Friday, November 7, 2003- Welcome to a new day!  It was time to do the obligatory "paperwork," so we got the jeep safety-checked and regsitered for the runs, and picked up our t-shirts that we'd previously ordered.  Not to mention the meal tickets for Chef Andy's feast the following night!  Next, we had a delightful breakfast of eggs, hash browns and sausage at Chef Andy's who always sets up his Ruff Rock Run Cafe for Panamint Valley Days and High Desert Round-Up.  When you attend Panamint Valley Days, Chef Andy's is a "gotta-do."  After we ate our fill, we lined up for the run to Jackpot Canyon.  The weather seemed a bit dubious, but, what the heck, as you're here to 'wheel!

Left:  We're lined up and good to go, for the Jackpot Canyon Run.  Base camp can be seen to the extreme right of the photo.  Right:  An air-down stop at the ghost town of Ballarat.  Notice the decomposed hulk of a Model-A at the extreme right of the photo.

We lined up near the Nedeau Road and our run leader, Steve Gardiner, introduced himself.  Steve showed up late, and was in the process of eating one of Chef Andy's wonderful breakfasts.  Steve, the character and smooth-talker that he is, apologized  for showing up late, and made the excuse that he hadn't pulled in to base camp until 0200 or something. He even offered to let anyone else lead the run, in jest, of course.  However, there were no takers of his kind offer.

Left:  Jackpot Canyon trail, looking into Panamint Valley.  Right:  Rest stop after climbing the first steep hill. Steve's Rodeo is the blue truck leading the run.

Steve led the run over the pavement and then turned off to Ballarat Road and led the group to the ghost town of Ballarat.  At Ballarat, the group aired down the tires, in preparation for the trail.  (We were already aired down.)

We headed east of Ballart, on the Pleasant Canyon road to a spot about 2 miles east of Ballarat where the road forks to the left.  Hmmm, Jonathan and I were in this area yesterday chasing the elusive geocache... Anyway, the Jackpot Canyon trail takes off to the left, which is the first fork in the road after passing Ballerat.

The trail starts easy, consisting mostly sand, small rocks and shale as you traverse the alluvial fan, before it enters a dry wash.  After an easy mile or so, we engaged four wheel drive, as our trail boss, Steve, said that we'd need it for the first hill.  At the start of the first hill, a Jeep in our group developed a clutch problem and wisely decided to fix it before tackling the first hill.

 

Photos:  We take a break after climbing the second hill, and admire the view of beautiful Panamint Valley below us, by a couple of thousand feet.

The hill.  Both hills.  You look up at them;  they're all loose dirt and you say : "I can't climb that."  But you can, you just take it easy and play the follow-the--leader game and make sure you keep the guy behind you in your rear-view mirror.  If you're the passenger, just ignore the off-camber stuff, as it will approach 30 degrees. But if the "pucker factor" doesn't get to you, you'll love the steep grades, something like 40 degrees, narrow trail, drop-offs, and spectacular views. Steve, our trail leader, advised anybody that had a problem with heights would be advised to sit out the run at Ballarat or go back to camp.   Good advice!  However, open your eyes and savor the view.  It's awesome!  Full-size vehicles could go on this run, but it would raise the "pucker factor" by a few degrees. However, this run afforded breathtaking views that pictures can't even describe.

Photos:  These photos dramatically show the trail to Jackpot Canyon and give you an idea of how steep the trail really is, and the awesome scenery that you will encounter.

We explored the mine at the end of the canyon.  We ate our lunches, swapped "war stories" and got to know each other a little bit better.  After all, we all would be family for the next couple of days; that is the nature of CA4WDC events.  

It was much easier down the trail, thanks to our good friend known as gravity.  

Left:  Jackpot Mine, at the head of Jackpot Canyon.  Right:  Our group takes a lunch break at Jackpot Mine which gives us to me eat lunch and explore the mine.

At the entrance to the canyon, out trail leader, Steve, gave us the option of continuing with him to explore the Jackpot Mine, or head down the trail toward Ballarat, about 2 miles to the west and continue to camp.  About half of the group elected to follow Steve; the rest of us, including Jonathan and I decided to head back to camp. After all, we had a few beers with our names on them, waiting for us at camp.