Why I`m Glad I snorkeled the Big Bear

[Ryan03]

I was riding at an ATV jamboree at Yankee Lake in Brookfield Ohio on Sat. As the name implies, it is indeed a lake, although it was drained several years ago and turned into an off roading area open to trucks on Fridays, and ATV`s on select Saturdays. I was clipping across the lake bed , which was realy wet due to the 2 days of rain we were in the midst of. All of a sudden my front end disappeared into a water hole that looked shallow, but certainly was not. I am 6 ft., and the dirty sand filled water would have been about chest deep on me standing up. Several of my friends had prior knowledge of this spot, however failed to mention it to me. One was even nice enough to snap a pic. of me entering it. Once the initial shock of how deep it was was over, I simply leaned back, gently gassed it, the frontend floated up and I drove out. I have utilized the snorkel several times creek riding in known deep water, however, this is the first time it has saved my engine from a sandy hydrolocked death that I had no idea was potentialy right in front of me. Her are a couple pics, one of the Big Bear after snorkel build, and another one of me right as I am entering the pit.

 

[TOMMYHPX4X4]

that looks like a fun place to ride.

 

[Ryan03]

I agree, Every Friday night from memorial day through fall they have What is called Truck Night, Where you can pretty much bring any kind of Truck, sand rail, swamp buggy, monster truck, jeep, old army tank, etc. Just not an ATV, strictly for safety reasons. It is $10 dollars per person to get in, whether you are bringing a vehicle to wheel, or just to watch. They have a few miles of off road trails with mud and hill climbs, a 4x4 tug of war on concrete, bungee jumping, several dedicated mud pits, a rock crawler trail, A see saw truck balancing ramp, and also the huge 50 or so acre lake bed area. They also have 4 or 5 staff members cruising the grounds on log skidders and 4x4 100 or so horse farm tractors to tow you out or even to the parking lot, should you need it, 3 or 4 times a year, they host an ATV only day on Saturday. Side by sides and dirtbikes are also welcome. Dealers will also bring out Demo quads and let you test ride them there as well. Here is a link to their website. Truck Night at Yankee Lake