Finally, the Bailey's Jeep Train arrived, and we were off at the crack of 11 a.m. This typically wouldn't be an issue given the extended hours of light during high summer, but we knew we had to run most of Middle Alamita just to get to the first obstacle on the headliner Middle Alamita North trail. Once again, experience helped. It only took us two hours to bang and scrape over Middle Alamita (it took us twice as long the first time through) and arrive back at the entry obstacle on Middle Alamita North Canyon. We hopped out and checked out the initial challenge at the entrance.
What were we thinking? Why were we so anxious to pit ourselves against this nasty piece of sheetmetal-brutalizing rock? The sight was definitely intimidating. A very steep climb led to an off-camber crack flanked by a high wall of vertical sandstone. The crack had to be straddled to be able to reach the exit "V" with the front wheels. Upward progress could only be made by keeping the sidewalls of the tires firmly pressed into the wall on the right. A slip anywhere along the climb would drop the passenger side of the vehicle into the crack and full length against the unyielding sandstone. Ouch!
We had the right person up front. Harold Off was leading the big-tire parade today. With a few hints from Clint and his colleague Kevin, Harold attacked the new challenge with relish. The tricky part was keeping the right rear tire pressed into the rock wall while carrying the front tire over a gap tall enough to stand in! A few patient tries (OK, there was more than a little throttle involved) and Harold bounced through the top notch unscathed!
There is a good reason why "driver-side high" is considered the proper method to mount the entrance to Middle Alamita North Canyon. | 
Jim Bailey nears the apex of the entrance obstacle on Middle Alamita North Canyon. Part of the allure of Ray Ranch is the newness of the trails. Only around 10 vehicles had ever been up this canyon previously. | 
Nancy Bailey creeps her Scrambler over the entrance obstacle. The narrowed aluminum body allows her to slip through unscathed, and the 42-inch TSLs help keep the Dana 60s out of the rocks. |