Cleghorn Ridge Trail – The entire trail is a fire road with a more challenging trail winding back and forth across the fire road.  It starts at the Cajon Pass, 15 fwy and Cleghorn Rd and runs to highway 138 by Silverwood Lake.  This dirt trail is about 14 miles long each way. The trail starts at about 3,000 feet and peaks out about 5,200 feet and has lots of side trails that criss-cross the main easy road.  The roughly graded route in this trail is suitable for medium clearance 2WD in dry weather. The trail is considered extreme when very wet.  The US Forest Service has designated this trail as 2N47.

View Larger Map

During our drive out there, the rain got worse and worse.  Cleghorn is at the base of the foothills and traverses up the mountains.  It happened to be in the path of the storm.  Before we even got there, we had strong winds, rain and hail.  We got there with a little time to spare so we hit McDonald’s for breakfast before we met up with the club down on Cleghorn Road.

We pulled in under the freeway overpass to air down the tires.  We were the first ones there.  It was pretty cool to see other Hummer owners pull up and to the side to air-down to get ready to go wheeling.  We finally got to meet a few from the club and exchanged names.  Our good friends Laura and Sheldon H. with their kids Jewel and Ethan showed up in their Jeep.  Seth, our group leader, gave a short meeting on rules and what to expect, before long everyone was ready to hit the trail.

We took the trail headed east towards Silverlake.  The trail snaked its way up the side of the mountain crossing pools of water as he kept heading up.  Off our left shoulder was a valley with a small rainbow sitting in it.  Our first optional play area was  Powerline Hill.  Basically it’s just a hill climb to the top where sits a power line tower.  This was the first time stepping out of the vehicle since ascending.  As I placed my foot down, the ground beneath felt like melted chocolate.  I didn’t realize how much mud we were driving through.

ChasH3

It became more apparent as some of the guys were trying to go up the steep incline only to loose traction and slide back down.  After a while of playing there we continued on.

This is where it got interesting.

We headed up a rather steep incline as the rain begin to intensify.  The lead H3, Seth, got to a point where he couldn’t keep his momentum going and began to loose traction.  Before too long Seth could go no further.  We got out and stacked some rocks to help keep the rear passenger tire from dropping into a deep rut and bottoming out.  He was able to reverse out, turn a round, and head back to the main fire-road, upon which we all followed behind.

Later on down the road I took a wrong line and kept getting sucked in to a rut.  The mud made for a huge amount of grief.  I eventually tried to turn the rig around and got high-centered on a berm.  After a quick strap yank we were headed back up the mountain.  The rain and hail made even the easiest parts of the trail challenging.  Going up and around corners in the mud and driving rain was almost like slow speed drifting, with the exception of the mountain cliffs on the side.

Sheldon's Jeep

"BeHummer2" Ben, "Family Jeepster" Sheldon, "Slogger" Adrian.

H3Play on Articulation Hill

We had a great day out on the trails, a new trip is being planned to explore this trail once again in dry weather.  This way we will be able to get a better view from up on top instead of driving through the clouds.  Although the views that were presented to us were quite spectacular, I’m sure on a clear day it will be much more grand, especially when there is not the worry of getting stuck, cold wind and driving rain.

AlanM

JeffH3

H3Ing

Slogger

Until next time.

Feel free to leave comments!

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I got home and installed the battery as fast as I could.  My son was with my wife at “My Gym” so I had about 45 minutes to get this battery in.

Installation should take about 15 minutes, it took me about 30 minutes, mainly because I double checked everything and took pictures along the way to make sure I didn’t forget anything.  It was dark.

It’s really quite easy.  The battery I installed was a Bosch PremiumPower.  (about $75 USD)

This summer when I have time, I’ll probably install an Optima Red Top and keep this guy as a backup.

Here is what it says on the top:

• CCA @ 0^F : 630
• CA @ 32^F : 785
• RC Mins @ 25 Amps : 90
• Part Number: 86-630B
• Group Size: 86

Uninstallation of Old Battery:

Click open the battery’s negative (black) cover to access the post and nut.  Loosen the negative battery cable nut.

I used a 10mm socket wrench for this.  Pull it off the post and set aside.  Make sure it doesn’t touch anything.

Click open the battery’s positve (red) cover.  Loosen the positive cable nut.  Work it off the post and set aside.  Again make sure this doesn’t touch anything.  Even though it’s not connected to anything it’s just a good habit to keep when working with electrical stuff.

Remove battery vent hose.  It slides right off.

Remove the battery upper box.  Press the locking tabs inward and lift up.  It might be easier to do one side and angle it up to release the other tab.  The tab closest to the fender is a little tight to get your hand in to push the tab.  Angle it out.

Disengage the battery strap.

I used a 13mm socket wrench for this.

Loosen and take off the nut.  Slide strap end up.  This will create the slack you need to take the strap off the other side of the battery’s lower tray’s restraint.  Also this exposes the cleat that holds the base of the battery down.
The cleat fits over a groove that is in the battery and wedges it down.  Remove the cleat by pulling it straight up along the bolt that it sits on.

Here is a picture of the cleat.

You must remove the cleat before you remove the battery.  The 2 pictures above where shot just to show the cleat.  I had already taken the battery out so you can see how it wedges the battery down. Just imagine the battery sitting in the tray. You’ll see in a couple of photos below with the new battery installed.

Remove the battery.

Installation of New Battery:

Note the groove toward the bottom backside of the battery.

Place new battery into lower half of battery tray.  Notice there is no cleat yet.  Make sure, if you are installing a battery intended for a Hummer H3, the groove on the back of the battery is closest to the firewall of the engine compartment.  This is where the safety cleat will clamp down on.

Place safety cleat over bolt and slide down into position.

Place battery strap on the front side, hook into position.

Place end of battery strap over bolt on top of the safety cleat.

Install the retainer nut.  Use that 13mm socket and tighten down.  If the battery you are installing sits a little shorter, wedge it with some material that can take some heat, it gets hot in there.

Install the battery upper box and make sure the tabs click.

Make sure your Positive and Negative battery cables are free from corrosion.  Use a wire brush to clean.  Install the positive (red) cable.  Use the 10mm socket to tighten nut.  Install the Negative cable, tighten the nut.  Close the plastic covers.

Connect the battery vent hose.

All done.  Start her up!

Hey, Leave a comment.  Let me know if you stopped by!  Thanks!

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It doesn’t help that recently my 2 year old has taken a liking to playing in the H3.  He likes turning on the lights, rolling down the windows, opening and closing the sunroof, turning on and off the fan for a good 10 to 15 minutes almost every time we get home and pull into the driveway.  That’s another story.

I threw a question out to my Hummer Friends at HummerXClub.com for their suggestions on what is the best battery on the market for an H3.

“I have a 2006 Hummer H3. What’s the best battery for the rig without too much fuss of installing?”

Many came back with great pictures of their installs.  The overwhelming response was the Optima brand, more specifically, the Optima Red Top.  Well as time passed by my battery grew weaker and weaker.  I still hadn’t pulled the trigger as to which battery I’d get.  In the long run the Optima Red Top would work the best however there were some immediate drawbacks.

Optima Red Top

CONS:

• I’d have to modify the existing battery enclosure in-order to for the optima to fit.  It’s a little taller than the OEM sized battery.
• Possibility, based on current reviews of the battery, that it potentially could be hit or miss on getting one that was DOA or with non-working cells.
• Price.  The Optimas tend to be a little more pricey than your everyday battery.

PROS:

• Well liked and a good name in the wheeling community.
• Powerful battery used in cold weather.
• Sealed and maintenance free and lasts a long time. (As long as you get a problem-free one…)

My dilemma?  How much time would I have to physically replace the battery given the variable of my two year old son?  In a perfect world, a couple of hours and a beer; in the real world, 3.5 minutes and a red-bull.  I needed to find something in the middle.

Let’s jump to the end of the month, December 28th.  The original battery lost it’s mojo.  Not bad, I guess, it lasted a good 3.5 years 62K miles.  I walked out to the parking lot after work, turned the key and there was silence, a silence similar to what I would give in place of vermouth to my dry vodka martini.

I was the last one out to lock up that evening, but luckily my friend and co-worker, Finlay G., was in the area to come back and help jump start it.  He followed me over to the Sear Auto Center, given the lack of time I thought, “Die Hard, that will work.”  Much to my surprise Die Hard/Sears don’t make a battery for the size the H3 needs.  Bummer.  The guy at Sears pointed me over to PepBoys a few miles away.  Jump start and I was on my way.

PepBoys – for some reason the same smell of tires and stale car fresheners has stayed the same over the years.  It triggered memories of when I was a toddler going up and down the aisles with my dad looking for parts for either the Pinto, the Corvair, or the Volaré.  Classic.  I went to the back counter and asked for a battery for the H3, they had one.  And when I say they had one, I mean they had one. One brand and only one in stock.  ”I’ll take it.”

Bosch Premium Plus

CONS:

• I hadn’t done any research on this battery.

PROS:

• I’ll fit.
• I can install with minimal time and effort.

Read the Installation Here.

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March 30, 2009

HUMMER Announcement Could Be Delayed, Sale Still Likely

On February 17th, then Chairman and CEO Rick Wagoner said GM “will make a final decision to sell or phase out HUMMER by March 31st of this year.” After the events in the last 48 hours, it’s possible the announcement regarding the ultimate fate of HUMMER won’t be made tomorrow as promised.

GM’s chairman and CEO Rick Wagoner was asked to step down by the White House over the weekend, apparently after some disappointing meetings in Washington with Obama’s automotive task force. Monday morning Obama addressed the nation regarding the automotive industry.

The president articulated his belief that neither GM or Chrysler had gone far enough with their plans for viability, and before the U.S. Government would loan more money to the automakers, they would need to make further cuts. Obama gave GM another 60 days for more planning, and also announced that starting today, the government would back GM and Chrysler’s new car warranties during their restructuring to help calm fears of bankruptcy.

Though it’s still possible that we may have some HUMMER news tomorrow, it most likely will not be an ultimate decision about the brand as previously expected. Regarding a sale, HUMMER spokesperson Nick Richards said Monday night they are “cautiously optimistic that we will report a favorable outcome to our efforts to sell HUMMER within a very short time period.”

Troy Clarke, GM’s president of North America told dealers Monday afternoon that “Our efforts to sell Hummer are proceeding, and there are several parties interested — and I would say really interested — in the brand…We’re still very much in the process, although that process is maturing.”

HUMMER owners, enthusiasts, dealers, manufacturers and suppliers are all on the edge of their seat tonight, and although a definitive answer may not come in the next 24 hours, there is plenty of evidence that suggests a sale is much more likely than simply discontinuing the brand.

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A couple of weeks ago I received, in the mail, the invitation to this year’s “Hummer Happening” set for April 12th, 2008. The only difference is that we will not be crawling up Rincon Box Fire Trail.

Experience the excitement of off-roading in you very own Hummer….After breakfast of coffee, juice and breakfast breads we will caravan together to the Azusa Canyon Rincon Fire Station. We will join our hosts from the Los Angeles County Sheriffs Search and Rescue Team and the US Forrest Service Fire Department for a short classroom program of rules and regulations. We will then caravan back down to the Azusa Canyon OHV area for some fieldwork. You will experience first hand different types of terrain including river crossings, rock crossing, side slopes, hill climbing, rocky hill inclines and moguls. Around noon we will break for a delicious lunch back at the Fire Station. This will conclude our program; however if you wish you might use your day permit to go back to the riverbed for more fun on you own.

We have a limited amount of space, just 25 vehicles and registration is on a First Come First Serve Basis.

Well needless to say, I’ve already RSVP’d. This time Skye is coming along but not Skyler, it might be a little boring for him in his backward facing car seat. Maybe next year he’ll be ready…  Sam and Susie are headed out with out too.  It should be fun.

Photos to be posted…

Just a little more than two weeks out now. Fun Stuff.

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The day started at 415am. Left Yorba Linda by 500am, headed over to Hacienda Heights. Met up with Sam there then headed over to the West Covina Hummer Dealership. Arrived there around 6am.

It was pretty cool. As we pulled up there was a slew of other Hummers, H2′s, H2 SUTs, and H3′s. We pulled around to line up behind the others, received a number, nine, that they painted on our windshield then grabbed some food before we took off.

The caravan began it’s trek up to Azusa Canyon OHV area directly north of where we were. We just took Azusa Avenue until it got into the Angeles Forest. We all parked at the Rincon Firestation to go over safety issue and to remove running boards from the others who had yet to remove them. We had to hang around for a while because of this but soon enough we were off, 4-Locked Low and entering the Off-road area.

We hit our first of probably 10 river crossings. The water was probably 16″ to maybe 20″ deep. No problems.

We approached our first big obstacle. “The Rock.”  On each obstacle we had a spotter to tell us were to ride up. You can see the spotter in the above picture as we are about to go up.

At some points we were only 3-wheeling it. Actually on our ride home we were 3-wheeling too but I’ll get to that later.

Some of the other obstacles that we took on were Sand Hills, Mud Pits, Unhill Split ditches.

They were even going to show us what to do if we were to get stuck in sand. They tried to purposely dig in a hummer to get it stuck in the sand but they couldn’t. That was pretty funny.

I’d like to thank Sam for coming out, he took the majority of the photos. It was really great to get out there and be able to see how the Hummer performs under relatively insane situations.

On our way back to the Rincon Fire Station we got back on to the pavement so I switched out the 4-Locked Low back to the regular 4 High. Something didn’t sound right. It stayed in neutral. We called the Hummer crew over to check to see if I was doing something wrong but I wasn’t, the front right axle had snapped. It more than likely happened when we went up a sand hill. I put it in 2nd gear while still in 4-locked low, floored the peddle, like they told me, mind you. The front right tire must of gotten air born, and started to spin triggering the ABS which stopped the front right tire rather abruptly more than likely snapping the poor little axle. Below is a picture of it.

This little problem sidelined us from going on the 2nd part of our trip. Go up the Rincon fire-road to Panther Point. Next time. Instead Sam and I headed down the hill back to the dealership dropped off the H3 to get the right axle replace. A good thing. Hummer is covering the damage. They said it was rare that that happens, but, it happens.

Skye came to pick us up, and in a way it was reminiscent to when I had to get picked up from Sam’s house back in 2nd grade after I crashed his bike and bumped my noggin when we decided to go “Off-roading” on the dirt bike trails at Parks Jr. High. At least I didn’t break his axle…that’s another story for another time.

The day ended as we came back to my house and he helped Skye and I move the heavy furniture. Thanks Sam.  It really helped a lot!

Overall, it was a great experience and would do it all over again, minus the broken axle thing.

Future Off-Road trips coming soon…

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Patsy III

Experience the excitement of off-roading in you very own Hummer….After breakfast of coffee, juice and breakfast breads we will caravan together to the Azusa Canyon Rincon Fire Station. We will join our hosts from the Los Angeles County Sheriffs Search and Rescue Team and the US Forrest Service Fire Department for a short classroom program of rules and regulations. We will then caravan back down to the Azusa Canyon OHV area for some fieldwork. You will experience first hand different types of terrain including river crossings, rock crossing, side slopes, hill climbing, rocky hill inclines and moguls. Around noon we will break for a delicious lunch back at the Fire Station. After lunch we will then muster and head off for our off road adventure up the Rincon Red Box Trail to Panther Point and then return, at the end of the day, to the Fire Station.

We have a limited amount of space, just 25 vehicles and registration is on a First Come First Serve Basis.

How cool does that sound? I’ll be taking pictures and maybe some video. Unfortunately Skye won’t be able to make it this time. The road will be a little too bumpy for little Skyler.

Sammy’s stepping in to be my spotter and Nav-man on this journey. Hopefully I’ll get him hooked to come out more often…to be continued…

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Like Nothing Else.

2006 Hummer H3

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