"There Was Much Rejoicing" Putney Trailhead Harlan,Kentucky
This last weekend was absolutely great!! I had a total blast!! My friend Jenny and I left on Friday morning heading to Harlan, Ky and Black Mountain. We were to meet up with our XJ friends for a fun time Jeeping.
The trip up there was rather interesting since it was raining. While traveling up I-75N Jenny had to hit the brakes and someone nearly took out the back of her Jeep. I think people were trying to get a good look at Princess (Jenny’s Jeep). Then again it may have had something to do with the rain. J
After getting off the interstate in La Follette, Tn we headed up towards Harlan. On this route we have to go through a tunnel that goes under part of the state of Virginia. Just before reaching the tunnel there was a sinkhole at the exit to old Hwy 25. Just another happening from all the rain we have received in the past several months.
We finally made it to Putney Trailhead in Harlan, Ky to find the Xjers waiting at camp. After unpacking the Jeep and everyone got ready we headed up trail 45 to Middle Fork. From there we made our way over to Rail Bed. It was here that we got a real scare and Jenny put butt puckers in her seat.
Jenny drove beautifully up the trail, but at the end everyone had to go up one at a time. Mike (my husband) went up first. As I watched him climb I decided this was a good place to take good pictures and get some video footage. Our friend Wayne was next to go up the steep climb and make his way between a tree and the ledge.
Jenny and Princess were next; I was taking video at this time. Jenny and Princess made most of the climb look easy until they had to go between the tree and ledge. I am not sure what happened, but the next thing I see is Princess’s front driver’s wheel off the ledge and she was just hanging about eight feet up on the side of the ledge (two wheels on and two wheels off).
Jenny was holding the brakes tight and this is when she butt puckered her seat. Mike was at the top so he quickly hooked a winch cable to her, but as he started to winch her the back driver’s side wheel dropped off the ledge.
At this point the XJers all went into action. Our friend Neal drove his Jeep to the top and he hooked a winch to the rear of Princess. Our friends Scott and Wayne had the Jeep strapped to a tree and Princess and Jenny were now ready to be winched. As Neal hooked up his winch our friend Haywire hooked up to the back of Scuffy (Mike’s Jeep) to help keep him from being pulled forward. I held the brakes in Neal’s Jeep and Neal worked both winches. During all this Wayne Sr. was talking to Jenny keeping her calm. It seemed like a long time, but Jenny and Princess were soon back up and on the trail again, and “there was much rejoicing”.
After this adventure we all went to the Lower Rock Garden. It did not matter if we were watching, driving, or riding everyone enjoyed Lower Rock Garden. It was at Lower Rock Garden where Scott decided to play Spin the Jeep. Actually he was trying to get over an obstacle, but his Jeep seemed to have a mind of its own. We all watched as he and his Jeep spun from side to side. It was quite entertaining to watch. J
We did get another good laugh when we were at the top of Killin' Time Trail. Neal was bouncing up, down, and side to side in the back of Josh’s Jeep. It was so very funny. LOL!! It looked like he picked up the back of the Jeep to help it over an obstacle. We were all laughing at Neal especially when he yelled “Let me out!” just before Josh went up the climb onto the next trail.
Before we got back to camp we all headed to the trail named Profanity. Some of us did not run this trail, but took a different way. On the ride Jenny noticed Princess was not steering well. Later she and some of the guys discovered that her power steering pump had gone out. However we made it back to Middle Fork and then back to camp.
That evening some (Evan and Mike) were working on Princess while others were still running trails. Jenny and I had to go into town to get another power steering pump. I drove Evan’s BMW. I fell in love with it. I think I smiled the entire time I was driving it. When we arrived at the part store I accidentally set off he alarm. I just wanted attention. J
Saturday found us waking to rain, but it soon stopped and we all got ready to ride again. This day was a day of Mud, Mud, and more Mud! The rain made the trails muddy and more challenging.
This was the day we drove up to one of the high points. We had a great view and we took a Jeep group picture at this point. We also had lunch while we were there. By the way Hot Pockets warm nicely on the engine of the Jeep.
After leaving here we drove to the end of Mason Jar. While the ones who were going to run or ride Mason Jar went to the beginning, Evan, Wayne, and I hiked up the trail. It was a steep climb, but once we got to the top it was an easy downhill. We arrived shortly after the rest of the group. I did not get to see anyone run Mason Jar, but I at least got to see the trail.
While some went up Mason Jar the rest of us decided to go over to Lion’s Den. We did not run Lion’s Den, but we did watch someone else go through. It is a very challenging trail; especially when you get between a rock and a hard place.
After leaving Lion’s Den we met back up with the others at Lower Rock Garden. It was here that Frosty got himself in a pickle. He was able to keep from tipping over and with help he got out of his pickle. We then all sat for awhile to watch others try to get up Little Jagger. We never did see anyone accomplish this.
After watching others at Little Jagger, we headed back to camp. The night once again was filled with adventuress stories and everyone filled their stomachs with steaks, potato boats, and roasted corn on the cob. Once again ”there was much rejoicing”.
