Rubicon 2020 - Date TBD
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- Plumas Lake, CA, USA
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- 1974 CJ5 ~ Fresh built AMC 360 - SM420 - D20 - D30F with upgraded 30 spline shafts and knuckles & D44R - 4.27 Gears - ARB Lockers F/R - All chrome molly axles - on 33's - YJ 4" Lift Spring Conversion
Finally ready to commit to hosting a Rubcon Trail Ride in Eastern Central California.
For those that don't know, the Rubicon Trail is a fairly famous and difficult trail for 4x4 enthusiasts. The history and changes throughout the year are interesting for some, so I'll leave this here:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rubicon_Trail
https://www.edcgov.us/government/rubicon/pages/information_to_the_rubicon_trail.aspx
Some of my personal past adventures are catalogued here on the site in trail reports sections, and here's a few of my favorite photos from past trips:
There are many very difficult portions of this trail, mostly all are bypassable. With good spotting, low gearing, and lockers it can be done. Above is typical of a bypass' difficulty (last photo with Uncles Orange Jeep)
There are no hotels or restaraunts close to the trail entrance we use (Loon Lake). This is tent "rough" camping, at least while on the trail. If you have a motorhome / tow rig, the trip from exit of the trail to entrance is about 2-1/2 hour drive back on mostly highway 50, but that would be after a very long day on the trail for new users going all the way through it etc.
My Tentative plan, depending on input, would be to Stage first night @ a good free campground near the trail. The first day of wheeling we'd do "the loop" between the two Entrances from The west side direction, and either end back at the same campground, or possibly stay at the Wentworth springs campground. The next day would be a long day of wheeling heading back in the trail and going to either Buck Island lake, or a little further into Rubicon Spring. The springs is nicer to camp at soft ground wise, and usually less "rowdy" as there's a caretaker and it's paid camping per rig. They'll sometimes allow fires during restriction times, etc.
From the springs, there is not much of a drive out, so we have 3 choices: Head back towards buck island for picnic, swim, fish day and some more wheeling, or camp out enjoying the springs area, or head out to Tahoe over famous Cadillac hill.
The Exact plan TBD depending on who's all going, how much time can be spent, etc. Can spend a day or two before the trip or after in the El Dorado forest area where there are a lot of nice trails to explore and a few nice lakes etc. We can even have a home base and just go in and out each day, and when ready to make full trip for those who want to, some who don't can stay behind and camp and watch the others' stuff etc. - many of options depending on who wants to go, and what you all want to do.
We have to pack in and out all the stuff we'll need (Food & drink, cooking equipment, waste, clothing, bedding, etc) and unless you have a sweet trail trailer, it's all got to fit in our jeeps.
I'll post more soon, let me know if you're interested, and we'll start getting a plan.
As far as dates. It's hard to plan a late spring / early summer trip before we know how the weather for the winter was. For example, we've been up there in 100 degree weather in Early May before, and this year the snow is just melting off the trail as of last few weekends. The trail is closed for 2 weeks around the end of July every year for a private hosted trip (also a option to go then, but very crowded, expensive, and not as "free" to do our own thing. On the plus side, food is included in the cost mostly I believe, and there are helpers everywhere for trail fixes, winching, emergencies, etc. Memorial day weekend and 4th of July weekend get a bit wild. We usually avoid them.
I would recommend around now, or just after the 4th of July weekend. There is a calendar on pirate 4x4 that users try to post large group runs on to let you decide dates that work for you. We don't want to impede large groups progress, but it's nice with "Some" others on the trail too for assistance etc.
Speaking of which, since there are no ambulances, no (reasonable) towing / repair companies on the trail, plans can always change at a moments notice as my group always stops to at least offer assistance to broken rigs / injured people. In addition, if something breaks on one of our rigs or people, we'd ensure they're safe and handled top priority. Just something to keep in mind. We'd still have a good time and do the trail, but the itinerary may change on the fly.
It's a beautiful trail, very fun challenge (in my opinion) and can be done in non "crawler" type rigs. If you're interested but worried about being able to make it through, let me know and I'll let you know my opinion on what you can expect personally.
More to come.
For those that don't know, the Rubicon Trail is a fairly famous and difficult trail for 4x4 enthusiasts. The history and changes throughout the year are interesting for some, so I'll leave this here:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rubicon_Trail
https://www.edcgov.us/government/rubicon/pages/information_to_the_rubicon_trail.aspx
Some of my personal past adventures are catalogued here on the site in trail reports sections, and here's a few of my favorite photos from past trips:
There are many very difficult portions of this trail, mostly all are bypassable. With good spotting, low gearing, and lockers it can be done. Above is typical of a bypass' difficulty (last photo with Uncles Orange Jeep)
There are no hotels or restaraunts close to the trail entrance we use (Loon Lake). This is tent "rough" camping, at least while on the trail. If you have a motorhome / tow rig, the trip from exit of the trail to entrance is about 2-1/2 hour drive back on mostly highway 50, but that would be after a very long day on the trail for new users going all the way through it etc.
My Tentative plan, depending on input, would be to Stage first night @ a good free campground near the trail. The first day of wheeling we'd do "the loop" between the two Entrances from The west side direction, and either end back at the same campground, or possibly stay at the Wentworth springs campground. The next day would be a long day of wheeling heading back in the trail and going to either Buck Island lake, or a little further into Rubicon Spring. The springs is nicer to camp at soft ground wise, and usually less "rowdy" as there's a caretaker and it's paid camping per rig. They'll sometimes allow fires during restriction times, etc.
From the springs, there is not much of a drive out, so we have 3 choices: Head back towards buck island for picnic, swim, fish day and some more wheeling, or camp out enjoying the springs area, or head out to Tahoe over famous Cadillac hill.
The Exact plan TBD depending on who's all going, how much time can be spent, etc. Can spend a day or two before the trip or after in the El Dorado forest area where there are a lot of nice trails to explore and a few nice lakes etc. We can even have a home base and just go in and out each day, and when ready to make full trip for those who want to, some who don't can stay behind and camp and watch the others' stuff etc. - many of options depending on who wants to go, and what you all want to do.
We have to pack in and out all the stuff we'll need (Food & drink, cooking equipment, waste, clothing, bedding, etc) and unless you have a sweet trail trailer, it's all got to fit in our jeeps.
I'll post more soon, let me know if you're interested, and we'll start getting a plan.
As far as dates. It's hard to plan a late spring / early summer trip before we know how the weather for the winter was. For example, we've been up there in 100 degree weather in Early May before, and this year the snow is just melting off the trail as of last few weekends. The trail is closed for 2 weeks around the end of July every year for a private hosted trip (also a option to go then, but very crowded, expensive, and not as "free" to do our own thing. On the plus side, food is included in the cost mostly I believe, and there are helpers everywhere for trail fixes, winching, emergencies, etc. Memorial day weekend and 4th of July weekend get a bit wild. We usually avoid them.
I would recommend around now, or just after the 4th of July weekend. There is a calendar on pirate 4x4 that users try to post large group runs on to let you decide dates that work for you. We don't want to impede large groups progress, but it's nice with "Some" others on the trail too for assistance etc.
Speaking of which, since there are no ambulances, no (reasonable) towing / repair companies on the trail, plans can always change at a moments notice as my group always stops to at least offer assistance to broken rigs / injured people. In addition, if something breaks on one of our rigs or people, we'd ensure they're safe and handled top priority. Just something to keep in mind. We'd still have a good time and do the trail, but the itinerary may change on the fly.
It's a beautiful trail, very fun challenge (in my opinion) and can be done in non "crawler" type rigs. If you're interested but worried about being able to make it through, let me know and I'll let you know my opinion on what you can expect personally.
More to come.
