Hello

4x4 ELEMENT MEET!!!!!!
Overview:
I am planning on setting up a meet for all So. Cal element owners. For all of those who are interestered we will be going to Hungry Valley OHV park. There they have a 4x4 practice area, which includes, hill climbs, light rock crawling, water fording action! I have been there many times before and i kno that our elements will be able to handle it! The event will be from Saturday nov. 13 through Sunday nov 14. The OHV is 2 min away from the small town of Gorman. There they have Gas stations, Mc donalds, Dennys Hotels and anyhting else you can think of...Yes Dogs are allowed. The more people that attend the more fun this will be!!!! If you are interestered or you have any more questions please feel free to email me at
onimun123@hotmail.com
or post it here as a responce to this message.
Thanks and God Bless
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Who?: YOU!!!!

What?: A fun offroad meet for all of us element owners

When:: November 13-14 (Sat through Sun)

Where? Gorman Ca Hungry Valley OHV ( Off highway vheicle) park ( see links 4 more info)

Why?:HAVE FUN

Directions:( be sure to type in your adress)
http://www.mapquest.com/directions/main.adp?go=1&do=nw&un=m&2tabval=address&cl=EN&ct=NA&1tabval=address&1y=US&1a=&1c=&1s=&1z=&1ah=&2y=US&2a=&2c=&2s=ca&2z=93243+&2ah=&idx=0&id=4170513a-0014c-03e50-400c2546&aid=4170513a-0014d-03e50-400c2546

Links:
http://ohv.parks.ca.gov/default.asp?page_id=1192
http://www.socalcamping.com/offroad/OHVhungryvalley.html

MAPS!
http://www.rallyusa.com/gorman_map.html
http://www.parks.ca.gov/lat_long_map/print_area_maps.asp?lvl_id=41&zoom=1

Off Road Tips!
http://www.toyotaoffroad.com/Articles/Information/4x4Tips.htm


Weather: During the time of november it is expected to be in the high 70's, but at night it can get down in the 40's, so if you decide to camp or sleep in your ride 8) be sure you bring a warm blanket.

Heres some pics of the area!!!

PICS!!!!
http://totalescape.com/GIFS/campn/HVrds/keepinup.jpg
http://totalescape.com/GIFS/backroads/monache/rivercross_i.jpg
http://www.teddnet.com/images/Gorman92604/rock%20climb.jpg
http://www.teddnet.com/images/Gorman92604/shelby.jpg
http://www.sclr.org/pics/miller1/mt2.JPG
http://www.4x4training.com/HungryValley/pictures/Entrance.jpg
http://www.4x4training.com/HungryValley/pictures/30DegreeSideHill.jpg
http://www.4x4training.com/HungryValley/pictures/WaterCross.jpg
http://www.4x4training.com/HungryValley/pictures/WaterTrough1.jpg
http://www.4x4training.com/HungryValley/pictures/MudHole.jpg

I dont advise attempting this 1 but it is kinda cool.

http://www.4x4training.com/HungryValley/pictures/RockClimb.jpg
http://www.4x4training.com/HungryValley/pictures/Directions.jpg


http://totalescape.net/pix/2001/LosPadres/HVfun/images/chris5.jpg
http://totalescape.net/pix/2001/LosPadres/HVfun/images/chris7.jpg
http://totalescape.net/pix/2001/LosPadres/HVfun/images/chriscrew3.jpg
http://www.expeditionexchange.com/millerhv/DCP_0035.jpg
http://www.expeditionexchange.com/millerhv/DCP_0045.jpg
http://www.expeditionexchange.com/millerhv/DSC01454.jpg
http://www.expeditionexchange.com/millerhv/DSC01541.jpg
http://www.expeditionexchange.com/millerhv/DSC01548.jpg
http://www.expeditionexchange.com/millerhv/DSC01561.jpg
http://www.expeditionexchange.com/millerhv/DSC01569.jpg
http://www.expeditionexchange.com/millerhv/DSC01628.jpg
http://www.expeditionexchange.com/millerhv/B025_22.jpg
http://totalescape.net/pix/2001/LosPadres/HVfun/images/mudtroop.jpg
http://totalescape.net/pix/2001/LosPadres/HVfun/images/chris2.jpg
http://totalescape.net/pix/2001/LosPadres/HVfun/images/dallasmud4.jpg
http://www.humvee.net/pix/gorman/gor06.jpg
http://www.humvee.net/pix/gorman/gor02.jpg
http://www.tikilounge.com/photos/hungryvalley/image/dscn3937.jpg
http://www.tikilounge.com/photos/hungryvalley/image/dscn3938.jpg
http://www.tikilounge.com/photos/hungryvalley/image/dscn3941.jpg
http://www.bokasmo.com/images/ohv/california/hungryvly/sign.jpg
heres The enterance sign, just look for this as you drive doen the side road
http://www.bokasmo.com/images/ohv/california/hungryvly/camparea.jpg
heres a Camping table, Also they have a fire pit...


I Hope you enjoyed the pics, and i hope to see many of you in NOV!

P.S. I called in and the water obsticles will be filled!!!

an amusement park for the off-road set!

which of those do you think the e will be able to do?

the most i've done with mine is fire-roads, ~4 inches of sand, 6 inch rock steps, and ~3 inches of mud.

the element should be able to do the water ditch, Sand corce, hill climb. Not only is there the 4x4 park there are hundreds of car acessible trails. about 50 we element owners could do!!

What to bring????
The enclosed is a recommended list of things to bring on this trip

#1 Your Honda Element of Course
-4WD recommended
#2 If you are planning on camping
-Tent
-Sleeping Bag
-Flashlights or the equivalent

If you are planning on camping in your Element
-Air mattress
-Plenty of sheets
- Flashlights or the equivalent

If you are planning on sleeping in the Hotel In Gorman
-$$$

#3 Bring plenty of water, Gorman is high in the hills, (like 5,000ft elevation)
#4 Food, or $$ for in town dining
#5 Extra clothing, Its dusty out there!!
#6 Sunscreen, again a lot of UV rays in the desert
#7 Sunglasses

-Vehicle Preparation

#1 Check/ Change oil
#2 Check coolant level, There are large and long hills on the Freeway
#3 Check/ Add washer fluid (or water), again its dusty
#4 Make sure you have/ bring enough fuel, there is a gas station 5 min from where we are
#5 Make sure you bring your vheicles registration, just in cae u break the rules :lol:
#6 It might be a good idea to get a lower grill screen, if you dont allready have 1 8)
#7**IMPORTANT** Make sure that your car is in good mechanical condition, the desert is a hostile place. Walk around your car and observe phisicall defects and avoid stressing the defective area when you are 4x4 ing.

Other Items ( Suggestions)
#1 Camera ( Pics of the event would be great!)
#2 BBQ (Must be gas due to high fire danger)
#3 Air Compressor ( In case you want to lower tire pressure, u can rase it back up again)
#4 Chairs or tables
#5 Umbrella
#6 Anything else!, Remember Pets are welcome

Final Note's.
#1 A daily pass to the park is $4.00
#2 A camping pass to the park is $6.00
#3The campsite that we will be at will be posted sooner to the event!
#4If you guys are interesterd in having a BBQ then please bring somthing like Hamburgers or Hot dogs, Buns, Mustard katchup etc...../ Just post wut you are able to bring!


If you are planning on comming, it is recomended tht you print out this post. Just coppy it all and paste it on a word doucment

Thanks
Dave

UPDATE!!

Heres The scoop

We will be meeting at 12:00 Noon Through 1:00 PM at the SMITH FORKS campground. The campground is like 300 feet from the Designated 4x4 area, Yet it is close enough to the good trails. When you drive up to the Pay booth, just ask for a park Map, and locate where the Smith Forks Campground is. Remember if you do get lost there are alot of Park Rangers around so you can ask for directions.
Rough Directions to Campground-
There is one main road which connects to almost all of the campgrounds(The road that the pay booth is on is the road). Just go on that road for about 2 miles until you hit a fork in the road.The campground is on the left before the fork

http://pic4.picturetrail.com/VOL767/2727436/5458011/69995291.jpg


After getting off offramp-

After you exit the off ramp You will make a left turn onto Gorman school rd. Then a Right onto Peace valley rd. Then after about 3/4 mile you will make a right onto the enterance of the park

http://pic4.picturetrail.com/VOL767/2727436/5458011/69994532.jpg

Hope this Helps!

Dave

Is anyone remotly interestered in this????

i was/am interested, sounds like fun.

unfortunately i have a work meeting out in palm springs that weekend.

ok well thanks for your reply... im gald to hear that some one is even remotly interestered 8)

Dave

sounds radical! would love to get some 'basic training' in off-roading. i can probably come one of the days at least.

is there enough "stuff" to keep entertained with for two whole days?

how crowded are you be expecting it to be?

gotta check w/wife etc etc etc

i'll re-confirm here.

:D fun :D

First of all, welcome to the forums

There will be plenty to do. Loads of fun.I have been thee many times, i kno my way around... I hope that maybe 5 e's will come but prob not. There are alot of dirtbikers on the weekends but they arnt allowed in the 4x4 area!!!

Dave

I don't get it... Where's the "speed bump challenge" and "curb-jumping" contest? What exactly are we planning to do with our "E"s?

[quote:51e3c03e31=" "]I don't get it... Where's the "speed bump challenge" and "curb-jumping" contest? What exactly are we planning to do with our "E"s?[/quote:51e3c03e31]

Drive offroad with our e's. The speed bump challenge is way to extreme for our e's. There pretty much railroad ties on the dirt which you muct drive over. I dont kno of any vurb jump contest. Its a big 4x4 area. Do some trails, go 2 the 4x4 cource go to the local bar 8) its open for discussion.

so about that water/mud fording; aren't our E's a little more vulnerable to junk in the radiator, considering how low it is? any other concerns? I think of E as able to track through light mud & snow. but full 4WD action? any prep I can do? recommended aftermarket off-roading gear?

[quote:b211bd67a7=" "]so about that water/mud fording; aren't our E's a little more vulnerable to junk in the radiator, considering how low it is? any other concerns? I think of E as able to track through light mud & snow. but full 4WD action? any prep I can do? recommended aftermarket off-roading gear?[/quote:b211bd67a7]

Thanks for your input. I think our e's will do fine in the water, bieng that its only about 3 Inches deep unless it rains like alot, then it will maybe get like 5 inches. well see when we get there.
http://www.expeditionexchange.com/millerhv/DSC01561.jpg

I definatly do not advise driving our e's hrough the mud, im just howing you whats available. As far as preparation, view the top posting on what to pring/ what to preapre

for 4x4 gear, if you are really interestered in going 4x4ing often then i would invest some money into a good set of tires and maybe a brush guard, but only for a weekend event, then just a air compressor so you can fill ur tires back up and maybe a good toving cable ( stong rope or chain) or somthing allong those lines.

Thanks

NICE DUDE I AM SOOO THERE!

I allready printed out the checklist, and ill be there!

Please post a followup summary with images when you guys get back! And good luck. I'll send out some prizes maybe....

will do T man. we have 2 ppl goin so far. any more???

man this will be fun i think.

ok, we're confirmed for Sunday, we'll be there in the morning, with Krispy Kreme or something :D


oh yeah, Go Bush!

:woo hoo:

hey foto and fasterer
i think we should re schedual
i want more ppl goin
wut are ur thiughts?

yeah i think more than 3 will be good

[quote:7d1e8f3beb=" "]hey foto and fasterer
i think we should re schedual
i want more ppl goin
wut are ur thiughts?[/quote:7d1e8f3beb]

Colin, are you on vacation or somthing? ;)

colin? im Dave

No im not, i just want to be more than 3 ppl goin. So were going to do it in the spring

dude, I jumped through a few hoops to make this, so I'm going (even if by myself) :(

i'll post pics of my triumphs (and mishaps :? but hopefully not)

sorry man, It will be fun i guarentee, just take some fotos, we will appreciate it. Please come in the spring when we go !!!!

Dave

PS sorry man:)

hey Foto, Ill be there 2 :)

see u there!

are u sleepin there or commin for the day... which day?

no prob Thee, I'll hit it up in the spring too. 8)

fast, I'll be heading up with a buddy as early sunday morning as possible. I'm 2 hours away, so hopefully by 9am. we'll stay into the sunset (we're both photographers)

and who knows, maybe we'll pick up a few more this week

definatly man well have fun from the looks of it. ill bring my video camera so maybe well get some movie action too. Now i about 2 1/2 hrs away ( l live in Calabasas) so u might get there before me. are you going to bring any food. If not i have one of those cool fire Ice bbq's, and i am planning on bring it, since its allowed. Ill bring some Hamburgers and buns, if you could get some drinks that would be great. Also i will get some ice. Itll be fun!!!!

see u there

http://www.spiegel.com/assets/product_images/product_detail/0782515627.jpg
Heres the grill i have

cool - we'll bring beverages (not the tipsy kind :wink:) and snacks etc

cool man, see u there!

alright, we're bringing drinks, chips & homemade cookies compliments of my lovely wife

and we've got the table/legs


see you on the hill!

man u 2 will have fun! can/ will you come when we go in the spring?

AWSOME i allready have all the food packed and ready.
I got steaks from Ralphs and ice. I also got some PLates and plastic silverware. Man it will be good! theelements Pm ed me and he told me that the water holed should be full for us to "ford"! that should be awsome! see u there tom!

Dave

thanks for the encouragement Theel, I'll plan on making the spring meet (depending on how E survives this weekend :lol: )

Fast, check your PM

Sry i wasnt there foto. I got major lost. I got on the 101 and forgot to make the junction to the 5. so i was like 3hrs off when i realized. I hope u had fun and took lots of pics

sry man :oops:

didnt u do the mapquest thing?

i did but it lust glansed at it :oops:

i guess i should have paid more attn

Now i got like 3 pounds of steak, wut to do wut to do

Well, does one Element count as a Meet? :?

My buddy & I actually had a blast tearing up the trails in the 4WD EX-Auto at Hungry Valley SVRA. :D :D :D

We started at the 4x4 practice course. There are a few things E can do, though not everything.

After watching some other vehicles tackle various obstacles, we started up the main ascent hill in the course.

http://www.caliberphoto.com/images/ascent1.jpg

http://www.caliberphoto.com/images/ascent2.jpg
It's a lot steeper than it looks in that photo, I'd say a good 35-40º at times. You really get that feeling like you might roll over backwards :lol:

http://www.caliberphoto.com/images/ascent3.jpg
I'm fairly impressed with the grip the E maintains, esp. considering the stock tires (which I must say seem to be wearing fast for only 6000 miles). Shifting into 1, there was very little spin.

http://www.caliberphoto.com/images/lookinup.jpg
This is more what it "feels" like, climbing up that roller-coaster hill.

http://www.caliberphoto.com/images/descent2.jpg
Clambering back down. At one point the crew of a Ford Ranger stopped to watch somewhat slack-jawed as the rear wheel of the E came up about a foot off the ground. The E seemed so sure-footed, I didn't know this until my buddy relayed. BTW, a spotter & walkie-talkies are extremely helpful.

http://www.caliberphoto.com/images/descent1.jpg
Easy on the brakes, not too hard, and you can descend at a non-psycho pace without slipping at all.


But here's where we ran into trouble.
http://www.caliberphoto.com/images/watertrough1.jpg
The Water Trough seemed benign enough, and it was only maybe 4 inches deep, with what felt like 1 inch of thick mud at the bottom.

http://www.caliberphoto.com/images/watertrough2.jpg
The problem is the dirt floor on the "exit" or west end of the trough was too low to allow the E to clear. We cruised on in and through with no problem, but as we climbed up and out the E's front wheels dropped of course to ground level, and with an awful "KLANK!" landed it down hard on the concrete lip. The parts run-aground seemed to be the side-steps, a bolt-fastened part of maybe the 4WD transfer system(?) and the bar protecting the fuel-tank :shock: An onlooking scruffy-dad-with-kids-in-dune-buggy was laughing during our whole attempt, then suggested jacking up the front of the E to get it out. We thought we'd try reversing it first. With just a little wriggling of the steering, we wrenched the E off, and backed completely out, barely scuffing the muffler (or tailpipe?). Luckily (or so I hope - having my mechanic give it the once-over tomorrow) it doesn't seems any worse for the wear. I'm thinking the side-steps took most of the brunt of the impact. There's parts that are obviously scraped a bit, but I don't think any serious damage was rendered. The whole 4 hour drive home and all today it hummed along like the day it was new. No leaks, no engine lights, no noises. Nada. No I don't have a photo of us stuck there, and needless to say, always check your ground clearances when attempting such endeavors. These aren't hummers.

(post continues below...)

http://www.caliberphoto.com/images/trails.jpg

Despite that, we treked on spending most of the rest of the day on the numerous trails, which are great fun. A lot of them are very soft-dirt almost sand, and the E did just fine. Keeping a steady pace without stopping is a real good idea. Though most of the trails are open to all vehicle types (I think), they seem to only be ridden by motorbikes, ATVs, and one Element :lol: It's quite funny, since E is a fairly small 4WD, you can sort of show up out of no-where, and you get the odd stares from unsuspecting ATV-riders as you pass. In fact, although the many trails are rated for 4x4s, there's a lot you could not take a fat Ford truck, Hummer or other jumbo SUV, just not enough room. The trails were numerous enough that we only had motorbikes on our tail once, in which case we just pulled over into a clearing to let them pass.


http://www.caliberphoto.com/images/motobike.jpg

After a late lunch (at Carl's Jr :wink:) we checked out the races going on at the nearby Motocross track. It's a big deal, sponsors, booths, the whole thing. Plus on the practice tracks in the park there's entire families outfitted with bikes, from 5 years old on up it seems. Really a way of life for some.

http://www.caliberphoto.com/images/ridge.jpg

We ended our day at Condor ridge (after splashing around in a mud puddle) and got some glimpses of a white condor. The area down below the fencing has a discreet, unofficial muddy path you can hike down carefully. However some very prominent animal-like rustling in the brush down below prompted the fight-or-flight instinct, in which case we chose the latter :lol:

All in all a worthwhile trip;was really good to get to know the capabilities and limits of the E, thankfully we and the E returned in one piece, and we had a great time to boot.

:D :D :D

-----------------------------
(Text by fotobox, photos by JB (http://www.smrekart.com))

Man it looks like u 2 had fun. I which i could have come. I would have brought my bike.... Im sorry to hear that you had trobule witht he water pit.. i dont remember the water pit to have such a fat lip. Well anyways are u 2 in for the Spring when we go again?

So wait a second. Only one Element made it? Bummer. I was lamenting the fact I had a prior commitment and couldn't go. Hopefully a spring event will have a higher attendance.
Josh

Yeah were plannin one in the spring. sounds like you guys had fun tho. Any more photos?

oohh that looked awsome... i wanna go now :D

those are the best of the photos. we actually didn't take much on the trails - but they were the most fun part probably - bouncing up and down hilly, winding side paths.
Forgot to mention, the E's suspension when taken over such hills and dips takes on a very bouncy, pogo-like quality - super fun if you get it up to (reasonable - not crazy) speed.

I'm game for spring. :D

Oh and thank God, no damage reported on the E, mechanic only noted minor tweak on the fuel tank guard, said it did it's job. (though he was incredulous that I actually took it off-road at all)

Yeah man ive been on roadrunner tral hundreds of times, u guys should have gone on devils backbone... that would be crazy. I think the e would do great on road runner. did you climb those hills on powerline trail? :wink:
U havet to be crazy to do em

hills? hm, I think we were on the northen section of the powerline trail, which was a bit narrow at times, but not all that challenging.

this spring, we'll tear 'em up!

yeah there on your right when you bend that hairpin bend when you are first entering the park. Like 100 FT hills at like a 50Deg incline

Find it interesting you play up in dem hills with your E. I drove mine over the grapevine last week (both directions) and found it a little lacking in umph on that long grade. Course I have an automatic, what can I say.

that's so funny, i was just on it a few weeks ago, and it was great.

my old camry (1989 4cyl mt) could barely make it, i had to turn off the cruise and downshift to fourth, and it was still about 50mph tops through the steep stuff.

when i went through on the way to sequoia np in the element, i had the cruise set to 75mph, in fifth, and it didn't slow at all on the trip in either direction! that was with four people and camping gear.


either you were hauling bricks, or there really is a big difference between the mt and at!

when i went off roadin i had no trouble ever

I have 4WD w/Auto, no significant lag at all. Not to kiss Honda's butt or anything (really) but I'm continually impressed at how this 4-cylinder engine pulling 3600lbs + passengers, etc does so well. I really don't hanker for a V6.

Now, I will say I think gas choice makes a diff, not so much 89 vs 87 but quality. I.E. cheapo no-name brands or Arco really do sound slightly.. rougher in day to day driving than Shell, Chevron, etc. Then again maybe that's marketing psycology in full effect :)

Hey foto. I have the same layout as you. I also am impressed how it does it. I am goin motorcycling this weekend and i am going to test the towing capacity of it. I no it says to run 87 Grade fuel but i put 89 in. It runs great on it. I also drained that factory oil and put in some royal purple in. i definatly advise makin that switch. works great

http://www.elementownersclub.com/forums/showthread.php?t=10907

'Sorry I missed the event. New member, here. Heading to the L.A. Auto Show, probably on the 16th. 'Hope to catch you there. Not an 'E' owner, yet, probably later in the year. Maybe even for the '06's.