A New Fourwheeler Meets the Hut Lake Trail

Editor's Note: I'm presenting this story because I think it does a wonderful job of describing how most of us got hooked on fourwheeling.

...lars

I'm still fairly new to the mailing list, having subscribed only 4 or 5 weeks ago, and haven't had the chance to meet and go 4wheelin' with any of you. I'm looking forward to hooking up with some people this summer, even more so after my first visit to Hut Lake on Friday:

I just wanted to write a short message to share the excitement and enthusiasm that I felt on Friday. I'm not kidding myself into thinking that I accomplished anything difficult and challenging, but for a guy who is still learning the limitations of his rig and his first off road experience with her, it was AWESOME.

I headed up the Hut Lake trail as the only vehicle and without any gear. I wasn't planning on doing anything too hard. Heck, I'm still conscious of scratching the paint. My friend Amanda and I drove up past the two left turnoffs and then came to a fork in the trail. The left side was flat and easy and we later discovered that it took you to Evans Lake, the right side headed up hill and was fairly rocky. Taking the right hand side was the only REAL option. Scoping out the obstacles and picking a line, I headed up through the rocks. Amanda was outside the jeep spotting me and I got through no problem. I'm sure most of you are very familiar with the trails up there and know exactly where I'm referring to. You probably don't even hesitate or stop for a look at this point in the trail. No big deal right? Well, I was ecstatic. My heart was pounding, my palms were sweating and my adrenal gland was working overtime. By the time I had navigated 3 or 4 more "sketchy" sections, I could stop laughing and Amanda was getting tired of hearing me say, "this is so awesome." The stopper obstacle was the 4 foot slanting rock step. Do you know the one I mean? There is a decent view point there and I think there might have been a huge tree stump on the left. The step is about 4 feet high and angled to the trail. Just after the step the trail continues over rocky terrain for 10 or 15 metres before it calms down. I was not about to try that!! No way. I had no backup, no experience, and not enough confidence. You say to yourself, "I bet the Jeep can do it...". And you're probably right. But can the driver do it? If either of them can't and if something goes wrong, who's gonna help you out? And so that was the point where we decided to turn around. BUT, not before I popped both front tires up and on top of the rock for a pic. It was cool. Very little spinning and effort required. I know that I'm going to come back with a group of people and hike that thing. I CANT WAIT! We came back down, navigating the mini obsticals just fine, and took the left fork to the lake where we hung out for a while.

Evans Lake is beautiful. I can't wait to return. Hopefully next time I'll be travelling in larger numbers and maybe learn something about REAL 4x4in'.

Cheers to you all,

James Fillman
'99TJSahara with 31" BFG's