Failed Obstacle on Mineral Creek - Looking for Feedback

[Nate Train]

Hey Everyone!

We decided to go up Mineral Creek again because we liked it so much the first time, and even considered going back to Poughkeepsie Gulch to try the Wall. However, a failure on this smaller optional obstacle made us reconsider. We got high centered and couldn't make it up, though I felt like I was close to making it over. Luckily, we were able to back down and avoided getting stuck. Instead of Poughkeepsie, we continued on Mineral Creek and up to Mineral Point where we went down another obstacle that challenged us. We made this one, but thought some film study might be helpful.

I realize the video may not have enough of a view to really break down our mistakes, but thought it was worth asking anyway. Do any of you experienced off-roaders have any thoughts on how we could have approached either obstacle differently? We're in a stock Black Diamond, so the easy answer is more ground clearance. However, as I said, I think I might have been close to climbing up and over.

Thanks in advance!

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[Bilal23]

Which hero switches did you have in use there? Query if you had the stabilizer bar disconnect and the front locker activated. Given your rear wheel spin that may have gotton you going. Mostly though it looks like you picked a tricky line. Hard to tell from the angle but it looks like there were better options on the other side perhaps?

 

[Badlands Traveler]

Hi Nate,
First I’m no expert, but I have some experience. Last Wednesday me and my wife did the mineral Creek to engineer pass From Ouray. One question does your Bronco have locking differentials?

I believe you high centered because you were on the wrong line. Higher to passenger and you would’ve cleared the obstacle. At least that’s how my wife and I cleared that obstacle. Just my two cents!
Cheers Bruce

 

[Nate Train]

Which hero switches did you have in use there? Query if you had the stabilizer bar disconnect and the front locker activated. Given your rear wheel spin that may have gotton you going. Mostly though it looks like you picked a tricky line. Hard to tell from the angle but it looks like there were better options on the other side perhaps?

My only hero switch is the rear locker, which was on. Sorta wished I had a front locker there.

I forgot all my cameras, so I didn't have a good look coming at it to review. Thanks for the feedback!

 

[Nate Train]

Hi Nate,
First I’m no expert, but I have some experience. Last Wednesday me and my wife did the mineral Creek to engineer pass From Ouray. One question does your Bronco have locking differentials?

I believe you high centered because you were on the wrong line. Higher to passenger and you would’ve cleared the obstacle. At least that’s how my wife and I cleared that obstacle. Just my two cents!
Cheers Bruce

Yeah, I think momentum carried me a little more to the driver side than I wanted. I'll definitely be back some time to try it again. I always feel a little rushed when I'm with other people, though.

 

[Glade Runner]

Your main problem was vertical video. Proper video orientation would have made things easier.

 

[Nate Train]

Your main problem was vertical video. Proper video orientation would have made things easier.

Fair. I think we're maybe too often looking for "Shorts" content, which requires the vertical orientation.

 

[SierraBronco]

I just appreciate the use of high centered rather than turtled. I always think of turtled as being upside down.

But, yeah. Different line.

 

[Nate Train]

I just appreciate the use of high centered rather than turtled. I always think of turtled as being upside down.

But, yeah. Different line.

Right? "Turtled" would definitely refer to being flipped over on your back. That annoys me too.

 

[Fordified1]

Generally you don’t straddle an obstacle unless you’re positive you can clear it without high centering. But sometimes it’s hard to tell and you just have to back out and take a different line. That tree was your main problem and I might have taken the far right line because of it. I don’t remember. We were there in July. I don’t have front locker but have a lift and 35’s. I also had the benefit of following friends and judging by their line whether to follow or choose different. Many say put your tires on the big rocks instead of going around or straddling them.

Did that tree damage your Bronco?
BTW, I watched some of your vids before heading to Colorado so thanks !

 

[Nate Train]

Generally you don’t straddle an obstacle unless you’re positive you can clear it without high centering. But sometimes it’s hard to tell and you just have to back out and take a different line. That tree was your main problem and I might have taken the far right line because of it. I don’t remember. We were there in July. I don’t have front locker but have a lift and 35’s. I also had the benefit of following friends and judging by their line whether to follow or choose different. Many say put your tires on the big rocks instead of going around or straddling them.

Did that tree damage your Bronco?
BTW, I watched some of your vids before heading to Colorado so thanks !

Oh, man! I appreciate that we could be helpful.

I feel like now that you're saying that (put your tires on the rocks), which is something I know, I didn't really use that knowledge on my approach to this. I feel a little rushed sometimes when I'm out with other folks, so that may have been part of it. I also realized I didn't really look over the obstacle before I attempted. I just went for it. I need to slow down a little sometimes and recognize the people with me aren't rushing me - I'm rushing myself because I don't want to be a nuisance.

 

[indio22]

Hey Everyone!

We decided to go up Mineral Creek again because we liked it so much the first time, and even considered going back to Poughkeepsie Gulch to try the Wall. However, a failure on this smaller optional obstacle made us reconsider. We got high centered and couldn't make it up, though I felt like I was close to making it over. Luckily, we were able to back down and avoided getting stuck. Instead of Poughkeepsie, we continued on Mineral Creek and up to Mineral Point where we went down another obstacle that challenged us. We made this one, but thought some film study might be helpful.

I realize the video may not have enough of a view to really break down our mistakes, but thought it was worth asking anyway. Do any of you experienced off-roaders have any thoughts on how we could have approached either obstacle differently? We're in a stock Black Diamond, so the easy answer is more ground clearance. However, as I said, I think I might have been close to climbing up and over.

Thanks in advance!

Clearance and lack of articulation playing a part? If you dragged the belly it probably blunted some useful momentum.

And maybe for articulation try disconnecting the front sway bar. Later in the video near that other step, seems like the Bronco was also showing lack of articulation. Unfortunately there's only so much that can be done with the front IFS geometry.

 

[Nate Train]

Clearance and lack of articulation playing a part? If you dragged the belly it probably blunted some useful momentum.

And maybe for articulation try disconnecting the front sway bar. Later in the video near that other step, seems like the Bronco was also showing lack of articulation. Unfortunately there's only so much that can be done with the front IFS geometry.

I think the sway bar disconnect is a next step. I just have to learn how to do that! Still, I've been really happy with what this Bronco can do, even without all of that.

 

[Fordified1]

I think the away bar disconnect is a next step. I just have to learn how to do that! Still, I've been really happy with what this Bronco can do, even without all of that.

I failed to mention my sway bar has been removed. It’s not a daily driver.

 

[Nate Train]

Generally you don’t straddle an obstacle unless you’re positive you can clear it without high centering. But sometimes it’s hard to tell and you just have to back out and take a different line. That tree was your main problem and I might have taken the far right line because of it. I don’t remember. We were there in July. I don’t have front locker but have a lift and 35’s. I also had the benefit of following friends and judging by their line whether to follow or choose different. Many say put your tires on the big rocks instead of going around or straddling them.

Did that tree damage your Bronco?
BTW, I watched some of your vids before heading to Colorado so thanks !

Also forgot to answer: No damage by the tree. It mostly rubbed the rear fender flare and the door handle. PPF saved the paint.

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