We stopped to wait for Mark B & Ray M on the new Lockwood trail at the top of the first climb near the adopt a trail sign put up by the volunteers who realigned the trail this last summer. Lunch was had by all in Yellow Jacket canyon about 12:30-1:00 PM. Visited with a gentleman driving a '97 K2500 extra cab Chevy 4-wheeler with larger than stock tires, limited slip diffs and modified after market inexpensive black metal fenders. The K- 2500 had turned around on the climb out of Yellow Jacket to the south. The near-stocker could not make the climb. He was headed back the long way to the top of Alamo Mt. where he hoped to meet the rest of the Blazers in his group that made it up & out of Yellow Jacket. Mark B & Ray M noted that they would be traveling at a more leisurely pace than those of us registered to do the night run on this trail at 6:30 PM, as they intended to return to the SLO area that night. Mark & Ray hung out at Yellow Jacket while the rest of us pressed onward toward Hungry Valley. The climb out of Yellow Jacket was loose and dusty. With tires deflated, lockers engaged and a little momentum and a heavy foot, we all made it up to the top. Just over the horizon we dropped down into cottonwood canyon where we chose to stay on the Lockwood creek route toward Piru creek as there was not time to explore Cottonwood Canyon Down to Lockwood creek at this time. We climbed up out of Cottonwood creek cyn to find ourselves on top of the mountain above Sunrise Camp on Piru creek. The assent into that canyon is quite steep with switch backs. At Piru creek we pressed on up the Miller Jeep trail to the top of Alamo Mt.. On this ascent we caught the group of Blazers mentioned earlier. At Dutchman camp we passed by the '97 K2500 Chevy who had made his way around to meet the Blazers. There was a forest service ranger there talking with the folks in the blazers. I spoke to the gentleman in the K2500 who informed me that he was introduced to the adventure pass system when he entered the Hungry Valley SVRA. The attendant at the Kiosk relieved him of $5, gave him a pass and bit him ado. The guys in the Blazers knew nothing of the adventure pass deal.

As a group we pressed on, having not yet found our destination. We drove down the freshly graded Alamo Mountain road to Hungry Valley SVRA. Following the signs to the Fright Night Camp. Brian Steve & Randy underwent the vehicle inspection, registration packets, dash plaques, breakfast tickets, poker hand tally sheets & raffle tickets for the event. Then it was off to Frazier park where we checked into the Flying J Motel. Randy Kathy & Jenni in rm. 206, Jennell, Brian, Steve, Marty & Kody in rm. 212 and Kyle in room 136. Kyle chained his Jeep to Jennies Jeep just outside of his room. We all went down to the restaurant for dinner. The menu was diverse. For example, Brian chose to have the smorgasbord dinner, and loaded his plate up with Beanie Weenie. Kathy, Jenni, Kyle, Jennell, Marty & Kody stayed at the motel. There was a hot pool to soak in or Jenni & Kathy. Beds to bounce on for Kody & a nice comfortable bed to rest-up on for Kyle. The small brainers headed back to Hungry Valley SVRA Fright Night camp for a 6:30 PM poker run departure time. At 6:30 the line was in place for the Poker run. Melissa J joined me for the fright night run. Melissa J is Kathy J's (IN-GEAR editor) daughter, an 8th grad Melissa is the Cal Assn. of 4WD clubs Adventurers central district leader. There was a drivers meeting for the 60 or so Participating drivers. Safety and abstinence from alcohol abuse were stressed. As a group the SLO 4-wheelers were in the first 1/2 of the line-up (a good position to be in). The group proceeded toward the trail head at Lockwood, passing by the bar at the Lake of the Woods where we noticed two familiar Jeeps parked out front. They belonged to Tom & Jerry E. I didn't remember seeing them at the drivers meeting.......

At the trail head all participants aired down, locked the hubs and followed the leader up the new trail. There were the great gags & props along the trail as in the past 3 years on the old creek trail alignment. The new trail is more challenging & longer, but with only 60 participants all moved along without apparent mishap (last year there were 200 participants). My favorite Halloween gag along the trail was at the dry creek just past Cottonwood canyon. As I drove past a Coffin leaning up against an Oak tree, a Mummy burst out of the coffin, rushing the passenger side of the jeep. Great fun ! There were many such Halloween stunts, each one unique and well done.

The ascent into Piru Creek was quite different at night. It was not possible to see over the edge in the dark, but the headlights & taillights of the 20 or so vehicles ahead of us in the canyon and on the Miller Jeep trail were quite spectacular. Somehow a pair of Sammies lined up in front of us. I followed one of them through 2 years ago (Blondie & Dagwood). This time Godzuki was with Dagwood, and they were both demonstrating their rock lobster crawler gears. We fell way behind the vehicle in front of them. After the third 10-100 stop in the middle of the trail, they pulled over and invited us to pass. Brian T was in the lead. I suggested 3rd gear, and in no time Brian caught up with the Grand Cherokee in front of him. In short time Steve & I caught Brian. We topped out on Alamo Mountain at about 11:30 PM. Fastest trip over the trail to date. No mechanical problems for the SLO county 4-Wheelers. By 12:30 we were back at the Fright Night camp in Hungry Valley SVRA. I delivered Melissa J to her camp and we raced back to the motel (really). By 1PM I was sleeping in a very comfortable bed.

Sunday morning brought the "fall-back" daylight savings time change (a welcome change for the no-brainers). By 8:30 am we were all back in Hungry Valley SVRA Fright Night camp to eat breakfast. Pancakes, sausage, eggs, OJ & coffee were a welcome meal. The raffle started when breakfast was over.

At this point I was approached by a member of the Pt. Mugu 4-wheelers whom ask, pointing at 4 rigs and a couple a guys drinking beer, "are those guys with the SLO 4-Wheelers ?" I explained to him that one of them, Tom E, had been a member in the past, but had not rejoined in the last 2 years. Apparently Tom & Jerry E and 2 others had been drinking on the fright night run the night before. The group had mechanical problems, did not accept help when it was offered & knocked over the coffin with the Point Mugu Club president (mummy) inside as they passed by that point on the trail. Their mean drunken behavior on the trail offended the Pt. Mugu club in light of their efforts to forbid drinking & driving during this event. The Pt Mugu member indicated that he has video tape of them drinking & driving as they passed the locomotive stunt in Cottonwood canyon. It was his intention to inform this group that they were no longer welcome on the Fright night run. I agreed with his position and concurred with his proposal.
A short time later, as general announcements & notices were made before the raffle, it was announced that the SLO 4-Wheelers had tied for the club with the most members present for Fright nigh '97. But how could this be, there were only 4 SLO County 4-wheelers registered for the event, and Will could not make it due to an accident at work ? As I went forward to receive the plaque, Tom E announced that the "rowdy-bunch" had thrown their lot in with the SLO 4-wheelers, thereby contributing to the SLO 4-Wheeler head count. Needless to say, I was quite embarrassed to accept the award. After some thought I returned the Plaque to Brian G., explaining that the SLO 4-Wheelers only had 3 members present on the fright night run, making no excuses for the "rowdy-bunch".

Needless to say, as soon as the raffle was complete, Brian & Steve elected to rocket home via the Soda Lake road. Jenni, Kyle and I did the Lockwood trail one more time as a shortcut home. After flat tracking it through the Elkhorn Plain, Brian blew his double cardone CV joint at the corner of hwy 58 & 229. Steve towed him the rest of the way home. Kathy, Jenni, Kyle & I got home at about 7-7:30 Sunday night after a beautiful trip over the Lockwood reroute trail including a side trip down to Cottonwood camp for lunch. The end of a perfect weekend........(Kyle got fried chicken for dinner)

Randy P. Frite Night Trailboss