Gold lake group run (May 3rd-5th)

[having fun]

Agreed. Downieville is a good one.

The other possibility is right where Highway 49 meets Gold Lake Highway. This is about 3 miles from the entrance to the campground, and there is a general store with restrooms, a small diner, and fuel / water.

Although, it's not the cheapest place to buy fuel, and there's limited cell phone coverage. Downieville definitely has more restaurants, etc.

Speaking of which, how many are planning on coming up Friday? I'm figuring I want to be to the camp entrance no later than 2 or 3 to leave plenty of time for setting up camp. That would put us in Downieville around 1:00.

wha wha wha what, everyone sleeping till noon before they go up. You all going to have me going stir crazy at that hour.

Thought are commander and chiefs "plan is to head up late morning Friday with a goal of being to camp and setting up around 2:00 PM".

Hey Steve or JON, if you guys can get a time frame with the others on here with what works, might help. I know I'm new to your guys group gatherings, I would be willing to go in and claim camp and come back out to meet with everyone. Just putting it out there you know.

 

[redwolf3]

That's still the plan, as indicated in my note. The time of 2:00 to camp is relative. I'd rather run a bunch of guys in at once in a group then have to make several trips out to the trail head.

That said, if you're willing to get up at the butt crack of dawn Friday with me and roll up to a camp spot to reserve an area, I have no problem rolling up there early. I'd rather have two vehicles and sets of gear holding a camp spot than just my stuff if possible.

We should still have plenty of time to get back to Downieville by 1:00.

 

[redwolf3]

So after thinking through some of this, I wanted to take a quick poll from everyone.

Assuming we get up to the camp ground early enough, and there are enough spots that we can kind of "pick" our spot, does anyone have a preference on camp site.

There are the following primary options:

1. Camp Near Gold Lake, near the entrance to camp. This location is about 25 to 30 minutes from the trail head, but it is closer to the main road, near a big lake, and near some basic biffy's.

2. Camp Deeper in along the trail. This will get us closer to the trail head, but further from Biffy's and the main camp entrance / main road. Also, the area near the trail heads doesn't really have any lakes / water / etc.

3. Camp Deeper in near one of the creeks. There are several camp grounds deeper into the camp area which are on flatter land near creeks and rivers, but not near the lake. The upside is there are slightly less bugs because the water isn't standing, downside is there aren't really any other amenities and it's further from the main road.


Option #1 seems the best to me, but from the last couple of trips I have taken up, it may be hard to get a camp spot near the lake (often they are all taken, but the time of year may change that). My next choice would be Option #3, and then Option #2 as a last resort.

Any thoughts?

 

[having fun]

My next choice would be Option #3, and then Option #2 as a last resort.

I'm laughing as I read this. You would prefer option 3 before 2, but 2 was written before 3. LOL.

Me personally, would opt. for #3 as I try to get away from people, rat race.
I haven't been to this area, so I didn't know if there is any spots to camp next to a creek, this is why I was asking about water for cleaning.

As far as the getting up at the butt crack of dawn. The sun usually rises from my butt crack, as I usually beat it up. Wouldn't have a problem with it. Not sure what my work schedule is Thursday before, not sure if I am pulling a night shift yet. I'm self employed sub hauler, on call 24/7 and this is are peak of the season starting.

 

[redwolf3]

I'm laughing as I read this. You would prefer option 3 before 2, but 2 was written before 3. LOL.

Ya, for some reason I chose to write them in order of distance from the entrance to camp / the main road. Just the way my mind works, haha.

 

[Jon]

I'm wanting to do some fishing. With that said, I am also not a huge fan of bugs or Jeeps so I am good with the creek #3. I will shit all over the woods though, that's never bothered me. Keeps bears away.

 

[rolling blackout]

Jon, if I am able to make this trip (so far it looks like I will) I will meet you in Grass Valley, as far as camping goes I vote for option 3.

 

[jrm]

Downieville

I'd be down. Where is this? I couldn't find it on google maps

ya dipstick

 

[redwolf3]

I'd be down. Where is this? I couldn't find it on google maps

ya dipstick

The first post had a map to the area.

You can find more out about the trails in the area at this page: 4x4TrailMaps - Lakes Basin Rec. Area

The first trail we plan on hitting Saturday can be found here: 4x4TrailMaps - Snake Lake Trail

The second trail we plan on hitting Saturday can be found here (assuming we have time): 4x4TrailMaps - Deer Lake

The trail may be doing Sunday, if there is enough interest is here: 4x4TrailMaps - Gold Valley

Each page has some information about the trail, sometimes a few pictures, and GPS Coordinates for the entire trail.

The following is a Google Map with GPS Coordinates to the main entrance of the lake campground which we will need to go through to get to the trails and our primary camping area: https://maps.google.com/maps?q=39.6774,-120.646169&hl=en&ll=39.6774,-120.646169&spn=0.011544,0.022724&sll=39.679283,-120.64662&sspn=0.011544,0.022724&t=h&z=16

Right now, I am tentatively planning on taking a trip up to the trail on Saturday, April 20th to scout out the trails and a good camp spot. I will post up more details there once I have a better idea of where we can setup camp.

 

[4rnnerFan]

I'd like to go

Hi my name is Sam, I live in Sacramento, and just kinda lurk around here but I'd like to come if thats ok. Ive got a 2001 on 35's that I go wheeling in on a regular basis. Here's a picture of me and my truck just because...

 

[Jon]

Sam, more than welcome to join man. Good looking 4Runner! Welcome to T4R.

 

[redwolf3]

Sam, as Jon indicated, you are more than welcome to come.

Your 4Runner is looking good too. Makes me want a newer one to add to the collection.

 

[4rnnerFan]

Jon and redwolf, thanks for the welcome, looking forward to going.

 

[rolling blackout]

Hi my name is Sam, I live in Sacramento,

Sam, I'll be meeting up with Jon in Grass Valley, you're welcome to meet up with us there if you'd like.
-Keith

 

[4rnnerFan]

keith, im assuming you guys would be going up 49 from Grassvalley? i havent decided if i wanna go up 80 or not and just cut through Truckee. But I'd probably just take you up on that offer.

 

[Jon]

Thats the plan so far. Quick meet in Grass Valley, probably a gas station, then up 49. My buddy Boswell was gonna ride with me but got slotted a morning class. He's gonna meet us at the camp ground later. Will a Trail Blazer SS make it to the camp site?

 

[having fun]

Thats the plan so far. Quick meet in Grass Valley, probably a gas station, then up 49. My buddy Boswell was gonna ride with me but got slotted a morning class. He's gonna meet us at the camp ground later. Will a Trail Blazer SS make it to the camp site?

Steve said he is going up Saturday ( tomorrow ), and checking things out. Hey can probably give you input later on that. I noticed on google maps, another road that comes from the bottom side, that looks more of a simple, easy trail. Steve said he would check it out when he goes up there.

 

[redwolf3]

Yep, that was the plan, but there was a slight detour, so will be heading up tomorrow morning first thing instead. I plan to snap some picks and hopefully find a camping spot.

As for your friend with an SS, he may not be able to get it into the main camp spot, but there are some parking areas near the entrance to the camp ground. He could park there and have someone pick him up.

I will report more tomorrow with pictures.

And if anyone is interested in coming up with me, just let me know. I plan to leave sac by no later than 7:00 AM and hopefully be back before 5:00 PM.

 

[redwolf3]

So, just stopped in Auburn for lunch, but thought I would update you all on what I found.

The main issue I found is that there is still a ton of snow up near Gold Lake. Taking the south route in, I made it about a mile before it got too deep for me to risk driving by myself. Taking the central route around the lake I made it about 50 feet off the main highway.

Given that the main trails I planned to run are more covered than either of these roads I suspect this will be a no go on the trip to Gold Lake at this time, since most of the trails are very narrow with some steel drop offs.

Right now I'm thinking we either postpone until a later date, or we find a different trail (at lower elevation) to hit instead.

Either way, I'm open to suggestions.

PS: I will post pics once I get home.

 

[downpour11]

Hmmmmm... well I'm down for a postponement - I might be able to take my truck if we postpone. My schedule is crap for the next month. I'm unable to go May 12-28th. Then I'm free. But whatever works best for the rest of you guys. I can always go on another trip if I can't make this one.

Otherwise we could hit up Bowman Lake again? Andrew and I would have to park the Dodge at the beginning of the trail and take the crawler but we could try Bowman Lake or Jackson Meadows.. not sure how many people may be out there though. It might be harder with a big group. [MENTION=56529]Jon[/MENTION] [MENTION=90813]BigStoke[/MENTION] [MENTION=93873]MENDORUNNER[/MENTION]