60seriesguy
05-06-2002, 07:48 AM
Saturday I went up to Paragon Adventure Park in Hazleton, PA on my FJ62, with Rustycruiser running shotgun/spotter. We had a medium-sized group that included three US-spec 80 series (including Climbermike from this board), a Venezuelan-spec FZJ80 (carburated, manual, part-time 4WD) and two FJ40's.
Ross and I got there kind of late, after miscalculating the time it would take there and stopping for a leisurely breakfast. As soon as we got off the highway we started seeing rigs, mostly YJ's and TJ's and the occasional mini-truck, but even a group of shiny X-terras! As we drove into the park, I was surprised by the number of trucks, there were easy 200+ rigs there. The organization was pretty good, I had to buy a flag (mandatory) and we were given wristbands of the appropriate color for the day after paying ($35 for rig/driver and $5 for additional passengers per day), given a quick inspection, then allowed to go muster in front of the correct marker for the trail. Paragon recently decided to allow groups to go on their own (after marking the trails and designing a good map), which is a lot better than being assigned a trail leader. On saturday we decided to run Whompum, which is rated a Green 3. I'm not sure what this means since this is the only trail I've done there, but I can tell you that the trail would be considered a mid-level trail at most events, with a couple of nice little obstacles and a couple of tougher lines that are optional.
Having lived within 45 minutes of the Florence Junction area of Arizona, I didn't expect to be impressed by the rocks at Paragon, but I *definitely* was. There are a lot of rocks, and a lot of BIG rocks. One rock garden of loose boulders was intense, and we checked out (but didn't try) a side trail that would have given WoodPecker a run for its money. The rocks are gritty and offer amazing traction, and the trail was dry this weekend, which was a blessing.
The pace was a little bit slow for my taste, but the group was a good one, and other than a broken rear axle on an FJ40 and a couple of well-bashed 80 series control arms, damage was minimal.
All in all, we had a really good time. Not bad for a day trip, although by the time I got home I was beat, maybe next time we'll make it a weekend thing?
As far as my Cruiser goes, the old bitch stood up to the abuse as well as always. Other than assorted scraped on the defensive hardware, I didn't have ANY damage. She is really undergeared, though, my finesse has all but dissapeared...I need some 4.88's and a doubler solution ASAP!
In any case, if you have the opportunity to get to Paragon, I think it's a GREAT alternative for East Coast/Mid-Atlantic wheelers, and even though it's not free, the price of admission is well worth the trails. We saw trucks from VA, MD, WV, DE, NY and NJ, and even a big group from OH, so the park's reputation is well-earned.
Maybe we can get together another run up there in the near future, with people from this board?
PS: If I get any pictures sent to me, I'll post some, we're saving the best for a TT article.
Ross and I got there kind of late, after miscalculating the time it would take there and stopping for a leisurely breakfast. As soon as we got off the highway we started seeing rigs, mostly YJ's and TJ's and the occasional mini-truck, but even a group of shiny X-terras! As we drove into the park, I was surprised by the number of trucks, there were easy 200+ rigs there. The organization was pretty good, I had to buy a flag (mandatory) and we were given wristbands of the appropriate color for the day after paying ($35 for rig/driver and $5 for additional passengers per day), given a quick inspection, then allowed to go muster in front of the correct marker for the trail. Paragon recently decided to allow groups to go on their own (after marking the trails and designing a good map), which is a lot better than being assigned a trail leader. On saturday we decided to run Whompum, which is rated a Green 3. I'm not sure what this means since this is the only trail I've done there, but I can tell you that the trail would be considered a mid-level trail at most events, with a couple of nice little obstacles and a couple of tougher lines that are optional.
Having lived within 45 minutes of the Florence Junction area of Arizona, I didn't expect to be impressed by the rocks at Paragon, but I *definitely* was. There are a lot of rocks, and a lot of BIG rocks. One rock garden of loose boulders was intense, and we checked out (but didn't try) a side trail that would have given WoodPecker a run for its money. The rocks are gritty and offer amazing traction, and the trail was dry this weekend, which was a blessing.
The pace was a little bit slow for my taste, but the group was a good one, and other than a broken rear axle on an FJ40 and a couple of well-bashed 80 series control arms, damage was minimal.
All in all, we had a really good time. Not bad for a day trip, although by the time I got home I was beat, maybe next time we'll make it a weekend thing?
As far as my Cruiser goes, the old bitch stood up to the abuse as well as always. Other than assorted scraped on the defensive hardware, I didn't have ANY damage. She is really undergeared, though, my finesse has all but dissapeared...I need some 4.88's and a doubler solution ASAP!
In any case, if you have the opportunity to get to Paragon, I think it's a GREAT alternative for East Coast/Mid-Atlantic wheelers, and even though it's not free, the price of admission is well worth the trails. We saw trucks from VA, MD, WV, DE, NY and NJ, and even a big group from OH, so the park's reputation is well-earned.
Maybe we can get together another run up there in the near future, with people from this board?
PS: If I get any pictures sent to me, I'll post some, we're saving the best for a TT article.