Gypsy Jeeper Frank Hayes of Westminister, California collected everything but the kitchen cutlery to send this '43 Willy's into action. After laying down $700 for the salvage-yard eye sore, he snuck in an air bag suspension, a couple of uncut Scout 44s, a Vortec V6, an NV 4500, a couple of winches and a haphazard list of other useful gadgets. Unfortunately, a steering link snapped, keeping him from traversing the V-Channel on the Bowl Trail.

This can't be right.  Meanwhile, your wife becomes so engrossed with the conversation that she invites herself along, in your Jeep. You break.  "That's it!  Somebody better explain to me what all this Hump and Bump is all about.  Pronto!" Well, cool your jets Jack, it's only the 20th Annual Hump and Bump Trail Ride. 

There's nothing to get too ornery about.  That is, unless you're the one that just launched your Samuri over Bronco Falls.  Other than that, there's some good wheeling.

Nope! It's Not Under Here What Cal Gordon was looking for was a little traction. Instead, he found five Jeepers who were successful at shoving him and his '90 Sammy over this Bowl Trail obstacle.

Now don't jump to conclusions.  There are no big-city lights nor barren stretches of dusty, dry desert in Logandale, Nev.  The only reason you may not have heard of it was because Ansel Adams wasn't wise enough to lug his camera anywhere near this place.  He should have.  The trails are situated on the outskirts of the Valley of Fire State Park. 

The firery red dirt, sand and rocks blend into an aray of dunes, canyons and valleys which form a magnificent landscape beneath the crisp, blue sky.  At night, the stars of the Milky Way appear as if they are close enough to swirly your hands in.  Big horn sheep prance along the rock walls effortlessly. 

Deer flourish.  And. . . And, there's some killer four wheeling for the hard-core in the audience.  Try the Rock Bottom via Bronco Falls run.  Coming down the slope of Bronco Falls with your backside biting on the seat is a no-joke enlightenment.  Spider Man himself would have a tough time clinging to the kick-you-from-behind slope of this doozy. 

More than a few four-bys have had their last gulps of gas before taking the old Bronco plunge.  And you wonder how it got its name.  Try asking the Samuri that spent some time on its lid during Saturday's run.  For many, it was more of a rear-hop off of Bronco Falls, but for him, it was end over un-ending experience. 

After the crowd pitched the Sammy back onto its fours, it fired up and crawled out on its own.

If It Climbs Better Than A Jeep, It's Got To Be A Sheep These Big Horn were spotted prancing around the canyon walls about 50 yards from the trail side. In all their humble glory, they didn't seem too camera shy.

While, the short and stout Suzukis could not keep from sinking the passenger rear into the abyss.  Several took the golden strap while others gave the mouse beneath the hood enough gas to drown an elephant. 

Sometimes it worked, and other times. . .  "Well, I'll take the strap." For those longer rigs or less fortunate drivers who chose the bypass, they were greeted to the hill which was nothing more than an entertaining sand drag.  Beyond that, the trail was carved-out for a mildly-built or longer wheel-based rig. 

Though, that's not to say the going was easy enough to take it out of 4-Low.  My stock XJ was a testament to this later in the day.  If I would have had a set of skateboard wheels on the each end of the bumpers, I would have slid through what I call the Wedge rather easily. 

Unfortunately, I did not.  Instead, I resorted to a bit of HiLift Jack action for entertainment and a bit of rock stacking to build up my biceps.  Short wheel base vehicles made it through rather easy for the most part.  Though there were no other stock vehicles to have a try at the Wedge, one remarkably long Chevy S-10 gave a go at it. 

Other than stuffing the front-end deep into the earth, the 35-inch BFGs gave him both the height and traction he needed to squeeze out of it without having to hauler for help. Finally, the Scenic Trail  was geared more towards a 35mm camera, a gentle grocery-getter ride and a bit of amazement on how much beauty can be cramned into such a tiny corner of the barren Nevada desert.  The run traversed some astounding landscape. 

Ancient petroglyphs were strewn along the canyons walls.  And just for the fun of it, there were the sand dunes, worth a roost or two before settling down for an afternoon lunch.  The Hump and Bump concluded with one hell of a barbecue blowout.  I would have gone back for thirds if there was room enough in my belly for another round of pork ribs. 

But there wasn't.  Now, that's not to say the line was empty after all had gone through once and then twice.  Some folks were camped out at the line like it was Willy Wonka's Rib Factory.  But make no mistake, this wasn't Willy Wonka's. 

The hard-core taste was none other than the brain-child of Walter Bellard, who's been whipping up barbecue since he was knee high to an alligator.  Born and raised in Baton Roughe, La., Walter 'cues the killer trailer-grub for them eat-me-an-ox appetites.  

Sand Dragon Todd Little slammed the 3.8L Olds into action, and his '43 Willy's roosted a wake of glory as it blasted through the gooey, red dunes.

Gluttony Grub-Out Walter Bellard whipped up some killer grub for the Saturday night feast.