Other Region Upcoming Trip: Rubicon Trail Lake Tahoe, CA Sept 5-8th 2012

[sixstringsteve]

Rubicon Trail Trip Sept 5-8th 2012

I've been wanting to run the Rubicon since I was 17. The stars have aligned and I finally have the finances, schedule, and rig to complete the trip. I figure I'd better run it before it gets closed for good.

For those who haven't been on one of my trips yet, we are a family-friendly group. We don't party hard. If you want to have a few beers (or Whisky/cigars if your username is DAA) at the campfire, no problem, but we won't be blasting music and getting hammered. If you're the party camping type, no problem, we'll just ask that you have a campsite a bit farther down the road so you can party it up without having to worry about keeping us up at night. But you're still more than welcome to run trails with us, eat with us, etc. Not trying to discriminate, I just want everyone to know what to expect.


Who's invited:
- experienced wheelers only. This trip is not noob-friendly. This is a difficult, remote trail, and you do not want to get stuck on it because you were unprepared. If you're a new wheeler, get at least 5-10 runs in at rattlesnake/constrictor before even thinking about coming on this trip. If you can't complete constrictor, you're not ready for this trip
- must have a good attitude
- must be willing to tread lightly



Purpose of the trip:
- wheel one of the greatest 4x4 trails on the planet
- enjoy nature and see some new sights
- go camping with new and old friends
- enjoy one of the most beautiful areas on the planet



Vehicle Recommendations:
- you must have a VERY reliable vehicle. If your rig has issues that have not been worked out yet, this is not the trip for it. We will have a shakedown run on constrictor before heading to CA
- if your rig can't do constrictor (except for eagle's nest), it's probably not built enough for this trip
- at least one locker
- 33" tire minimum (unless your username is thefirstzukman)
- sliders (required)
- front and rear bumpers with suitable tow points (required)
- fire extinguisher (required)
- recovery hardware (tree strap, clevis, chain, tow strap, d-rings, etc.) [REQUIRED]
- work gloves
- jack capable of lifting your vehicle safely (required)
- roll cage (recommended)
- high quality seat belts (required)
- a functional parking brake (required)
- onboard welder (if nobody can bring one, I'll rent one from Cruiseroutfitters)
- skidplates recommended (but not required)
- winch recommended (but not required)


Regulations
- NO FIRES ALLOWED
- only allowed open flame is a propane stove. You MUST have a permit to operate one. Get a permit here.
- no camping further than 50 feet from the trail.
- no camping within 100 feet of a lake's shore
- if you plan to use a non street legal vehicle, you will need a valid green sticker or red sticker on your vehicle.
- as a non California resident planning to use a non street legal off highway vehicle you will need to aquire a non-resident permit. Mail or call 916-324-4442 for info.
- There are no bathrooms on the trail. You must pack all human waste out. You can pee on a tree, but pack your poop. Use a portable toilet and a "WAG bag." You may not simply dig a hole and bury your feces, you must pack it out.
- pack out all trash you bring in


What to bring
-
- 3 days worth of food & water
- camera
- camping gear
- spare parts for your rig
- portable toilet
- oil spill kit
- full size spare and tools to change it
- tools
- friends
- trash bags
- swimsuit
- spare gas can


Rules
- Stay within 25’ of the middle of the trail.
- Do not drive over vegetation.
- Stay on the established trail.
- Do not create new bypasses.
- Always buckle your seatbelts.
- Be courteous to others.
- Go low and slow.
- Camp away from water.
- Use a portable toilet.
- Pack out your trash and waste.
- Don’t drink and drive.
- Carry an oil spill kit.
- Be responsible for yourself.
- I have a hot water shower. If anyone would like a hot shower while we're there, just bring your own showering water (a couple gallons is plenty), a swimming suit, a towel, and biodegradable soap.



Info about the Rubicon trail:
http://www.rubicon-trail.com/Rubicon/indexi.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rubicon_Trail
http://www.rubicon-trail.com/


A short clip of the type of terrain you will encounter:
[youtube]bQCjOm4p5jM[/youtube]



Who's coming:
- sixstringsteve + wife + brother.
- turbominivan
- lhracing
- Mike & Kristy (2 separate rigs)
- Mike & Kristy's friend from NM
- tjdukit
- Maverick
- howardridge???


Waiting List:
- one other guy who wishes to remain annonymous

On the fence:
- daa
- Israel

 

[sixstringsteve]

WE WILL BE ON CB CHANNEL 16

Here's the plan

Wednesday, September, 5th
8:00 AM Meet at Cabelas (south-east parking lot, to the right as you enter through the main doors)
8:30 AM Leave Cabelas, headed for the Rubicon
10:00 PM Arrive at the Rubicon trail. Camp near Loon Lake.


[map][map]https://maps.google.com/maps?saddr=Lehi,+UT&daddr=Rubicon+Trail,+South+Lake+Tahoe,+CA&hl=en&sll=40.020065,-115.909045&sspn=7.259092,9.876709&geocode=FcFTaAId8kpV-SlpGxrY7X9NhzHJYQ1ggaxv_Q%3BFb8AUgIdmivZ-CkJ5Lno54-ZgDFjZimuZuRxBA&oq=rubico&t=h&mra=ls&z=7[/map][/map]

Thursday, September 6th
6:00 AM Breakfast
6:30 AM Hit the trail, starting @ Loon Lake
1:00 PM Lunch
7:00 PM Camp for the night at one of the lakes

Friday, September 7th
8:00 AM Breakfast
9:00 AM Hit the trail
1:00 PM Lunch
7:00 PM Camp at the end of the trail

Saturday, September 8th
8:00 AM Breakfast
9:00 AM Head for home
9:00 PM arrive back home

Sunday, September 9th
extra day just in case something breaks or it takes longer than expected

 

[4biker]

Put me down on "committed" for this one - I has to do it! I'll get the rig and driver ready if they're not already. I'll pitch in if you rent a welder too.

 

[Westernhunter]

I'm in. I wonder if I can get the front ARB by then. Looking forward to this trail. I have been reading about it since 1985.

 

[4biker]

Here's a good read as well: http://www.4x4wire.com/trail/report/ca/rubi_ride01/

 

[midog]

Steve-

What about those of use who have to tow our rigs to the trail? Is there a good, safe and legal place to park a tow rig and trailer?

 

[sixstringsteve]

There's a place to park them at the trailhead, but I've heard of break-ins from time to time. I can't guarantee anything.

 

[redneckbronco]

Steve, If it werent for the fact that the Show n Shine will be on the 8th this year I would make plans to go. But a little advice, if you planning to haul your rigs out there DO NOT leave your tow rigs at the trail head......you will get vandalized. Make arrangements to leave elsewhere and keep your belongings.

 

[Cascadia]

Is the vandalizing from environmentalists? Or do we not know?

 

[TJDukit]

Wish I could go on this one. In the fall all my funds are tied up for hunting trips.

 

[brikar]

The first time we ran the trail we went one way...had a great time. But later after we got home we asked ourselves "why did we not just turn around and go back the way we came?" So the next time we did that...the trail is the same scenery just all of the obstacles are backwards its just twice as long and twice as fun. Goto the top of Cadillac Hill at the viewpoint...hang out turn around and head on back. The trail is pretty easy after Cadillac hill. You can camp at the same spot if you are inclined to. A full tank in a jeep will easily make it both ways through the trail. You will have plenty of time to chill at camp in the evenings even with a major breakdown. You are looking at 2 full days of travel to get out there and back and $4 plus (california) gas prices...you might as well enjoy it a little more while there. Another great trail while you are over there (other than Fordyce) is Deer Valley...it is extremely scenic and has some nice rocks to play on. The Rubicon is one of my favorites...you can get through it fairly easily, however the scenery and the excitment of being on the Rubicon is why you go!!!

 

[jeep-N-montero]

We should be in.

 

[JL Rockies]

Now it's a party!

 

[TRD270]

I would love to attend this one Steve, just not sure I could tolerate that long of a drive in the ole' runner. I know she'll make it, but HITR pushed how much seat time I want to spend in that thing on the highway.

 

[TurboMinivan]

Since I started the other thread about this trip, I figure I am morally obligated to make it.

For the moment, put me down as on the fence. I say this for two reasons:

1) I need to make sure I can get the time off of work.

2) My vehicle doesn't meet all of your proposed requirements. Nevertheless, I know of multiple other Wranglers in a near-equal state of build which have successfully completed the Rubicon, so I don't feel this should rule me out. I am certainly willing to make a shakedown run on Constrictor, so just say the word and I'll be there (barring work obligations).

 

[sixstringsteve]

Great! Tell us about your rig.

 

[sixstringsteve]

I would love to attend this one Steve, just not sure I could tolerate that long of a drive in the ole' runner. I know she'll make it, but HITR pushed how much seat time I want to spend in that thing on the highway.

I totally understand. I think I'll be saddle sore before we even start the trip.

 

[TurboMinivan]

Great! Tell us about your rig.

1998 Wrangler 4.0L 5-speed, 84k miles
2" coil spacer lift (my "temporary" lift until I eventually upgrade further)
31" MT/Rs
Trac-Lok limited slip Dana44 rear, pegleg front Dana30, 3.73 axle gears
LOTS of armor (rocker guards, upgraded bumpers f&r, gas tank skid, frt diff skid, steering box skid, custom roll cage)
CB radio that needs tuning help

Thanks to the armor, I'm not afraid of scraping a rock. I have run this Jeep in its current configuration most of the way through Constrictor; I stopped just short of the left turn because another vehicle was taking a long time trying to conquer it, and I ultimately backed down, turned around, and drove back out before he completed it.

Anyway, what do you think?

 

[sixstringsteve]

Do you think you could have gotten through the left turn on constrictor if you'd had time? We'll do some pre-runs before the trip.

I wish I could answer intelligently, I have never run this trail so I have zero experience. From what I hear, it's like a 30-hour never-ending obstacle course like constrictor. I'd think you'd want more than a limited slip in the rear, but I'll let others chime in who have actually run the trail. The more experience you have driving your rig, the better. We'll have time to winch people every now and then, but if we're having to strap people over an obstacle every 5 minutes, that's going to get really old fast and add days to our trip. Calling those more experienced than I...

 

[TurboMinivan]

Do you think you could have gotten through the left turn on constrictor if you'd had time?

I'm not sure--I've never tried it in this Jeep. I'm willing to give it a shot, though. As soon as I have a free evening, I'll try to organize a (small) run to the snakes and find out.

I'd think you'd want more than a limited slip in the rear

Don't get me wrong--I like the idea of lockers, and ultimately I plan to have selectables front and rear. (I might even install one before this trip, if I can pull it off.) But I recall the guys at Jp magazine running the Rubicon in a stock YJ (only mods = 2" body lift & 31" tires) and they commented how their biggest issue wasn't lack of traction but rather low clearance. Just last fall, a guy on another forum with essentially my exact configuration ran the Rubicon and made it all the way through without incident. This is why I'm thinking I can pull it off.

I am also willing to listen to those who have (recently) run the trail.