for
difficulty
Lake Arrowhead Area
BLM
JF4325
Map to
trailhead
Map to trailhead
BLM
JF3330
Grapevine Rd.
BLM JF3225
JF3129
44
JF31
JF31
55
3N17D
Rattlesnake
3N17
3N5
3N11
Lu
na
M
t.
3N1
3N14
3N59
y
xe
Co
3N11C
3N17F
k
uc
Tr
l
ai
Tr
3N34
Willow Creek Jeep
3N34X
Squints
Ranch
3N92
3N38
3W65
Big Pine3N84
Flats 3N16L
3N90
3N14
3N08
3N97
3N04
Redonda Ridge
3N34D
3N16
Bacon Flat
2N06
2N06X
3N34
2N75
1W
2N95
Lake
Arrow-
3N16
2N25
173
3N17
3N56
3N11B
3N16
3N14E
1W
2W01
3W13
Blue Jay
JF3148
336
JF31
3N14
2N24
JF3135
Rd
.
JF3215
53
JF31
4N16
3N17
3N14
33
92
m
Ca
ny
on
JF3225
JF3253
JF
33
10
JF3335
85
JF33
JF
33
52
m
JF3276
JF3
940
Rd
.
150
JF3
JF3
382 JF3381
84
33
JF
JF
32
75
9
8
3
3
JF JF
m
19
32
JF
JF
43
25
Bowen Ranch
Private Property
Toll Roads Here
Grapevine
Canyon
Recreation
m
55
33
JF
JF3330
383
JF3
30
33
F
J
55
32
JF
343
JF4
Ord
20
Mountains
43
JF4340 JF
4m
JF335
Gr
ap
ev
ine
Juniper Flats
Po
w
er
lin
e
JF
32
23
30
33
JF
45
43
JF
JF
43
84
JF4
352
JF
33
59
m
30
43
JF
JF
43
25
JF
43
80
Santa Rosa Rd.
3N34 3N3
Dishpan
Springs
Cedar
2N2
Glen
2N26
North
Map to trailShoreCamp-
head 2N26Y
17
3N3
3N3
Tent Peg
Camp-
Lake
18
2N35Y
Running Springs
330
18
1N96B
1N96
1N96
3N93
2N68
2N01X
2N1
2N13
Crab Flats
2N54
2N16
2N83
3N1
Map to trail-3N16 Green
Valley2N19
head 2N26Y
Green Valley
3N93
Map to trailhead
2N13 Green Valley
3N14
Butler Peak
2N1
18
2N1
2N15
2N1
2N1
18
Snow
Valley 2N97
Resort
1N9C
Map to
trailhead
2N15
2N86B
2N86A
2N11B
11
KEEP PUBLIC
LANDS
ACCESSIBLE
PLEASE BE
RESPONSIBLE!
May 31-June 1,
2014
247
Lucerne Valley
JF3
929
3N69
head
3N16
Tr
ai
l
John Bull
Flat
Little
John Bull
Jacoby
Canyon
1
3N6
k
M
t.
Horsetheif
Flat
3N03A
Roa
d
9
32
35
203
RC3
3N
10
3N
3N83
3N10
Bu
ll
t
Fla
rnt
Bu
02
3N54
Jo
hn
43
3N
84
3N
3N90
3N16
3N10
de
ra
G
3N16
3N36
la
ck
ha
w
ry
bu
en
sh
Cu
18
White Mt.
Map to trailhead
RC
203
RC3
3N
36
B
Map to trailhead Map to trail-
3N12
Bes
sem
er M
RC4ine Road
20
JF3130
10
31
JF
Map to trailhead
42
14
RC4
210
Map to JF 3110
15
31
JF
3N14
RC
RC3
204
JF39
25
JF3136
Old
Wom
an S
prin
gs
215
RC3
JF3110
13
31
JF
JF3150
JF3148
18
Santa Fe Fire Trail
Camp Rock Road
29
31
JF
JF
31
25
247
RC3205
Map to Santa Fe Fire
Trail
Juniper
Flats BLM
Map to JF 3129
5
JF311
to Cougar Buttes
Gather at the
Vintage Lakeside Inn,
where everyone
enjoys the fun of our lake and
nearby attractions.
909-866-4978
41074 – 41080 Big Bear Blvd.
Big Bear Lake, CA
· Group Rates
· 3rd Night Free
· Large Vehicle Parking Available
· Restaurant on-site
· Meeting Rooms
· Free Continental Breakfast
· Pet Friendly
· Close to Village Shopping
Where the only thing
we over look is the lake.
mud, snow, and dust
and has a patented
venting feature that
allows the contacts to
resist water and release
contact damaging
internal condensation.
The Superwinch Talon 9.5 winch replaces the 9.5 EPi winch in The VS4 Solenoid
(Vented, Submersible,
the premium winch line. Having used the Epi 9.5 for several
and Stabilized with
years in 100s of vehicle recoverys and classes, expectations
Sealed Socket) is
were very high for the first test of the Talon. The EPi
located inside a
performed flawlessly in all conditions. Some pulls really
modern-styled rugged
tested the limits of
enclosure making this a truly sealed vehicle recovery winch
the winch.
assembly. All seals on the entire winch meet the IP67
The sealed 5.2 and
6.0 HP motors deliver standard, from the outermost end of the high performance
motor and groundbreaking solenoid to the 2-stage planetary
a quick but safe 62
and 2-stage spur gearbox. The innovative "Dual-stop" 100%
FPM line speed at a
load holding brake
low 75 amp draw.
design provides
Heat sink-styled
zero drag on cable
motor cap maintains
in and is located
low temperatures
inside the gearbox
under the heaviest
away from the
loads. The solenoid
drum to eliminate
will keep out water,
heat transfer to
the synthetic rope.
A special steel
drum is
constructed with
high tensile
strength material to
resist the unique
loading
characteristic of the
optional synthetic
3/8" x 80' rope
rated at 17,600 lbs
ensures a safe pull.
There's an
(909) 866-2162
ergonomically
572 Pine Knot Big Bear Lake
13
shaped hand-held
in the Village
sealed remote with brilliant
LED light for assisting in
night-time winching.
Our first test of the Talon
mounted on a Hanson JK
fullsize Fenderbar Front
Bumper was a simple,
straight pull up a 35 degree
slope in soft dirt. We
estimated the maximum
load at about 5000 pounds,
well under the capacity of
the winch . The pull was
easy for the Talon, as we
expected. The
remote was easy
to use and the
gear in the
winching
accessory kit
includes gloves, a
tree saver, two
haeavy duty
shackles, a snatch
block (20,000 lb)
and gloves in a
nylon bag.. We also used
the line damper. First
impression is that the Talon
will outperform the EPi. We
will undertake more
strenuous testing over the
next few months. Watch
the video of the test at
www.backcountry4x4.com
or scan the QR Code below.
For more on the Talon go
to: www.superwinch.com/
Don Alexander
Our first test of the Mickey Thompason BAJA MTZ tires on our Project JK
was a simple hill climb. We have tried
several tires on this steep, loose dirt
climb and many are unable to make it
to the top due to traction loss. No
such problem with the MTZ mud terrains. The MTZ has Mickey Thompson's Power Ply™ sidewalls with a
special angled third ply to give you
high performance handling, better puncture resistance, and improved towing capability.
• Advanced Radial Construction
for High Mileage & Smooth Ride
• Self Cleaning High-Void Tread
Lugs for Traction in Mud & Snow
• Deep Shoulder Lugs Provide
Aggressive Traction and Bold
Looks
• Enhanced Sidebiters® for Added
Traction & Protection
We will undertake more intense
testing in the next month,
14 so check on
www.backcountry4x4.com or scan
the QR Code. For the videos and
updates. Go to
www.mickeythompsontires.com/
for more information.
Don Alexander