ok, so another off road adventure to document, this is pretty impressive as well. I started going down this trail, which is asically in my back yard nad it was pretty tough. However, when i got a book i have and looked at it it gave this description. ( Trail Rating: Difficult, Narrow, Steep, Rocky. Muddy and slippery in places, especially early in the year. not suitable for stock vehicles)
here are some more pitures to enjoy...
Pick the right line
Who says I need a lift
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ok, scout out a line... low range 1st. let Mercedes use the traction control with constant throttle control to maintain momentum. Traction control acts like a lcoker, minor slipping...
Brutal climb...
Sled run #1
you can sort of see it, but there was a big rock sticking a foot off of the embankment on the left at perfect height to put a new pinstrip on the lower porion of my doors... with careful stering of the sled and slow movements i squeezed by...
there was about 6 inches of soft sand and gravel in the middle of this from the way the water circled. i went through it twice... low range first is a MUST and constant accel made it all the way through...
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where we're going, we don't need roads
Last edited by ML430-OFFROAD : 06-24-2007 at 08:29 AM.
I eye-balled it............. I just new that it was about the same amount as the water beofre. I was wrong, this water came well over the rockers and into the door sills. However, I have been disconnecting the filter from the intake only for the period i am in the water. Just unfasten the clips and separate the two pipes, then when out of the water reconnect them. That is a way of at least decreasing the chances of taking a gulp in the and blowing the engine. that water made it up to just below the headlight. I a m sure you know the intake is behind the low part of the passenger side headlight. One scary thing is a created a bow wave which greatly increases the chances. With the sand in the middle i started digging down some but was able to claw out, but the disturbance caused about 6 inches of water movement.
thats a great point, it is just really risky business because you can't tell if the ground is going to sink while you are driving over it or if a rock rolls out from under you and you fall in a hole. Who knows. I always try and keep m passenger side as high as possible, but i think mercedes is aware of its placement and most likely has some safeguards in place. Anyway, i am know expert, i just do it and if there is any question i change my mind, or i disconnect the lower part of the intake. Check this out though....
This is a lot different 4 wheeling than i do, they are looking for it, I cross all that difficult terrain and watercrossings to achieve a destination, and elevation, or just views, they seem to be doing it just to do it. But i was not in that much water and i was going a lot slower.
Last edited by ML430-OFFROAD : 06-24-2007 at 05:19 PM.
I can't tell you how much I want to go! Where the hell are you?!!!!
I live in Colorado Springs, those pictures were 4.5 hours south in the San Juans. (near Lake City and Ouray to be more exact). If you are ever out here on a summer weekend and i am going, you are more than welcome to come along. I usually go every weekend anyway through august. here is a good site about Colorado. MyColorado.org
I have not been posting my scenery pictures because i figured they were a little off topic. just pics of the ML
Vehicle: 2002 ML 500, 1994 Ford Explorer donated to Doctors without Borders
Location: Boston, MA
Posts: 2,005
Cool! If I'm ever out there, you can count on it! I am looking for similar areas in New England. Most places require you to park your car and hike. I have heard of places in western New England though. I'm looking forward to finding a path I can drive.
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