Bay Area Off-Road Day in December '15?

[BlackWorksInc]

Hey guys, I'm trying to get a off-road run going for us Bay Area guys on Toyota120.com, we're trying to think of something besides Hollister. I was thinking maybe hitting some snowed in highways in Tahoe like we did a couple years ago as that was fun.

Would be nice to have some T4R.org guys join us if you'd like; I'd love suggestions for what trails/options we have out here. Here's the thread:

Bay Area Off-Road Day in December '15? - Toyota 120 Platforms Forum
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Sunday December 20th, 2015

Mormon Emmigrant trail off 50
Meeting at Shell Station @10:00
6529 Pony Express Trail, Pollock Pines, CA 95726

Confirmed:

-BlackWorksInc (Handheld HAM)
-"Blueberry" FJ Cruiser (BWI's friend)
-V-Man

Tentative:
-Magnetic4R

 

[v_man]

I'm interested , depending on snow level and amounts, there's a bunch of trails that could be doable in the Sierra...

 

[Magnetic4R]

i would be interested, been wanting to go but no one to go with. lol.

 

[anferneey]

Off Road Newbies welcome?

 

[BlackWorksInc]

Off Road Newbies welcome?

Sure, TRD Pro is basically a mildly lifted and modded 5th Gen so it should be fine for whatever we do.

 

[rolling blackout]

Hmmmm...... I am interested but a Friday or Saturday works better for me

 

[BlackWorksInc]

I'm interested , depending on snow level and amounts, there's a bunch of trails that could be doable in the Sierra...

So with the rain coming in a bit heavy lately, I'm thinking a trip up to Tahoe will be better. I'd rather play in the snow than spend 2 hours trying to de-mud the 4th gen again (when I resealed my transfer case I found clay from 3 years ago still caked in the trans tunnel and I KNOW I hit that with pressure washer!)

Niagra Rim looks interesting, but I don't know the area up there too well. I'd like to do something not too easy, but not too hard as some people may not have as much experience as the rest of us.

V_man do you have any suggestions for good trails up there? 4hr travel time is my maximum for a day trip, so Niagra Rim barely makes the cut.

 

[v_man]

There is a trail 'Corral Hollow' off hwy. 4 , just outside of Bear Valley, it's pretty moderate, that might work. I'm wondering if it's closed though under the Stanislaus NF winter road closure rule though, I can call them up...

 

[BlackWorksInc]

There is a trail 'Corral Hollow' off hwy. 4 , just outside of Bear Valley, it's pretty moderate, that might work. I'm wondering if it's closed though under the Stanislaus NF winter road closure rule though, I can call them up...

That sounds good, looks about 3hrs from Hayward; let me know what you find out about road closures. I remember before we did run on a closed, snowed over highway that was pretty cool so that may work well.

 

[rolling blackout]

what about Cow mountain or Knoxville? May be a little bit closer but no snow.

 

[v_man]

I know Cow Mtn will get closed if there has been significant rain, or if it looks like significant rain, Knoxville was so-so wheelin' IMO , but I'm also down for either .

Wright's Lake road off hwy. 50 is also an option. It's paved so I think it's exempt from NF winter closure rules... I can inquire about that one too..

edit: Niagara Rim is definitely closed until spring

 

[2003-4x4runner]

I would like to tag along depending on the date and location. Has anybody thought of going to the Sonora area. Here's a link to a location I found. The camp ground is closed but the trails are still open.

Stanislaus National Forest - Hull Creek

 

[BlackWorksInc]

I would like to tag along depending on the date and location. Has anybody thought of going to the Sonora area. Here's a link to a location I found. The camp ground is closed but the trails are still open.

Stanislaus National Forest - Hull Creek

Date is Dec, 20th. Location is still being determined.

 

[v_man]

[MENTION=66389]BlackWorksInc[/MENTION]I called Stanislaus and El Dorado NF today. They both said any dirt road surface, IE forest service roads would be closed and off limits during the winter, even if they are not gated. They said all paved roads that had not been plowed are fair game to wheel on.

El Dorado did say that Mormon Emigrant Pass Road off Hwy. 50 is open to snow wheeling, but that it was pretty icy as on their last report...I have been reading a bunch of winter wheelin' trip reports from that particular road...

Sounds like Wright's Lake road off 50 is also an option as its paved.

Anyway, the rangers themselves often were not sure what winter regulations existed, so that has been kind of frustrating, but it sounds like the above roads ^^^ are good to wheel on ...

 

[v_man]

And Pollock Pines where Mormon-Emmigrant starts is 3 hours driving time from Redwood City, probably closer to you east bay/north bay guys... a bunch of threads/info here:

Mormon immigrant trail - Pirate4x4.Com : 4x4 and Off-Road Forum

Legal Snow wheeling on hwy 50/88/4/120 - Pirate4x4.Com : 4x4 and Off-Road Forum

 

[BlackWorksInc]

And Pollock Pines where Mormon-Emmigrant starts is 3 hours driving time from Redwood City, probably closer to you east bay/north bay guys... a bunch of threads/info here:

Mormon immigrant trail - Pirate4x4.Com : 4x4 and Off-Road Forum

Legal Snow wheeling on hwy 50/88/4/120 - Pirate4x4.Com : 4x4 and Off-Road Forum

That sounds like a plan! Venue found. I will look for a gas station/pit stop where we can meet up (10am sound good for meeting up before we head out?)

I just need to know who's planning on coming up with us, I would recommend at minimum some decent AT tires since it's going to be snowy. Also do me a favor and let me know if/what radio set-up you guys are running and/or if you have some recovery gear (i.e. I have a set of MaxTraxx and a snatch strap if someone gets stuck and I'm using a handheld HAM for comms)

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Mentions for those interested: [MENTION=107460]Magnetic4R[/MENTION] [MENTION=116675]anferneey[/MENTION] [MENTION=77478]rolling blackout[/MENTION] [MENTION=22205]2003-4x4runner[/MENTION]

 

[v_man]

wonderful , ya I can be anywhere at ten . There is a Shell station right off 50 and Sly Park road that might work. I have a full recovery kit , winch, and I'm HAM with a Baofeng Here's hoping it dumps !

 

[BlackWorksInc]

wonderful , ya I can be anywhere at ten . There is a Shell station right off 50 and Sly Park road that might work. I have a full recovery kit , winch, and I'm HAM with a Baofeng Here's hoping it dumps !

Just Double Checking, the road's not closed is it? Because I'm looking at Eldorado - Home and it says it is?

 

[v_man]

You might be looking at something that says MET is closed from Silverfork junction to hwy. 88, which it always is every winter. But from hwy. 50 to the Silverfork junction it should be open, a stretch of about 20 miles...


edit: here is the link to the order that says 4 wheel drivers are exempt from any MET road closure

http://www.fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOCUMENTS/fseprd485569.pdf

 

[Magnetic4R]

Will try to make this, doing a day trip to tahoe with kids on Sat. Hopefully, Sunday morning I can get away. How long do you guys plan to be up there?

Also, I do not have any recovery yet and no CB radio. =/