Temps have actually been cool for this time of the year; in the mid-to-high 90s. Yesterday, it did top out around 104 up near Gemini Bridges, which I might add is a great trail, if taken off 191. The trail from Canyonlands is easy to and from the Bridges, but there is a steep, rock/sand trail off Hwy 191 that is fun. I don't recommend it after a rain fall, we have a few slips going up when hitting rock, but the locker saved our a**ses.
We also ran Long Canyon road, down from Deadhorse Point. Overall an easy downhill trail, except at the very beginning. This road is famous for the giant bolder you go under (on the local Hummer Tour Guide brochure).
Starting to get back up in the 100s today with an expected high of 108. Just got back from Cache Valley Road, that runs out of Arches, but is owned by BLM. Embarrassing to say, but I actually got the H3 stuck for a few seconds in deep sand with piles of boulders to the front and rear. Embarrassing because, after getting out, drinking some water, cussing a bit, I realized I had not locked the rear end. So, when I got back in, locked the axle, the thing pulled out like it was in my driveway.
Even on most of the worse roads we have been on, 4x4 Lo-Lock has not been required that much; only on this road, and a few others with large boulders and deep sand, or long downhills where I did not want to ride the brakes. In fact, on many of the trails that require 4x4, I have been running 4x4 normal non-lock. Biggest concern on many of the roads is actually the need for high ground clearance.
I let the vehicle idle for twenty minutes or more yesterday at Gemini, and today when taking shots on Cache Valley, and never did the temp gage go any higher than 3/4, and that was with the A/C on at all times. Most of the times, it never went above a small click above 1/2.
So far, I have only two complaints, one I can fix when I get home, the other I have to call engineering on. The door panels are rubbing against the Styrofoam safety foam pieces inside the door, and that squeaking sound of foam against plastic is enough to drive a person crazy at times. Only on the trails, ok on the highway.
The second problem is yesterday, the engine kept sounding like it was racing at all times. RPMs were in normal range, but the engine sounded strange. If anyone has ever noticed, when the engine is first started after sitting for a while, the engine has a racing sound for about 30 seconds, and that is the sound I was hearing. If my memory serves me correctly, that is due to the EVAP, but not sure at this time.
Time to go climb to Delicate Arch....