Sat, Feb 3, 2018

PCA-SDR Cayenne/Macan Off-Road Adventure Tour

Chariot & Oriflamme Canyons

About this event

Want the chance to experience the off-road capabilities of your Porsche Cayenne or Macan while navigating the canyon trails outside of Julian in the historic country with your fellow PCA-SDR club members?  Then this event is for you!

This Adventure Tour's plan is to enjoy a half day outside the Julian area, passing along the dirt roads through the Blair Valley and Pinyon Mountain Valley areas.  The planned route consists of varying terrain of mostly single car-width dirt roads that at times may require very low speeds in the 1-2mph range to manage due to the tight turns, uneven surfaces, steep grades, and slippery rocks or deep dirt/sand.  This Tour is not intended to be a rock crawling or mud-hole event or high-speed rally, instead it's more along the lines of a back-country adventure with the objective to enjoy off-pavement roads to experience the very capable off-road abilities of the Cayenne or Macan as well as to learn to carefully proceed through varied types of terrain.  

This tour provides the driver with the adventure and challenges of careful, slow off-road driving while providing an experience to travel through some historic mining country outside of Julian near Borrego which is full of desert and mountain vegetation and interesting rock formations.  Family members of all ages are welcome to come along to enjoy the ride and scenery, though keep in mind the course is bumpy and the grab handles will get plenty of usage!  There will be a couple stops along the way for pictures and to enjoy nature, as well as to experience a Native Indian Cultural Preserve.

Required equipment should include at a minimum all-season tires with plenty of tread, as low profile high-performance street tires pose a greater risk of wheel damage or a flat tire from hitting sharp rocks.  The roads are primarily gravelly dirt roads with ruts and areas of deep loose dirt.  If rains have preceded the event there may be areas of mud which can often be avoided if desired.  The second part of the tour climbing up part of Pinion Mountain will have narrower trails with some rocky regions.  Overall the trails are not difficult but require an attentive driver to avoid obstacles like protruding big rocks and the attention to proceed cautiously when appropriate.  Staying centered on the trail should avoid the accumulation of “off-road racing stripes” (scratches in the body and wheel paintwork from sticks and branches that are usually removed with polishing if they do occur).  Vehicles equipped with air suspension and higher profile tires should have an easy time making the drive versus those with steel spring suspensions and the limited ride height these vehicles have.  If all goes favorably, at the end of the route, a healthy car wash session should be all that is needed to return your Porsche SUV to its garage queen status and remove any evidence of its off-roading adventures, with only your pictures and memory of the experience remaining!  


The event is rain or shine unless heavy rains have been occurring in the days leading up to the event, as the trails may get very muddy, limiting passage of vehicles with limited ground clearance and less off-road oriented tires.

Saturday February 3 2018 Planned Schedule: 

8:00am meet at Dudley’s Bakery ( http://www.dudleysbakery.com ) in Santa Ysabel outside of Ramona off Old Julian Highway 78 for coffee, to buy sandwiches, and use the restroom!  Address: 30218 CA-78 (Julian Rd), Santa Ysabel, CA 92070

8:30am-8:45am Tour briefing and waiver signing in parking lot on the West side of the building.

9:00 AM Pull out of Dudley’s heading East towards Julian.

Part 1 trail head reached at around 9:35am

Trail-head to Morteros Trail Cultural Preserve: 30 minutes

Preserve to Blair Valley Campground for bathroom break: 20 min

Part 2 Trail up Pinyon Mountain: 45 min

Pinyon Mtn down to pavement: 35 min

Around 2 hours of Off-road driving is planned!

The above schedule and route may change depending on the weather and trail conditions - that's what makes this is an adventure!

Event requirements

Porsche Cayenne or Macan capable of off-pavement driving.

All-terrain tires on smaller diameter wheels are preferred for decreased puncture risks, but good condition all-season tires even on 20-inch diameter wheels will be adequate.  Tire inflation at the lower "partial load" setting is recommended as airing down to a setting lower than "partial load" should not be necessary for this event, unless the bumpy terrain is too uncomfortable.  Low-profile summer street type tires and wheels 21" or larger in diameter with minimal sidewall protection may work but are not recommended as they have a higher risk of punctures or wheel damage from the rocky terrain that we may encounter.  

Off-road driving experience is not necessary as we hope to aid new drivers to help manage any situations that may be uncertain.  Overall the trails are not difficult and should be easily handled by any version of Cayenne or Macan.

The driver should have a working knowledge of the Off-road programming features specified on your Cayenne or Macan.  The owner's manual is the best place to familiarize yourself on the suspension settings, Off-road programming settings, and other features like Porsche Hill Control/Hill Descent - read up before the event!

The driver should have a right shin in good shape as this will be a few hours of active driving time modulating the gas and brakes.  Get that tibialis anterior in shape!

A well-maintained vehicle is essential which includes:

  1. tires in good condition with tire pressures set at the lower partial load setting; the full load setting will work for traction, but will be less comfortable on the bumps
  2. fluids at proper levels as steep grades will angle the vehicle and if fluids are low, may cause issues or warnings at a minimum
  3. no known suspension or chassis control faults: we will be utilizing the traction control wizardry of the Porsche engineers so properly functioning vehicle systems are important
  4. due to the bumps and ruts remove or restrain all loose items inside and outside

If minors will be attending the event, a Waiver for Minors must be signed by both parents.  If only one parent will be actually attending the event, download the waiver PDF, print it using a color printer, and have both parents sign the waiver, and bring it to be turned in at the 8:30am tour briefing at the Dudley's parking lot.

Entries (25)

SG
Sara Gengler
MW
Mark Weatherup
TW
Tom Williams
TS
TJ Sleboda
LG
Lee Gibbs
GG
Garrett Guess
RM
Ryan McClune
KH
Kevin Hoehn

Chariot & Oriflamme Canyons

Banner, CA

Organizer

Off Road organized by

PCA - San Diego Region

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Event over!