Building, Driving and Adventuring the MTN4RNR
- Thread starter MTN4RNR
- Start date
airbusa380
New member
It's Thursday, and I am definitely ready for the weekend and to explore around the Sierras...
PC: [MENTION=44305]weeeee[/MENTION]
off topic but I am so glad they re-issued the yellow on black license plates in California....
Erick.
MTN4RNR
New member
Me too. The black really does it for me. It was my first upgrade to the 4Runner. Mostly because I ordered it a month before buying the truck :high5:
MTN4RNR
New member
UPS showed up today with gifts from Slee Off-road. An ARB single compressor, switch and their newly released driver's side bracket mount that fits both the single and the dual compressor. Install tomorrow hopefully, full write up and install photos to follow, as usual. Guess what my beer of the install is going to be :naughty:
Dark Lord
New member
I'll be looking forward to this install. I just got the ARB single, but don't have a bracket for it yet. I'm interested to see how this turns out.UPS showed up today with gifts from Slee Off-road. An ARB single compressor, switch and their newly released driver's side bracket mount that fits both the single and the dual compressor. Install tomorrow hopefully, full write up and install photos to follow, as usual. Guess what my beer of the install is going to be :naughty:
Sent from my XT1254 using Tapatalk
MTN4RNR
New member
Sounds good, I'll get started on it all tonight!
MTN4RNR
New member
Heading up to the mountains is always a good time. Dirt roads, swollen creeks and rivers. I need to bring some fishing gear along next time! But overall, a great day/night :biggrin2:
slynchrva
New member
Do you have an auxiliary fuse/relay box? I'd be interested to see how the Slee bracket lays out with where most people end up mounting a Bussman, SPOD, or Blue Sea fuse box.
UPS showed up today with gifts from Slee Off-road. An ARB single compressor, switch and their newly released driver's side bracket mount that fits both the single and the dual compressor. Install tomorrow hopefully, full write up and install photos to follow, as usual. Guess what my beer of the install is going to be :naughty:
MTN4RNR
New member
Rattlesnake Road - June 2016
This weekend I took some time to head into the Sierras off of I-80. I scheduled to have my sliders installed at 4x4 Labs on Monday in Grass Valley (more on that later) so I decided that I would head up Sunday morning to explore around an area that I had plotted out on a map, but have never driven. I checked last weekend when I was passing through to make sure the gate was open, and it was. So I made my way up I-80 in the morning, hoping maybe I would find a good campsite and maybe a thunderstorm.
On my way up before getting to the Rattlesnake Road area I stopped in another area I have always been curious about to do some preliminary scouting for open/locked gates. That's the fun part about having a loose schedule, you get to say, "hm what's over there" and then just go. Found a few potential places to explore later on.
I reached Rattlesnake Road, aired down to 20 in the front, 18 in the rear. When I am packed light, I have found this to be a good forest service road pressure combo.
I was immediately met with a cascading creek (that I would later camp by up the mountain).
I initially wanted to reach Lola Montez Lake, but snow would stop me, and I would come back to this point, venturing towards Sterling Lake and Fordyce Lake.
I found a locked gate, and a great campground just beyond it on the creek. Saved for a future trip.
Continued up the road towards Lola Montez Lake, and met some snow which ultimately forced me to turn around. Being solo, there wasn't a point to push getting stuck, even with a shovel and MaxTraxx. Not worth it.
Doubled back to the fork and made it to Fordyce Summit overlooking Fordyce Lake. I didn't venture too far down there because I knew I wanted to stay on the Rattlesnake Creek side of the mountain. Saved for a future trip.
I thought for fun I would try to head up the east side of Signal Peak just to see how the trail was, knowing I would likely need to turn around. Sure enough, snow. Saved for a future trip.
One last exploring attempt to head towards Sterling Lake was stopped by...? You guessed it, snow. I made it through a few smaller drifts, and likely could have humped it over this one, but with it being uphill on the way out, I figured the likelihood of getting stuck was too high. Saved for a future trip.
So we came back to a campsite I had spotted earlier in the day on Rattlesnake Creek, tucked away from the road. Set up a small fire and made camp.
I got a chance to try out my Snow Peak torch, which took some practice, but I eventually figured it out and it worked great. Plus who doesn't like things that blow fire!
Morning in Hotel 4Runner
Coffee and dutch apple pie for breakfast
After breakfast we packed up and headed out of camp, and down the mountain to 4x4 Labs just in time for my appointment. Overall a great area, a fun overnight destination, and a place I look forward to exploring more!
<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/F79eDFAf2iA" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>
More to come...
On my way up before getting to the Rattlesnake Road area I stopped in another area I have always been curious about to do some preliminary scouting for open/locked gates. That's the fun part about having a loose schedule, you get to say, "hm what's over there" and then just go. Found a few potential places to explore later on.
I reached Rattlesnake Road, aired down to 20 in the front, 18 in the rear. When I am packed light, I have found this to be a good forest service road pressure combo.
I was immediately met with a cascading creek (that I would later camp by up the mountain).
I initially wanted to reach Lola Montez Lake, but snow would stop me, and I would come back to this point, venturing towards Sterling Lake and Fordyce Lake.
I found a locked gate, and a great campground just beyond it on the creek. Saved for a future trip.
Continued up the road towards Lola Montez Lake, and met some snow which ultimately forced me to turn around. Being solo, there wasn't a point to push getting stuck, even with a shovel and MaxTraxx. Not worth it.
Doubled back to the fork and made it to Fordyce Summit overlooking Fordyce Lake. I didn't venture too far down there because I knew I wanted to stay on the Rattlesnake Creek side of the mountain. Saved for a future trip.
I thought for fun I would try to head up the east side of Signal Peak just to see how the trail was, knowing I would likely need to turn around. Sure enough, snow. Saved for a future trip.
One last exploring attempt to head towards Sterling Lake was stopped by...? You guessed it, snow. I made it through a few smaller drifts, and likely could have humped it over this one, but with it being uphill on the way out, I figured the likelihood of getting stuck was too high. Saved for a future trip.
So we came back to a campsite I had spotted earlier in the day on Rattlesnake Creek, tucked away from the road. Set up a small fire and made camp.
I got a chance to try out my Snow Peak torch, which took some practice, but I eventually figured it out and it worked great. Plus who doesn't like things that blow fire!
Morning in Hotel 4Runner
Coffee and dutch apple pie for breakfast
After breakfast we packed up and headed out of camp, and down the mountain to 4x4 Labs just in time for my appointment. Overall a great area, a fun overnight destination, and a place I look forward to exploring more!
<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/F79eDFAf2iA" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>
More to come...
Last edited:
Man, I talk about doing spontaneous trips and exploring with my 4Runner, but so far I have only spend $$$ on modifying my rig and doing nothing with it. You are giving me the inspiration I need to get of my arse.
May I ask what the general rule is about backroad camping in California? Do you need permits (for fires) or as long as you are on BLM land you are good to go?
PS - I was planning on going to Gold Lake over Memorial but the Ranger said the camp sites are still snowed in. From your pictures looks like there is still a lot of snow up that way. We need the good snow pack to help with our drought.
May I ask what the general rule is about backroad camping in California? Do you need permits (for fires) or as long as you are on BLM land you are good to go?
PS - I was planning on going to Gold Lake over Memorial but the Ranger said the camp sites are still snowed in. From your pictures looks like there is still a lot of snow up that way. We need the good snow pack to help with our drought.
Shred_Head
New member
Looks like a pretty sweet spot! I love the Sierras! Used to live in Tahoe for a few winters (before I had my T4R) but never really got to explore much in the winter.
How far up I-80 is this? I just recently got a job opportunity near Sacramento and may be moving to the Sacramento/Rocklin area depending on my offer... If so, I will definitely be exploring this area!
How far up I-80 is this? I just recently got a job opportunity near Sacramento and may be moving to the Sacramento/Rocklin area depending on my offer... If so, I will definitely be exploring this area!
MTN4RNR
New member
The first rule about going on a trip, is going on a trip. Ha! Just plan a place you want to go to, and make it happen. I have never once thought, "man I wish I wasn't surrounded by awesome views, and fun roads." That being said, glad I can help with some photo inspiration :thumb3:
You'll need to check out closures, and fire restrictions. There are some general rules towards dispersed camping that can vary by area/state. Most include setbacks from creeks, roads, etc. So check with the webpage for the area that you want to go to for current restrictions (i.e. Tahoe NF). You'll likely want to get a "fire permit" by visiting this website.
From the past few trips I have been on, once you get above 7,000ft. you'll start running into snow drifts in shaded areas or northern exposed hillsides. But it's all melting fast up there, so it'll change weekly.
MTN4RNR
New member
They're awesome, but I would encourage you to practice lighting it and using it before hand at home so you won't be stuck with a cold significant other in the forest. It makes you and your "new gadget" look bad :fear:They have them at REI: click here.
MTN4RNR
New member
It's awesome. This is all off of Cisco Grove on the north side of I-80. There are a ton of FS roads in this area. Just check out a FS map, and you'll be amazed. You'd be 1.5 hours from the trail head if you lived in east Sac or Rocklin. Plus there are plenty of places off of highways 20 and 49 north and east of the Grass Valley area that are chock-full of FS roads. Check out the Gaia GPS app. You'll see exactly what I mean. Good luck!
Ordered...:flamethrwoer2:
MTN4RNR
New member
To "light your fire" in the mean time... :fish:
<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/a3sCsVkoPPA" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>
mgreen6616
New member
You obviously don't like to give up your good beer or coffee when outdoors :cheers:. What is that drip coffee contraption you use?
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