Rubicon - July 9-11 - No BS Thread

[Mike]

The other thread kinda got out of hand, so I'm posting the trip info here where people can hopefully find it.

There is a web page here with directions and general info:

http://www.norcalttora.com/~mike/rubicon_07/

Things you need to know...

We're heading in from Loon Lake this year. We'll be hitting the trail between 8AM and 10AM Monday morning. We have Rubicon Springs reserved for Monday and Tuesday night, the camping fee is $15 per vehicle. We will be collecting Tuesday night, please don't try to pay the caretaker and please try to have exact change.

The Sierra only experienced a fraction of normal rainfall this winter, conditions are very dry and fire restrictions are in effect in the El Dorado National Forest. The private property owners have also asked for no campfires (Rubicon Springs).

This not only applies to camp fires, it also applies to smokers and welding. If you smoke, you need to have a perimeter of several feet around you with no flammable material, or smoke inside your vehicle. Welding is not allowed at all.

http://www.fs.fed.us/r5/eldorado/con...-restrictions/

There are also new motor vehicle restrictions in effect. You may not park or drive more than 25' from the center of the trail. Just for reference, a Tacoma is a little over 17' long. The Forest Service has people out in force, and they are writing $175 citations. The citations for resource damage (driving or parking on vegetation, tearing up the trail, etc) are much higher.

I know what you're thinking, some of this stuff really sucks. Well, I agree, but we all need to abide by the current regulations if we want to have continued access to the trail. Maybe we can move our trip up a month or so next year....

Regards,
....Mike

[TACO 4X4]

Mike,

Last year there was 4 different groups:

Tahoe side group, Sunday group, early fast Monday group and the leisure Monday group. Is there going to be a similar set-up...or just take it as it comes?

I plan on coming up Sunday evening so I'm game for whatever.

[Mike]

Originally Posted by TACO 4X4

Mike,

Last year there was 4 different groups:

Tahoe side group, Sunday group, early fast Monday group and the leisure Monday group. Is there going to be a similar set-up...or just take it as it comes?

I plan on coming up Sunday evening so I'm game for whatever.

There are people coming in from Tahoe and people heading in from Loon Lake. As far as groups go, the people who want to hammer down should leave early, and the people who want to take it easy should wait for the tail of the convoy. We'll all get spread out over the trail eventually anyway.

Later,
....Mike

[Mike]

If anyone is interested in spending a couple hours fixing a big problem on the trail, check this out....

http://www.pirate4x4.com/forum/showthread.php?t=594021

I'll probably stop there and move some rocks around for an hour or two.

Later,
....Mike

[Zsasbo]

I'm happy to hang with you guys and stack some rocks. I need the exercise for my fat ass!

[ShowStop]

Originally Posted by Mike

If anyone is interested in spending a couple hours fixing a big problem on the trail, check this out....

http://www.pirate4x4.com/forum/showthread.php?t=594032

I'll probably stop there and move some rocks around for an hour or two.

Later,
....Mike

I'm riding with Chris and happy to help out. I remember that spot last year. My ass was stuck to the seat since that was on my side of the rig. I'll throw some work gloves in with my stuff.

[Mike]

You guys rule!

I will gather up the details for a quickie work project and make sure that we get credit for the hours spent working on the trail.

Thanks!
....Mike

[vistataco]

Originally Posted by Mike

If anyone is interested in spending a couple hours fixing a big problem on the trail, check this out....

http://www.pirate4x4.com/forum/showthread.php?t=594032

I'll probably stop there and move some rocks around for an hour or two.

Later,
....Mike

Yep...I remember that spot last year and the puker was definately there. I wouldn't mind helping out some on that spot.

[vistataco]

Originally Posted by Mike

There are people coming in from Tahoe and people heading in from Loon Lake. As far as groups go, the people who want to hammer down should leave early, and the people who want to take it easy should wait for the tail of the convoy. We'll all get spread out over the trail eventually anyway.

Later,
....Mike

Hey Mike...or anybody -

I will be heading to the trailhead Monday morning from Tahoe. Anyone else that I can caravan with that knows where they are going?

[Mike]

Originally Posted by vistataco

Hey Mike...or anybody -

I will be heading to the trailhead Monday morning from Tahoe. Anyone else that I can caravan with that knows where they are going?

Myself and a bunch of others will be camping near the Loon Lake trailhead Sunday. I can get you detailed directions, but it's not too hard to find.

From Tahoe, take highway 50 west towards Sacramento, or Placerville, or whatever the signs say. Right about W1120.44746, N38.769343, head north and follow the signs.

Later,
....Mike

[hytenor]

Originally Posted by ShowStop

I'm riding with Chris and happy to help out. I remember that spot last year. My ass was stuck to the seat since that was on my side of the rig. I'll throw some work gloves in with my stuff.

work gloves are a permanent fixture behind my seat

[snowchucker]

Mike,
where is the problem exactly?? far end of buck near the spur trail campgrounds?

[hytenor]

Originally Posted by snowchucker

Mike,
where is the problem exactly?? far end of buck near the spur trail campgrounds?

I think so...above the old trail that is now under water near the far end of the lake. I don't remember it being that tippy but from what I just read on Pirate it has gotten much much worse.

[Brain]

I hate that tippy section. I'll be sure to hop out and throw some rocks. Maybe I'll take my time in the slow group this year

Did I read that right? No campfires at all That's the best part!

[Wes]

Fine with us Mike- if somebody has a pick or two we can start turning big rocks on the uphill side into gravel on the downhill side?

[Mike]

Originally Posted by snowchucker

Mike,
where is the problem exactly?? far end of buck near the spur trail campgrounds?

Yup! And apparently any other route is asking for a ticket.

Later,
....Mike

[Mike]

Originally Posted by Wes

Fine with us Mike- if somebody has a pick or two we can start turning big rocks on the uphill side into gravel on the downhill side?

I have a 6' rock bar you can get jiggy with if ya want!

Later,
....Mike

[vistataco]

Originally Posted by Mike

Myself and a bunch of others will be camping near the Loon Lake trailhead Sunday. I can get you detailed directions, but it's not too hard to find.

From Tahoe, take highway 50 west towards Sacramento, or Placerville, or whatever the signs say. Right about W1120.44746, N38.769343, head north and follow the signs.

Later,
....Mike

Thanks Mike.

Last year I went in thru Wentworth. What is the trail like from Loon Lake? More or less difficult?

[Mike]

Originally Posted by vistataco

Thanks Mike.

Last year I went in thru Wentworth. What is the trail like from Loon Lake? More or less difficult?

Loon Lake is so gnarly your truck will break out of fear while you are airing down.

Nah, it's a little easier than Wentworth since the gatekeeper was blown up , and it's a little more scenic with the huge granite bowl.

It's also much easier to find, I guess my directions sucked last year and a bunch of people got lost trying to find Wentworth Springs.

Later,
....Mike

[vistataco]

Originally Posted by Mike

Loon Lake is so gnarly your truck will break out of fear while you are airing down.

Nah, it's a little easier than Wentworth since the gatekeeper was blown up , and it's a little more scenic with the huge granite bowl.

It's also much easier to find, I guess my directions sucked last year and a bunch of people got lost trying to find Wentworth Springs.

Later,
....Mike

Gatekeeper blown up?

Yeah, I was one of the lost souls last year. That's why I was so concerned about finding someone to follow to the trailhead (not that it helped that much last year)

And, my poor IFS truck breaks out in fear every time I air down.

[Mike]

Originally Posted by vistataco

Gatekeeper blown up?

Yup. It used to be a nice filter, but people were finding ways around, causing resource damage, etc. The county came in with dynamite and blew the crap out of it.

Later,
....Mike

[hytenor]

42* on the tip-o-meter

[Zsasbo]

DAMN! I didn't think those things went that high! I pucker up big time at 30*!

[01 Tundra]

I'm in to help out any way I can, just let me know.

[vistataco]

Originally Posted by hytenor

42* on the tip-o-meter

For Gatekeeper? (pre-dynamite)

I don't remember it being that bad...30 at best i thought...not that 30 doesn't suck.

[Mike]

Originally Posted by vistataco

For Gatekeeper? (pre-dynamite)

I don't remember it being that bad...30 at best i thought...not that 30 doesn't suck.

42* leaving Buck Island Lake. Some FOTR guys are going up this weekend to work on it, I was going to do some more on Monday when we get out there.

The alternate routes are not legal, so you either risk rollover or risk ticket.

Later,
....Mike

[Brain]

Hopefully most of the tippy is gone by the time we get there If not I'm happy to throw some stones and make it passable without pucker.

[vistataco]

Originally Posted by Mike

42* leaving Buck Island Lake. Some FOTR guys are going up this weekend to work on it, I was going to do some more on Monday when we get out there.

The alternate routes are not legal, so you either risk rollover or risk ticket.

Later,
....Mike

Ahhh.... that spot. OK I understand now. Is it worse than last year?

I think I will help stack rocks before I go down.

BTW...your link to Pirate doesn't work anymore.

[Mike]

Originally Posted by vistataco

BTW...your link to Pirate doesn't work anymore.

Works for me, click harder?

Later,
....Mike

[vistataco]

Originally Posted by Mike

Works for me, click harder?

Later,
....Mike

Dammit...that worked. It worked earlier with a light touch and now I have to mash it.