All posts by Mud Slinger Lee

Jeep Beach Underway

Event Announcements

The vendors and factory exhibitors that attended the Morris 4×4 show last weekend have motored their way on up I-95 and are in Dayton for Jeep Beach. While the partying has already started, there’s still time to make the scene. Main events are scheduled for Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

Saturday – Challenge Courses & Vendors Exhibits


Courses run mild to wild


Are staffed with capable people who can advise and if needed recover


and it’s always fun to see what everyone else has brung and see it in action

More photos at the Challenge Course Album

Sunday – Morning Beach Ride/Parade


For the last 8 years this has been a monster for turn out


After the morning meetup, Jeeps head down the beach single file.


The procession is miles long.

For more photos of the beach ride, check out prior years Beach Ride Albums

Avian Fire Update
2018-Apr-25

Park & Land Management
Ochopee – Due to multiple fires within the same unit of Big Cypress National Preserve, the Avian Complex will now include and report on the Buzzard, Vulture and Caracara fires. Information regarding these fires, including maps, and fire area closures can be found on InciWeb.

Rain fell across the Buzzard Wildfire on Monday, slowing fire progression. The fire continues to move west towards the Oasis Trail, and crews have focused on prepping any structures potentially at risk by removing brush, and any other fuels from around buildings. The revised Closure Order does impact the Florida Trail. During this closure, all recreational use including Off-Road Vehicle (ORV), hiking, hunting, camping and commercial activities will be prohibited in the designated areas. This is to promote visitor safety during wildfire activity in this area. Travel through the preserve on US-41 has not been impacted by the fire.

The Buzzard Wildfire was reported on April 10, 2018. The fire has burned approximately 7,193 acres, and remains at 20% containment. The cause of this fire has been identified as a lightning strike.

The Vulture Wildfire, first reported on April 10, 2018, has been 100% contained. The cause of this fire has been identified as a lightning strike. This will be the last update for the Vulture Fire

The Caracara Fire which was first reported April 17, 2018, located in the sanctuary portion of the preserve near the canal, has burned approximately 1 acre, and is 100% contained. The cause is under investigation. This will be the last update for the Caracara Fire.

The priorities for these fires will remain visitor and firefighter safety. Ground and aviation personnel will continue to identify and protect values at risk.

The best contact for the Big Cypress National Preserve wildfires is the Public Information Officer, 720-837-9591



Click map for bigger image

A JK is a JK by Any Other Name

Technical

By any other name it could be a Wrangler, and so would a TJ, YJ or even JL. Keeping it percise, Vegas Dave has put together a handy little list of Model Codes to Vehicles.

Nice thing to refer to when someone’s telling a story and throwing around a unfamiliar model code (“I rolled my ‘BU’ on the trail this weekend, but I’m okay”… right, I’m sure you are.). Now if we can get Dave to include the matching pix we might have the beginnings of a cool spotter’s guide. Not that it’s too likely I’ll see a VJ or C101 just tooling down the street and wonder what kind of Jeep that was, but then again, you never know.

Big Cypress Trail Closings
2018-Apr-10

Park & Land Management
Ochopee –The Spoonbill Wildfire, as of April 10th at 0800, has burned roughly 1,843 acres and is located approximately 2 miles north of I-75 at mile marker 69 and north and west of the Bundschu Grade in the area of Little Marsh. The Bundschue Grade and areas remain closed due to the fire crossing that trail. During this closure, all recreational use including Off-Road Vehicle (ORV), hiking, hunting, camping and commercial activities will be prohibited in the designated areas. This is to promote visitor safety during wildfire activity in this area.

The Spoonbill Wildfire is within .5 miles of the recent Leprechaun Fire, and the cause is under investigation. There is 80% containment at this time.

The Cormorant Fire, in the vicinity of the recent Anhinga Wildfire, showed little to no growth and will continued to be monitored. This fire was identified as a lightning strike.

Big Cypress Trail Reopennings
2018-Mar-28

Park & Land Management
Per National Park Service:
OCHOPEE – Big Cypress National Preserve is pleased to reopen the closures from the Anhinga Wildfire. The following areas are open immediately: Pink Jeep, Gator Head and Bear Island Campgrounds. The opening also includes the following roads and trails:

  • Bear Island Grade Trail
  • Perocchi Grade Trail
  • and Bear Island Campground Road

    These areas are now open to safe recreational use including hiking, hunting, ORV, and camping.
    		•

    Big Cypress Trail Reopennings
    2018-Mar-22

    Park & Land Management
    Per National Park Service:
    Big Cypress National Preserve is pleased to reopen the closure from the Kirby Prescribed Fire. Prescribed fire activities for this area have been cancelled. The following area is therefore immediately open: Monroe South Trail located south just off US 41/Tamiami Trail and Loop Rd. at Monroe Station. This area is now open for safe recreational use including hiking, ORV’s, and hunting.

    The Leprechaun Wildfire is currently 75 percent contained.

    Topless Weekend at Jeep Ranch
    May 19th-21st

    Event Announcements, Ride Venues

    If Central Florida isn’t too much of a drive for you, the Jeep Ranch has opened the park for the whole Topless weekend (May 19th through the 21st).

    The park is a 2000+ acre working cattle ranch in the heart of Central Florida. The trails are all natural with many peppered with challenges certain to build skill. The park caters exclusively to Jeeps making the TJR a treat to ride.


    True to Central Florida, there is good bit of up and down.


    Obstacle challenges if you desire.


    Bring what you got, run what you have, just make sure it’s a Jeep.

    Check out their facebook page, turn out is already looking strong.

    Event Produced by:

    The Jeep Ranch

    Camp Topless Day (May 19th-21st)
    Jonathan Dickerson State Park

    Uncategorized

    Join the members of the Greater Florida Jeep Trail Team for a weekend of camping at Jonathan Dickinson State Park



    Photo from Florida State Park web page

    Members of the club has been camping this park for years and would make for a great introduction to this beautiful natural getaway.

    Per GFJTT:
    For the past couple of years, many of us (GFJTT, TCJC, JJC members) have camped out here for the weekend of GO TOPLESS Day. Sites have FULL HOOKUPS (electric, water) and are nice and open. We relax, eat, drink, talk, sit aroung a campfire and then many caravan down to our respective Go Topless events. Last year the GoTopless picnics were combined, this year, as far as I can see, nothing definitive has been posted as of today 2/15.. Regardless, Come join us for some fun & relaxation! The “core” sites are 28 through 30, but there are multiple sites open in the park for that weekend at this time, many close to that area. Best way of registering for a site is through the state website… https://www.floridastateparks.org/park/Jonathan-Dickinson Hope to see you all there! Tents, Pop-ups, Travel Trailers, 5th Wheels, RV’s!

    If interested, join them on facebook to get details and coordinate.

    Organized by:


    Greater Florida Jeep Trail Team