{"id":13453,"date":"2022-07-15T08:24:06","date_gmt":"2022-07-15T15:24:06","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.4x4training.com\/w\/?p=13453"},"modified":"2022-07-15T11:13:40","modified_gmt":"2022-07-15T18:13:40","slug":"old-timers-a-good-resource-for-trip-details","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.4x4training.com\/w\/old-timers-a-good-resource-for-trip-details\/","title":{"rendered":"Old-Timers A Good Resource for Trip Details"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Parashant<\/p><\/div>\n

I was scouting a new trail in the Parashant National Monument, located in the Grand Canyon. At one point I wanted to take a shortcut, but didn\u2019t know if the road ahead was open. A recent storm had me concerned about a washout. If the road were passable and interesting enough, I\u2019d consider taking guests on it later.<\/p>\n

Nearby was Bar 10 Ranch, so I stopped in. Asking for information, I got directed to an old cowboy hanging out by a covered wagon. An affable gent, he used to drive horses and other animals over that road. He had to stop, though. The road was too rough for him at his age so now he drives them the long way around. He remembered a few ATVs had gone up the mountain on that trail before the storm. But he didn\u2019t discourage me. \u201cYou look like a really smart guy,\u201d he remarked. \u201cI\u2019m sure you\u2019d turn around before you got into too much trouble.\u201d<\/p>\n

Interesting advice, to be sure, but I took it to heart. I knew he meant well. So I took the shortcut trail.<\/p>\n

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Ask the Rancher<\/p><\/div>\n

Old-Timers add to existing information<\/strong><\/p>\n

The usual resources (trail books, Internet, and such), are great. But there are times when you want to go someplace that\u2019s not as well known. You just know that a unique and fascinating adventure await you. The key is to find it.<\/p>\n

In other cases, you may want to avoid the popular and well-documented places. (Do you really want to spend a weekend with an Instagram crowd?)<\/p>\n

It\u2019s times like these that call for using a really knowledgeable resource. Someone who really knows the area. And someone willing to patiently share his wisdom with an outsider.<\/p>\n

I call that person an Old-Timer. Every town has at least one. Smaller towns and rural areas may have more than one.<\/p>\n

Note that not just any older person will do. He has to be a true Old-Timer. This individual knows the back roads, hills, valleys and nuances of where you want to go. He has been there and done that.<\/p>\n

These discussions can be really rewarding. The Old-Timer is likely to share trails and places to go that are not well known. But just as importantly, you may learn of a trail (or land feature) to avoid. Something may have occurred since the trail guide or blog post was published.<\/p>\n

This first-hand knowledge supplements what\u2019s found on the Internet, in guide books, and in other resources.<\/p>\n

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Lunch at the Senior Center<\/p><\/div>\n

Where to find the Old-Timers<\/strong><\/p>\n

Start by visiting where people hang out. In a small town that mostly likely is a tavern or caf\u00e9\/restaurant.<\/p>\n

Other possibilities include:<\/p>\n