A Dirt Head's JK

[DirtHeadDavis]

Bit late on posting this but I explored Oriflamme Canyon near Banner, California which is just past Julian.

This trail has a few different options, run one up and then back down, do a loop, or take one of the trails out to the S2 straight into Borrego.

The Trailhead is off the 78 in Banner and has two immediate trails connected to it, the Oriflamme Trail (aka Mason Valley on some maps I noticed) and the Rodriguez Spur Trail. I took the Mason Valley Trail and looped back using the Rodriguez Spur Trail. The route I took was about 17 miles overall, and I'd say the the trail is of moderate difficulty.

The climb up is easy and scenic, but the descent gets rocky, rutted, and off camber on shelf roads. There is some old mines about halfway up the trail and a rusty old pickup was at the entrance almost as if it was keeping watch. It was private property unfortunately, wasn't able to explore them.

I got the Jeep fully stuffed many times, here's some shots from the day out!

 

[DirtHeadDavis]

And some more...

 

[DirtHeadDavis]

Followed by more! The last pics are of us stopping in Julian on the way home for some pie! Lol

 

[Bullwinckle]

Looks like a fun day!

 

[bobfriesenhahn]

Followed by more! The last pics are of us stopping in Julian on the way home for some pie! Lol

I have been up/down Banner Grade seemingly hundreds of times. The area looks familiar. I had no idea that there was so much adventure to be found.

 

[DirtHeadDavis]

I have been up/down Banner Grade seemingly hundreds of times. The area looks familiar. I had no idea that there was so much adventure to be found.

Me neither to be honest, I just brushed the surface it seems!

 

[DirtHeadDavis]

Strapped!

Using Warn's 2.5 to 5lb Extinguisher Roll Bar mount with a 2.5lb extinguisher. Super happy with the look and functionality. Now let's just hope I don't have to use it... lol

 

[Billy Joe]

Followed by more! The last pics are of us stopping in Julian on the way home for some pie! Lol

Great pictures.

 

[DirtHeadDavis]

I have a trip up to Big Bear planned for next week! We'll be wheeling and camping for a couple days up there with my JK and my buddy's TJ. Obviously I'll post up the pics here!

As far as my Jeep goes I finally got a 30' tow strap that doubles as a tree saver (still need a winch... ) and some cheap Rugged Ridge D-Rings to slap in quickly in case I need a yank - not a fan of running them all the time, looks goofy in my opinion.

 

[DirtHeadDavis]

Took apart and regreased the Bolts and plastic fittings on the hinges of my EVO carrier. This thing squeals like hell! Don't care all that much since it is absolutely solid and I don't open the tailgate too often, but it's kind of a running joke with my friends and family that everyone looks at me like I'm torturing a pig in the middle of a parking lot after going to Walmart... Lol


Other than the noise it's held up great and most importantly looks badass still

 

[Seahawkfan]

I have a trip up to Big Bear planned for next week! We'll be wheeling and camping for a couple days up there with my JK and my buddy's TJ. Obviously I'll post up the pics here!

As far as my Jeep goes I finally got a 30' tow strap that doubles as a tree saver (still need a winch... ) and some cheap Rugged Ridge D-Rings to slap in quickly in case I need a yank - not a fan of running them all the time, looks goofy in my opinion. Next on the list is things like trackbars, control arms, drag link, tie rod, etc. I'm thinking EVO, but what do you guys run and why?

I'm thinking you might need some under armor I've got this EVO protek cross member skid that's looking for a new home. https://evomfg.com/collections/skid...k-exhaust-tranny-cross-member-skid-for-jk-jku

 

[DirtHeadDavis]

I'm thinking you might need some under armor I've got this EVO protek cross member skid that's looking for a new home. https://evomfg.com/collections/skid...k-exhaust-tranny-cross-member-skid-for-jk-jku

Ok, who sent you my Jeep's letter to Santa?

 

[Seahawkfan]

Ok, who sent you my Jeep's letter to Santa?

Just thought you might like a half price skid that's located between where you live and your trip to Big Bear. Hell was even going offer the garage so you could install it before you hit the trail.

 

[DirtHeadDavis]

Had one hell of a time in Big Bear. I went up with my good buddy who has a really cleanly built TJ on 33s. We made it a relatively quick trip as we're both pretty busy right now.

We ran Gold Mountain and part of the Holcomb Valley network of trails, camped for the night, and had some good eats the next morning before heading back home. It was a perfect quick getaway, and of course we got some killer shots of our 2 days out.

 

[TrailHunter]

Cool Pics.. thats a great area to get away for a bit.

 

[Bullwinckle]

Looks fun!

 

[wayoflife]

Awesome! Seems like forever since I've seen just a couple of 2-doors out on the trail having a good time

 

[DirtHeadDavis]

Awesome! Seems like forever since I've seen just a couple of 2-doors out on the trail having a good time

Lol, right??? They're perfect for us college age kids to use as very capable daily drivers.

 

[TrailHunter]

Lol, right??? They're perfect for us college age kids to use as very capable daily drivers.

I lived on Natural Light and Top Ramen in college... you're doin pretty good.

 

[Ddays]

I lived on Natural Light and Top Ramen in college... you're doin pretty good.

Throw in a 30 pack of hot dogs, 5 for a buck man-n-cheese and that's a weeks eats