The mosquitoes are out in force now that the snow has melted and it's warmed up a bit otherwise, I'd have stayed and gone over to Winch Hill 5 for the action.
Sierra Trek is a great event with lots of great 4x4 fun.
Moderator Journeys/Sports/Big Picture :: Need some help with dgrin?
I went to Sierras for the SUV run Sierra Trek offered. The past president of California Association of 4WD Clubs led the tour along with one of the guys who serves on the committee for the night Fordyce run.
This was the first year they've offered an overnight trip. There were a couple of glitches at the start but that didn't affect my enjoyment of the trip at all--I had a great time as did the dog--well, in some sections he was pretty wedged into his seat
The camp is about 35 miles from Truckee, CA at Meadow Lake. Even though the last 16 miles are dirt, you see a lot of motor coaches, trailers and tons of gear.
On the trail into Meadow Lake.
Sierra Trek HQ
A lot of Sierra Trek is short wheelbase Jeep trails. They had an option for an overnight "SUV" run which I went on. Most of what we did, I wouldn't drive a Grand Cherokee on though
There were four on the trip. Two Jeeps (lead and sweep), my Tacoma and an older Toyota P/U. We started at Alder Meadow. California school kids should recognize this as the spot the Donner Party lived for a time.
Run participants.
Alder Meadow.
We drove a lot of pretty dusty trails. Many of which are just accessible due to the winter's high snow load.
View from the top of the hill. Looking toward South Lake Tahoe.
Got myself into a tiny pickle getting turned around and smacked a small rock.
Camp for the night was Richardson Lake. Riley spent his time productively.
Camp did not suck.
Morning.
This trail would have been way better with a locker. It was a challenge for sure and a real sense of accomplishment.
Had a hot chick on the run too.
Amazing views everywhere.
Truck toward the end of the trip.
When it comes around next time, or even before then, it's an amazing place to wheel.
Looks like a great trip Ian - really liking the look of the truck I am loving the morning shot with tree and the morning light rays.
We all need to get out more and get some new wheeling pictures posted.
That reminds me...
So I was going to head down to Big Bear and meet up with Natalie (sexy6chick) and her husband. Along the way, I stopped at Ancient Bristlecone Pine Forest. Which is where things got interesting
I took the route through Silver Canyon almost all the way up to White Mountain Road. The "normal" entrance to the park is via a highway to White Mountain Road which eventually turns to more of a fire road which most cars can negotiate with little difficulty. Not so with Silver Canyon.
Silver Canyon starts in Bishop. The bottom part of the road is single track with a few places to pull over and let someone past and a handful of water crossings.
Here's a long shot of Silver Canyon.
Once you get to the base of the mountain, the trail begins a steep climb to White Mountain Road.
You get an idea of the steepness of this climb here. Looking to the right, you'll see another switchback.
My intent was to arrive early, photograph a couple of pines then stay the night before heading down to Big Bear. However, Silver Canyon had other ideas. The going is much slower than I anticipated and the last mile or so, almost impassable--let me restate. Not so much impassable but traveling alone and with nightfall approaching, the better decision was to back off the trail. So I did.
On the way down, I had a couple of moments where I thought I was going to lose braking. No good
Along the way, my trusty pup, Riley, accompanied me. He's a trooper.
The next day, I'd made a decision to go back for a couple of pine forest photos via the normal route and not to travel to Big Bear just in case something was really wrong with the brakes.
Up the road I went.
Down the road, I found my shot.
After that, I headed over to the campground only to find it full by noon. Same with almost every campground in the area. Oh well, home I went--reasoning that I'd start work on the brakes as soon as I got home.
Except for the brakes and not making it down to Big Bear, it was a good trip. And with a little more research (Google Earth), I've found the last bit of Silver Canyon has actually been re-routed to make it a bit easier and not quite as steep. I'll definitely be going back that way and soon.
If you haven't been to the Ancient Bristlecone Pine Forest, I'd urge you to go. Beside the stunning views of the Eastern Sierra;
There are also some of the oldest living things on this earth in that forest. Well worth a visit.
Moderator Journeys/Sports/Big Picture :: Need some help with dgrin?
^Ian, those last two shots are winners for sure Those brakes are crucial so I'm glad that all was okay even though you couldn't make it out with us. Next time I posted up a thread from the trail with some of the pictures I got, but here's a few.
Wow. The rocks look pretty gnarly :yikes The forest is purty!
Haha, rock gardens are fun! And just to note - none of those show pictures of Gold Mountain which is the trail we planned on running with you..just so you don't get scared if we invite you out again haha The forest there was definitely very nice, one of the few areas that was nice and green. Lots of that area is still dead from the wild fires that came through a few years ago.
Jeep thing...
Wow. Thanks for posting those shots, everyone! Brings back a lot of childhood memories. My father started "Top of the World" 4 Wheeling Club in Alaska in the late 60's and I believe the club is still active today! Great shots!
Nice. I guess trail damage really isn't a concern for you guys.
It doesn't look like I'll get a chance to get back off the beaten path until December. :cry
It's prime time wheeling weather for us. Triple digit temps are done and we are making up for the lack of wheeling during the summer. Trail damage is a concern always, but damage is expected..we always try to avoid it but it happens. We did slice one of our 37" Gooyear MTRs..luckily our friend in CA has one he is going to sell us (almost new and the old style which matches ours).
Stinkin Jeeps! Sorry about the damage Ian. Time for an upgrade??:D
No upgrade. Add to maybe.
There was an added bonus though. The backup officer was someone I thought I recognized from the local BMW dealer (he was a motor officer). Anyway, turns out he was at Sierra Trek, rides a KTM similar to mine and has attended some of the same events as I have. He only had one question for me and that was to ask how I liked the synth winch rope I have
Moderator Journeys/Sports/Big Picture :: Need some help with dgrin?
A tear in the 37? Yikes! Glad you have friends to help out.
Yea it really sucked But thanks to our friend in CA who has the perfect replacement..we are getting a trip to San Diego which means Sea World and San Diego Zoo
Comments
Sierra Trek is a great event with lots of great 4x4 fun.
At first she wasn't at all receptive to a $25,000 tire pump......
Looks like a great trip Ian - really liking the look of the truck
A lover of all things photography.
Olympus E-500
My Smugmug Gallery
That reminds me...
So I was going to head down to Big Bear and meet up with Natalie (sexy6chick) and her husband. Along the way, I stopped at Ancient Bristlecone Pine Forest. Which is where things got interesting
I took the route through Silver Canyon almost all the way up to White Mountain Road. The "normal" entrance to the park is via a highway to White Mountain Road which eventually turns to more of a fire road which most cars can negotiate with little difficulty. Not so with Silver Canyon.
Silver Canyon starts in Bishop. The bottom part of the road is single track with a few places to pull over and let someone past and a handful of water crossings.
Here's a long shot of Silver Canyon.
Once you get to the base of the mountain, the trail begins a steep climb to White Mountain Road.
You get an idea of the steepness of this climb here. Looking to the right, you'll see another switchback.
My intent was to arrive early, photograph a couple of pines then stay the night before heading down to Big Bear. However, Silver Canyon had other ideas. The going is much slower than I anticipated and the last mile or so, almost impassable--let me restate. Not so much impassable but traveling alone and with nightfall approaching, the better decision was to back off the trail. So I did.
On the way down, I had a couple of moments where I thought I was going to lose braking. No good
Along the way, my trusty pup, Riley, accompanied me. He's a trooper.
The next day, I'd made a decision to go back for a couple of pine forest photos via the normal route and not to travel to Big Bear just in case something was really wrong with the brakes.
Up the road I went.
Down the road, I found my shot.
After that, I headed over to the campground only to find it full by noon. Same with almost every campground in the area. Oh well, home I went--reasoning that I'd start work on the brakes as soon as I got home.
Except for the brakes and not making it down to Big Bear, it was a good trip. And with a little more research (Google Earth), I've found the last bit of Silver Canyon has actually been re-routed to make it a bit easier and not quite as steep. I'll definitely be going back that way and soon.
If you haven't been to the Ancient Bristlecone Pine Forest, I'd urge you to go. Beside the stunning views of the Eastern Sierra;
There are also some of the oldest living things on this earth in that forest. Well worth a visit.
A lover of all things photography.
Olympus E-500
My Smugmug Gallery
Haha, rock gardens are fun! And just to note - none of those show pictures of Gold Mountain which is the trail we planned on running with you..just so you don't get scared if we invite you out again haha
A lover of all things photography.
Olympus E-500
My Smugmug Gallery
Mine.
http://youtu.be/kag05CkxzKQ
This was at the Badlands Off Road Park in Attica Indiana. It sucks to have to pay to wheel, but that's about all we got around these here parts.
Here's a shot of a future smugger.....
As far as paying, I have a feeling we are gonna have to get used to that
Thanks.
Lets hope not.
Here are some vids of me wheeling.
Wow. Thanks for posting those shots, everyone! Brings back a lot of childhood memories. My father started "Top of the World" 4 Wheeling Club in Alaska in the late 60's and I believe the club is still active today! Great shots!
Justus Photography
www.lindasherrill.com
it's some quotes and a few pictures from what I hear. I'm not a member so will have to wait to find someones copy.
From last weekends wheeling trip:
A lover of all things photography.
Olympus E-500
My Smugmug Gallery
Nice.
It doesn't look like I'll get a chance to get back off the beaten path until December. :cry
That sucks, but you can't leave us hanging....what happened?
Got rear-ended by a Jeep Grand Cherokee. Merging onto a busy road, lady turned to talk to her daughter in the back seat while the rest of us stopped.
Was taking the dog to his weekly play date. Everyone involved is fine and it's just broken stuff (which can be repaired).
I guess that's "a jeep thing" too.....sorry, I couldn't help myself.
Glad everyone is fine.
It's prime time wheeling weather for us. Triple digit temps are done and we are making up for the lack of wheeling during the summer. Trail damage is a concern always, but damage is expected..we always try to avoid it but it happens. We did slice one of our 37" Gooyear MTRs..luckily our friend in CA has one he is going to sell us (almost new and the old style which matches ours).
A lover of all things photography.
Olympus E-500
My Smugmug Gallery
Stinkin Jeeps!
A lover of all things photography.
Olympus E-500
My Smugmug Gallery
No upgrade. Add to maybe.
There was an added bonus though. The backup officer was someone I thought I recognized from the local BMW dealer (he was a motor officer). Anyway, turns out he was at Sierra Trek, rides a KTM similar to mine and has attended some of the same events as I have. He only had one question for me and that was to ask how I liked the synth winch rope I have
I wasn't wheeling, just out taking pictures....I love how both of my hobbies compliment each other.
And here's one with my dog, Miranda.
Yea it really sucked
A lover of all things photography.
Olympus E-500
My Smugmug Gallery