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Felix808

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After 746 days, a MY22 4-door Badlands Bronco :-)
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Badlands
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White Mountain 6-13-26

Attendee's:

Felix808
2. @sobaybigdog2008 Victor Hahn
3. @JudyS Judy Scheuer 6G dark gray Big Bend w/ hard top.
4. @Critter 2 door Bronco
5. Louis Jeep Rubicon
6. @TTWildtrak Tina - '24 Bronco Wildtrak
7. @Antgar55 Anthony- Blue 2 door
8. @Alpha22 Gerry barajas bronco raptor 2024
9. @Rob P Burgundy/ White top 73
10. @terrynsd Terry and Carrie. ‘22 Wildtrak
11. @BossBroncos. Marc & Sarah - 2DR BaseSquatch
12. Colt - '24 Tacoma TRD Offroad
13. Roger - 4DR Badlands
14. Fan Man Dave
15. FMD’s Cousin

We all met up a 9:00 AM in the triangle lot in Fawnskin in front of the Fire Station. Boy was it crowded. Apparently, there was a Pay to Play Jeep Convention that crowded out our Big Bear Bronco Bash. They were going to run White Mountain as well. Then there was a group of motorcycles that were going to be running up the same way. It was a bit chaotic will all the people and trying to sort who was with each group. We helped dial in a few radios and had a quick driver meeting.
The Jeeps beat us to the punch and off they went. We were still getting organized and jaw jacking but latter as we were coming up to Hana Flats Campground area, low and behold we found the Jeeps pulled off to the side. I cracked my passenger window as I drove by their trail leader only to hear him say “Dammit!” as we rolled through and he realized what just happened.
Not to worry though, in typical Felix Adventure fashion you often get more than you planned on and I was tracking a different trail I had mapped and set off to the forest to the east. It was a pretty cool addition actually but later when I felt we were a bit too far east I panned out my e-map to realize I was a bit off. No worry, I found some additional connector trails to get us back on track.
We took a little breather once we got to the proper White Mountain Trail Head, then we headed up. On the way up my ABS Wheel sensor went off. A quick pull of the negative battery terminal and a few minutes I was able to get all functionality back.
Shortly after we made our way up the mountain and came upon a rocky decent disaster would strike. I recall stating 33” + tires being the minimum, but we had a stock Big Bend Buss that had no armor at all on stock 31” tires. I also had stated in the drivers meeting that if anyone needed help to please call out. It was said by those in the vicinity that there was a lot of banging and crashing going on. Well ones of those crashing bangs resulted in a rock finding it’s way into the transmission pan. Yep, it left a nice trail all the way down the hill.

Now shifting into crisis solution mode, I suggested we place the vehicle in flat tow and run a break vehicle strapped in the rear and a tow vehicle strapped in the front. A huge shout out to @Critter in his 2 door Bronco running brake and Louis in his Jeep Rubicon pulling from the front! Judy was pretty shaken up at the moment and did not even want to ride in the vehicle, for which Tina gave her a ride out. While Leslie manned the wheel & brakes for the ride out. Rob P (not me) in his Classic chassed with winch support. Thank you to Scott & his wife for finding what was needed to place the vehicle into Flat Tow Mode, to prevent smoking the transmission completely. Amazing support guys. Thank you!
We were fortunate enough that we only had a limited number of technical sections on the down hill before the team was able to get back on the Forest Road to get back to town

Lessons learned are these 6G Broncos need a little preparation before just taking them to the trails. A trans skid & fuel tank skid are good investments. Having radios is important, buy & carry one if not a few. Without communication between the push & pull team it would be really hard to know what the others were doing or knowing about how often the strap was tangled and needed readjustment. That this isn't Disneyland and the rides aren't on rails. Come prepared.

So, while the 5 carried out the rescue mission, the remaining 9 continued on our adventure. We stopped at a nice shaded area and broke out the lunch as we looked out over Johnson Valley & Calico. Quite the stunning dessert view.
We packed up from lunch and continued on, catching a glimpse of Lake Arrow head in the distance at one point. Later I would hear @Critter over the Radio stating they were just making their way out.
We had numerous beautiful views along our travels and a few challenges along the way. At one point we found ourselves head on with 27 Jeeps coming down the mountain at us. Thank fully they saw us and waited at the only spot feasible to get off the trail. I commented to the trail leader saying Hey, this is Bronco’s week. It appears the Pay for Play Jeepers are rolling deep in numbers. I also noticed for a group that is known for waving, few did as they passed.

Anyway, we made our way back aired up and went our ways.

Thank you all for joining and again thank you so much to all those who helped get Judy back to town.
Please post any comments or pictures you might have 🤠.

Pic's in no particular order:
Ford Bronco Big Bear Bronco Bash XXV White Mountain Saturday 6-13-26 IMG_4438


Ford Bronco Big Bear Bronco Bash XXV White Mountain Saturday 6-13-26 IMG_4439
Ford Bronco Big Bear Bronco Bash XXV White Mountain Saturday 6-13-26 IMG_4440
Ford Bronco Big Bear Bronco Bash XXV White Mountain Saturday 6-13-26 IMG_8303
Ford Bronco Big Bear Bronco Bash XXV White Mountain Saturday 6-13-26 IMG_8304
Ford Bronco Big Bear Bronco Bash XXV White Mountain Saturday 6-13-26 IMG_8307
Ford Bronco Big Bear Bronco Bash XXV White Mountain Saturday 6-13-26 IMG_8309
Ford Bronco Big Bear Bronco Bash XXV White Mountain Saturday 6-13-26 IMG_8308
Ford Bronco Big Bear Bronco Bash XXV White Mountain Saturday 6-13-26 IMG_4437
Ford Bronco Big Bear Bronco Bash XXV White Mountain Saturday 6-13-26 IMG_8310
Ford Bronco Big Bear Bronco Bash XXV White Mountain Saturday 6-13-26 IMG_8311
Ford Bronco Big Bear Bronco Bash XXV White Mountain Saturday 6-13-26 IMG_8312
Ford Bronco Big Bear Bronco Bash XXV White Mountain Saturday 6-13-26 IMG_4441
Ford Bronco Big Bear Bronco Bash XXV White Mountain Saturday 6-13-26 IMG_4443
Ford Bronco Big Bear Bronco Bash XXV White Mountain Saturday 6-13-26 IMG_8313
Ford Bronco Big Bear Bronco Bash XXV White Mountain Saturday 6-13-26 IMG_4442
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timhood

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I always miss this, as I end up in Big Bear in July or September. :)

Hopefully, people spoke with Judy afterward, as I'm guessing she was new to off-roading. An experience like this could have her swear off ever doing it again, and that would be too bad.

On the flip side, I think a trail leader should assess vehicles and be ready to talk an owner out of taking a trip. I'm not talking about a thorough vehicle inspection, but identifying the Big Bend and noting to the owner that it wasn't appropriate for the trail would have been an easier disappointment for the owner. There are some fun trails near Big Bear that a Big Bend would handle easily, and the owner could have enjoyed back country scenery, views of the lake, and an old cabin, among other things, so the drive up to Big Bear didn't need to be for nothing.
Ford Bronco Big Bear Bronco Bash XXV White Mountain Saturday 6-13-26 Screenshot 2026-06-15 at 8.40.18 AM
 
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Felix808

Felix808

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After 746 days, a MY22 4-door Badlands Bronco :-)
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Badlands
Clubs
 
The start was a bit chaotic and trying to herd the cats was enough of an issue & you just can't hold everyone's hand, especially when they show up late. The vehicle could have made it with assistance that was offered but never requested. It is hard with a large group of people you don't know, but I guess everyone has their own expectations. I did talk to Tina that evening and she said they got her sorted though I don't have the details as I did not see Judy again.
 

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Felix808

Felix808

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After 746 days, a MY22 4-door Badlands Bronco :-)
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Badlands
Clubs
 
Sorry I missed you at the BBQ, at least no one drove off the trail this year :love:
Yeah, we stopped by talked to a couple people and figured it was time for us to go so we didn't stay for the dinner this year 🤠
 

NORCALGXP

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I will have to say after all these years you always have the most detailed trip reports. What an adventure. See you soon.
 
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Felix808

Felix808

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After 746 days, a MY22 4-door Badlands Bronco :-)
Your Bronco Model
Badlands
Clubs
 
I will have to say after all these years you always have the most detailed trip reports. What an adventure. See you soon.
Thank you. Looking forward to it 🤠
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