Extreme 4 Wheelin'
Hot Springs, July 10th 2004
(Click on image to enlarge)

THE GANG IS ALL HERE!

Wow, what a great turn out. 
19 trucks in all braved the Arkansas roads for a chance to check out the Hot Springs ORV park.

After pictures were taken, it was time to warm up on a few hill climbs.   Like most of the park, you had your choice from cool to extreme!

Daniel became our first recovery mission, when a broken axle and bent tie rod hung him half way up the hill.

Here Jackie tackles one of the extreme lines.

Then Steve ventured up in the 'scuba works' Cherokee beast!

Next, the group heads out for the first of many trail runs of the day.   A couple of us tackle one of the optional rock piles along the way...

Looks like some more carnage here. 
Not the first, and certainly not the last!  This place can be TOUGH on vehicles....

Here Ken whoops up on the rocks in the Chief!

Another one of the optional trail, this one is called Vertical Challenge.
Rusty and Kathy are first to takes a shot at it.  Gotta have the line just right to squeeze thru. 
After a several attempts, he makes it up.

Unfortunately, my line was far from 'right'... 
But, that's why we have a winch, and a fire extinguisher. 
Well, that part is a longer story....

Next was Jayson.  It still took a couple rocks and some generous right foot to make it thru.

Late in the day it's starting to get a bit warm.  But, there are just so many challenges to try...  Here Ken tackles more ledges on another hill (I've just lost track by now). 
After an all to familiar 'POP' is heard, he decides to takes a shade break under the truck.  Hey Ken, while you are under there why don't you go ahead and replace that broken drive shaft yoke?... ;-)

Break is over and yoke is replaced.  Time to take revenge on the hill!

Of course, Steve has to get his say in as well...

One more trail to test out before we head back to the room to cool off before the night run.

We just happened to be lucky enough to get in on an advertised night run at the park.  Here everyone gathers up for the challenge.

First set of trails are really cool, and lead us up to a clearing overlooking Hot Springs.

Last hill for the night takes it's toll on the group, when Daniel breaks an axle and gets hung up on the last climb of 'The Ravine'.  It is taking a while to get everyone up the hill.

Ok, we are moving now.  Someone go wake up Jamie... :-)

Obviously, with 19 trucks it's not possible for me to get pictures of everyone.  So, if any one else has pictures we can add to this page, send them to me and I'll update the page (note, if they total more than a meg, please e-mail me first so I can direct you to a larger in-box).  Thanks, Markq

Thanks to everyone that came out, and special thanks to Steve Sharp for being our loyal guide!
Also, thanks to the great folks at the Superlift ORV park for their generosity and awesome facility!

Ok, truck pictures are done. 
Hot Springs is also a popular tourist location, known for it's downtown sights and unique bath houses.  Here's a few tourist shots from our stroll downtown for those that did not get a chance to see some of the sights.