Cresting the hill at the entrance to the 15,000 acre Paragon Adventure Park in Hazelton, PA, you peer over the lush-green valley ahead and it becomes apparent why the Mid-Atlantic Early Broncos club has held its "East Coast Bronco Roundup" here for four years running, including their 7th annual event in June 2005.
One look over the parking area is proof of this event's popularity as dozens of 1966-1977 Broncos make their way to the staging area. Rigs range from modified to super modified, some requiring a trailer to arrive for this event. However, driver experience and ability (or lack thereof) probably plays a larger role in which trail they will attempt. Paragon (PAP) has trails to suit any off-road ability - driver or rig.
After a mandatory driver's meeting, everyone mounts up and follows their trail guide - a requirement in this event - to their respective trailheads. Riding shotgun with Nick Hopman in his 1973 Bronco, we tackled a moderate-level trail named "Pick Your Poison." Nick's hold-you-in-place PRP seats would become much appreciated during this venture.
The First Trail
At the trailhead, guide Kane Riccardi from Baltimore4wheelers, calls the drivers up to investigate the first obstacle. The boulders appear to be a primitive pathway descending down from the crest where the group is staged. Kane, with the help of a spotter, tackles the hillside, making a difficult task appear nearly effortless. After descending, he parks his 1981 Scrambler and walks back to spot for the rest of the group.
Finesse is the key for the rest of the drivers. A balance of brake and throttle is required to maintain an upright posture. Steel smacks against stone, reinforced bumpers act as sliders while the rigs hang-up, tip, grip and grind their way over the boulders. Each line up behind another at the bottom of this obstacle and once all are accounted for, the group continues down the trail.
Next, stone gives way to hard-pack ground lined with trees and brush. The continuous stalling and restarting of engines takes its toll on one rig and it refuses to restart. While some drivers attempt to coax it back to life, the rest of the group opts for lunch. After a 30-minute break and with a resuscitated Bronco, the group forges on.
The surface material for the lower portion of the trail varies between dirt and stone sections. The final task was laden with larger stones than the first hill and crevices large enough to swallow most compact cars - and it was an ascent. Even the most articulated rigs in this group could not maintain traction to the top. Spotters placed smaller stones between the boulders to help dangling tires find traction. Despite their best efforts, some rigs required assistance via a winch cable to crest the peak. This portion of "Poison" was the best display of driver coordination, cooperation and assistance witnessed during this outing. Onlookers, including passengers and even drivers from other groups who stopped to watch, appeared impressed.
The Rock Crawl
Kyle Buchter of PAP staged a gnarly obstacle course complete with an animosity toward early Broncos. Named for a former club member, the Gershom Litts Memorial rock crawl has two courses; stock and modified. However, no stock rig could ever conquer the "easier" course. Various modifications determine which course the rigs must run. Kyle Jr. received kudos for the lines he chose this year. Many of the returning drivers commented on how well the courses suited their respective classes.
The first stock course drivers helped expose an off-camber area near the finish line. As soon as their front tires dropped off this seemingly insignificant ledge, their rears rose skyward. Only a deft touch on the go pedal kept them topside up. Spotters on the following rigs used a snatch cable to apply their body weight as ballast to keep the rigs from rolling over.
The only portion of the modified/unlimited course drivers could describe as easy was found behind the start line. This course took victims at nearly every stage including one highly modified rig's steering box that gave out after completing only a third of the course.The most ominous obstacle however was a near-vertical ledge making a climb to the finish line. Despite the best efforts of spotters, driver's and rigs, even those who did complete the course were unable to do so within the maximum allowable time. Many never made it that far and had to exit the course early. It was a test of man and machine where only the strongest survived.
Final Trail
Not ready to call it a day, our group set out to ride another trail. We chose "Drumstick," a moderate trail consisting of a winding ascent. Good line choice and spotting helped tame most of this boulder-laden trail. The top of the trail offered an additional challenge for the more adventurous in the group.
While some took an easier line around, others tried their chance at a stone outcropping. It looked deceptively simple but finding a line without stone-to-metal contact and stopped forward progress proved challanging.
Back at HQ
Honda knows how to make power equipment. The Honda EU2000iA is lightweight, compact, fuel efficient and whisper-quiet. Its "Eco Throttle" varies engine rpm according to load, which means run time at 1/4-load on the 1.1- gallon fuel tank is a whopping 15 hours. The unit delivers 2,000-watt surge and 1,600 watts continuous, or enough power to easily run a typical pickup camper or small travel trailer's electrical needs. The 16-amp max will not handle a roof A/C. However, Honda offers a special cable kit that allows two EU2000iA generators to be linked together in parallel to provide 3,200 watts power. This is an ideal genset for the outdoorsman looking for a unit to keep on a boat, in a camper, at the cabin, behind the seat, or tucked under a workbench at home.
The MEB club touts this event as being family-friendly. Many of the young ones do not actually participate on the trail rides at PAP as other events are taking place at Red Ridge for them, including canoe races, coloring contests, crafts and building contests, fishing and typical campfire activities. Some of the contests are voted on and awards given.
A Not-to-Miss Event
Dinner is an all-you-can-eat, buffet-style meal complete with typical campground fodder including chicken, burgers, dogs, potato salad and dessert. The awards ceremony takes place immediately following with trophies being handed out for many of the weekend's events.
Anyone attending the Roundup will always mention the raffle and that it is a not-to-be-missed event. The prizes consist of many items donated by the club's sponsors and they range from small to large - even a 8,000-pound winch was raffled off! This event is the highlight to an already well-coordinated weekend and really speaks to the effort of those involved in putting it together.
Contact info
Mid-Atlantic Early Bronco club (MEB)
Website: www.earlybroncos.com
Paragon Adventure Park, Hazelton, PA
598 Oak Ridge Road
Hazleton, PA 18202
Phone: 570-384-0550
Email: info@paragonap.com
Website: www.paragonap.com
Red Ridge Campground
61 Millers Road
Zion Grove PA 17985
Phone: 570-384-4760
Website: www.gocampingamerica.com/redridgelake
